What’s Your Elevator Pitch?

“So, tell me about what you do.”

Whether it’s from family, friends, or even potential customers, it’s likely you’ve gotten this question at least once in your life. 

And, if we’re being honest, a lot of us probably had this face when trying to respond:

If you’re one of those people, know that you’re not alone.

Many people have a difficult time describing what they do without a drawn-out explanation or a vague statement that makes little-to-no sense. 

What you really need is an elevator pitch. Having one readily available could not only make your life easier, but it can also help you land new clients.

What is an elevator pitch and why is it called that?

Well, let’s say you’re in an elevator with Beyonce, and you’re trying to describe what you do to her before she gets off. 

This explanation not only gives her a better idea of what you do, but it could potentially lead to a marketing opportunity within her team. 

How can you concisely explain what you do while still making a good impression?  

Yep, your elevator pitch. 

As for how you can create a strong elevator pitch, here’s our suggestions:

  1. Start with your why 

Any successful elevator pitch must explain why you do what you do. Whether you explain your personal or professional motivations, you need to quickly connect the dots for your listener. 

The best way to do this is to clearly identify the problem you’re trying to solve, the solutions that are available, and why your solution is the best solution. 

This quickly explains the “why” for not only you, but also why people should care about your specific product, service, or business.

  1. Be engaging and enthusiastic

You could have the most riveting elevator pitch in the world, but that won’t matter if you explain it like this:

When you give your elevator pitch, do so with enthusiasm! No, you don’t have to yell, scream, or do backflips (a backflip would be cool, though), but you can add energy into the pitch. 

Crack an excited smile while explaining how you help people. 

Offer a stern look when explaining the issues within your industry. 

Sound excited about how your business is different. 

By injecting emotion into your elevator pitch, you can really capture the attention and wonder of your listener and ensure that they are listening to what you have to share. 

  1. Tell a story that’s relevant to your audience 

People remember things better when you share a story, so make sure to include a short one when crafting your elevator pitch. 

No, it doesn’t have to be about that time you helped a certain customer every day for 30 days going uphill both ways in freezing rain. 

It can be as simple as the feelings a customer had before and after working with your business. It could be about the impact it created within a small community. It could even be a story about how you got started! 

Always do your best to include a quick story with your elevator pitch.

People have a hard time remembering things in general, so don’t make it harder by giving them a straight-by-the-books answer.

Be creative. Be memorable. 

And who knows, maybe you’ll run into Beyonce in an elevator one day.