what makes a good elevator speech

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11 actually great elevator pitch examples and how to make yours

There's a trope in late '90s movies where a motivated, ambitious main character does everything they can to get on the same elevator ride as the CEO of some powerful company.

It usually ends the same way. Our protagonist makes a nervous, fast-paced speech that the CEO ignores while repeatedly pressing the elevator button, and we get a five-second scene with sad music of our main character watching them walk away.

That nervous, fast-paced speech is an elevator pitch example—a bad one, because otherwise, those movies would be nine minutes long and uninspiring. In the real world, an elevator pitch can make a powerful impression and pave the way for business ventures, employment opportunities, and networking. It won't get you a corner office and a fancy title one week into your new job, but it can be an important step in the right direction. 

To highlight that difference—and to really dismantle "The Pursuit of Happyness" as a plot—I've put together some elevator pitch examples and a guide on how to write one that actually works.

Table of contents:

Components of an elevator pitch

11 elevator pitch examples

How to write an elevator pitch

What is an elevator pitch.

An elevator pitch is a concise speech in which you introduce yourself and a few key points about what you're pitching, whether it's to acquire investors, promote a product, advertise a business, or even sell yourself as a potential employee. If it takes longer than a minute to get the point across, it's getting too long.

Elevator pitches were originally exclusively spoken—used in business conversations and investor pitches—but have since grown into a written format used for things like websites, social media, video ads, marketing outreach, and media pitches . 

You're not trying to convey your entire business strategy or all your selling points. Your goal here is to raise interest, make a connection, and facilitate an opportunity for business in the future.

Let's say you're in the fintech industry and are attending a networking event full of bank representatives and decision-makers. Instead of spending an hour going through your company's history and how it's aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2157, you'd find more success introducing it concisely, pointing out one or two key features and how they could serve your audience's interests. 

The pitch begins with a hook to draw your audience in, veers into the value you offer, provides some proof to support your statement, and wraps it all up with a display of what makes you different.

It's relatively easy to incorporate these elements into a short pitch. The difficulty lies in choosing a good hook and phrasing your proposition in a way that appeals to the other side of the conversation.

The hook: This element doesn't need to be fancy or complicated. Make it simple and get straight to the point. For example, if you're pitching a time management tool, your hook can be a personal story like: "When I first started my business, it felt like there was too much to do and not enough time to do it." It can also be a statistic. If you're pitching an online collaboration tool, your hook can be something like: "73% of all teams will have remote workers by 2028."

The value proposition : This is where you provide an overview of the value you're bringing to the table. Discuss what you're pitching and what it does, research your listener's unique needs beforehand, and prepare a compelling argument for how you can meet them. 

The evidence: The person you're talking to may be nodding, but that doesn't necessarily mean your point is getting across. Some proof of past success or stats that speak to your success could make that nodding a lot more genuine.

The differentiator: Let them know that you're different—that your product or service isn't just another iteration of what came before. You get brownie points for originality and not quoting any movies.

The call to action: Make sure you're inviting your audience to take action. They have all the details, and they might be interested. It's time to bring it home with a clear call to action . Ask them to connect with you on LinkedIn, invite them for a coffee chat, share contact information, and make sure there's an opportunity to follow up on the conversation.

11 elevator pitch examples done right

I rewatched "The Pursuit of Happyness" to see if there was anything I could salvage, but all I walked away with was frustration at the misleading lesson that passion can overcome anything. Passion cannot, in fact, overcome a busy decision-maker who can't wait for you to stop talking.

If you're at all like me, you'll find the following examples a much better use of your time.

1. Startup pitch example

Everyone's got ideas for [shared goal] . But ideas aren't enough.

We took [shared goal] and turned it into a reality.

We developed [solution] at [company name] that's [list of qualities] . We made it possible for [target audience] to [shared goal] .

What sets us apart is our [differentiator, followed by brief overview] .

If you're passionate about [high-level goal] and interested in [benefit of collaborating with you] , let's connect.

This elevator pitch example demonstrates how to approach potential business partners and investors with a clean energy project. The hook is simple. It leans on the issue and the harsh reality of how little the world does to achieve utopian sustainability. Then it introduces the solution as the company's proactive effort to change the status quo. It pitches efficiency, reduced costs, and access to a larger customer base. Finally, it addresses how ease of use sets the solution apart from the competition and invites further collaboration. 

This example is ideal for startups in that it focuses more on the product, what makes it unique, and the features that set it apart, rather than the company's past achievements, success stories, or revenue metrics. It can easily be used to pitch investors and potential clients alike.  

You can follow this example by making the problem the centerpiece of the hook. Open with the issue, and position your company's service or product as the solution.

2. Job seeker pitch example

It took me [period of time] to [achieve goal] .

It's always been my priority to deliver [high-level result] , but I want to put my [expertise] to use making [high-level goal/impact] .

At [company name] , I [past experience] that [measureable results] .

I love what I do. But I [differentiator, high-level goal] .

If you're looking for a [position/title] who's [differentiator] , let's chat. I'm eager to explore how I can help your organization achieve its [field] objectives.

Since tropes are only a good idea when I propose them, I've decided that our job seeker would be making a pitch to GreenCorp, the company from our previous example. Will Smith will not be playing this role.

In this example, the author of the pitch isn't trying to sell a company or a product; they're trying to sell themselves. The hook addresses their background, expertise, and goals. It then veers into past performance results and highlights the key skill set. The uniqueness factor here speaks to GreenCorp's mission, showcasing that the author shares the company's grand goals, empathetic mindset, and desire to help build something positive. 

If you're ever job hunting, open your pitch with a concise and direct overview of your background, share your most impressive achievements, and do your research into the company you're pitching.

3. Sales pitch example

Most people [relevant statistic, followed by explanation] . 

At [company name] , we've taken the [pain point] out of the equation. 

Our [products] are designed for [value proposition] .

They're more than just [product] . They're [differentiator, followed by supporting evidence] . 

We're not just salespeople; we're [differentiator] .

So, are you ready to find [product selling point] ? Let's [CTA] .

In this example, a guitar shop is pitching its unique guitar design to potential customers. It recognizes a very common problem and ties it to a feeling that most guitar enthusiasts know all too well: giving up too soon. It later positions the author as an expert and fellow musician and utilizes customer reviews as supporting evidence.

A sales pitch will always depend on your industry, product, and customer base. Approach your audience by speaking to their greatest pain points .

4. Networking pitch example

I'm a [position/title] at [company name] , and I've worked on [past experience] . 

Over the past [period of time] , I've had the privilege of working with diverse industries, from [industry] to [industry] , and what truly excites me is [shared interest] . 

I'm here to connect with other professionals who share my enthusiasm for creative and innovative [field] ideas. I really want to explore new [differentiators and shared interests] .

Let's connect on [communication channel] . I have quite a few compelling [field] resources to share and talk through.

This networking pitch resembles the job seeker pitch with one major difference: the audience shifts from an employer to a colleague. The objective changes, and that affects the entire approach. 

In this example, the author isn't trying to convey their efficiency or results in percentages or measurable performance points. They're sharing aspects of their industry that they're passionate about and are interested in discussing. The point here is to make a memorable introduction at a networking event and gather connections .

Ahead of your next networking event, tailor your pitch so that it speaks to your expertise and knowledge without going into too much detail.

5. Investor pitch example

At [company name] , we [business concept offer] , plain and simple.

We [value proposition] .

Our portfolio contains [supporting evidence] .

Why us? Well, we [differentiator] .

We roll up our sleeves and get involved. 

We're currently prospecting [target audience] to join us on our journey. If you're ready to be part of the next [field] disruption, let's talk about how [company name] can help.

Investors have heard it all a million times over. It's why their faces are so hard to read—set in unimpressed silence. So it's best to make your hook short and to the point. "We do X to achieve Y" can be a breath of fresh air when your job is listening to entrepreneurs pitch their ideas five days a week.

In this example, YZTech Ventures aims to secure investors for promising companies. The hook is straightforward and simple, slowly veering into an overview of the company and why it works.

6. Nonprofit pitch example

Every day, [pain point] .

[Company name] is working to change that.

We're a nonprofit dedicated to [high-level goal] . We've already provided [supporting evidence/achievements] .

We don't want to treat the symptoms; we want to face the root cause of [pain point] . But this will be a losing battle if we're fighting it on our own.

We're always looking for individuals who share our vision and drive to build a better world where [high-level goal] .

If you're ready to make a difference, let's discuss how you can be part of the solution.

Empathy is the name of the game here, and charities and nonprofits can use it as a unique selling point. The good news is there's very little risk of doing this wrong. The example outlines the cause, its aim, and the efforts being made to find a solution. 

If you're pitching a nonprofit or a charity to potential donors, lean heavily on the charity's message and accomplishments.

7. Personal branding pitch example

I'm [name] , and I'm a dedicated [title] . I've helped [past expertise and achievments] .

I do what I do by [value proposition, followed by differentiator] .

I'm here to [offered value] .

There's " [position] " in the title, but I'll be [differentiator] .

Let's schedule a meeting and discuss what you can do.

Personal branding comes into play when you're pitching yourself, the individual. Just as companies share their unique idea, proposition, and values, the life coach does the same at a personal level. 

If you're ever writing a personal branding pitch, approach it as you would a business. The key difference is to showcase your values and what makes you unique as a person rather than as a corporate entity.

8. Product launch pitch example 

I'm very excited to share with you [product selling point] .

At [company name] , [products] aren't just a [basic nature of product] . We see them as a game-changer in [selling point] .

This is why we developed our [product] , a cutting-edge [product overview] .

Imagine all of your [value proposition, followed by key features] .

Our product has already received rave reviews during beta testing, with users reporting [survey results] .

[Product] is now available for preorders! [CTA].

This example focuses less on the company and more on the newly revealed product. The new release speaks for itself and the business at the same time.

The hook immediately positions the product as the future or "the next best thing." The pitch dives into what makes the new product unique, utilizing a hypothetical to paint a picture of what it can achieve.

If you're writing a product launch elevator pitch, focus on the product and let it speak for the company.

9. Rebranding pitch example

We've done great things as [company name] . We've helped businesses [services and past achievements] .

We've since been on a journey of transformation, and it's time for a fresh start.

Our company has grown, adapted, and innovated in response to changing market dynamics. We've [outlined change] . Now, [company name] is about to become [new company name] .

Why the change? We've rebranded to [rebranding reasons] .

With [new company name] , you can expect the same quality, expertise, and dedication you've come to trust. But now, we're adding a fresh perspective and a dynamic spirit to our brand.

We invite you to join us in this exciting phase of our journey. [New company name] is ready to [service/value proposition] .

Let's schedule a meeting and explore how our renewed brand can better serve your evolving needs.

In this example, the hook immediately delivers the reasoning behind the change. 

Instead of a value proposition, the pitch offers an assurance that the rebranding won't have detrimental effects. It's designed to address stakeholders and clients as well as provide context.

10. Consulting services pitch example

At [company name] , we specialize in [value proposition] .

With a team of seasoned experts in [field of expertise] , we've successfully guided organizations to [high-level goal] .

Our approach is all about partnership. We take the time to deeply understand your unique market and audience. From there, we [differentiator] .

[Company name] can be the catalyst for your business's transformation. Whether you're looking to [goal] or [goal] , we're here to help.

Let's schedule a virtual meeting to discuss where your company stands and where we can take it.

This pitch is designed to attract clients for a consulting service. It takes a collaborative tone in its approach and focuses on areas of growth that pretty much every decision-maker worries about. It makes the solution the centerpiece of its hook instead of the problem, and goes on to briefly outline how the firm's process is structured. 

11. Technology solution pitch example

[Relevant statistic].  

That's how it goes for your [pain point] .

Imagine you didn't have to worry about [pain point] .

Our [product] is designed to enhance [process] . We help businesses [value proposition] .

One of our recent success stories includes helping a [supporting evidence] .

The thing is, [differentiator] ; we make sure our [product] is specifically customized for your organization's needs. 

Are you available to meet next week for a personalized demo?

In this example, the hook is a statistic that lays the foundation for the problem and the value proposition. It's a powerful hook that captures the audience's attention and helps you transition into what you really want to say.

You can be an optimist and decide to improvise an elevator pitch. But you'll likely end up taking too many pauses under the guise of sipping your water, and stumbling over your words mid-pitch might waste a precious conversation.

It pays to be prepared, and writing an elevator pitch beforehand can make a big difference.

1. Outline a clear objective

Before you start writing the elevator pitch, focus on your objective . Are you introducing yourself to grow your personal network, pitching a service or product, prospecting investors, or trying to acquire a new client?

Your objective will help you pinpoint the information you want to mention in your pitch. 

Tip: Establish success metrics relevant to your objective. Investors will want to know how much revenue your business can generate, while potential clients will want to know the benefits of your product or service. Make sure your success metrics speak to your audience's concerns.

2. Define your audience

One speech won't work across the board. Hollywood says the up-and-coming manager likes to be impressed with a Rubik's cube, while the CEO likes to hear your heartfelt speech about how much this job means to you and how you're expertly overcoming odds. 

Both those things are wrong, but the point remains that identifying who your listener is and what matters to them is a nice way to tailor your pitch so that it speaks to their concerns, needs, and bigger pain points. The more you resonate with your audience, the more impactful your pitch will be, and the closer you'll get to a tearful Will Smith movie ending.

Defining your audience goes beyond knowing the name and nature of what might make a potential client. 

Tip: Conduct in-depth audience research by diving into your chosen market, competitors, user data, and digital marketing analytics. Then comb through that information to define your audience's pain points and how you're uniquely positioned to address them.  

3. Craft a hook

You know what you want to say and why. Now you need an opening statement—a hook that grabs their attention and gets them invested in the rest of your pitch. You want to set the stage for the elements that come next. Make it clear and engaging, but keep it concise. The goal here is to get an attentive listener, not a bored one.

The hook needs to spark the audience's interest. You need to speak their industry's language, show knowledge and expertise, and put your audience research data to good use by pointing out the difficulties and issues they face.

Tip: Use a personal story, a statistic, a fact, or an interesting hypothetical to draw your audience in.

4. Explain your value proposition

Once your audience is paying attention, it's time to dive into the proposition and the value within. What do you and your idea bring to the table? What problems do you solve, and how does that make your listener's life better? How does your solution differ from those they've heard pitched a thousand times before?

Point out the differentiating factors that make you and your business unique, whether it's the groundbreaking tech you've patented or the better pricing options your competitors can't keep up with. 

Tip: Write down all the aspects that make your business different, and choose the most compelling ones for the pitch.

5. Support your pitch with evidence

Who doesn't like real-life measurable data? Well, Hollywood doesn't, but that's just because no amount of Hans Zimmer music can make your 325% ROI cinematically engaging. You can be confident that your audience will want to hear success stories that support your proposition.

Have a few successful case studies from former and current clients ready to drive the point home and turn a semi-interested listener into an engaged party.

Tip: Draw on your own expertise, and use performance statistics and relevant metrics from previous projects. 

6. Keep it concise

It's called an elevator pitch for a reason. You have under a minute to get your entire pitch across to a busy decision-maker who doesn't have all day. Cut the fluff, and only say what you feel certain will convince your recipient to take your side.

Tip: Practice reading your pitch out loud in the mirror. Use a timer to measure how long it takes to deliver it comfortably.

7. End with a clear call to action

Since the point of an elevator pitch is to generate interest, you'll want to end it with a clear call to action—one that evokes a response and maybe a more in-depth conversation.

If you're pitching a service, you can offer to schedule a meeting to further outline your services and how they can help the listener. If you're pitching a product, you could offer to schedule a demo to prove it can improve their business. Get creative here, and aim to turn that interest into a meeting.

Tip: Lead your audience to connect with you beyond the pitch. Schedule a meeting or a coffee chat, exchange contact information, and make sure there's room for a longer discussion.

8. Prepare to answer questions

You can't just deliver your pitch and then hit the open bar at the networking event. Be ready to answer questions.

Questions at this stage mean your listener is intrigued, curious, and interested. At this point, feel free to provide as much context in your answers as you'd like. The elevator pitch has already ended, and it served its purpose. Go in-depth and provide context.

Tip: Write down a few questions based on your own market research. Ask yourself what your customers, investors, and audience might be curious about. Prepare your answers so you're never surprised.

Make a unique first impression

Elevator pitches exist because humans have shorter attention spans than goldfish, and we really need a leg up on our aquatic competition.

Opportunities are fleeting, especially when businesses are launching every day. In an oversaturated environment, an elevator pitch can help you make an impression that lasts. And who knows, you might just have what it takes to inspire a 50-million dollar movie that Will Smith can "misty-eye" his way through.

Related reading:

How to pitch your small business to the press

How to use personalized sales pitches to convert clients and sell more 

ChatGPT prompts that will generate great sales emails

Email etiquette: How to ask people for things and actually get a response

How to create a project plan (with project plan templates)

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Hachem Ramki

Hachem is a writer and digital marketer from Montreal. After graduating with a degree in English, Hachem spent seven years traveling around the world before moving to Canada. When he's not writing, he enjoys Basketball, Dungeons and Dragons, and playing music for friends and family.

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How To Create an Elevator Pitch (With Examples)

Tips for writing a perfect elevator speech

When and How To Use an Elevator Speech

What to say in your elevator pitch, what not to say and do during your elevator speech, tips for virtual elevator pitches, elevator pitch examples.

Hybrid Images / Cultura / Getty Images

What's an elevator pitch, and how can it help your career? An elevator pitch—also known as an elevator speech—is a quick synopsis of your background, experience, and purpose. The reason it's called an elevator pitch is that it should be short enough to present during a brief elevator ride.

This speech is all about you: who you are, what you do, and what you want to do (if you're job hunting) or are doing.

