What's an Elevator Pitch?
An elevator pitch is a brief statement about who you are, what your business is, and why it is special. The idea is this: If you were in an elevator with a potential business investor and you had only 30 seconds or an elevator ride to make a memorable impression, what is it that you could say to make an impact?Why Are Elevator Pitches Important?
It's more than a mission statement — it's understanding your business in a way that gets people excited, involved, and thinking.We are all asked, from time to time, what exactly it is that we do. Sometimes it's at a cocktail party or a business meeting. Having a sharp, intriguing statement ready makes the difference between being remembered and being forgotten. You never know which simple conversation may lead to that big deal, and I say that from experience.
So I think it is a good exercise for anyone in business to create their own elevator pitch.
Here's how to create yours:
1. Figure out what is unique about what you do
The whole idea behind a great elevator pitch is to intrigue someone. It's an ice-breaker and a marketing pitch — all rolled into one.
Your elevator pitch must have a hook. "I own a flower shop downtown" doesn't hold a candle to "I'm a specialty florist who deals in rare, South American tropical flowers that bloom in the winter."
2. Make it exciting
A superior elevator pitch increases your heart rate. It speaks to who you really are and what excites you about your business. It has integrity. What is it about your business that really motivates you? Incorporate that.
3. Keep it simple
A good elevator pitch doesn't try and be all things to all people. Rather, it conveys a clear idea in a short amount of time. It might be a few sentences, but no more than a paragraph or so. Keep it under 30 seconds.
4. Write it down
Use the guidelines above and take a stab at it. Write down your pitch, say it out loud, re-write it, and then re-write it again. Remember what I always tell my daughters: "Writing is re-writing!"
Practice, and the practice some more
The first few times you try out your elevator pitch may be a bit uncomfortable, but it gets easier. After a while, it will become second nature to you, and when it does, you will be glad you practiced.
You never know what will come from having a great, natural, elevator pitch, but you can bet that you've just increased your chances that it will be good.
