10 Tips for Creating the Perfect Elevator Pitch

You just have one opportunity to make a superb first impression.

So, picture you’re inside an elevator – the door opens at the next floor and a remarkably influential person in your sector steps in. You are aware that this may possibly be the chance of a lifetime – this particularly individual could open a lot of doors for you – but first, you’ve got to make a good impression on him/her.

Do you have an elevator speech prepared and rehearsed?

An elevator pitch is a short overview designed to get a point across quickly and effectively. As the name suggests, the overview should be as long as an elevator ride – you've got roughly 30 – 60 seconds to make a really good impression. Why only 30 – 60 seconds? There are two explanations: Sometimes the person you want to impress only has a minute of time available. Moreover, the attention span of a regular individual is just 30 seconds... Except if you make it intriguing of course!

The aim of the elevator pitch is not to tell the man or woman every single small aspect of your business. The intention is only to get them interested – to want them to discover more about you and what you have to give. A strong elevator pitch should leave them wanting a lot more.

The elevator pitch can be used every time you meet a potential client, investor, etc. It also comes very handy every time an individual asks you: “What do you do for a living?”

Listed below are 10 guidelines that can be used to create the ideal elevator pitch:

1. What makes your business unique? What makes it different from rivals? If you describe your business, does the individual you’re describing it to think to him- or herself “so what?” They shouldn’t. Answer the “so what” question before they even think of it.
2. Enlighten people about the problem that your business is solving. If they don’t instantly comprehend what problem your business is the solution to, they'll likely see your business as having hardly any purpose.
3. Keep your company's pitch simple. Make use of plain, ordinary words which even 13-year-olds can fully understand. You should not try to sound smart through the use of big, elaborate words. Keep the gobbledegook for yourself.
4. Write your elevator pitch down. First draft a rough copy, later perfect and reduce it to 30-60 seconds, or 100 – 200 words. Rehearse your elevator pitch and recite it to several of your colleagues or close friends or loved ones and aqcuire their opinion.
5. Try to create different elevator pitches for different groups of individuals. A unique approach would possibly be essential for investors (just how do they profit financially?), potential clients (precisely what problem will you solve?), journalists (what precisely makes your business distinctive from others?), etc.
6. Let your love for your business show in your pitch. When people see just how excited you are about your business, more likely than not, they too will be.
7. Make use of words which may make it possible for your listener to actually visualise what you are telling them about. Let them see it in their own minds and make it unforgettable.
8. Wrap up your pitch with a clear call to action. For example, tell them where they could purchase your product; tell them to check out your website or blog; ask them to consider investing in your business; set-up a meeting; etc..
9. If you’ve got people working under you, ensure that they also, rehearse the elevator pitch. This could ensure that you, and your employees, benefit from any business opportunities that may come your way.
10. If you’re taking advantage of an elevator pitch to sell a product, offer your potential buyer(s) two options. The majority of the people will immediately decline once you let them have one option, although given two options, they'll typically contemplate one of the choices. For instance, rather then asking whether they intend to buy “Book A”, ask them which book they want to buy, “Book A” or “Book B”. It is really an old and tested sales trick!

Here is a standard elevator pitch template which will help you get cracking (simply complete the blanks): [Your company name] provides [your product or service] for [your market]. We offer [what remedy are you providing to the market’s problem.] Distinct from alternative [your company type] companies, we [what makes you unique]. [Conclude with your call-to-action.]

What’s your elevator pitch? Or do you have any other ideas on crafting the perfect elevator pitch? Feel free to comment below!