Elevator Pitch: Convince in No Time (With Examples)-Drjobpro.com

image

Do you need an elevator pitch when you can explain your business or your qualifications? I'm sure you do. The elevator pitch is the perfect way of describing a professional or a company.

It consists of short sentences and one or two lines that keep the listener's attention. It is considered an excellent tool for presenting something new and adequate to the audience or the customer.

Interesting: The A-Z of ” Tell Me About Yourself” Interview Question

How do you create an elevator? What should you consider? Tips and Guide

In this blog, you'll read all the essential details, tips, and examples of the perfect elevator pitch.

What is the elevator pitch, and how can it be utilized?

The elevator pitch (Elevator Speech) refers to a brief sales pitch. The term "elevator pitch" refers to the idea that you might hypothetically convey your idea or business to a prospective customer in the time it takes to ride an elevator.

The fundamental goal of an elevator pitch is to make someone enthusiastic about your organization or your project as quickly as possible - ultimately, in such a way that this audience becomes a client, investor, or cooperative partner. Of course, this will necessitate some planning on your side. It would help if you conveyed your idea in seconds entertainingly and clearly. It is not a simple process, but with a few guidelines, it is possible.

You provide a solution to a problem in the elevator pitch.

Interesting: Active Listening: What is it, Why is it Necessary, and How do you become an Effective Listener?

The most outstanding elevator pitches are always based on a world problem for which you have identified a solution.

In other words, you're not just talking about yourself and your profession; you're also referring to the individuals you want to benefit from your product or service. This fosters awareness and simplifies comprehension of what you're doing.

So, when crafting your elevator pitch, consider first what issue you or your service or product answers. Only then can you consider the appropriate style and wording.

The Good Elevator Pitch Answers These 5 Questions:

  1. Who are you?
  2. What are you doing?
  3. What problem do your customers have?
  4. How do you help them solve it?
  5. Why is your solution better than that of the competition?
When you consider these 5 points in your elevator pitch preparations, you will be on the right track. Here are some suggestions and a step-by-step direction to composing an elevator pitch if you'd like to discover more.

An Example of A Good Elevator Pitch:

Hello, I'm May, founder of We love Fashion. Our products are handmade, have a modern design, and are manufactured to the highest environmental standards. Most clothing today is mass-produced from inferior cotton. On the other hand, we rely on the long-lasting quality and fair working conditions.

Elevator Pitch Tips: Short, Concise, Engaging

Be brief and get to the point

Short and sweet is the game's name for elevator pitches. Don't feel compelled to include every detail in your pitch. The most important aspects should be included, but don't go overboard.

Attune to the audience

Should the elevator pitch convince investors or customers? Are you presenting it at a professional conference or a general startup competition? Customize each presentation based on your audience's interests and skill level.

Involve the audience

With a concise time limit, it's difficult, but with a 3-minute pitch, you can throw in a question, then take a moment, observe audience reactions, and respond. However, there is not enough time for a proper dialogue with an elevator pitch.

Tell a story

Storytelling is becoming increasingly important: In addition to facts and figures, which are often only vague estimates or uncertain forecasts, especially at the beginning of the foundation, investors also want to invest in an exciting story that promises future growth and arouses emotions.

In addition to an exciting business model, the story also includes a good self-portrayal and a perfect presentation. Your story should run through the entire pitch like a red thread, e.g., starting with an exciting question or a problem that will be solved during the pitch.

Address the pain points

When talking to others about your product or service, focus on the problem you are solving. This will help your listeners understand what you do and why they should care.

Be passionate

If you're passionate about your project, getting other people excited will be easier. Prepare well for your presentation and believe in what you're saying; this will show how you present yourself and make your talk more compelling.

Stay natural

Even the bravest of listeners will switch off during a monotonous lecture at some point. Imagine you were talking enthusiastically to a friend about your business. Stick to simple sentences and create a stimulating atmosphere.

Present clearly

Your business model will be easier to understand and your concerns more precise if you work with examples.

Include:

A comparison

You can also use a comparison to make your elevator pitch more straightforward, e.g., B. if there is already a similar offer on the market. In this context, however, also work out the difference between your business model and, above all, its advantages.