Your elevator pitch is a way to share your expertise and credentials quickly and effectively with people who don't know you.

Done right, this short speech helps you introduce yourself to career and business connections in a compelling way. It can help you build your network, land a job, or connect with new colleagues on your first day of work.

Key Takeaways

• Keep your elevator speech short and sweet, aiming to deliver your message in 60 seconds or less.
• Say who you are, what you do, and what you want to achieve. Your goal is to focus on the essentials. 
• Be positive and persuasive with your limited time. Focus on what you want to do, not what you don’t want to do. 
• Deliver your speech to a friend or record it, so that you can be sure that your message is clear. The more you practice, the better your speech. 

If you're job searching, you can use your elevator pitch at job fairs and career expos, and online in your LinkedIn summary or Twitter bio, for example. An elevator speech is a great way to gain confidence in introducing yourself to hiring managers and company representatives.

You can also use your elevator pitch to introduce yourself at networking events and mixers. If you're attending professional association programs and activities, or any other type of gathering, have your pitch ready to share with those you meet.

Your elevator pitch is just as useful in virtual networking events, interviews, and career fairs as it is during in-person gatherings. 

Your elevator pitch can be used during job interviews, especially when you're asked about yourself. Interviewers often begin with the question, "Tell me about yourself"—think of your elevator pitch as a super-condensed version of your response to that request.

Maddy Price / The Balance

Your elevator speech should be brief . Restrict the speech to 30-60 seconds. You don't need to include your entire work history and career objectives. Your pitch should be a short recap of who you are and what you do.

You need to be persuasive.  Even though it's a short pitch, your elevator speech should be compelling enough to spark the listener's interest in your idea, organization, or background.

Share your skills.  Your elevator pitch should explain who you are and what qualifications and skills you have. Try to focus on assets that add value in many situations. This is your chance to brag a bit—avoid sounding boastful, but do share what you bring to the table.

Practice, practice, practice.  The best way to feel comfortable about giving an elevator speech is to practice it until the speed and “pitch” come naturally, without sounding robotic. You will get used to varying the conversation as you practice doing so. The more you practice, the easier it will be to deliver it when you’re at a career networking event or job interview.

Practice giving your speech to a friend or recording it. This will help you know whether you're keeping within the time limit and giving a coherent message.

Be positive and flexible.  You often aren’t interviewing for a specific position when you deliver your pitch, so you want to appear open-minded and flexible. Don’t lead with the stuff you’d rather not be doing. (For example, if you don’t want to travel a lot for work, that’s completely legitimate —but you needn’t volunteer that information right off the bat.) This is your chance to make a great first impression with a potential employer. Don’t waste it.

Mention your goals.  You don't need to get too specific. An overly targeted goal isn't helpful since your pitch will be used in many circumstances, and with many different types of people. But do remember to say what you're looking for. For instance, you might say, "a role in accounting" or "an opportunity to apply my sales skills to a new market" or "to relocate to San Francisco with a job in this same industry."

Know your audience and speak to them.  In some cases, using jargon can be a powerful move—it demonstrates your industry knowledge. But be wary of using jargon during an elevator pitch, particularly if you're speaking to recruiters, who may find the terms unfamiliar and off-putting. Keep it simple and focused.

Have a business card ready.  If you have a business card, offer it at the end of the conversation as a way to continue the dialog. If you don’t, you could offer to use your smartphone to share your contact information. A copy of your resume, if you're at a job fair or a professional networking event, will also demonstrate your enthusiasm and preparedness.

Don't speak too fast.  Yes, you only have a short time to convey a lot of information. But don't try to fix this dilemma by speaking quickly. This will only make it hard for listeners to absorb your message.

Avoid rambling.  This is why it's so important to practice your elevator speech. While you don't want to over-rehearse, and subsequently sound stilted, you also don't want to have unfocused or unclear sentences in your pitch, or get off-track. Give the person you’re talking to an opportunity to interject or respond.

Don't frown or speak in a monotone way.  Here's one of the downsides to rehearsing: it can leave you more focused on remembering the exact words you want to use, and less on how you're conveying them through your body language and tone. Keep your energy level high, confident, and enthusiastic.

Modulate your voice to keep listeners interested, keep your facial expression friendly, and smile.

Don't limit yourself to a single elevator pitch.  Maybe you're interested in pursuing two fields—public relations and content strategy. Many of your communication skills will apply to both those fields, but you'll want to tailor your pitch depending on who you are speaking to. You may also want to have a more casual, personal pitch prepared for social settings.

All the same guidelines apply when it comes to a virtual elevator pitch. You may have an opportunity to give an elevator speech in a virtual career fair, a job interview over Zoom, or during a networking event. Follow the dos and don'ts listed above. 

Plus, keep these tips in mind: 

• Check how you look.  You'll want to have a clean and professional background. Plus, make sure you're well lit and aren't in any distracting shadows. 
• Make eye contact.  Try practicing beforehand, so you get accustomed to looking at the camera—that will help you appear to make eye contact with the person on the other side of the video chat. Though avoid overdoing it or staring!
• Aim for high energy.  As with in-person pitches, you'll want to avoid speaking too quickly. Also important: modulate your voice (to avoid a monotone) and keep your energy high. It's easier for people to be distracted during video meetings, and you'll want to keep their attention. 

Use these examples as guidelines in crafting your own elevator pitch. Make sure your speech includes details on your background, as well as what you'd provide an employer with:

• I recently graduated from college with a degree in communications. I worked on the college newspaper as a reporter, and eventually, as the editor of the arts section. I'm looking for a job that will put my skills as a journalist to work.
• I have a decade's worth of experience in accounting, working primarily with small and midsize firms. If your company is ever in need of an extra set of hands, I'd be thrilled to consult.
• My name is Bob, and after years of working at other dentists' offices, I'm taking the plunge and opening my own office. If you know anyone who's looking for a new dentist, I hope you'll send them my way!
• I create illustrations for websites and brands. My passion is coming up with creative ways to express a message, and drawing illustrations that people share on social media.
• I'm a lawyer with the government, based out of D.C. I grew up in Ohio though, and I'm looking to relocate closer to my roots, and join a family-friendly firm. I specialize in labor law and worked for ABC firm before joining the government.
• My name is Sarah, and I run a trucking company. It's a family-owned business, and we think the personal touch makes a big difference to our customers. Not only do we guarantee on-time delivery, but my father and I personally answer the phones.

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How to Create an Elevator Pitch with Examples

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How to Write a Perfect Elevator Speech

“What’s an elevator pitch, and how can it help your career? An elevator pitch —also known as an elevator speech—is a quick synopsis of your background and experience. The reason it’s called an elevator pitch is that it should be short enough to present during a brief elevator ride.

This speech is all about you: who you are, what you do, and what you want to do (if you’re job hunting).

Your elevator pitch is a way to share your expertise and credentials quickly and effectively with people who don’t know you.

Done right, this short speech helps you introduce yourself to career and business connections in a compelling way. It can help you  build your network , land a job, or connect with new colleagues on your first day of work.”

Read the full article at thebalancecareers.com.

How To Write A Killer Elevator Pitch (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

You’re on the elevator, riding up from the lobby to the top floor to drop off your resume with Human Resources in response to a job posting for your dream career.

You’re excited, but nervous, because you know your resume is going to be just one of hundreds that the hiring manager is going to look over before even thinking about inviting anyone in for an interview.

If only there were a way to make yourself stand out. If only…

The doors open and a woman in a sharp looking business suit steps in with you. She looks over and sees the top floor button is already lit. She smiles and in that instant a current of nervous energy rips through your body. This isn’t just any generic passenger you’re sharing the ride with…this is the hiring manager you’re hoping to impress!

Your heart starts pounding, your palms are sweaty, you feel light headed…

This is your chance!

You have a 12 floor uninterrupted ride up with her and in those moments, in that tiny elevator, she’s your captive audience.

You open your mouth and turn to her with a look of enthusiasm…and speak.

Let’s hope that elevator pitch  (or elevator speech) is ready!

Here’s the deal, after you make your successful elevator pitch (which you will after reading this article!), you need to know that you will get an interview…

But here’s the thing: there are over 100 other difficult interview questions you could be asked in your job interview. Sounds stressful right?

Well don’t worry, because we created a free PDF that outlines the most common questions and gives you word for word sample answers that you can use at your next interview.

Click the link below to get your copy now!

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What Is An Elevator Pitch?

So what exactly is an elevator pitch?

In a nutshell it’s just what it sounds like: a short, 30-60 second well crafted business pitch telling someone who you are and why they should want to hire you .

It’s called the elevator pitch because it’s meant to represent the amount of time you’d have if you were stuck in an elevator with someone riding from the bottom of the building to the top.

“Well, this stinks. I live in a town of nothing but one floor buildings. How am I supposed to use an elevator pitch? Clearly this article means nothing to someone who doesn’t live in the heart of a big city or surrounded by high rise buildings.”

Elevator speeches are good for so much more than just catching someone in a small enclosed space. You never know who you might run into at a cocktail party, or the movie theater, or grocery store…or any other number of places.

A solid elevator pitch will allow you to distill down to the most pure form exactly who you are and what you offer, and that focus can help to set you apart from all the other candidates who are vying for the same job.

Think of it as a commercial and you’re the product . You’ve got 30 seconds to market yourself and convince whoever is listening to not only NOT change the channel, but to buy what you’re selling…you as the Perfect Candidate!!

“So where do I start? Should I lock myself in the bathroom with a stopwatch and pretend it’s an elevator? Do I need a jingle?”

Hmmm…all we’ll say is do whatever works for you…but let’s all agree to skip the singing…for now. Instead, let’s focus on answering a few basic questions by doing a little pretending.

How To Write An Elevator Pitch

Let’s imagine you’re in sales and you just got into an elevator with the CEO of a huge manufacturing company. The doors shut…it’s just the two of you…and you have 60 seconds to convince him to not only listen to you, but to consider you as a potential employee, not just a fellow passenger on a short ride upstairs. So how do you do that!?

Let’s watch…er, we mean, read:

What do you do? Can you tell someone what you do in such a way that it’s interesting? Can you turn it into a quick little anecdote or story that will capture someone’s attention?

“Let me tell you about the time I took our products all the way to the North Pole. I’m in sales. I started out selling refrigerators to moose in Canada.”

Now that we’ve got your job title, can you tell us what you do when you’re doing what you were hired to do?

“In four short years, I’ve helped lead my team to the number one spot in sales…”

Okay, great…but what’s next?! What’s your objective ? What’s your goal?

“…but I knew we could do better. That’s why I took our refrigerators all the way up to the penguins in the North Pole.”

What makes you the best at what you do? Okay, now’s your chance to shine. Why are you the Perfect Candidate?

“Did you know that broken beaks from trying to eat frozen fish is the number one problem facing penguins today? Their issue isn’t that it’s not cold enough for them to keep their fish fresh, it’s that it’s too cold. I knew that by putting their fish in our double insulated hermetically sealed refrigerators instead of the traditional snow bank, the penguins would be able to keep fish fresh longer without having to freeze them, making it easier for the penguins to eat. As a result, we’ve more than quadrupling our current sales and are not only ranked number one regionally, but nationally as well.”

What’s your hook? You’ve just told a great story, but besides being entertained, why should your audience care?

“Now, just imagine what I can do for your products…”

Wait, who are you? D’oh! Nothing says missed opportunity quite like totally forgetting to tell someone your name.

“My name is Bob Mackrel,”

And most importantly…what do you want?

“…and I’m looking for my next big sales challenge. My I give you my business card?”

Boom. And there you have it: the perfect (if not a little outlandish) elevator pitch. In 30 seconds you’ve told your audience what you do, why what you do is important, hooked them in with what you plan to do next for their company, and who you are.

Easy, cheesy, right?

Penguins and refrigerators aside, this pitch was clearly perfect for the audience because our boy Bob knew the CEO, knew the company, and knew that his skills with sales would be a great match. Bob tailored his pitch.

“Again with the tailoring! That’s all you guys talk about…tailoring!”

That’s because it works! Again, think of our commercial analogy. When you’re watching TV, which ads do you skip over or tune out? The ones that don’t apply to you…right? And the ones you listen to and remember are the ones that DO apply to you.

“Ahh…I see what you’re saying. That does make sense!”

The nice thing about an elevator pitch is that it’s short and sweet and to the point, which means once you get the basics figured out, you should be able to use it on just about anyone in any situation…as long as you make sure to always tailor your hook to your specific audience.

Elevator Pitch Mistakes To Avoid

So now that you know what to do in your elevator pitch, let’s quickly talk about what NOT to do.

Speaking too fast.

Yes, you only have about 60 seconds, but try to avoid cramming 15 minutes of information into one minute.

Using highly technical terms, acronyms or slang.

You want your pitch to be easily understood by any audience and that means try to avoid using words that will confuse the average person. The last thing you want is for whoever is listening to you to feel dumb. Remember, think commercial!

Not being focused.

This isn’t a general conversation and you’re not discussing the weather (unless that’s your job, in which case, never mind). Keep your pitch clear and focused.

Not practicing what you’re going to say.

First, write down your pitch. Read it over. Have your friends and family read it. Does it make sense? Make sure it flows well and that there aren’t any spots that feel rough or awkward. Then practice it. Practice it again. Keep practicing it until it becomes so easy for you to pitch that you can do it at the drop of a hat.

Being robotic.

This is all about a face to face interaction with someone you want to impress. Having an easy, approachable, conversational style to your pitch will get you much further than an overly rehearsed monologue approach.

Not having a business card or other take-away with you.

Okay, you’ve sold them on you…now how are they going to get a hold of you when they decide it’s time to bring you in? Make sure you always have something on you to pass on that will allow people to not only remember you, but contact you later on.

Not saying anything.

It does absolutely nothing for you to have a killer elevator pitch if you never use it. Now it’s your turn! Here are three example elevator pitches to get you started. Remember, these are just examples! Make sure you do the work to craft one specific to you and your audience!

3 Great Examples To Use As Inspiration

Graphic designer/logo branding specialist.

Hi, I’m Pam Tone and I’m a graphic designer. Did you know it takes the average person just two seconds to look at a company logo and decide if they like it? Did you know that a badly designed logo can do irreversible damage to a company brand and that most companies go through at least three to four versions in a single year before settling on their final design, costing both time and money? Having worked for over 10 years as a professional graphic designer specializing in brand identification means I’ve built my reputation on the longevity of my logo designs. I can say that not only are my clients happy with what I’ve done for them, but my designs have gone on to win national and international logo and branding awards. I have worked hand in hand with some of the biggest advertising agencies and companies and out of over 300 contracts, have had only one logo changed, and that was as a result of a merger, not poor design. I’d like to bring that award winning history to your company. Would you be willing to meet with me for 20 minutes to go over my portfolio and see how I can help make sure your logo properly reflects your brand?

TEACHER/EDUCATOR

Mobile app developer.

Hi, I’m Chip Ohm and I’m a developer. Did you know one of the biggest challenges facing companies these days is tracking employee work time? Of course, when you have a building where your employees are required to clock in and out it makes things easier, but what about employees who work from home or are on the road? I’ve come up with an easy way for both employees and employers to log and keep track of hours using just their cell phones and an app I’ve designed. The app allows employees to log in from wherever they are and input their start and stop times at the push of a button. You don’t even need to be in an area with a signal. The program captures all the data and holds it in a file which is then automatically uploaded to the employer’s servers as soon as the user is back in signal range. The system is not only simple, but it’s tamper proof. Not only has this app helped streamline the timecard process for remote employees, but it’s reduced timecard inconsistencies and paycheck errors by 90%, saving both time and money. So, how does your company handle logging in hours for your remote clients?

So there you have it! Now that you’ve read through this article and seen a few examples, it’s time to craft your own elevator pitch. Remember, keep it simple, keep it short, and keep it tailored.

And as always…good luck!

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15 creative elevator pitch examples for every scenario

A good elevator pitch can be the difference between landing your next big opportunity or falling short of the competition. But the reality is, people want to have meaningful conversations without the forced sales pitch. So how do you pitch yourself during a job interview or client meeting with authenticity? 

First things first: What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch, also known as an elevator speech, is an opportunity to share a quick summary of yourself and your product offerings. But a pitch can also be your chance at making a real connection that you can use later down the road. It’s not always an immediate benefit, but you should be prepared for any scenario in which you could be giving an elevator pitch. 

In reality, most people have given an elevator pitch whether they realize it or not. That’s because there are many different types of pitches—from interviews to new business opportunities. That makes preparing for your next pitch an important step in marketing both yourself and your company. 

When it comes to figuring out who to deliver your pitch to, you should aim for the best point of contact, not just the highest point of contact. Choosing connections that are related to or interested in what you’re offering will give you a better chance at making your sale. 

How long should an elevator pitch be?

One of the biggest unknowns about creating sample elevator pitches is how long they should be. In most cases, it will depend on what it’s about and who you’re pitching. A good rule of business etiquette is to make it as short as possible by carefully selecting the most important points. 

A study conducted by Microsoft found that the average person has an attention span of around eight seconds, meaning you’ll have to fight for that undivided attention. That’s no small task. So when it comes to a great elevator pitch, aim to keep it around 30 seconds—though the exact length can vary depending on your industry and what you’re pitching. 

When looking at pitch length based on industry, each one differs to some degree. Let’s take marketing for example. Your pitch opportunities will likely be to customers that come across your brand. And in that case, you have very little time to get your message across—whether it’s text, video, or imagery. But when it comes to sales, you may get the opportunity to expand your elevator pitch past 30 seconds. You will likely have plenty of networking opportunities where people are more than willing to listen to what you have to say. It really just depends on your medium and the audience’s eagerness to listen. 

