3 Musts for Crafting a Powerful Elevator Pitch

You finally land an interview for your dream job. It’s going really well and then the hiring manager asks, “Tell me about yourself?”

You’re at a networking event and spot the person you’ve been waiting all night to meet. You approach them and use a great conversation starter and get the discussion going. Then they say, “What do you do?”

Now what?

It’s the perfect opportunity to deliver your elevator pitch. Are you ready?

This is not the time to be at a loss for words! Getting caught like a deer in headlights is not the first impression you want to make when meeting new people.

Here are 3 things you must do to craft a powerful elevator pitch that is compelling and makes an impact.

#1: You Must Know What an Elevator Pitch Is

First, let’s start with the basics. To develop one that is effective and impressive, you must begin with an understanding of what it is!

An elevator pitch is a brief summary about you. It’s a short speech that quickly communicates who you are and the potential value you offer. It acts as your self-marketing tool and personal brand statement.

“The purpose of an elevator pitch is to describe a situation or solution so compelling that the person you’re with wants to hear more even after the elevator ride is over.”

Seth Godin

It’s good to have one for different reasons. Mine is ever evolving and I tailor it as needed. And you should too!

As mentioned, it could be for a job interview or meeting new people during a networking event. Or to help you entice a prospective client or present new business initiatives. The key is to have one that properly conveys your message and is influential in getting others interested to learn more.

#2: You Must Prepare Your Elevator Pitch

There’s no question about it: you have to prepare your pitch ahead of time. You can certainly try to wing it! But you may find that doing so won’t be as effective.

So, how do you prepare it?

Write it down. Develop and tweak it as needed. Your elevator pitch is something you’ll write and rewrite again, I promise you! I revise mine wherever I see fit for the situation.

Use strong adjectives and an economy of words that best describe who you are and what you bring to the table. Ask these questions as you craft it:

• Who are you? Introduce and describe yourself and/or your company
• What do you do? Think of this as your “tag line” and where you convey your skills and value
• Do you have a goal? Talk about what you’re looking to achieve
• What makes you stand out? Include any distinct characteristics or unique benefits you offer

I recommend keeping your pitch to around 30 seconds, which is the average time for an elevator ride (hence the name!)

It may seem overwhelming to convey such an important message in this short time. And you may have different versions until you get it exactly right. But if you go into it with the right mindset and set a goal to get it done, you can create a well-thought-out elevator pitch that is persuasive and compelling.

#3: You Must Practice Your Elevator Pitch

Your elevator pitch is something you should be comfortable and confident in delivering. You must practice it! And practice some more.

You want it to sound enthusiastic and conversational. As I mentioned you should prepare it, but you don’t want it to seem too formulaic. Why not ask a friend or family member if you can try it out on them? Make sure they will be objective and offer creative feedback. And you need to be ready to receive any criticism.

Consider recording yourself so you can hear what you sound like when delivering your pitch. Don’t be afraid to make any necessary changes as needed! And remember to tailor it for each situation. This helps you make a great impression, and people will remember you.

Still at a loss for your elevator pitch? Consider signing up for our certification program!

We have an entire module dedicated to crafting and delivering the perfect elevator pitch which includes our downloadable resource to guide you through it. Becoming certified puts you ahead of your peers and helps you stand out. You will gain a deep understanding of relationship-building strategies and techniques that you can immediately apply as you earn our esteemed NetWorkWise Certified Professional credential. Enroll in our online course today!

Following these tips puts you on the right track to creating an elevator pitch that is compelling and impactful. Use them to develop yours – and convey your message the right way!