A Surprise

The more unusual the elevator pitch, the more attention it grabs, and the better your audience will remember it. It's good if you have an original idea and you can implement it. However, this must not be at the expense of comprehensibility.

Give specific numbers

If you want to convince investors with your elevator pitch, work with specific numbers that prove the viability of your concept.

Interesting: CV Writing: How to Make Your CV Shine with Numbers?|Drjobpro.com

Maintain eye contact

Face the audience, speak freely, and maintain eye contact. That's the only way the audience will feel addressed.

Mind the time limit

Don't try to fit too much information into your pitch so that you don't exceed the allotted time limit. Test the length in advance, and don't be tempted to address additional points during a live presentation spontaneously.

No jargon

Keep your pitch clear enough that you don't need to be an expert to understand it. Not every investor is familiar with every topic, and pitching events usually bring representatives from different industries.

Free speech is golden

Perhaps the most crucial point: is free speech! Even the most exciting business idea won't knock anyone's socks off when it is read, and the speakers hold a sheet of paper in front of their faces for a few seconds of the elevator pitch. This is where Tip #2 comes in: Preparation is everything! If founders don't know their presentation on the effect but have to read it, they should probably invest a little more time in the planning.

Test different media

Try something new instead of the classic and rather a dull PowerPoint presentation! An interactive elevator pitch with a flip chart for a sketch or bullet point can be much more interesting than a formal presentation. A short, well-made film is usually good enough to pique viewers' interest. Looking at elevator pitch examples from successful founders can be helpful for inspiration. Incidentally, such techniques can also be used well with a digital elevator pitch, for instance, via zoom.

Training is half the battle

For your pitch to come across as natural, you should know what you want to say and know it by heart. It's not set in stone; you can use and adapt it in different situations. For example, pick up your smartphone, listen to it and cross out sentences that sound funny or seem too sales-heavy. If you like, practice the pitch in front of friends or family.

Establish a conversation

You can end your pitch with a question if it fits. So you don't just hold a monologue but start an interaction - and that's what it's all about in the end.

Prepare for the Q&A

At many live events, the elevator pitch is followed by a Q&A where you answer questions from the audience or the judges. Think about what questions might be asked and prepare for them.

Leverage feedback

Whether through audience reactions, during the question and answer session, or in subsequent conversations, pay attention to the feedback you get and use it to improve your elevator pitch.

If you're attending a contest or other socializing event, bring business cards or other small giveaways, maybe even product samples, with you. This way, you will be better remembered by interested investors, business partners, or future customers.

The social media pitch

Instead of attending many pitch events half-heartedly, professionals should focus on a few and then prepare for them optimally. This is best done via business platforms such as LinkedIn.

Decide all the details you'll need about the decision-maker and try to find out which type of approach is best suited.

Then contact them in an individualized direct message. Be sure to avoid mass messaging! These appear dubious and are not effective.

Professional pitch training can also help with all of this. Filming yourself can also be good training to uncover weaknesses in your presentation.

Elevator Pitch Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Flawless Elevator Pitch.

  1. First, consider the problem that your product or service solves. What requirements does it meet?
  2. Introduce yourself and describe your job.
  3. Next, describe the solution you propose to this problem. What advantages does your product or service provide?
  4. Explain how you differ from the competition. Why should they pick you?
  5. Finish with a firm conclusion that piques the counterpart's attention.
  6. Keep practicing! The more you apply, the easier it will be to write an elevator pitch and the greater you will be at delivering it.

Using the AIDA model is a surefire way to structure your elevator pitch

AIDA stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. The order of these words is essential: you first grab someone's attention, then create interest in what you have to say, next you build the desire to hear more, and finally, you inspire action.

Attention

First, you must grab your audience's attention with an exciting opening sentence. Try to surprise or appeal to the audience significantly. For example, elevator pitches can be introduced with a controversial statement, a question, or impressive facts. There are no limits to creativity as long as this is done in a professional setting and does not exceed the time limit. 

Interest

So it would help if you kept interested by engagingly presenting your business. Make sure that although essential data and facts are given, they are brought to life with mental images, comparisons, and examples.

Desire

Last, it would help if you created a desire by showing how your product or service will benefit potential customers. Show them why they should join the company—after all, it's all about the money!