But what if you can’t cut your elevator pitch down to 30 seconds? It may seem like your brand is too complicated to distill down to such a short timeframe, but if you’re pitching to the right audience you shouldn’t have that problem. Make sure you pitch to people related to your industry or a tangential audience that will be able to interpret your offerings. 

How to write an elevator pitch 

When it comes to writing an elevator pitch, it can be hard to decipher important facts from unimportant ones—this is why knowing how to effectively communicate in the workplace is important in the first place. For example, while it’s good to personalize your communication tactics wherever possible, it’s not necessary to give prospects an entire history lesson on your business. Only the most recent and relevant details should be included. To get started creating your own pitch, you first need to understand the basic components that make up any good elevator pitch.

Introduce yourself

All good pitches start with a short introduction. It could be as simple as stating your name and who you work for if those details apply. But the more personal you can make it, the more natural your elevator pitch will seem. Body language is also an important part of a solid introduction, as is eye contact. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when introducing yourself to a new prospect. 

Greet your audience in a way that’s appropriate for the occasion. Go formal for a business pitch or more casual for a fun event. With business meetings and networking events being held virtually, you’ll need to get creative with your introductions over video chat. You could even start with a lighthearted joke to break the ice. But whatever you do, make sure it’s relevant to your audience. 

Present the problem

All solutions start with a problem. Whatever you or your business is trying to solve, it’s important to get the point across early on in your elevator pitch to set the theme for the rest of your speech. An example problem: coordinating work between teams is chaotic.  

If possible, relate the problem back to your audience by using real-world examples. This will help make the problem more relevant and, hopefully, grab your audience’s attention. If your problem isn’t easy to explain, try using more than one example or a visual to really paint a picture for your audience. 

Offer the solution

If the problem is what draws the audience in, then the solution is what hooks them. This is your time to show them why they need your help. Here’s an example solution: Asana gives teams a system to organize and manage work so they know what to do, why it matters, and how to get it done.

The solution is arguably the most important part of an elevator pitch, so spend time perfecting it. If you’re pitching for a business, it’s likely the quick solution pitch has already been created. But again, it’s always better to personalize your pitch. So don’t be afraid to tweak it to fit your audience. If pitching for yourself, talk about the unique skills you’ve developed and why they would be beneficial to your prospect. 

Explain your value proposition

Now that you’ve piqued your audience’s attention, it’s time to seal the deal by explaining why your solution is better than anyone else's. An example value proposition is: Asana is the only platform that connects goals with the work needed to achieve them. 

The value proposition differs from the solution by focusing on why your audience should use your solution over a competitor’s. If you don’t have that answer just yet, perform a competitive analysis to compare your offerings or look to your executive summary. 

If your market is extremely niche and you don’t have a clear differentiator or significant competition, look to communication and interface capabilities. Consider why your idea or solution is original enough that someone would want to use it.   

Engage the audience

While most of the hard work is done, it’s important to engage your audience with a compliment or question before you part ways. Always err on the side of being genuine rather than delivering a scripted goodbye. 

There is no right or wrong way to engage your audience. While ending with a question can create a dialogue between you and your audience, a genuine compliment can go a long way. Think about what made you want to pitch them in the first place and use that to end the conversation. Lastly, don’t forget to swap contact information, such as a business card, if you don’t already have it. 

A foolproof elevator pitch template

Now that you know the basic components of a pitch, the next step is creating your very own elevator pitch. This template can work for just about any situation, from a job interview to pitching a small business or startup. That’s because we analyzed some of the most famous templates from industry experts—from Harvard research to Guy Kawasaki’s art of pitching—to create a foolproof template that will work in any situation. 

Plug your information into our elevator pitch template to draft a quick speech. While you won’t necessarily recite it word for word, it’s a great model to keep in mind in case you find yourself in a position where you’re not prepared with a personalized pitch.

Whether you’re looking for a pitch template for a job interview or for pitching your business, this template is a foolproof example for any situation you might find yourself in. 

General elevator pitch template

Use our elevator pitch template to start constructing your speech by adding statistics and personalized greetings where needed. This template incorporates the four parts explained above to hit all of the important details of a good elevator pitch. 

Introduction : “Hi I’m [name], a [position title] at [company name]. It’s great to meet you!”

Problem : “Since you work with [company name or industry] I figured you’d be interested to know that [problem + interesting statistic].”

Solution : “The great part about working at [your company’s name] is that we’ve been able to fix just that problem by [solution].”

Value proposition : “In fact, we’re the only company that offers [value proposition].”

CTA : “I think our solution could really help you. Are you available this week to speak further on this?”

Don’t be afraid to change up your pitch template based on your personality and professional expertise. We’ve also included personalized 30-second elevator pitch examples below to inspire personal facts you can add to create a more engaging speech .

30-second elevator pitch examples

Let’s dive into the best 30-second elevator pitch examples to help you create a pitch that’s both engaging and informative. Our examples take inspiration from the four elements included in the template above, to demonstrate how you'd pitch project management software to  increase productivity . Try a few or try them all to find one that best fits your personality and value proposition. 

Example 1: Short and sweet

This example is one of the most common you’ll come across. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best, but it’s a great example of a quick and easy pitch that fits almost any situation. When working on this type of elevator pitch, be sure to keep it as short and to the point as possible. Try to stick closely to the 30 seconds or less rule since the point is to be brief and transparent.

The problem is that work is chaotic no matter what industry you’re in or how good you are at your job. But a good project management software can help improve productivity and communication. I haven’t missed a deadline in years. If you’re interested in how it can help your team, give me a call and I can take you through some numbers. 

Example 2: Relatable over reliable

Sometimes the best way to grab your audience’s attention is to reel them in with a personal anecdote they’ll relate to. While it’s still important to drive home your solution, this approach puts more weight on making a personal connection rather than an immediate sale. 

It’s so great to finally meet you. How is business going? I heard you’ve been struggling with communication issues. My team and I struggled with that too. It wasn’t until we added project management software into our routine that we really saw an improvement in teamwork and overall communication. I hope you find a solution that works for your team. 

Example 3: Savvy with stats

Start your pitch off with a hook by dropping an attention-grabbing statistic. It’s important to have hard data to back up your statistics to ensure their accuracy before pitching. When it comes to a statistics pitch, it’s a good idea to come full circle at the end and connect how your solution can help solve that statistic.  

Did you know that despite having more ways to connect remotely, 60% of workers’ time is spent on work coordination with just 26% spent on skilled work and 14% on strategy? No wonder teams need help with project management. Implementing project management tools can decrease time spent on work coordination and help increase skilled work.

Example 4: Question everything

This example uses questions to make your pitch easily comprehensible. It also forces the audience to join in on the conversation rather than just presenting them with a speech. Try starting and ending with a question that makes the audience think about your pitch long after you leave the room.

Do you ever feel like you spend too much time on work about work? I’ve talked to so many people who share the same frustrations. I used to work long hours every day just trying to catch up. But do you know what? Ever since we started using project management software, I've been able to get so much more work done. Have you tried anything similar in the past?

Example 5: Comedic twist

If your pitch isn’t about a serious topic, you can add comedic twists to engage the audience. This is especially useful if giving a presentation. Add a GIF or quick funny clip in between slides to lighten the mood. If using this example, be sure it fits the occasion and tone of your company. 

Did you know that the average person can only pay attention for eight seconds? That’s not even long enough to place my coffee order in the morning. Maybe that’s why my barista always gets it wrong. But seriously, I think that’s why so many companies struggle to hit deadlines. 

Example 6: Tell a story

Use customer testimonials or your own personal story to paint a picture for the audience. This can be especially helpful if your topic is hard to explain in 30 seconds or less. Telling a story is a great way to add a relatable twist. 

We have a customer that transitioned to a fully remote workforce this year and needed help making sure deadlines were met. With our help, they were able to get up to 10% of their time back in their day and focus on more important things like strategic planning.  

Example 7: Emotionally driven

While this type of pitch may be more difficult to create, you have a better chance of winning over your audience if you can make your pitch emotionally driven. It’s also more likely they’ll be willing to share the experience with someone else down the road. It’s important to keep the emotions on the lighter side to prevent the conversation from steering too dark. Here is an example to inspire your own speech. 

It may seem like any other tool, but when you look closely it really is helping teams connect. And not just that, but it’s helping cultivate teams that actually enjoy working together on new projects. That’s something that’s hard to come by, but something everyone is looking for.  

Example 8: Write it first

While most speeches start by writing a general outline, you can opt to write the entire pitch from start to finish. This tends to create a thought-provoking and poetic flow once you do present your pitch. You’ll have to memorize this pitch, so practicing is a key element to this strategy. 

Hi, my name is Kelly! It’s great to meet you. You work for Apollo Enterprises, right? I’ve heard a lot about them. I actually heard that you’re looking for project management help. In my experience, any organization—whether sales or suppliers—needs help coordinating work and team communication. Work can be rather chaotic, especially now, without it. That’s why we’ve created a software tool that helps both individuals and teams organize their projects and communications all in one place. Have you ever thought about using something similar?

Example 9: End with a one-liner

Making a grand exit doesn’t come easily, but if you can pull it off your audience is sure to be impressed. Stay away from cliche one-liners and make your closing authentic to you. The point here is to leave them with a thought that they’ll remember after the meeting is over. Consider sharing a surprising statistic or question relevant to their business.

Over one-quarter (26%) of all deadlines are missed each week because of a lack of clarity. But with the right project management tools, that number could be much lower. So the question is, can your business afford not to use project management software? 

Elevator pitch examples by scenario

Now that we’ve covered the types of pitch examples, let’s dive into example elevator pitches for different scenarios. Whether you’re pitching for your business or yourself, you can use an elevator pitch to organize your thoughts and prepare for the real deal. Let’s look at key tips for any situation you may find yourself in. 

Example 10: Networking event

A networking event is probably the most common scenario you’ll run into. And with the new virtual-first culture, it may be even more challenging to make meaningful connections over video chat. That’s why it’s so important to prepare an elevator pitch that’s compelling no matter where you’re pitching it from. While most salespeople pitch casually in this environment, you may get the opportunity to meet an important executive. In which case, you’ll want to be prepared with a versatile pitch template. 

Great to meet you, I’m Kelly with Apollo Enterprises. We’ve been able to improve productivity and collaboration for teams all over the world. If you ever need help with project management, just reach out. I think we could make a huge impact on your company. I’ll make sure to keep your contact information handy as well. 

Example 11: Job interview

Looking for a new job or have career fairs coming up? Most interviews—whether with human resources, a recruiter, or a hiring manager—start with some form of the phrase, “Tell me about yourself.” This is an opportunity for job seekers to briefly explain themselves and their professional experience using industry buzzwords and key skills. Having an elevator pitch ready can ensure that you’re prepared when the opportunity presents itself. 

I’m Kelly, a specialist at Apollo Enterprises. I chose a career in project management because I had a passion for it, and now I can proudly say that I’ve been able to make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s why I’m looking to continue my career with an employer who shares those same values. I know my unique skills can make a big impact at your company because I’ve proven my results with a few key projects. 

Example 12: Formal meeting

You’ve landed the meeting, congratulations! Now is the time to create a formal elevator pitch to really get them interested. When presenting a formal pitch, a presentation can be a great addition to traditional elevator speech examples. But whether or not you choose to create a presentation, this meeting is about selling your product in the most professional way possible. So dress the part and don’t forget your unique selling proposition. 

I took a look at your current productivity figures and noticed an opportunity for improvement. With our project management software, you could get back up to 10% more of your workday. Not only would that mean more work getting done, but it would also have a positive impact on the overall success of your business. Not to mention, our tool is the only one in the industry that has goal capabilities to ensure teams stay on track. 

Example 13: Sales pitch 

Professionals often pitch traditional sales jargon, but the real key is creating a human connection while lightly sprinkling in what you’re selling. Start with a personal story or light-hearted introduction instead of the typical sales presentation. You can also prepare by creating sales team goal templates to ensure your team is on the same page. 

Our team really struggled to transition to a remote workforce. Communication wasn’t organized and people struggled to find the correct information to complete projects. But, thankfully, we found a solution to our problem. Implementing project management tools not only improved productivity but also improved overall teamwork. Every company prefers different tools, but I can say without a doubt that our software was the best at connecting goals with the work needed to achieve them. 

Example 14: Social introduction

Now, more than ever, professionals are choosing to meet virtually rather than face-to-face. Whether you’re chatting over LinkedIn or have a virtual meeting set up, it’s important to make your pitch personal and use clear visuals to help sell your point. Here’s a great example of a social media pitch. 

Thanks for connecting! I noticed that your competitors are outperforming you when it comes to year-over-year growth. I took the liberty of doing a competitive analysis and didn’t find any outlying problems. I’m wondering if it could be an issue with productivity. How has the transition to remote work been? If you’re interested, I could run you through some productivity figures if you were to add project management tools to your current processes. 

Example 15: Entrepreneurs and business owners

Pitching to a business owner is much different than pitching to an executive. They can be harder to sell because they are often hesitant about new investments. The most important tip is to use examples as they pertain to the business when explaining a problem and solution.  

I love your products at Apollo Enterprises. I’m a huge proponent of your mission. I did realize that there may be some opportunities to improve productivity and collaboration internally. Have you ever considered project management software? I think it could have a big impact on business growth now or even down the road. 

4 tips to perfect your elevator pitch

In addition to creating the perfect elevator pitch, you should also work on sprucing up your delivery. There’s nothing worse than sitting through a boring speech, so make sure yours is anything but. From posture to tone, there’s a lot you can practice to make sure you look professional and knowledgeable. Consider these four tips when trying to nail a successful elevator pitch. 

1. Stick to your outline

To prevent getting off-topic, it’s important to stick to your outline at least to some extent. While you don’t need to recite it word for word, it’s best to memorize the majority of your pitch. That way you won’t need to worry about checking your notes. 

2. Speak slowly and clearly

Many professionals tend to talk quickly when they’re nervous—hey, we’re only human. But it’s important to enunciate and speak slowly so the audience can understand you. This is especially important when presenting over video chat. But try not to slow yourself down too much or you’ll go over your allotted time. 

3. Record your pitch

Record yourself reciting the pitch to work on any areas that need improvement. Practice your pitch a handful of times by playing the recording back and working out any pain points. A couple of key areas to focus on are speed and tone. It’s better to sound overly energized rather than monotone. 

4. Practice, practice, practice!

There’s nothing more effective than practicing your pitch until you’re able to recite it in your sleep. If possible, practice in front of friends and family to get constructive feedback on how you can make your pitch even better. Even if you have years of experience, you can never go wrong with being overly prepared. 

Elevate your first impression with an elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a chance to show off your strengths and pitch your solutions. While it may sound nerve-wracking, using the 15 elevator pitch examples above will help you develop your own method using personal tidbits that tie into your innovative solutions.

While your pitch is an important part of leveling up your business, there are many avenues you can take to achieve growth. One of those ways is by determining whether project management vs. work management tools are right for your team. Not only will they help connect your team members, but the right tools and software can also help your organization set strategic goals. That means more time spent on bigger projects to help your business reach next-level growth. 

Related resources

Unmanaged business goals don’t work. Here’s what does.

How Asana uses work management to effectively manage goals

Beat thrash for good: 4 organizational planning challenges and solutions

How Asana uses work management to streamline project intake processes

The Elevator Pitch: How to Master Your Own (+ 7 Real Elevator Pitch Examples to Learn From)

Think back to a time when a salesperson cold-approached you, and you actually kept talking to them (or even bought something). Did they stumble or seem unsure of themselves?

I doubt it. They most likely recited a short speech they’d practiced hundreds of times— their elevator pitch .

Somehow, they piqued your interest, either by demonstrating value or speaking to a pain point that mattered to you. That’s no coincidence. Without a doubt, they’ve refined that short speech to be so effective that you took the time to listen.

Whether you’re in sales, looking for a new job, or trying to get people interested in your latest business venture, refining your elevator pitch can literally change your life. 

In this guide, we’ll teach you what to include in your elevator pitch, how to master the delivery of that short elevator speech, and break down real-life examples of successful elevator pitches you can borrow from. 

What is an Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch is a short speech that concisely describes an idea that you’re selling. The idea could be a product or service, an investment opportunity, or your own skill set. It should clearly explain your value proposition in 30 seconds, which is about the time you’d have on an elevator ride. 

Elevator pitches need to accomplish three fundamental things:

• Point out a need
• Show how you can uniquely solve it
• Provide a tangible next step

Here’s a basic example of an elevator pitch you could use if you were selling dent repair to people who have dents in their cars at gas stations (this has been used on me before):

When Would You Use an Elevator Speech?

Elevator pitches (sometimes called elevator speeches) can work for many situations, and they’ll change based on who you’re talking to and what you’re selling them. You might have multiple elevator pitches for different aspects of your life or job. You can even have an elevator pitch to get your kids to eat their vegetables (although your success rate might be lower than normal). 

Here, we’ll focus on three situations that most people design elevator pitches for:

• When you’re a sales professional selling products or services: Whether cold calling, emailing, talking to prospects at trade shows, or being introduced to new referrals, first impressions are key for sales pros. A great elevator pitch is adaptable to different buyer personas , so you can pitch your product in a compelling way, no matter who you’re talking to.
• When pitching your business or startup idea to investors: It’s not easy to get financing for a small business or startup. The first time you’re standing in front of potential investors, you need to prove there is a real market need, and that your product or service can uniquely solve that problem. A succinct 30-second pitch can also sell your business to prospective customers or job candidates you want to hire.
• When you’re in a job interview: There aren’t many questions more unnerving than, “Tell me about yourself.” Being prepared with an elevator pitch that distills your work experience and the value you can bring to the company can make all the difference. The best elevator pitch for a job seeker can be used with recruiters, hiring managers, at career fairs, or even as your LinkedIn summary.

