How to Write an Elevator Pitch That Stands Out

An elevator pitch is a concise and compelling summary of who you are, what you do, and why you do it. It’s the perfect tool to introduce yourself and your business quickly and effectively.

It also works at networking events, job interviews, or just a chance encounter in an elevator.

Creating an effective pitch is essential for anyone looking to make a memorable first impression and open doors to new opportunities.

In this article, we break down the key components of an elevator pitch and provide actionable tips for crafting a winning pitch that resonates with your audience.

getting started

Before you start building your pitch, it’s important to take time to think about your unique sales proposition (USP).

Identify Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

USP is the key to crafting an effective elevator pitch. It’s the answer to the question, “What’s your difference?”

To identify the USP for your service-based business, start by thinking about your company’s strengths and value proposition.

• What can you do better than anyone else?
• Do you have unique skills and expertise?
• What benefits can you offer that others cannot?

A product’s USP is a differentiator from its competitors. That’s the value you bring to the table that no one else can provide. To identify his USP based on your product, ask yourself the following questions:

• What problem does my product solve?
• How is my product unique?
• What are your advantages over your competitors?

Once you’ve identified your USP, you can start creating your elevator pitch.

Elevator pitch structure

A good elevator pitch should be concise, clear, and easy to understand. It should contain the following components:

1. Introduction – Start with attention-grabbing hooks that showcase who you are and what you do. Use your referrals to spark interest and spark curiosity.
2. Unique Selling Proposition (USP) – A USP is a differentiator from your competitors. It should be a concise statement that highlights your company’s unique strengths and value proposition.
3. Advantages – Describe the benefits you or your business can offer. What problem does it solve? What value does it add? Clarify why a USP is important.
4. Call Action – Conclude with a call to action that encourages further conversation or action. This could be a request for a meeting, demonstration, or simply an exchange of contact information.

Create an elevator pitch

Now that you’ve identified your USP, it’s time to create your pitch. Start with attention-grabbing hooks that showcase who you are and what you do.

Hooks should be short, easy to remember, and focused on your audience’s needs and interests.

Once you have the hook, go to USP. Explain what makes you stand out and why your audience should care. Clarify how USP will address their needs and solve their problems.

Finally, close your pitch with a call to action. This could be a request for a meeting, demonstration, or simply an exchange of contact information. Whatever your call to action, make it clear and compelling.

practice and refinement

Writing an effective elevator pitch takes practice. It’s important to rehearse your pitch until it feels natural and authentic.

Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or ask friends and colleagues for feedback. Improve your pitch based on feedback and keep practicing until you feel confident.

Examples of Effective Elevator Pitches

Working examples of effective elevator pitches provide valuable inspiration for creating your own pitches. An example of a successful elevator pitch is Tim Ferriss’ “Four-Hour Work Week.”

Ferriss’ pitch emphasizes the benefits of his book, such as increased productivity and freedom, and explains how the USP addresses the weaknesses of its target audience.

Another example is Airbnb’s elevator pitch. This highlights the benefits of Airbnb’s service (affordable accommodation in unique locations) and explains how USP differentiates itself from traditional hotels.

Here’s an example of a complete elevator pitch:

“Did you know that 80% of small businesses fail within the first five years? Hi, my name is Jane and I am the founder of XYZ Consulting. We help you increase your chances of success, for example, we recently helped a local restaurant increase their online presence by 200% and increase their sales by 50%. I would like to set up a chat time with you.”

actual elevator pitch

Once you’ve created your elevator pitch, it’s important to use it effectively in a variety of situations. Adjust the pitch to suit the audience and the situation. For example, a job interview might use different hooks and calls to action than a networking event.

Be confident and enthusiastic when pitching. Make eye contact, speak clearly, and use body language to get your message across. Be prepared to actively listen to your audience and adjust the pitch as needed.

Tips for success

Here are some additional tips for writing a successful elevator pitch.

1. Cut it short, please- Elevator pitches must be 30 seconds or less. Keep your sentences short and to the point.
2. specifically – Use concrete examples and data to support your claims. This makes your pitch more compelling and memorable.
3. Focus on Benefits – Emphasize the benefits of your product or service, not its features. This will help your audience understand how your USP can help.
4. Make it conversational – Your pitch should feel like a natural conversation, not a sales pitch. Use language that is conversational and easy to understand.
5. Be sure to practice – The more you practice your elevator pitch, the more confident and effective you will become.

Conclusion

Creating an effective elevator pitch is an important skill for anyone looking to make a memorable first impression and open doors to new opportunities.

By following the structure outlined in this article, identifying and implementing your unique selling proposition, you can craft a winning elevator pitch that resonates with your audience and sets you apart from your competitors.

Remember to keep it short, be specific, focus on the benefits, make it conversational, and practice your pitch beforehand. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of the elevator pitch.

you are invited to complete our elevator pitch challenge. We provide tips in relevant TipTalk chats. Share your pitch and get feedback from members. Create an elevator pitch and get referrals from the Mastermind community!