Elevator Pitch

What is an Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch is a concise, persuasive summary of your value proposition that can be delivered in 30-60 seconds—the time of a short elevator ride. It captures attention, communicates value, and creates interest in learning more.

Anatomy of a Great Elevator Pitch:

Element	Purpose	Example
Hook	Grab attention immediately	"You know how..."
Problem	Show you understand their pain	"...companies struggle with..."
Solution	What you do differently	"We help by..."
Benefit	What they get out of it	"...resulting in 30% faster sales"
Ask	Clear next step	"Can we explore further?"

The 30-Second Rule: Aim for 30 seconds or less. Attention spans are short, and brevity shows respect.

Why Elevator Pitches Matter

You never know when you'll have a moment to make an impression—at a conference, in a meeting, on a call, or even literally in an elevator. A prepared pitch ensures you're ready.

Strategic Value:

• First Impressions: Sets the tone for all future interactions
• Clarity: Forces you to distill your value to essentials
• Consistency: Team members deliver the same core message
• Confidence: Knowing your pitch prevents rambling
• Versatility: Adaptable to any situation with minor tweaks

The Reality: You have seconds to capture interest. If you can't explain what you do clearly and quickly, you lose the opportunity.

Benchmarks

Element	Ideal Range	Too Short	Too Long
Duration	30 seconds	Under 15	Over 60
Words	75-100 words	Under 50	Over 150
Value Propositions	1-2 clear points	0 or vague	3+ (confusing)
Call-to-Action	1 clear ask	None	Multiple

Best Practice: Aim for 30 seconds or less, use simple direct language, and practice until delivery is natural.

Best Practices

1. Focus on Outcomes: Lead with results, not features
2. Use Simple Language: Avoid jargon and technical terms
3. Address the Prospect: Make it about them, not you
4. Include Social Proof: Mention results for similar companies
5. End with a Question: Prompt engagement, don't just monologue
6. Practice Out Loud: Rehearse until it sounds natural
7. Tailor to Audience: Adjust for industry, role, context
8. Test and Iterate: Refine based on responses you get

Common Mistakes

• Making it all about your company rather than the prospect
• Using buzzwords and jargon that confuse rather than clarify
• Being too generic (could apply to any company)
• Focusing on features instead of outcomes
• Going way over 60 seconds (attention is lost)
• Not including a clear call-to-action
• Sounding robotic or memorized
• Not adapting to the specific audience

Key Takeaways

• Great elevator pitches are 30 seconds or less
• Focus on outcomes and benefits, not features
• Use simple, direct language anyone can understand
• Start with a hook that addresses the prospect's world
• Include one clear call-to-action
• Practice until delivery sounds natural, not scripted
• Test different versions and refine based on response
• Have a versatile pitch that adapts to different situations

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Sources:

• 15 Creative Elevator Pitch Examples - Asana
• Elevator Pitch for Sales: 7 Useful Examples - Sybill