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What to Say in a Good Elevator Pitch: 4 Essential Elements

To create the perfect elevator pitch for any situation, you’ll need to iron out each of the four elements below.  

1. Introduction

People need to know two things: Who are you? And why should I care? 

Remember, this isn’t all about you—if possible, try to include the problem you solve right in your introduction.

In a sales call, you might introduce yourself with something like this: “Hi, I’m Tom Callahan, I represent Callahan Auto, the most reliable brake pad manufacturer in the midwest.” 

By throwing in a simple one-liner that demonstrates value, Tommy Boy here has upped his introduction game to the next level. Not only does he say who he is, but why they should care. 

If you’re going into a job search and want to add value to your intro, you could use some compelling past results, “Hi, I’m Tom Callahan, best known for saving my family’s auto parts company from bankruptcy.” 

Here, Tommy Boy doesn’t just introduce himself but lets the recruiter/hiring manager know why he’s valuable. 

2. Mission Statement

An effective elevator pitch requires not just memorizing your mission statement, but feeling it. An effective pitch can convey that feeling to others. For example, one of our mission statements at Close is “Never again should a startup fail because they couldn’t figure out sales.” If you worked for our sales team, you would integrate this into your pitch. Potential customers would know that your goal isn’t just to sell them something, but to help their business succeed. 

If you were pitching yourself for a job interview, you’d want to have a mission statement that clearly states the impact you want to make. For example, your mission statement could be “I want to use my connections and skills to help this company IPO” or “I want to help this company grow because the product and the culture inspire me.” 

3. Unique Selling Point

Now, it’s time to sell your solution. Your elevator pitch should explain why you or your company can not only solve a problem but also why you are uniquely qualified to do so. This is why it’s called a ‘unique’ selling point. 

If you’re a sales rep, think about the competitive advantages you have. What’s something you offer that your competitors can’t touch? 

For example, if you’re selling Coca-Cola to a convenience store chain and are competing with products like Pepsi and RC Cola (remember that?), you could say, “Coca-Cola is the original cola; it’s the flavor that people expect. Without it in your fountain, customers will be left settling for a knock-off.” The uniqueness here is the originality and dominance of Coke over the competition. It conveys satisfying customer demand in a way that the competition can’t.

Whether you’re at a job fair, trying to get investors for your startup, or selling products and services, always remember to sell in a way that makes you unique. This could be your experience, the results you’ve produced in the past, or what drives you to make a positive change. 

4. Call to Action

Now that you’re nearing the end of your 30 seconds, it’s time to wrap things up with a tangible next step, i.e., a call to action. 

This will again vary based on the situation. If you’re pitching yourself to a recruiter for a job, the call to action could be to ask for a formal interview. If you’re selling a product, it could be to offer a more in-depth product demo. 

Don’t ask for too much. Give them a bite-size call to action that’s easy to commit to. A 30-minute product demo, 15-minute needs assessment call, or 20-minute investor presentation are all reasonable call-to-actions that should follow a 30-second pitch. 

If you’re doing an in-person pitch, don’t forget to leave a business card so they have something to remember you by and your contact information.

Our Quick, Simple, and Direct Elevator Pitch Template

Now that we have the four elements nailed down, here’s a simple template you can use to put your pitch together. Note that this is a sales pitch template, but can be easily adjusted for other situations. 

This is truly just a base template for you to start with and get ideas flowing. Feel free to add a compelling stat or fact, a story element, or a leading question that piques interest in your offering. 

The more creative, the more you’ll stand out. 

How to Craft and Execute Your Elevator Pitch: 6 Tips for Success

Knowing what to put in your elevator pitch is just the start. Now, here are six tips to keep your audience’s attention and get them excited about what you’re offering.

1. Have a Conversation Starter Ready to Go

Having a relevant and noteworthy discussion topic in your back pocket can help make your pitch more compelling. Use something that piques their interest, such as a stat or fact that impacts their business. This compelling opener should naturally transition into your elevator pitch. 

2. Focus on One Clear Benefit

You don’t have the time to rattle off all the benefits you provide in 30 seconds. Instead, go all in on the strongest benefit you provide. For us here at Close, it’s helping our customers master the sales process . If you aren’t sure what this is, talk to your customers or look at your product’s online reviews. 

3. Use Numbers to Make It Real

In business, numbers are everything. Use a compelling number in your pitch that calls out an important pain point. For example: “80 percent of small businesses that don’t streamline their sales process fail within five years.” (I have no idea if that’s true, but you get the idea.)

4. Take a Breath and Speak Slowly

Speaking slowly and from your diaphragm rather than your throat conveys confidence. If you speak too quickly and from too high up in your throat, you sound either unsure of yourself or desperate. By calming yourself with a deep breath and speaking confidently, you put your best voice forward . 

Also, speaking slowly can help improve your overall body language, making you seem like a calm and trustworthy person rather than a shaky mess. 

5. Avoid Useless Jargon

The last thing you want is to stop your pitch and explain some obscure industry jargon (there go your 30 seconds). Worse, you don’t want to isolate your audience by speaking in a language they don’t understand. Don’t use jargon unless you’re 100 percent confident that they’ll understand it and that your pitch will be better for it. Otherwise, avoid it. 

6. Practice until You Can Recite This Elevator Pitch in Your Sleep

You should literally be ready to give your elevator pitch to an important person in an elevator, just like the cliche. Practice and practice until you can recite your pitch hanging upside down with your eyes closed while monkeys throw rotten bananas at you. 

When I was in software sales, I recited my pitch so many times I could think about other stuff while saying it, kind of like when you read a page of your book but don’t remember it because you were thinking about something else. I’m not saying think of other stuff while reciting your pitch, but that is the level you should aim for. 

Source: SalesHigher

7 Elevator Pitch Examples From Real Humans You Can Learn From

To give you real-life examples of effective elevator pitches, I surveyed a group of small business owners and entrepreneurs, and the results were fantastic. Below, I’ll break down why these pitches work so you can take away some pointers to use on your own.  

Robert Kaskel, Chief People Officer, Checkr

Robert is an HR veteran for a prominent background check company with a ton of experience and notable clients. This is a pitch he could use at professional networking events or when talking to prospective new clients. 

Why this works:

• Robert’s introduction doesn’t just mention his title but also touts noteworthy clients. This lets you know his company is legit. 
• After the introduction, a pain point is introduced. This identifies a problem that the prospect may have. If they have this issue, they’ll keep listening. 
• His pitch demonstrates why his company is unique (built-in fairness/more human) and the impact it makes (vastly more efficient).

Gillian Dewar, Chief Financial Officer, Crediful  

Gillian’s pitch is for a personal finance site offering objective advice to help consumers pay down debt, learn to invest, and achieve their most important life goals.

• Gillian leads with a strong stat that her audience can relate to—it’s a great and empathetic conversation starter for someone struggling with their finances. 
• She differentiates her company from others by pointing out their mistakes, then makes her company unique and valuable by offering simplicity and trust. 
• It ends with giving her prospect hope for a better future, which is what they need most in their financial life. 

Marshal Davis , President, Ascendly Marketing

Marshal is the President of a digital marketing agency with over a decade of experience running and managing small to medium-sized enterprises.

• When introducing the company, Marshal delivers a strong value statement and clear benefits, which would get his ideal customers to listen. 
• He calls out ‘vanity metrics,’ i.e., meaningless data points that don’t deliver ROI, which is something many companies can relate to. 
• He provides a valuable free offer and mentions that he wants to ‘prove our worth,’ which humbles his company and shows that he is willing to earn their trust. 
• The ending reiterates the pain point that too many companies face and then demonstrates how he will solve that. 

Emma Zerner , Co-Founder & Content Strategist, Icecartel

Emma is the Co-founder and Content Strategist for a prominent e-commerce website specializing in jewelry. She has mastered the art of crafting compelling narratives for her brand. 

• As a whole, this pitch speaks very well to a specific persona that wants elegant, timeless jewelry. 
• It provides a strong mission statement, “We bring artistry and craftsmanship to the digital realm.” In the two sentences of the intro and the mission statement, you can identify what this company is all about. 
• Their unique selling proposition is catering to people who want to invest in an experience and view jewelry differently. In truth, not everyone fits their buyer persona, but for those who do, this hits home. 

Simon Hughes , Founder & Creative Director, Design & Build Co.

Simon’s agency helps eCommerce brands in the fashion, luxury, and beauty sectors enhance their online visibility through social media.

Note that this is the elevator pitch that Simon uses for prospective clients at networking events. 

• He starts with a great conversation starter that may take people aback for a second, and then they realize he’s talking about their brand. Nice! 
• He identifies a problem that his ideal customers may not have solved yet, which is moving beyond advertising to creating a brand identity that identifies with real people.  
• He shows how his company uniquely solves the problem by making clear promises and delivering on them. He also mentions building trust, which his customers need.
• It finishes with a clear and easy call to action. It doesn’t take a whole lot for prospects to say yes. 

Brian Nagele, CEO, Restaurant Clicks

Brian is a former restauranteur who went on to start Restaurant Clicks, an agency that does digital marketing for the food industry. 

• He leads with a strong conversation starter and pain point. Many restaurant owners will be able to relate to this. 
• Brian points out why his agency is unique compared to those other ones who have ‘never laid their hands on a chef’s knife.’ He is someone they can relate to and trust. 
• He finishes by providing value by sharing his expertise and growing his prospect's business. 

Samantha Odo, a Real Estate Representative for Precondo

Samantha showcases her dedication and expertise when pitching potential clients for her Canadian real estate agent business. 

• The intro shows that she’s a local and an expert, both of which convey trust to potentially nervous buyers. 
• Her uniqueness comes from her abundant knowledge and experience, plus her proven track record. Getting real estate clients is all about trust and she continues to build it here. 
• In the end, she states the outcome she will provide (an informed decision) and invites the prospect to achieve their goals with her—an inspirational and non-pushy call to action. 

Our Elevator Pitch to You (I Mean, We Couldn’t Not)

Whether you’re a salesperson, small business owner, or startup founder, you’re going to be delivering a ton of elevator pitches. How you manage, record, and follow up on those pitches is equally important to how you deliver them. If you don’t have a system for tracking your efforts, they are doomed to fail. 

Close is the perfect customer relationship management tool (CRM) for sales teams, small businesses , and startups to track all the information on who they’re delivering elevator pitches to, the opportunity those pitches create, and when you need to follow up. It’s built to help businesses like yours master the game of sales. 

Learn more about how Close can be the fast, modern, and simple CRM that your business needs.

WATCH OUR ON-DEMAND DEMO →

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Elevator Speech [Outline + 13 Examples]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Capturing your background, skills, and objectives into a short and clever elevator speech can be difficult. How do you know what to keep and what to leave out? How do you make an impression in such a short time?

Standing out with your elevator speech doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little practice, you’ll gain confidence in introducing yourself at a job interview, career fair, and, of course, on an elevator ride! Here’s a quick guide to help you craft the perfect pitch along with several elevator speech examples.

In this article:

Tips for Creating a Good Elevator Speech

A sample elevator speech outline, checklist for fine-tuning, elevator speech examples.

The elements that make up a great elevator speech outline are pretty straightforward. You need to describe who you are, what you do, and what your goal is. While the elevator speech template stays the same whether you’re speaking with a potential employer or a sales prospect, you might add other elements to match your unique situation.

Here are a few tips for crafting your personal elevator pitch:

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• Keep it 30 to 60 seconds long.
• Use persuasive speech to spark your listener’s interest.
• Showcase your qualifications or skills.
• For a sales pitch, try starting with an open-ended question.
• Describe who you help and what problem you aim to help them solve.
• Be ready to customize your speech to fit your target audience.

Whether you’re a business owner preparing for a networking event or a job seeker attending a job fair, you can benefit from perfecting a succinct and effective elevator pitch. A go-to elevator speech comes in handy when you’re introducing yourself to new people in general. Have a business card on hand and ready to deliver as well.

Your elevator speech can also provide the right content for social media bios or a resume objective statement. This statement represents your personal brand, so keep it consistent across all social media channels.

Be sure to practice your elevator statement over and over so that you’re able to deliver it naturally, even in a moment’s notice. If you’re stumped for ideas, draw from the elevator speech examples listed below.

This model suggestion plan assists you to avoid creating a sales pitch. It must be  from  your mouth and supporting body language gestures, and  about  your skills and abilities. Use each idea to write one short powerful sentence.

The 10 speech topics I will explicate right now in the next paragraphs are primers to write a carefully planned and prepared presentation that grabs attention and says a lot in a few words.

Remember: tweak till it fits your personality and decisive nature.

ABOUT YOU 1. Smile to your counterpart, and open with a statement or question that grabs attention: a  hook  that prompt your listener to ask questions. 2. Tell who you are: describe you and your company. 3. Tell what you do and show enthusiasm.

WHAT DO YOU OFFER 4. Tell what problems have solved or contributions you have made. 5. Offer a vivid example. 6. Tell why you are interested in your listener.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS 7. Tell what very special service, product or solutions you can offer him or her. 8. What are the advantages of working with you? In what do you differ from competative companies?

HOW DO YOU DO IT 9. Give a concrete example or tell a short story, show your uniqueness and provide illustrations on how you work.

CALL FOR ACTION 10. What is the most wanted response? Do you want a business card, a referral or an  corporate appointment for a presentation after your elevator speech ?

OTHER BUSINESS QUESTIONS

These are other points, questions and business subjects you could ask:

• Who is your target?
• How large is your market volume?
• How do you make profits?
• What are the background, major milestones and achievements of your team?
• Who are your competitors, how do they solve a problem? What is your strength and advantage compared to them? What is your Unique Selling Proposition?
• Are there special patents or technology? Do you have a special approach in client management? And so on.

STEP 1: First write down all that comes up in your mind.

STEP 2: Then cut the jargon and details. Make strong short and powerful sentences. Eliminate unnecessary words.

STEP 3: Connect phrases to each other. Your elevator speech address has to flow natural and smoothly. Do not rush, keep eye contact all the time and work steady to the grande finale: the call to action.

STEP 4: Memorize key points and practice out loud – test it with a close relative in the safe environment of your home.

STEP 5: Have you really answered  the  key question of your listener:  What’s In It For Me?

STEP 6: Create different versions for different business situations of your elevator speech. Note them on professional business cards:

Perfect your own elevator presentation by learning from others. Here are a few effective elevator pitch examples to help you craft your own:

1. Job Seeker Elevator Pitch Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH0Thez9gvA

You run into all kinds of people at the elevator, even a hiring manager. This sample elevator speech is a good example for those looking for a job interview. It shows how you can highlight your skills and experience even when you’re caught off guard. Notice how she also has a business card ready?

“I’m excited to hear back because the position helps me to use my brand management and social media skills…”

2. Recent Graduate Great Elevator Pitch

This is an excellent example for those who recently graduated with a bachelor degree in business. Notice that she states exactly what she’s looking for – an internship or job opportunity. In just 41 seconds, she states her experience, skills, and some good details about her personality that make her the perfect job candidate.

“I hope to incorporate my business knowledge into consumer trend analysis and strengthening relationships among consumers…”

3. College Student Personal Elevator Speech

This college freshman opens with her interest in the company. She states her major and reflects on high school experiences, also sharing relevant awards she has won for her skills.

“I’ve gotten awards for my leadership skills and I’m very involved with my college…”

4. Personal Brand Elevator Pitch Template

This college graduate pitches his personal brand through stating the skills he acquired in his education, the type of job he is looking for, and why he wants to work in that type of job. He offers a good mix of talking about his own experience while also focusing on how he’ll help clients. He ends his speech with the call to action of directing his audience to his website.

“I strive to lead a team on various projects one day.”

5. Personal Brand Pitch with a Personal Touch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_paOrg5Zpg

Video pitches are becoming increasingly popular for those looking to connect with brands online. This college student’s personal brand sales pitch stands out because it opens and closes with inspirational music. She explains her personal promise and future plans to receive her master degree.

“I promise to always bring positivity to the table and to remain hard working and dedicated no matter what the task.”

6. Business Plan Effective Elevator Speech

This example is perfect for a small business owner looking to pitch a product. The speaker opens with a compelling situation that appeals to his target market, offers his solution and details the features and benefits, announces his promise, and states his objective – all in 51 seconds.

“Don’t let frost bite your buns. Get the hot seat!”

7. Small Business Elevator Speech Sample

Opening with an interesting fact of how much Americans spend on fishing each year, the speaker follows up with an open-ended question to immediately grab audience attention from her target market. This is a great example of a sales pitch to investors, as the speaker outlines her plan for marketing her product and making their ROI (Return on Investment).

“Our goal is to revolutionize the economics of fishing in favor of the customer.”

8. Financial Advisor Elevator Speech

Ron Coleman explains who he is as a financial advisor, who he works for, and what exactly he helps his clients do. Additionally, he explains the type of people who benefit from his services.

“I’m confident that if given the opportunity I can provide you with the service and the coverage you need in order to protect your business, you, and your family from a variety of different risks.”

9. The Career Fair Elevator Pitch

This funny elevator speech example is the perfect model for a job seeker attending a job fair. The speaker highlights the importance of expressing interest in the company by acknowledging their work and asking a related open-ended question. Of course, lead with your own experience and skills that are relevant to the company representative whom you’re speaking with.

“I read on your website that you are the only company that has increased efficiency by employing mannequins. Can you tell me a bit more about that process?”

10. Good Elevator Speech for Speed Networking

This example from a holistic marketing mentor shows how you can sum up who you are, what you do, and the people you can help in one quick and savvy sentence.

“I help wellness professionals find additional revenue streams so that they can help more people and live a life of ease and grace.”