Action (CTA)

Finally, if you want a follow-up meeting with them, tell them what to do next (e.g., visit your website or contact you for more information). A summary of why your idea should be financed should also be added. The elevator pitch's explicit goal is to start a follow-up discussion.

How to Step Into the Elevator Pitch?

Above all, it is essential to remember the respect for the distribution of the ideas that will be expressed, which must be well specified because the information that will be disclosed will be conditioned by a short period. It is essential to create a lasting impression as well as respond in a way concise to questions from interested people.

For an elevator pitch to generate the interest of investors or people who benefit from the information obtained, these steps must be followed:

Point out who you are. In other words, in a sentence, your introduction and what is your profession or if you provide a service, say something like: my name is Adam, and I am an entrepreneur.

Indicate what you do. Summarize what you do, your job, and how your plan works to achieve your goal in two sentences.

Agree to a compromise. Explain how they can achieve more significant benefits and gains by following the recommendations and techniques shared through your intervention; verifiable data must be provided on what you are offering to build trust in interested parties.

Point out your differences. You probably have a strategy that works for you, and perhaps it is interesting to name others so that they can notice the difference, as well as you, need to highlight what sets you apart from others who are dedicated to a job just like yours.

Specify the correct customer profile. In this step, you can refer to the customer's needs.

Make a range proposal. Thinking about the interest of those who listen to the short speech or the informative presentation, it is good to suggest the different media or networks on the Internet where they can find and expand the information, even speaking with more time to clarify doubts.

What Characteristics of A Good Elevator Pitch?

  1. Speak in a clear tone that conveys some authority.
  2. Direct the exposure to the listener with a maximum duration of 60 seconds.
  3. Describe the qualities that make the meeting interesting and give unique answers.
  4. Highlight your value and the solutions you provide with your idea.
  5. Order a high-profile presentation that impresses you.

Advantages of the Elevator Pitch

  1. It is the first step to making yourself known and getting a good reference.
  2. It allows you to explain in a compendium the general idea and how to implement it so that, in this way, you can get a subsequent meeting in which you can expand all the information of your proposal or plan, product, or service.
  3. It helps to get a preferential place in the different options in the competition.
  4. It is possible to have a one-of-a-kind casual or informal meeting where you can grab the attention of all sorts of people who may be interested in your speech.

In Which Situation Do I Use An Elevator Pitch?

You've probably been in an "elevator situation" more times than you realize. You can use your elevator pitch on a wide variety of occasions – whenever you represent your business or project:

When you meet a potential customer or business partner

  • On your website
  • At network events
  • At social events
  • To apply for financial aid
  • On your LinkedIn profile, Xing, or Facebook
  • When recruiting new customers via email

7 Tips on How to Wow Your Audience with Your Elevator Pitch

You have prepared your pitch. Excellent! With these tips, you can also rock the oral presentation:

  1. Interesting facts. Surprising facts, statements, or statistics are mentioned in good pitches.
  2. Avoid jargon. Do not use subject-specific terms. Stay natural, relaxed, and entertaining.
  3. Use comparisons. Is your offer brand new on the market? To be able to explain it in just a few words, compare it with already known offers and companies.
  4. Let emotions speak. Generate feelings, share your own experiences and not only present your product factually but describe it vividly.
  5. Ask open-ended questions and avoid "yes" or "no" questions. For example, ask, "Do you know…" or "You probably have…".
  6. Generates interest. Your pitch is like a good movie trailer. It should give a foretaste and make you want to read the whole story. Therefore, do not include too much information in your pitch, but concentrate on the essentials.
  7. End your pitch with a call to action. A clear call-to-action (CTA) moves your audience to action. Think about your goal. Is it a financial investment, a new business relationship you want to establish, or an interview for your dream job?

3 Typical Mistakes of Crafting Elevator Pitches

1. Authenticity and credibility

With pitch events, in particular, there is a great danger that the presentation will remind you of school theater in middle school: everything has been learned by heart but performed without any inspiration. The art lies in conveying your elevator pitch authentically and credibly despite all the preparation. Don't be afraid of little goofs. You're allowed to be nervous and make a mistake, but there's one thing you're not allowed to do: get bored!

"My name is Mohamed Jameel, and I have a doctorate in process engineering" - that's not exactly an exciting introduction that arouses curiosity. That's why it's so important not to focus on yourself (which unfortunately happens repeatedly). It is better to take the audience's perspective and make their wishes and interests the starting point.