11. Extreme Sale Pitch Example with Iron Man Jericho Missile Test Scene

Sure, you might not ever get the opportunity to pitch a missile system, but you can take away a lot from Robert Downey Jr.’s confidence as Iron Man. Notice how he opens with a thought-provoking question, offers his guarantee, and humbly ends with a bonus.

“That’s how Dad did it, that’s how America did it, and it’s worked out pretty well so far.”

12. Don Draper’s Funny but Effective Sales Pitch

This funny elevator speech example shows the importance of using a tagline for your personal brand.

“From a basket of kisses she picks one. It makes her unique. It colors her kiss. And her kiss, well, it colors her man. Mark your man.”

13. Real Estate Elevator Speech Example

This is the perfect elevator pitch example for real estate agents. Stacy talks about what she specializes in and highlights her experience in the real estate industry.

“If you know of someone who is looking for a real estate agent in the metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri area that is professional, knowledgeable, and technologically savvy, that’s me!”

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14 Elevator Pitch Examples to Inspire Your Own [+Templates]

Published: December 13, 2023

Whether you're introducing yourself at a networking event, telling new colleagues about your business, or pitching to another professional — you want to capture attention and get it fast.

In situations like these, you need a short and easy-to-grasp explanation of your company and its products, like an elevator pitch.

In this post, we'll discuss why you should use a pitch, discuss different types, learn how to write your own, and give you tips on how to make a memorable one.

What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch — also known as elevator speech — is a short, memorable description of what you do and/or what you sell. The goal is to earn a second conversation, not to convince the person you're talking to that they should hire you or buy your solution.

An elevator pitch is never an opportunity to close a deal. It's an opportunity to close more of your prospect's attention and time. It's a quick introduction to you, your company, and how you can help your prospect.

Elevator Speech Example

Hi, I'm an account manager with Vacation Locator. We help travelers across the world plan their perfect holiday based on their interests, budget, and location preferences. With travel experts assigned to each account, we find the best deals and most unique experiences for each client, so they can enjoy their vacation, instead of stressing out about planning it. On average, we're able to save travelers up to 30% on expenses such as hotel and airfare.

Download Now: Free Elevator Pitch Templates

E-pitch templates to better sell your product, fund your business, or network.

• 4 Fundraising Pitch Templates
• 2 Networking Pitch Templates
• 2 Sales Pitch Templates

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

Free Elevator Pitch Templtes

Fill out the form to get the free e-pitch templates., when to use an elevator pitch.

Pull it out at networking events, conferences, warm calls — and even job interviews or career fairs. Keep your elevator pitch goal-oriented (e.g., "I help companies like yours increase production by up to 30% without additional cost.") and always end with a business card or request to connect on LinkedIn.

If you're curious about what an elevator pitch should look like, or simply ready to jumpstart the pitch creation process, download the templates below. We've compiled several types of templates — from sales pitches to funding requests.

No matter which type of pitch you're delivering, concision is essential. You don't want to waste your prospect's, investor's, or fellow professional's time. With that in mind, how much time should you spend on an elevator pitch?

How long should an elevator pitch be?

An effective elevator pitch is meant to be no more than 30 seconds, just like the length of time you ride in an elevator. You want to keep your words easily digestible, so avoid trying to get too deep into specifics as it can drag on the conversation — and lose your prospect's attention.

You should have an effective elevator pitch prepared before you need it, since you have such a short time to deliver it.

To show your value in under a minute, your pitch needs purpose, flow, and a hook to reel in attention.

How to Write an Elevator Pitch

Download Free E-Pitch Templates

Get your pitch started by using HubSpot's easy-to-use templates. As you write your pitch, you can adjust it as required to address the specific needs of the recipient.

The templates include three different types of pitches: For sales prospects, investors, and potential network connections. No matter what you aim to do with your pitch, having a strong starting framework is essential. Telling your or your company's story in less than a minute can be a challenge, and using templates can help you more effectively hone your message.

Once you've downloaded your templates, tailor them by following the steps below.

2. Introduce yourself.

Before jumping into your elevator pitch, you'll need to introduce yourself to the person you're talking to. Write a sentence about who you are and what your role is at the company (e.g., "I'm a sales rep at Better Than the Rest Cable."). This will help you start the conversation off on the right foot.

Remember not to ramble. Researcher Diana Tamir shows that when we talk about ourselves, our brains show activity in the areas linked to value and motivation. Our bodies are rewarded when we talk about ourselves, so, especially when we're in high-stress situations, we resort to what feels good.

Tamir says , "This helps to explain why people so obsessively engage in this behavior. It's because it provides them with some sort of subjective value: It feels good, basically."

The problem with rambling in an elevator pitch scenario is that you haven't earned the prospect's interest or attention yet. They don't care who you are yet, how long you've worked in your company, or what job you had before. Keep the information about yourself to a minimum and earn the right to share more later in the deal.

3. State your company's mission.

Have a clear understanding of what your company does. What's the company's mission and goals for its product or service? Include a section in your pitch where you introduce the company. The more you know about the business, the easier it will be to cater your pitch to the person you're talking to.

For example, "I'm a sales rep at Better Than the Rest Cable. We help hotels across the U.S. pair with the perfect cable provider and plan for their region and needs."

This is a succinct description of what the company does — without getting into the weeds. If you were to be cut off after these two sentences, the prospect would still know exactly who you are and what your company does.

4. Explain the company value proposition.

What does your company do exceptionally well that sets its product or service apart from the rest? Write a brief, 1-2 sentence statement about the value the product or service provides to current customers.

You've introduced yourself and your company, now it's time to get to the goods. Let's see what that looks like:

"I'm a sales rep at Better Than the Rest Cable. We help hotels across the U.S. pair with the perfect cable provider and plan for their region and needs. With regional experts assigned to each account, we help hotels identify the most cost-effective and guest-delighting cable plan for them."

In one sentence, you've told the prospect what sets us apart and how you can bring them value. You've likely piqued their interest, but how can you really grab their attention? Read on.

5. Grab their attention with a hook.

Pull in your audience with an exciting story about a customer or the company founders. Or offer up a fascinating fact or statistic about the product. An attention-grabbing hook keeps people engaged with what you're saying. Let's finish up our pitch below with an attention-grabbing statistic.

"I'm a sales rep at Better Than the Rest Cable. We help hotels across the U.S. pair with the perfect cable provider and plan for their region and needs. With regional experts assigned to each account, we help hotels identify the most cost-effective and guest-delighting cable plan for them. On average, we're able to save hotels up to 25% on their annual cable bills."

6. Read and edit the pitch.

Read your pitch aloud and make sure it sounds natural. If your pitch is overly formal, you could come off as stuffy and uptight. Instead, make your pitch conversational. This will keep your audience captivated and more likely to continue the conversation.

Elevator Pitch Templates

Now that you know how to write an elevator pitch, download HubSpot's eight free elevator pitch templates to put your learnings into action. These templates can be used to make a sale, start networking, or jumpstart a deal for business capital.

Featured Resource: 8 Free Elevator Pitch Templates

Our templates follow established best practices for elevator pitches. Each one includes:

• A personal greeting: Start every pitch by establishing a human connection and making your prospect feel seen and heard.
• A statement of your company's mission: Your mission can be blended with your value proposition and vice versa. But this piece of information is essential to get your prospect's buy-in, quickly.
• A hook to get your audience's attention: The hook can be as simple as a probing question or a highly personalized statement that's been tailored to your prospect's needs. Either way, the hook will often seal the deal.
• A real example: See the template in action by reading a filled-out example, allowing you to visualize what your pitch may look like as you refine and edit it.

Using these templates allows you to save precious time and focus on the essence of the pitch instead of minute details, such as how to start it off or how to organize it. Your prospect's time is valuable, and so is yours.

30 Second Elevator Pitch Examples

If you're looking for some inspiration, look no further. The following elevator pitch examples illustrate different ways to describe what you can offer in 30 seconds or less.

1. An Attention-Grabbing Question

This elevator pitch is effective because:

• It grabs your attention with a question.
• It reminds you of an annoying — and frequent — pain.
• It demonstrates empathy for your situation.
• It's straightforward and doesn't use jargon.

2. The Credibility Boost

As an account executive for AnswerASAP, I talk to hundreds of marketers per month. And 99% of them hate creating reports. It's time-consuming, it's tedious, and it's usually not your highest priority. That's where our tool comes in — it pulls from all of your data to create any report you want in less than the time it takes to pour a cup of coffee.

• It demonstrates the speaker's authority.
• It reinforces how strongly you hate making reports.
• It uses a common metaphor to highlight the tool's ease of use.

3. The Surprise Ending

You want to know how many leads from your webinar campaign became customers versus leads from your trade show booth. But only customers who bought two products — and weren't already in your database.

How long would it take you to create that report?

If you had AnswerASAP, a data and reporting tool, you'd already know. It creates reports in a matter of seconds.

• It has a "surprise ending."
• It illustrates how valuable the product is creatively.
• It forces you to compare your current situation to a better world.

4. An Outlandish Stat

It demonstrates value.

It gives you a chance to say, "Sure, tell me more," or "I'm good, thank you."

7. The Reality Check

• It helps you understand exactly how the product works with a simple example.

8. The Joke

How many marketers does it take to do monthly reporting? None if they've automated the process with AnswerASAP. Each employee that uses this tool saves 30 minutes per day on average, which is time they can spend on marketing tasks more worthy of their time such as improving performance on campaigns and increasing ROI across the board.

• It engages the audience (at least, if you use a joke that's actually funny).
• It provides instant relatability.
• It draws on a known truth about the industry and positions an unexpected solution.

9. The Emotional Appeal

When I started my career in marketing, I thought I would be making a difference for my organization right away, but as the junior member of the team, all the reporting and administrative tasks were pushed onto me. I was spending so much time creating reports for key stakeholders that could've been diverted to more important revenue-generating activities. If you're not using AnswerASAP, you're spending too much of the organization's time, money, and talent on something that can be generated by our tool on-demand in 30 seconds.

• It evokes emotion and empathy through storytelling.
• It establishes a pain or problem you can relate to.
• It draws a hard-hitting conclusion as a natural "moral of the story."

10. The One-Liner

It's too familiar with the prospect to the point of discomfort.

It makes assumptions about the prospect's work-from-home tendencies.

It uses informal slang ("the absolute pits," "pupperino") for unnecessary humor.

4. Don't under-emphasize the problem you're solving.

It's possible that you may run into issues when putting reports together for your boss. For instance, things may go awry every once in a while, such as disappearing data or disagreeing sources. With AnswerASAP, you can lay those worries to rest. We have a few features that will help you with those issues if you ever run into them.

• It treats a customer problem as a possibility and not an urgent reality.
• It's vague ("things may go awry") and doesn't emphasize how those issues can hurt the prospect.
• It doesn't specify the product features that will solve the prospect's challenges.
• Because it never goes into detail, it shows little research and care.

Remember, an elevator pitch should only come at someone else's prompting. If you're spontaneously reciting it to random people, you're not doing yourself any favors. But if they ask, you want to be prepared with an interesting, well-crafted pitch.

Elevator Speech Best Practices

1. Keep it brief.

The purpose of an elevator speech is to be as brief as possible while capturing a prospect's attention. Try to stay under sixty seconds — including your introduction. Even if you're delivering your elevator speech during a formal presentation, where you have time to elaborate if needed, keep the bulk of your pitch under sixty seconds.

If you don't, you won't be able to use your pitch when you're chatting with prospects in situations with tighter time constraints — such as a tradeshow or a chance meeting.

2. Practice multiple times beforehand.

You may have written the most incredible elevator speech for your product, but if you hamper the delivery by misremembering or even forgetting parts of your pitch, it won't be an effective tool. Be sure to practice by yourself, with your manager, and with your colleagues.

The goal isn't just to memorize it, but to practice your tone, pace, and overall delivery.

3. Come prepared with additional materials.

When you're delivering your elevator pitch, be prepared to provide your prospect with what they need to continue the conversation. Whether that's a business card, a brochure, or a short demo, carry all that you might need with you.

The elevator speech is your opportunity to begin a deal on the right foot and speed the nurturing process. Typically, you might take weeks emailing a prospect before they're ready to schedule a meeting with you, but an elevator pitch speeds that work. You want to have the materials you need to keep the conversation going.

4. Be positive and enthusiastic.

It's essential to show your personality during your elevator pitch, but whether you're a quiet, calm introvert or a charming, excitable extrovert, you should still convey positivity and enthusiasm.

You can use your body language and expression to keep things positive, even if your tone is quiet and calm. You might highlight the amazing benefits your prospect will enjoy if they sign up, or tell a positive story from one of your previous clients.

Most importantly, you should make it obvious that you want to help your prospect more than anything — which will make you sound positive by default.

5. Vary the tone of your voice.

As you deliver your pitch, vary your tone and modulation to keep your listener engaged. This will help you emphasize the most important parts of your speech — such as the benefits — while keeping your prospect's attention. The pitch may be short, but you'll be surprised at how easily people can tune out based on your tone alone. We don't want to risk it! Especially if it's a prospect you've never spoken with.

Reel in Clients with an Effective Elevator Pitch

While a short speech may seem insignificant, those first conversations can hold some weight. With a well-crafted pitch, you can turn a single conversation with a prospect into a long-lasting customer, or even into a business partner. We hope you found these examples helpful and are inspired to craft your own effective elevator pitch.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in August 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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How to Deliver A Strong Elevator Pitch (+5 Examples)

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An elevator pitch can be a powerful tool. It can help you strike up conversations with like-minded professionals, set the tone for a successful interview, and even help make connections that lead to landing your dream job .

But, before any of that, you have to know how to craft an elevator pitch that’s above average. One that captures and holds the attention of complete strangers. One that makes people think, “Hey! I want to know more about this person!” And, trust me, that takes some work.

So, in this post, I want to show you how to prepare and deliver your very own winning elevator pitch! First, I’ll answer some common questions you might have like:

• What is an elevator pitch?
• When do you need an elevator pitch?
• What makes for a poor elevator pitch?

Then, I’ll give you a step-by-step formula to help you know what to write for your elevator pitch. And to finish things off, I’ll show you 5 examples you can use for inspiration and share some tips on how to best deliver your elevator pitch for maximum results.

Let’s get started by jumping into that first question now!

What Is An Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch — sometimes referred to as an elevator speech — is a short, 30-60 second summary about who you are, what you do for work, and (ideally) why the person you’re talking to should be interested in continuing a conversation with you.

As you may know, it’s called an elevator pitch because you should be able to say it in the amount of time you’d ride an elevator from one floor to the next with another person.

When Do You Need An Elevator Pitch?

Your elevator pitch is for whenever and wherever you find yourself introducing yourself to new people in a professional setting.

The most common situations include:

• Career fairs
• Job interviews
• Networking events
• Professional conferences
• When meeting someone who works at your dream company

The Problem With Most Elevator Pitches

So many elevator pitches are just plain bad. You know the kind. They tend to sound like a sleazy attempt to either sell you something or trick you into feeling impressed. Yuck!

And, so, I get it. If you’re used to hearing a bad elevator pitch, you’re bound to doubt whether writing your own can actually help you advance your career. Luckily, the elevator pitch I’m going to teach you how to write won’t sound like the bad ones you may be used to hearing.

But before I share that formula, I want you to know exactly what we’re aiming to avoid. Here are common problems with most elevator pitches:

There’s no objective. Your elevator pitch should have a purpose. Maybe it’s to make new connections. Maybe it’s to find out about job opportunities. It doesn’t matter. Just make sure your goal is clear so it doesn’t sound like you're rambling.

They’re too vague. If your pitch can be said word for word by one of your colleagues, it’s no good. It needs to sound unique to you. And that can’t be accomplished without personal details of your experience.

They’re too “I” focused. Few people will want to hear you talk on and on about yourself. That’s just not how most people are wired. If you talk exclusively about yourself from start to end, you risk losing the other person’s attention.

They leave no room for follow-up conversations. There’s nothing worse than an awkward pause following your pitch. But if you don’t make continuing the conversation easy, it’s almost guaranteed.

Alright, now that you have an idea of what not to do, let’s take a look at what you should do!

How To Craft An Elevator Pitch

You likely already have some kind of elevator pitch. Think about it. It probably sounds something like, “I’m a [job title] at [name of company].” But you and I both know you can do better than that!

So, here’s how you prepare an elevator pitch that grabs attention and effectively makes you the type of person others want to know more about.

Step 1: Establish Your Foundation

Start with a greeting and a basic summary of what you do. This includes your job title, where you work, and a few of your major responsibilities.

Step 2: Decide On An Objective For Your Elevator Pitch

Now, think of what you hope to accomplish with your elevator pitch. You don’t necessarily need to state this explicitly in your pitch. But it’s important to get clear on this because everything else will center around your objective. Are you just trying to make connections? Answer common interview questions ? Or impress someone who could help you get your foot in the door at your dream company?

Step 3: Share Your Work Related Experience Or Interests

With this step the goal is to set yourself apart from the other people who have the same job title as you. What’s something you worked on recently that you’re proud of and supports your objective? If you’re just getting started in your career, get specific about what interests you about your field. Sharing this information will help the other person start thinking of more specific ways to help or relate to you.

Step 4: End With A Question Or Call To Action Related To Your Objective

Your elevator pitch is essentially a conversation starter. But you have to make sure the other person knows that. End your elevator pitch with a call to action or question that’s related to the objective you decided on in step 2.

Step 5: Put It All Together And Edit

What you end up creating the first time might not be perfect. But it doesn’t need to be. Take the time to edit your elevator pitch and view it as a work in progress. Over time and in different contexts, the content of it will change.

5 Elevator Pitch Examples

I know creating a good elevator pitch may be easier said than done. So, here are some examples you can use for inspiration!

Example #1: The “Recent Grad” Pitch

“Hi! Nice to meet you. I recently graduated from college with a degree in computer science with a focus in machine learning. I’m particularly interested in how machine learning can be used in the healthcare industry, which is why I’m looking for a job as a software engineer at a health tech company. Do you know anyone at this career fair I should speak to?”

Example #2: The “Perfect Hire” Pitch

“Hello! I’m a Social Media Manager at XYZ, Inc. where I work directly on using social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn to build brand awareness and convert our followers into buyers with engaging content and ads. Our most recent Facebook ad campaign had a conversion rate of 10%, which, as you know, is above average for our industry. I’m now hoping to align my expertise in social media marketing with my passion for environmental activism at a company like yours.”

Example #3 – The “Open to Opportunities” Pitch

“Hey! Nice to meet you. I’m an Outbound Sales Representative for ABC, a B2B SaaS company, out in New York City that specializes in providing software solutions for small businesses. I recently collaborated with a company like yours to help increase their customer retention rate by 6%, resulting in an increase in profits by 65%. Since then, I’ve actually become fascinated with your industry. Would you be open to setting up a quick call for us to discuss any opportunities you have for someone with my skill set?”

Example #4 – The “Just Making Connections” Pitch

“Hey! I’m glad we’re finally able to connect! As you know, I’m an SEO Analyst at XYZ, Inc. I’m really impressed with the work your company has done recently, which is why I’m hoping to see if I can get your perspective on a new idea I have. I’d love to help you out with anything you’ve been working on in exchange. If you’re up for it, let me know some times that work for your schedule next week.”

Example #5 – The “Unexpected Meeting with Someone at Your Dream Job” Pitch

“I’ve been following your company for a few years now and really admire your mission and commitment to the quality of your product! I’ve actually been a Product Manager at XYZ, Inc. for the past 2 years where I’ve had the opportunity to lead 4 cross-functional teams to develop a series of products for FinTech companies. I’d love to learn more about your experience and, if it’s okay with you, stay in touch in case you hear of any open roles in the future!”

General Tips For Delivering Your Elevator Pitch

Preparing a good elevator pitch is only the first part. The real power of it comes from how you deliver it. Here are some general tips to help you deliver your elevator pitch effectively:

Keep it brief. Remember, you should be able to deliver your elevator pitch in about 30-60 seconds. That means there’s no room for rambling on about every detail of a career. Stick to the key points that work towards the objective you established in the step-by-step formula.

Don’t speak too quickly. While your pitch should be brief, by no means should the other person think you’re rushing through it. Practice until you can deliver the pitch at a comfortable pace that’s natural and easy for the other person to follow.

Adapt the tone and content to fit each situation. Make sure to adapt the tone and content of your pitch to the situation. If you have more than one objective, that probably means you’ll need to plan more than one elevator pitch.

Pay attention to your body language. How others perceive your pitch isn’t just based on what you say. Your body language is also important. Stand up straight with confidence. Smile. Use gestures to show your enthusiasm and friendliness.

Have your business card ready. You or the other person may not have time for a full conversation after you deliver your elevator pitch. So, plan ahead and make it easy to continue the conversation later on by having a business card readily available so they can contact you again in the future.

Practice. This is the most important tip I can give you! Practice your elevator pitch over and over again until it feels natural. You can rehearse the pitch by talking to yourself in the mirror or by acting out a scenario where you’d use your elevator pitch with a friend.

Final Thoughts

Your elevator pitch may only last 60 seconds, but it could lead to connections and opportunities that last for years to come. Spend some time making it great by following the advice here, and be sure to use it the next chance you get!

If you'd like to learn more about adding value to relationships and setting yourself apart from the competition, check out how to create a successful Value Validation Project !

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Austin Belcak

Austin is the founder of Cultivated Culture where he helps people land jobs without connections, without traditional experience, and without applying online. His strategies have been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, & Fast Company and has helped people just like you land jobs at Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, & more.

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Crafting an Elevator Pitch

Introducing your company quickly and compellingly.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

(Also known as an Elevator Speech or Elevator Statement)

You've just bumped into a former client at the airport. After exchanging pleasantries, he asks you what your new company does. You open your mouth, and then pause. Where on earth do you start?

Then, as you try to organize your thoughts, his flight is called, and he's on his way. If you'd been better prepared, you're sure that he'd have stayed long enough to schedule a meeting.

This is one situation where it helps to have an "elevator pitch." This is a short, pre-prepared speech that explains what your organization does, clearly and succinctly.

In this article, we'll explore situations where these are useful, and we'll look at how to craft an effective pitch.

About the Technique

An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what your organization does. You can also use it to create interest in a project, idea or product – or in yourself. A good elevator pitch should last no longer than a short elevator ride of 20 to 30 seconds, hence the name.

It should be interesting, memorable and succinct. It also needs to explain what makes you – or your organization, product or idea – unique.

When to Use an Elevator Pitch

Some people think that this kind of thing is only useful for salespeople who need to pitch their products and services. But you can use an elevator pitch in other situations too.

For example, you might use one to introduce your organization to potential clients or customers. You could use one in your organization to sell a new idea to your CEO, or to tell people about the change initiative that you're leading. You could even craft one to tell people what you do for a living.

Creating an Elevator Pitch

It can take some time to get your pitch right. You'll likely go through several versions before finding one that's compelling and that sounds natural in conversation.

Follow these steps to create a great pitch, but bear in mind that you'll need to vary your approach depending on what your pitch is about:

1. Identify Your Goal

Start by thinking about the objective of your pitch.

For instance, do you want to tell potential clients about your organization? Do you have a great new product idea that you want to pitch to an executive? Or do you want a simple and engaging speech to explain what you do for a living?

2. Explain What You Do

Start your pitch by describing what your organization does. Focus on the problems that you solve and how you help people. If you can, add information or a statistic that shows the value in what you do.

Ask yourself this question as you start writing: what do you want your audience to remember most about you?

Keep in mind that your pitch should excite you first. After all, if you don't get excited about what you're saying, neither will your audience. Your pitch should bring a smile to your face and quicken your heartbeat. People may not remember everything that you say, but they'll likely remember your enthusiasm.

Imagine that you're creating an elevator pitch that describes what your company does. You plan to use it at networking events. You could say, "My company writes mobile device applications for other businesses." But that's not very memorable!

A better explanation would be, "My company develops mobile applications that businesses use to train their staff remotely. This results in a big increase in efficiency for an organization's managers."

That's much more interesting, and shows the value that you provide to these organizations.

3. Communicate Your USP

Your elevator pitch also needs to communicate your unique selling proposition , or USP.

Identify what makes you, your organization, or your idea, unique. You'll want to communicate your USP after you've talked about what you do.

To highlight what makes your company unique, you could say, "We use a novel approach because, unlike most other developers, we visit each organization to find out exactly what people need. Although this takes a bit more time, it means that 95 percent of our clients are happy with the first version of their app."

4. Engage With a Question

After you communicate your USP, you need to engage your audience. To do this, prepare open-ended questions (questions that can't be answered with a "yes" or "no" answer) to involve them in the conversation.

Make sure that you're able to answer any questions that might come back at you, too.

"So, how does your organization handle the training of new people?"

5. Put It All Together

When you've completed each section of your pitch, put it all together.

Then, read it aloud and time how long it takes. It should be no longer than 20-30 seconds. Otherwise, you risk losing the person's interest, or monopolizing the conversation.

Try to cut out anything that doesn't absolutely need to be there. Remember, your pitch needs to be snappy and compelling, so the shorter it is, the better!

"My company develops mobile applications that businesses use to train their staff remotely. This means that senior managers can spend time on other important tasks.

"Unlike other similar companies, we visit each organization to find out exactly what people need. This means that 95 percent of our clients are happy with the first version of their app.

6. Practice

Like anything else, practice makes perfect. Remember, how you communicate is just as important as what you say. If you don't practice, it's likely that you'll talk too fast, sound unnatural, or forget important elements of your pitch.

Set a goal to practice your pitch regularly. The more you practice, the more natural your pitch will become. You want it to sound like a smooth conversation, not an aggressive sales pitch.

Make sure that you're aware of your body language as you talk, which conveys just as much information to the listener as your words do. Practice in front of a mirror or, better yet, in front of colleagues, until the pitch feels natural.

As you get used to delivering your pitch, it's fine to vary it a little – the idea is that it doesn't sound too formulaic or like it's pre-prepared, even though it is!

You may want to keep small takeaway items with you, which you can give to people after you've delivered your pitch. For example, these could be business cards or brochures that talk about your product idea or business.

Remember to tailor your pitch for different audiences, if appropriate.

An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you can use to spark interest in what your organization does. You can also use one to create interest in a project, idea or product.

It needs to be succinct, while conveying important information.

To craft a great pitch, follow these steps:

• Identify your goal.
• Explain what you do.
• Communicate your USP.
• Engage with a question.
• Put it all together.

Try to keep a business card or other takeaway item with you, to help the other person remember you and your message.

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Tips for Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch

Table of Contents

Whether you’re starting a business or getting into sales, an elevator pitch is a must. You give this pitch when you meet prospects at any networking event, in passing or at meetings. Elevator pitches are also commonly used among people who are looking for a job. [Related: Networking Sites for Job Seekers ]

An elevator pitch is a sales pitch that is typically 30 seconds long. Legend has it that it originated in Hollywood, where screenwriters would use an elevator ride to suggest stories to film executives.

Screenwriters, sales executives and others have limited time to get their unique selling proposition across, so a well-crafted and tested elevator pitch is critical.

When is an elevator pitch important?

There are three elements in a situation where a prepared elevator pitch is important:

• You are meeting someone for the first time.
• Your time to capture the person’s attention is limited.
• The person is in a position to help you in some way.

In general, you can use an elevator pitch anytime someone asks you, “What do you do?” or “What does your company do?” It is a succinct and compelling summary that both answers the question and ideally intrigues the asker enough for them to ask more or to take some desired action.

How to write an elevator pitch: The research stage

Before you set pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, you should do your research. You need a full understanding of what you’re selling, who your company is and what you have to offer.

1. Become an expert on the products and services you sell.

One thing that will set you apart from your competition is your knowledge. Study your products and services like you would review vocabulary for a school quiz.

It’s easy to say, “We’re a gardening company, and we sell pots and plants,” but so do all the other gardening companies. Before crafting your elevator pitch, dig into the details of your products and services. Consider what is unique about your product and what sets your business apart from the competition . Perhaps, for instance, you sell rare heirloom plants and handmade pots from local artists. It is these details that will make your prospects want to know more about your business.

2. Know your audience.

As part of knowing your products and services, you should understand the problems they solve and your prospects’ pain points. The better you know your products and services and your target audience , the more confident you’ll be when giving your elevator pitch and answering follow-up questions. If you’ll be presenting to different types of audiences, you’ll want to customize your elevator pitches accordingly.

What you need to do is develop buyer personas – representations of your perfect customers – from market research. Once you’ve established your buyer personas, tailor your elevator pitch to address the pain points and needs of the buyer type you are discussing.

For example, when talking to a middle-income prospect about solar panels, you might say, “Our product can virtually eliminate your electricity bills,” while an elevator pitch to an engineer might be, “Our systems are made using the latest solar cell technology for the highest efficiency,” and an elevator pitch for someone interested in saving the planet could be, “We help you reduce your carbon footprint and create clean, sustainable energy for your family.”

There are many ways to conduct market research , but the easiest methods are interviews with your current customers and surveys of groups who meet certain criteria for your target audience. [Read related article: 6 Interview Skills That Will Get You Hired ]

3. Highlight the key points of your products and services.

Most businesses have a lot of moving parts, but there’s no time to tell a long story in an elevator pitch. Instead, pull out the key points of your business and top-selling offerings to engage your audience. Think about the big picture, and instead of just listing product benefits, show value. Consider the following.

Is your product unique and interesting because it is …

• Exclusive/patented?
• Hard to obtain?
• Available at an unbeatable price?
• Technologically superior?

Is your company unique and credible because it …

• Has been around for a long time?
• Is an innovator in its industry?
• Is owned or financed by a well-respected and well-known person?
• Has won a prestigious award?

Does your service …

• Solve a problem that no one else can?
• Solve a problem in a way that is more comprehensive or convenient?

4. Decide what you want the person to do at the end of your pitch.

The purpose of the elevator pitch is to motivate the listener to take some action. What that is depends on the role of the person you are pitching.

If the listener is a potential customer, you may want them to …

• Schedule an appointment with a salesperson.
• Visit your business.
• Get a quote.
• Add your company to a bid list.

If the listener is a current customer, you may want them to …

• Schedule a visit or phone call with their company rep.
• Make a referral or recommendation to a potential customer.
• Visit your business to find out more about a new product or promotion.

If the listener is a potential mentor or employer, you may want them to …

• Agree to meet with you.
• Accept your resume.
• Schedule an interview.
• Find out if there is a suitable position in the company for you.

5. Put it all together.

Every good elevator pitch should be built on a standard foundation of these elements:

• Your name and job title
• Your company name (for business owners and salespeople)
• What your company sells or, for job seekers, your most relevant skills and experience
• The type of people you sell your products and services to or, for job seekers, some impressive results you have gotten for your present or past employer
• Your unique selling proposition (covered above for job seekers)
• A call to action

Use social proof to urge your listener to join the crowd by mentioning your company’s popularity, number of social media followers, awards or other recognition.

How to deliver your elevator pitch

1. time it..

While elevator pitches can range from 20 to 60 seconds, 30 seconds is the goal. Before giving your pitch, present it to friends, family, and co-workers, and ask them to time it for you.

2. Practice.

Practice your elevator pitch in the mirror. It may feel silly at first, but it can help you with facial expressions, timing and confidence.

3. Speak clearly.

Knowing that you don’t have a lot of time to give this pitch, you may be tempted to say it fast to get more content in. However, talking too fast is a big no-no when delivering an elevator pitch. If you speak too quickly, it can be difficult for your audience to understand what you’re saying.

4. Be conversational.

It’s also important to be conversational. A good salesperson never sounds like they’re selling something, but as if they’re having a conversation with good friends. The elevator pitch should be your tool for starting a more in-depth discussion.

5. Smile and let your passion show.

People want to do business with people they like. When you deliver your elevator pitch, it’s important to smile and let your personality shine through. Your message should come across in a way that shows you’re passionate about what you’re selling and that you’re a trusted source.

6. Test and tweak.

As the saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Your elevator pitch may not lead to an extended conversation the first time or even the fourth time you give it. If you find that it’s not working, tweak it and continue to test it over and over again.

Turn your call to action around; rather than asking for something, offer to do something of value for the other person. It will be surprising and memorable, making the person want to reciprocate.

What makes a good elevator pitch? Elevator pitch examples

We asked several professionals to share their successful elevator pitches with us to give you some ideas.

Example 1: Mark Armstrong, content marketer at Mark Armstrong Illustration

“My name’s Mark Armstrong. I’m an illustrator. I do business as Mark Armstrong Illustration. Clever name, right? I help brands get noticed and connect with people. I specialize in humor, which helps humanize a brand and makes it easier to relate to. Humor also gets people to drop their shields long enough to hear what you have to say. I also illustrate books and do editorial work for magazines. Mark Armstrong Illustration, at your service! I’d love to send you a link to my portfolio. Do you have a business card?”

What makes it a good pitch: It’s clear and to the point, adding a bit of curiosity with the question he asked along with humor.

Example 2: Megan Moran, stylist at The CEO Style Society

“I’m Megan Moran, and I’m a wardrobe stylist for busy businesswomen. I help them take the stress out of getting dressed by cleaning out their closets, mixing and matching what they own, and shopping for what they need, ultimately saving them time, easing frustration, and leaving them feeling confident in their clothes. You can find out more and make an appointment at CEOStyle.com.”

What makes it a good pitch: It clearly and concisely explains whom she helps, how she helps them and the results they get.

Example 3: Jessi Beyer, speaker and mental health advocate

“Hi, my name is Jessi. It’s nice to meet you! I’m a speaker and personal development coach, specializing in helping my clients break free from expectations and discover their passions and purpose. Through my past struggles with mental health and familial expectations, I discovered key, actionable strategies that helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my life, craft a powerful motivational statement, and create an attention-focusing tool that immunized me from distractions. I also found that many of my peers were struggling with the same thing, so my mission is to help them navigate those issues and eventually live a life that’s passionate, purposeful and authentic. I love meeting other individuals with similar passions and missions. Follow me on Instagram so we can keep in touch!”

What makes it a good pitch: Along with following the foundation for writing a pitch, she includes a personal connection to the other person (“it’s nice to meet you”) and a sentence about what she does.

Elevator pitch advice for job seekers

1. state your specialty..

“The fact that you’re looking should be clearly stated without embarrassment,” Armstrong said. “New graduates should mention a project or study they were part of, either in school or during an internship. Older job seekers should state their specialty, then put it in context by mentioning a specific achievement at a particular company.”

Example: “I’m Jonathan Mendoza. I am originally from Alabama but recently moved to New York City, as it has always been my dream to live and work here. I graduated in December 2018 from the University of Montevallo, located in Alabama, with a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and a minor in public relations. With experience in content creation, I was lucky enough to quickly land a position as a content marketing specialist at Fueled, a technology consultancy, where I write copy for landing pages, create and publish blog content, and manage social media. I am seeking opportunities in the digital marketing industry. I would love to hear more about your company.”

2. Get to the point.

“Interviewers are looking for candidates to be direct and to the point,” said Tom McGee, vice president and general manager of executive recruiting firm Lucas Group. “Candidates should have the knowledge of what the interviewer is looking for based on their recruiter or from the job description they were given or saw online. It is essential for candidates to point out examples of the work they have done that match what the client is looking for.