2. Time management

The most common thing that goes wrong with elevator pitches is that founders over-extend their time budget.

Either because they have never measured how long they need for their presentation.

Or because they suddenly no longer trust their arguments and believe they have to support them with side arguments and additional explanations.

Interesting: Time Management: How Can You Master It Before Graduation?

Be aware that if you go five minutes longer than a half-hour presentation, that is something completely different than if you needed 240 seconds for your elevator pitch instead of the specified 120 seconds.

Then you just doubled your speaking time! The exciting task is to stay short and sweet and still name the essence of your business idea.

3. Pitch Defaults

Unfortunately, founders repeatedly forget essential information about their project out of sheer excitement (or because they want to be particularly original). Their presentation only leaves question marks with the audience.

So stick to the timelines. However, while being brief, ensure your elevator pitch doesn't become a guessing game.

Use the time to clarify what you are doing to the other person. When in doubt, it is wiser to be a little less original but to be understood.

Quick Tips and Tricks to Draft the Perfect Elevator Pitch

Good preparation is everything when it comes to elevator pitches. You can only use every second effectively if the formulations are suitable.

The most important thing is the start: If you don't mess up the first set, you've won a lot. Prepare a good story, a surprising question, or a graphic comparison that will draw the other person's attention to you.

Use figurative language in your elevator pitch. Make vivid or surprising comparisons and choose strong words.

Don't waste your precious time with standard phrases that you've heard a thousand times in one way or another. Delete adjectives such as innovative, sustainable, or effective immediately from your presentation.

Also, pay attention to your voice and your non-verbal signals. If you seem very insecure, you may show that you don't believe what you're saying. Then it is better not to cover up your insecurity but to address it openly. Maybe that's just breaking the ice.

Whether you appear shy or confident: you should not lack enthusiasm for your business idea. Only those who radiate real passion can inspire others.

How to Create An Elevator Pitch in 10 Steps?

  1. Propose a design.
  2. Reread it and delete no more than 20% of the text,
  3. Remove unnecessary connecting words and shorten long sentences to ensure a short pitch.
  4. Reread the keywords and ensure they are in the correct place in the text.
  5. Be sure to keep the text simple and understandable.
  6. Read again and practice as much as possible.
  7. Work on the presentation's intonation, poses, and rhythm.
  8. Only when you feel like you're ready, get going.
  9. Always have a business card ready or prepare to establish contact with your audience.
  10. The tone of your voice is essential: you have to be convincing.

Elevator Pitch Examples 1: The Seller

Let's start with a basic yet efficient sales model for persuading a potential consumer to buy your product. The format is easy to learn.

You want to meet with the Leader of a big corporation to explore potential technology solutions. You attempted to reach them by telephone and email but did not hear back. Consider yourself in the following circumstance to better comprehend them: Consider selling management system.

You barely have time to catch her interest. If it fails to work, she'll try something else. To build a name for yourself quickly, you must have all the chances, plus an outstanding sales presentation.

Classic sales pitch method

"For you [...]" = the company or person you want to address

"Who has [...]" = reminder of the problem or need.

"I/we/our [...]" = if you are a seller, "our" are the products that you offer, which are these services software and which will uniquely solve the problem from the start, and this is where you will show how your product will add value = "Are [...]" + "that will. [...]" (benefit).

Then, by further arguing with "unlike […]", complete what you have versus the competitor's offering.

Here's how to reinforce the previous value = "Who couldn't [...]".

By emphasizing the benefit, the competitor does not offer, "By the way, we did that with this and that customer. Can I tell you more?"

Elevator Pitch Examples 2: The Job Interview

I know you're looking for someone with ___ years of experience, but let me tell you how my experience goes beyond the norm. In the time it would have taken another applicant to learn the ropes in my previous job, I was able to increase our chances of success immediately.

Conclusion: Creating an Elevator Pitch

Having a great elevator pitch will streamline persuading clients, recruiters, any target audience, and shareholders who can secure the firm's ongoing future. Focus on the elevator pitch at the first line and tailor each elevator pitch to the situation.

Following Dr. Job's tips on creating the best elevator pitch guarantees better results.