“Where candidates go wrong in an interview is answering the question and then continuing to talk, instead of stopping and waiting for the next question. You have to be concise and stay on message. Just talking for the sake of talking won’t help you. The key for a candidate is to point out how they have made their recent company money or saved them money.”

Example: The company is looking for a vice president of sales who has grown a sales team from 10 to 50 and increased revenue by 100%.

Elevator pitch: “My name is Joe Smith, and I was informed you were looking for a VP of sales. I recently left a VP position after the private equity partners sold the company. I was brought in to grow the sales team from 10 to 55 within two years, and I increased revenue by 150% over that time. Given my experience and proven track record of success in this field, I would love to meet and discuss this position.”

3. Be confident.

Dominic Lawson, co-founder of Owls LLC and host of the podcast “The Startup Life,” says the No. 1 thing to remember when giving a pitch as a job seeker is to be confident.

“Potential employers want to know that you are able to rise to the challenge and effectively do the job,” he said. “Also, remember that no one has the script to your pitch, so if you mess up a few words, the receiver of the pitch will never know it. Keep going. Research the company if you can, and add some of their words and phrases so they know you have bought into their culture and want to be an asset within it. Most importantly, be clear about what you want. You definitely do not want to appear all over the place.”

Jennifer Dublino contributed to the writing and reporting in this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

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March 11, 2024

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Crafting Your Perfect Elevator Pitch: Examples and Templates to Pitch Yourself Effectively

Explore lasting examples of elevator pitches to perfect your pitch, whether for yourself or your business. Elevate your pitch game with proven examples and templates."

What's Inside?

What is a Elevator Pitch?

Similar to a spoken business card, an elevator pitch is a succinct and compelling synopsis meant to capture listeners' attention and make an impact quickly. Imagine yourself entering an elevator with a prospective customer, financier, or boss who has the power to drastically alter the course of your professional life or company.

You have the brief opportunity to enthrall and pique the interest of your listener by showcasing your value proposition, area of expertise, and unique selling factors.

The term comes from the fact that this succinct but effective communication tool usually lasts between thirty and two minutes, or the length of an elevator ride. Its goal is obvious: to pique the curiosity of your audience while briefly describing who you are, what you do, and why it matters.

Whether you're networking at a conference, looking for startup funding, or going on a job interview, having a strong elevator pitch will help you get noticed and establish valuable connections.

The Essence of an Elevator Pitch

The ability to clearly and concisely convey your value offer is more important than ever in the fast-paced, cutthroat business world of today. This is where the elevator pitch excels, acting as a potent instrument with several advantages:

• Initial Impression Matters:

You never get a second chance to create a first impression, as the saying goes. With the help of an elevator pitch, you may quickly and effectively make a good first impression on prospective customers, investors, employers, or partners. It sets the tone for subsequent conversations and has a big impact on how people see you.

• Maximizing Opportunities:

Opportunities frequently arise out of the blue and over brief periods of time. Examples include an elevator ride, a chance meeting at a networking event, and a quick chat in a busy hallway. Being prepared with a polished elevator pitch increases the likelihood that you will be able to take advantage of these opportunities by allowing you to communicate your message clearly and quickly.

• Simple and Direct Communication:

Brevity is important in a world when information overload is rampant. When preparing an elevator pitch, you must focus on the most intriguing parts of your offer and reduce your message to its most basic form. Your pitch will be more memorable and comprehensible if it is clear and succinct, which also increases the probability that your audience will comprehend it.

• Distinctiveness and Recall:

By emphasizing your special value proposition, area of expertise, and passion, an effective elevator pitch helps you stand out from the competition. It offers you the chance to highlight the unique qualities that set you or your company apart, making an impact on the audience that will linger long after the pitch.

• Building Relationships and Networking:

An elevator pitch is a useful strategy for establishing and fostering professional contacts. Networking is crucial for career advancement and business growth. Through proficient communication of your identity and your capabilities, you can establish significant relationships with possible customers, associates, advisors, and partners.

It's a smart move for networking and job growth to include a polished elevator pitch to your summary part of your LinkedIn profile. This will boost your exposure and draw in the correct contacts.

In conclusion, it is impossible to exaggerate the significance of an elevator pitch. It is an adaptable and essential tool for creating a good first impression, grasping chances, communicating clearly, standing out from the crowd, and establishing meaningful business connections.

Learning the elevator pitch can help you succeed in any professional endeavor by providing a powerful introduction to yourself, your company, or your ideas.

When do you use Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch is a flexible instrument that can be used to accomplish a range of goals in a variety of professional settings. The following are some typical situations in which an elevator pitch can be quite successful:

• Events for Networking:

Having prepared an elevator pitch enables you to effectively introduce yourself and establish important relationships with other professionals, possible clients, partners, or mentors, whether you're attending a conference, industry gathering, or networking mixer.

• Interviews for jobs:

In job interviews, an elevator pitch can provide a brief overview of your credentials, experience, and career objectives, showcasing your fit for the role and making a good first impression on the interviewer. This is especially useful during the "Tell me about yourself" section.

• Startups & Entrepreneurship:

It's common for business owners and startup founders to have to present their concepts to possible partners, investors, or clients. An good elevator pitch can pique stakeholders' interest and create excitement about your venture by communicating its value proposition.

• Marketing and Sales:

An elevator pitch is a useful tool in sales and marketing because it may be used to introduce new goods or services to prospective clients, emphasize their salient features and advantages, and encourage them to take a specific action, such arranging a demo or making a purchase.

• Expert Demonstrations:

An elevator pitch can be used as a succinct opening to a presentation or speech at a conference, seminar, or meeting to draw the audience in and set the tone for the remainder of the session.

• Career Expos & Fairs:

An elevator speech may help you stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression at career fairs and expos, when you might only have a short amount of time to speak with recruiters or companies. This will increase your chances of getting interviews or job offers.

• Unformal Environments:

Elevator pitches are helpful not just in formal business contexts but also in informal or social circumstances when you want to briefly and captivatingly introduce yourself and your interests or professional experience to others.

How long should Elevator Pitch be?

Although there is debate over the optimal duration for an elevator pitch, most people agree that it should be between 30 and 2 minutes. This amount of time is just right—brief enough to hold someone's interest, yet extensive enough to cover the major points of your message. The idea is to make your pitch succinct but thorough by finding the right balance between substance and brevity.

30 Seconds to Two Minutes: Understanding the Duration

• 30 seconds:

The traditional elevator journey lasts 30 seconds, which is ideal since it gives you just enough time to introduce yourself, explain what you do, and make a suggestion about your special selling point. You must be incredibly succinct and direct in a 30-second pitch, concentrating on the strongest points of your offer.

• One minute:

You can include a little example, a noteworthy accomplishment, or a more in-depth description of your services, goods, or background in a 60-second pitch. This is the perfect duration when you need to be brief but have a little bit more audience attention.

• Two minutes:

A two-minute elevator pitch window, which is the maximum length, gives you the chance to tell a quick story or add a little anecdote that helps you make your ideas more clearly.

• Providing too much information is a typical elevator pitch mistake to avoid; concentration and conciseness are essential for leaving a lasting impression.
• Every elevator pitch, no matter how long, needs to be customized for the target audience and goal, concentrating on the points that will most likely pique the listener's interest and resonate with them. It's crucial to rehearse your pitch delivery so that it sounds captivating and natural rather than forced or hurried. Recall that the objective is to create a genuine connection that inspires more discussion rather than merely passing the time.

In the end, the secret to a successful elevator pitch is not only how long it is, but also how clear, relevant, and engaging it is for the person listening to you. You place yourself in a position to take advantage of chances, make connections, and succeed by creating a clear and memorable message.

The Creation of a Elevator Pitch Step By Step

Making a compelling elevator pitch doesn't have to be difficult. This is how to reduce it to six doable steps:

The secret to success in any elevator pitch scenario is to avoid giving a monologue and instead make your presentation conversational by fostering dialogue. This strategy turns the pitch into a lively discussion of ideas, laying the groundwork for a stronger, more lasting relationship.

1. Establish Your Goal

Determine precisely what you want your pitch to do before anything else. Are you trying to get a job, build a network, or draw in investors? Your pitch's focus and direction will be determined by your objective.

2. Recognize Your Audience

Make sure your message speaks to the people in your target audience. Take into account their requirements, interests, and obstacles. By getting to know your audience, you can make your proposal stand out by emphasizing its most interesting and essential features.

3. Emphasize the Special Value You Offer

Determine what makes you unique. This is the main body of your pitch, including your advantages, problem-solving techniques, and reasons for being the best option. Keep it succinct, compelling, and unambiguous.

4. Organize Your Proposal

Write a little story that includes:

• A succinct overview of your company or yourself.
• How your special value offer meets the needs of the target audience.
• A request for action, outlining the next action you would like to take (such as a meeting or interview).

5. Work on and polish

To make sure your pitch fits inside the time limitations and flows naturally, practice it (preferably 30 seconds to 2 minutes). Ask mentors or dependable coworkers for input, then make adjustments to your pitch in light of their observations.

6. Adjust as Required

Be ready to modify your pitch if your objectives and situation alter or for various situations. Having a pitch that is adaptable lets you be prepared for many scenarios without having to start from zero.

• Recall that your elevator speech is a dynamic instrument that will change as your company grows or as you advance professionally. Maintaining the effectiveness of your pitch and making sure it aligns with your current goals and accomplishments requires regular review and revision.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Elevator Pitch

Knowing what to exclude from an elevator pitch is just as important as knowing what to include for maximum impact. Two frequent mistakes that can seriously reduce the impact of your presentation are the tendency to digress and the overuse of technical terms and jargon. Here's how to overcome these obstacles:

Overcoming the Urge to Ramble

A superb elevator pitch is concise and clear, and that's its essence. Veering off topic can quickly dilute your message and make it difficult for your audience to understand what you're trying to say. To resist this impulse:

• Get ready and work on it:

Prior to each networking event, prepare a succinct, unambiguous pitch. Focus on the most important points and practice it to make sure you can finish it in the allotted time.

• Concentrate on Your Main Point:

Decide what you want your proposal or yourself to stick in the minds of your audience. To stay focused, center your pitch on this key point.

• Employ a Framework:

Keeping your delivery on track can be facilitated by creating a clear framework for your pitch, such as starting with a hook, moving into your value proposition, and concluding with a call to action.

Steering Clear of Excessive Jargon and Technicalities

Industry-specific terminology might highlight your experience, but using too much jargon in your elevator pitch can turn off those who aren't as technical as you. To steer clear of this:

• Recognize Your Audience:

Adjust the language you use to the level of familiarity your audience has with your sector. Simplify whenever in doubt.

• Substitute with Simplicity:

Whenever feasible, use plain language to effectively communicate your point without making it seem simplistic.

• Explain Benefits, Not Features:

Pay more attention to the advantages your idea or job offers than to the intricate details. This strategy keeps your pitch interesting and approachable.

Your elevator pitch will be more entertaining, clearer, and ultimately more successful in reaching your objectives if you intentionally steer clear of these traps. The secret is to convey your worth clearly and concisely, without getting bogged down in extraneous details or industry jargon, whether you're selling to clients, employers, or investors.

Structural Components of an Effective Elevator Pitch

The structure of your elevator pitch is equally as important as the content when making one. The excellent pitch is similar to a succinct but captivating tale that leads the audience from curiosity to comprehension to action. The following are the essential structural elements that comprise this journey:

The Hook: Grabbing Attention Immediately

The hook is the first sentence you say to pique the interest of the listener and entice them to continue listening. It creates suspense and sparks interest in the same way as a headline in an article or the first scene of a movie. To create an engaging hook:

• Start with an unexpected fact, a thought-provoking query, or a daring assertion about your subject or concept.
• Make it pertinent to your audience by bringing up an issue they are interested in or offering a chance they wouldn't want to pass up.

The Pitch: Conveying Your Message Clearly

Now that you have their interest, it's time to present your case. Your elevator pitch should begin with an explanation of what you do, why it matters, and what makes you unique. To make your point really clear:

• Refrain from straying from your main point and be succinct. Remain focused on the strongest points of your argument.
• Employ language that is easy to grasp and accessible to anyone, regardless of background in your subject.
• Emphasize your special value proposition , or what you have to offer that no one else has.

The Close: Encouraging Further Engagement

In the close, you summarize your argument and point the audience toward the following action. This is your opportunity to move interest into action, be it setting up a meeting, going online, or just carrying on the conversation. To promote additional participation:

• Give your audience a precise idea of what you want them to do next in your call to action at the end.
• Whether it's passing them a business card, sending them to a landing page, or scheduling a time to talk more, make it simple for them to take that next step.
• Thank them for their time and attention, and make a good impression that they will remember.

Strategies for Personalizing Your Elevator Pitch

When an elevator pitch feels personal to both you and your audience, it will resonate. It's about emphasizing your unique selling points and tailoring your message to resonate with the audience you're speaking to. Let's investigate how to add this unique touch:

Identifying Your Unique Selling Points

You stand out from the competition in your field thanks to your unique selling points (USPs). These are the attributes, experiences, or aptitudes that set you apart from the competition. How to determine your USPs:

• Think back on your accomplishments, encounters, and abilities. Think about the things that have brought you constant attention or appreciation. Is it your capacity for original problem-solving? Your background in a certain field?
• Consider the difficulties you've surmounted or the unusual routes you've chosen. Your pitch may become more memorable and sympathetic by using these anecdotes.
• Find out what makes you stand apart from coworkers, friends, or mentors. Others are frequently able to provide insightful opinions about our special talents.

Tailoring Your Message to the Audience

When it comes to elevator pitches, a one-size-fits-all strategy rarely works. You must adjust your pitch to the needs, interests, and concerns of your audience if you want it to resonate with them. How to do it is as follows:

• If at all possible, do some audience research in advance. Recognize their function, industry, and difficulties. With this information, you can tailor your pitch to their concerns and areas of interest.
• Before making your proposal, attentively listen in on conversations. Recognize cues or keywords that will enable you to modify your message at any time.
• When delivering your message, be adaptable. Even while your main point might not change, be ready to highlight different parts of your pitch according on the person you're speaking with. For instance, when addressing a prospective employer, emphasize how you can address the particular issues facing their business.

Your elevator pitch will be more engaging and effective if you personalize it by figuring out your unique selling proposition and adjusting the message to the audience. It demonstrates that you are sincerely interested in adding value to the audience and are not merely reciting a prepared speech. Making a good initial impression and paving the way for new prospects can be achieved with this strategy.

Elevator Pitch Examples

Although creating an engaging elevator pitch is essential, putting it together visually can make it more powerful. You can make polished presentations using Decktopus that grab the attention of your audience right away. With the help of Decktopus's editable templates , interactive components, and time-saving tools, you can make a pitch that is memorable and effective. Whether you're pitching to investors, employers, or clients, use Decktopus to elevate your pitch.

Here is a template page from Decktopus :

• So how can one craft a compelling elevator pitch? Everything begins with a well-defined elevator pitch template. Using this framework will help you organize your pitch and make sure you cover all you need to, from self-introduction to highlighting your special value proposition.
• Always adapt your message to your audience to ensure clarity and engagement by emphasizing how your distinctive value proposition fits with their needs or interests. This is one of the most important elevator pitch tips.

In order to fully comprehend the technique of creating a compelling elevator pitch, let's examine a few real-world examples that highlight various strategies and formats:

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Job Seeker's Pitch:

"Hello, I'm [Name]. I'm a seasoned marketing expert that is passionate about data analytics and digital strategy. In my previous position at [Company], I oversaw a team that used focused social media efforts to boost online engagement by 30%. I'm now looking for new chances where I can work with a forward-thinking company like yours and use my experience to produce quantifiable results."

Business Proposal:

"Hey, My name is [Name] and I founded [Startup]. Our company focuses in creating AI-powered solutions that help retail organizations manage their inventories more efficiently. We've assisted clients in reducing stockouts by 40% and increasing revenue by 20% thanks to our cutting-edge technologies. I'm eager to investigate how your operations could profit from our state-of-the-art solutions."

Pitch for Networking:

"I'm [Name], nice to meet you. I'm very interested in sustainable IT solutions, and I have a background in software engineering. I'm currently working on a project that optimizes energy usage in commercial buildings by combining machine learning with IoT sensors. I'm constantly excited to meet like-minded individuals and look into possible partnerships."

Entrepreneurial Pitch:

Hello there, I am [Name], the [Company's] founder. Our specialty is creating handcrafted chocolates with ingredients that come from ethical sources. We've gained a devoted following of customers and numerous accolades in the industry because to our distinctive blends and dedication to sustainability. I'd be happy to talk about how we may collaborate to make uniquely branded presents for your next business gatherings."

Pitch for Freelancers:

"Hello, my name is [Name]. I'm a self-employed graphic designer with a talent for developing striking brand identities. I love realizing my clients' ideas, whether it be for print materials, websites, or branding. I'm here to assist you differentiate your business and stand out from the competition with my portfolio of accomplished projects and more than five years of experience

• Example Elevator Pitch: Sales Expert

"Hello, my name is [Name]. I'm an experienced sales representative with a track record of surpassing goals. In my previous position at [Company], I routinely saw a 30% rise in revenue annually."

• Startup Founder's Elevator Pitch Example:

"Hello, I'm [Name], founder of [Startup." Our company specializes in creating AI-driven software that helps small businesses increase productivity while saving time and resources by streamlining workflow procedures."

• Example of an Elevator Pitch: Marketing Expert

"Greetings, [Name]. I'm a marketing expert that is passionate about data analytics and digital strategy. Using focused social media initiatives, I oversaw a team at [Company] that raised online engagement by 30% in my prior position.

A strong hook that is effortlessly integrated into your goals to guarantee that your message is understood thoroughly is essential to creating an interesting elevator pitch. Whether you're pitching at a business pitch, job interview, or networking event, the most important thing is to have a clear message that focuses on your unique selling point.

You can examine the deck prepared by artificial intelligence created by Decktopus.

Adding a powerful statistic to your pitch helps bolster it by offering hard data supporting your accomplishments or the potential influence of your concept. Recall that the objective is to pique the interest of your audience and encourage a deeper discussion about your objectives and how the two of you may collaborate to achieve them.

1) What is an elevator pitch, exactly?

• An elevator pitch is a succinct, two- to three-minute persuasive speech that aims to pique people's interest in what you do or your concept.

2)What elements are essential to a great elevator pitch?

• It ought to start with an introduction, a synopsis of your work or idea, its advantages or capacity to solve problems, and a call to action.

3) How should my elevator pitch be modified for various audiences?

• Recognize the needs or interests of the audience and emphasize pertinent elements of your pitch to meet those demands.

4) How often should my elevator pitch be updated?

• Review and revise your elevator pitch on a regular basis to take into account any new experiences, accomplishments, or objectives. Maintaining it up to date guarantees that you're constantly prepared with a pertinent and powerful message.

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How to Craft a Successful Elevator Pitch

Elevator pitch, elevator speech or an elevator statement—whatever you choose to call it, this tiny snippet of information can make a big difference in your networking success.

The idea is that a short summary about your organization should be limited to the length of an elevator ride and should compel your audience to continue the conversation after the ride is over. However, if not done effectively, your pitch can cause more harm than good to your organization.

Here are a few tips for optimizing your elevator pitch and rocking it the next time you choose to deliver it.

Be Specific

Treat your elevator pitch much like your mission statement. Your mission statement describes the reason your organization exists, and your elevator speech should do the same with some extra information about the who, what, where and why:

Who: What is your name and what is your relation to the organization?

What: What is your mission statement and how can you adapt it?

Where: Where are you located and where is your impact focused on?

Why: Why should the person speaking to care about your organization?

Keep it Short

Did you know that the average adult’s attention span is about eight seconds? That’s shorter than a goldfish’s, so you don’t have much time to work with.

While your elevator pitch should answer all of the questions mentioned above, it should be concise and brief enough that your intended audience remembers key words. When you are putting your pitch together, time it and make sure that it is no more than 30-60 seconds . Longer elevator pitches may be appropriate in more formal settings.

Remember, a little ambiguity is good; it can help make the other person more curious about who you are and what you do. Just make sure that you save the long details for when they inquire further.

Practice Your Pitch

Just like those high school classes that made you give speeches, a good grade and positive feedback requires that you practice and perfect your pitch. The difference here is that you don’t get notecards or a podium to hide behind, so make sure you put in some extra practice into delivering your pitch.

However, avoid being stiff and robotic. That goes for body language, too—be aware of your nonverbals and the message they might relay. Bad nonverbals, like slumping or crossed arms, can overshadow your pitch.

Say your pitch often, say it clearly, but remember to speak naturally. Memorize the main points and be conversational by adding your personality into it.

Leave a Lasting Impression

Your elevator pitch should work much like a call-to-action. It should be impactful and make people want to know more about your purpose and organization.

Consider ending with an open-ended question that invites the other person to talk further. You may also have something on you that you can leave with the other person, like a small flyer or a business card. This will show your professionalism and your desire to keep in contact.

Keep in mind, however, that one size does not fit all. As you become more comfortable with approaching others with your pitch, it’s okay to customize it to fit your audience’s needs. This will help you make a more unique connection with each person you encounter.

Still wondering what a bad pitch looks like versus a good one? We’ve got you covered. Nonprofit Hub’s staff recently had a little fun crafting good and bad elevator pitches. Check it out in the video below.

Video edited by Devin Thomas.

Angela Cuadros

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20 Unique Elevator Speech For Every Situation

I like building and growing simple yet powerful products for the world and the worldwide web.

Published Date : November 11, 2021

Reading Time :

A speech is a form of communication that conveys information to an audience. It is one of the most important and highly valued forms of communication in human society.

Speech has been used throughout history for various purposes, such as social interaction, education, and entertainment. However, we’ve recently learned how to use it daily.

In this blog, we will discuss the exact details of how to write a great elevator speech . Plus, we will give you ample material on what types of speeches are great for each situation you might be in. If you write your pitch, you’ll find some spectacular elevator speech examples here.

Getting Ready: What is an Elevator Speech?

An elevator speech lets you  provide a fast rundown of who you are and what you do. A pitch might be an opportunity to make a genuine relationship with an audience member that you can use in the future. There may not be an immediate advantage, but you should be ready to make an elevator pitch at any time.

In truth, whether they know it or not, most individuals have done an elevator pitch . As a result, pitches come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from job interviews to brand-new company prospects. Preparing for your next pitch is an important part of marketing yourself and your business. You can do it by scanning through elevator speech examples.

Furthermore, an elevator speech is essential because:

• It doesn’t make your listeners yawn.
• Organize your thoughts briefly.
• It helps to identify your market.

When to use elevator speech depends on the audience you are speaking to. For those who have been out of school for a while, you might want to use it for the introduction. There are also elevator speech examples for students that may vary.

Steps on How to Make an Elevator Speech

Separating key information from less significant information is necessary to make a good elevator speech . Hence, being able to communicate successfully at work is critical.

The solid elevator speech examples have many key components you must grasp before developing your own.

1. Introduce Yourself

The best pitches always begin with a brief introduction . It might be as basic as saying your name and employer if applicable. 

As with eye contact, body language is vital to a strong introduction. Here are a few pointers for your pitch while meeting a new client or customer:

• Make a good first impression by greeting your audience appropriately for the situation.
• Consider dressing formally for an important business meeting or casually for a pleasant get-together.
• You’ll have to think outside the box for the video chat introductions for virtual meetings and networking events.

2. Describe What You Do

If the issue draws the audience in, then the solution will keep them interested. It is your opportunity to demonstrate why you’re the best person to assist them. Spend time honing your solution since it is the most crucial component of your elevator pitch .

3. Provide Your Value Position

Having gotten your audience interested, you need to close the offer. Describe how your answer is superior to everyone else’s.

4. Engage Your Audience With a Question

Before you go, leave your audience engaged by offering praise or asking a question. Always err on the side of sincerity instead of saying goodbye in a prepared manner .

Nail your Elevator Speech , practice with Orai

How to Write an Elevator Speech?

1. identify the needs.

Your elevator speech should have a great beginning, but you must first determine what need your business is trying to fill. Why should your audience, customers, and future consumers choose you above the competition?

2. Determine Your Target Audience

As previously said, recognizing the issue you can address for your readers and clients is the first stage. However, the second step is identifying who those people are.

3. Straight to the Point

It’s okay to be creative while drafting your elevator speech , but don’t be too brilliant that people don’t understand! You should be able to give your elevator pitch when it takes to travel the elevator.

4. Be Memorable

In your elevator speech , you may utilize humor, paint a mental image, and be animated. Be careful not to oversell your abilities or yourself.

5. Dig Deeper

Provide yourself the space and time to further identify your target audience’s problems. Then, identify how you’re going to solve them.

General Elevator Speech Examples

Start building your speech using our elevator speech template, and then add facts and customized greetings as required. This template contains all four components to ensure that your elevator pitch hits all the right notes.

30-Second Elevator Speech Examples

Template 1: sweet and short.

It is a regular occurrence. That is not to say it is the finest, but it is an excellent elevator speech example of a fast and simple pitch that works in virtually every setting. 

When developing this elevator pitch , make it as brief and concise as possible. Consistently adhere to the 30-second or fewer guidelines since the aim is to be brief and honest.

“The issue is that work is chaotic regardless of industry or skill level. However, effective project management software may assist in increasing productivity and communication. In years, I haven’t missed a deadline. If you’re interested in learning how it may benefit your team, call me, and I’ll go over some stats.”

Template 2: Be Relatable

When you want to get your audience’s attention, use a personal narrative they can identify with. If you want to sell anything, you need to make a personal connection with the customer first.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you at long last. What is the current state of the company? Communication has been a problem for you recently. That was a problem for both my team and myself. After using project management software, our cooperation and communication significantly improved. That’s great that you’ve found a solution that works for you and your group.”

Template 3: Knowledgeable With Stats

Start your pitch with a bang by revealing eye-catching facts. You must have concrete data to back up your stats before throwing a pitch to verify their correctness. An effective statistics presentation concludes with a connection between how your solution may help address the problem.

“Despite greater distance connections, 60% of employees’ time is spent on work coordination, 26% on specialized work, and 14% on strategy. Did you? It’s reasonable that organizations need help managing projects. Using project management technologies may save coordination time and boost skilled work.”

Template 4: Savvy With Questions

This example employs the use of questions to help your audience understand your pitch. Because the audience is involved, they are forced to participate rather than merely listen. Start and conclude your speech with a thought-provoking question that will linger in the minds of your listeners.

“Have you ever felt like you’re working too hard? I’ve heard similar complaints from numerous people. I’d work hard days and nights to catch up. But do you know anything? Our project management software has increased my productivity. “When did you last do anything like this?”

Template 5: Humorous Approach

The audience will be more receptive if your elevator speech is lighthearted. Use a GIF or a short amusing video between slides to lighten the atmosphere. Consider the occasion and tone of your organization before utilizing this elevator speech example.

“Most people can only pay attentively for around eight seconds before losing interest. That’s not enough morning time to place my coffee order. That might explain why my barista consistently makes mistakes. But in all seriousness, I believe it is why many businesses have difficulty meeting deadlines.”

Template 6: Storyteller

Use real-life examples from customers or your life experience to engage your audience. This is extremely useful if your subject is difficult to describe in 30 seconds or less.

“One of our customers switched to a remote workforce and needed assistance meeting deadlines. Their productivity increased by up to 10% after working with us so that they could spend more time on higher-value tasks like strategic planning.”

Template 7: Driven With Emotions

If you can make your pitch emotionally charged, you’ll have a higher chance of winning over your audience. To avoid the talk from devolving into anything depressing, maintain your emotions on the positive side.

“While it may seem to be another tool at first glance, closer inspection reveals that it aids team collaboration. Not only that, but it also aids in forming cohesive teams that look forward to working on new projects. That’s difficult to come by, yet everyone wants it.”

Template 8: Ending With Surprise

Good elevator speech examples have surprising conclusions and creatively display how beneficial the products are. You’re compelled to weigh your existing circumstances against a better one.

“You’re curious about the conversion rate of leads generated by your webinar campaign vs. your trade show booth. However, it applies only to consumers who purchased two or more items and were not previously in your database. You’d already be aware if you used our data and reporting tools. It generates reports instantly.”

Template 9: One-Liner

Avoid cliché one-liners and personalize your ending. It’s important to leave them with a lasting impression with a unique concept.

“Every week, more than a quarter (26%) of deadlines are missed due to a lack of clarity . However, using the appropriate project management tools might drastically reduce this figure. Can you afford not to utilize project management software in your company?”

Template 10: Mutual Understanding

“William Koch, I believe, is someone to whom we both have a connection. He’s one of our clients. By using our technology, his organization reduced the time it takes to build new software in half. Since your businesses are of a comparable magnitude, the outcomes will probably be the same. Interested in learning more about what we could do on his behalf?”

Template 11: Written Speech

Once you give your pitch, it produces a thought-provoking and lyrical flow. Because you’ll have to recite this pitch from memory, practice is essential to your game plan.

“Wendy here! Nice to meet you. Do you work for Apollo? I’ve heard good things. I heard you need project management assistance. Anyone in business—sales or suppliers—needs assistance managing tasks and teamwork. Without it, work may be a mess, particularly today. That’s why we built a software application that helps people and teams manage projects and communications. Have you considered utilizing anything similar?”

Template 12: The Advisor

“We’ve discovered that content marketing is a major challenge for fledgling B2B SaaS enterprises. We helped many of your colleagues produce, publish, and promote blog material last year, resulting in a 20% increase in leads. Want to know more?”

Template 13: Attention Grabber

“Have you ever been told to “whip up a short report before the day ends”? You say yes, but your heart sinks because it won’t be fast. As marketing professionals, my company’s founders had to deal with this issue repeatedly. So they built a program that consolidates data and generates reports in under 30 seconds.”

Template 14: Credibility Boost

“Every month, I speak with hundreds of marketers. And they despise writing reports. It’s tiresome, time-consuming, and not your priority. Our tool uses all your data to produce whatever report you want in less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee.”

Elevator Speech For Every Situation

Let’s look at some of the best examples of elevator speeches. An elevator pitch may help you arrange your ideas and prepare for the real thing.

1. Formal Meeting

A presentation might be a terrific supplement to typical elevator speech examples. Whether or not you produce a presentation, the goal of this meeting is to sell your product professionally.

“I reviewed your existing productivity metrics and saw room for improvement. Our project management software may help you reclaim up to 10% of your workday. That means more work gets done, and more work means greater success for your company. Not to add, our product is the only one in the business with goal-setting features.”

2. Job Interview

Whether with HR, a recruiter, or a hiring manager, most interviews begin with “Tell me about yourself.” Preparing an elevator pitch may help you be ready when the chance arises.

“The most common instance is a networking gathering. Establishing friendships through video chat maybe even more difficult in the emerging virtual-first society. That’s why creating a great elevator pitch is critical regardless of where you’re presenting.”

3. Networking Event

“Hello, I’m Orai from Apollo Enterprises. Around the globe, we’ve improved team productivity and cooperation. Reach out if you need project management support. Let’s create a big influence on your organization. I’ll also have your contact details available.”

4. Sales Pitch

Professionals frequently use sales jargon, but the trick is to create a personal connection while selling softly.

“Our team struggled to become a remote workforce. People struggled to locate the right information and communicate effectively. But happily, we discovered a solution. Using project management tools enhanced cooperation and production. Every firm has its preferences, but I can vouch for our software’s ability to link objectives to the effort required to attain them.”

5. Virtual Meeting

“Thank you! I saw your competition exceed you year-over-year. I ran a quick competitive analysis and found no major flaws. How’s it doing with remote work? If you’re curious, I can give you some productivity gains from adding project management tools to your present workflow.”

6. Meeting With Business Owners

There are significant differences between pitching a firm owner and an executive. They’re more difficult to market since they’re wary of making additional financial commitments.

“I enjoy your company’s goods. And I fully support your objective. I realized there might be ways to boost internal productivity and cooperation. Do you use project management software? It might significantly influence company growth today or in the future.”

What are some tips for refining your pitch delivery, body language, and voice?

Master your pitch by crafting a clear and concise message, practicing confident delivery, and projecting your voice from your diaphragm. Use VR for realistic practice, mirror checks for body language , and feedback from others to refine your presentation and leave a lasting impression.

What should be the focus of a pitch to set yourself apart and hook people in?

The focus of a pitch should be on highlighting what makes you and your company unique, what is fascinating about your story, and what will captivate the audience’s interest and make them eager to learn more.

What role do eye-opening statistics play in a pitch?

Leverage eye-catching statistics to supercharge your pitch. They grab attention, build trust, and showcase your value. Data appeals to both logic and emotions, making your message persuasive and memorable. Highlight expertise and achievements with impactful numbers to resonate with your audience.

How can you identify your goal for the pitch and your ideal audience?

Before crafting your pitch, solidify your goal (promotion, awareness, sales?) and target audience (who benefits most?). Research their demographics, interests, and needs to tailor your message and maximize engagement.

What should you consider before writing a pitch?

Craft a winning pitch: Know your goal (promotion, awareness, sales?) and target audience (who benefits?). Tailor your message to their needs, highlight your USP , and answer “What’s in it for them?”. End with a question to spark conversation and connection.

When should you use an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is your versatile tool to showcase yourself, your product, or your idea in 60 seconds. Use it for investors, website bios, social media, book blurbs, management pitches, or job interviews. Be prepared to strike anywhere and leave a lasting impression.

What are the advantages of using an elevator pitch?

The advantages of using an elevator pitch include being well-prepared for networking events, reducing nervousness, and building confidence . With a practiced elevator pitch , you have a clear and concise introduction ready, eliminating awkward pauses and ensuring a professional and polished delivery. This preparation allows you to make a positive first impression on new contacts, speak confidently without stumbling over words, and initiate conversations effectively.

Why is having a clear call to action essential in a pitch?

A strong call to action (CTA) is your pitch’s closer. It tells the audience exactly what you want them to do next, whether it’s contacting you, trying your product, or learning more. A clear CTA guides them toward your desired outcome, boosting engagement and conversions. It sets you apart, leaving a lasting impression and making them eager to connect.

Why is asking a question at the end of a pitch important?

End your pitch with a bang : surprise, intrigue, and a thought-provoking question . This sparks curiosity, engages the audience, and opens the door for a deeper conversation. A well-crafted question can build connections and turn your pitch into a valuable dialogue, paving the way for future success.

How do you get your pitch right?

Shine in 60 seconds! Craft your elevator pitch by considering your goals, audience, and USP . Engage with a thought-provoking question , address pain points with solutions , and use statistics, social proof , and your experience to stand out. End with a clear call to action and leave them wanting more.

How and where can you practice delivering an elevator pitch?

Master your elevator pitch with Passage_1’s tips: practice delivery , try the Orai app , or find online simulations for feedback. Explore additional resources and start practicing today!

Key Takeaways

An elevator speech is a chance to show off your strengths and pitch your solutions. While it may sound nerve-wracking, using the 20 elevator speech examples above will help you develop your method.

This tutorial should have helped you learn how to remember a speech quickly. You may also get a free trial of Orai on the App Store. Start your free trial in the app store now.

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