5 Tips for Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch
When you think about it, life has been preparing you for this moment since you were a child – the moment where you have to stand in front of a crowd and deliver a compelling message that hopefully leads to a longer and more meaningful dialogue.
Remember the very first time you were asked to stand in front of your class at school and introduce yourself? It was your moment to shine and say more than just your name. You could say where you were from, how you spent your summer, or something interesting about yourself. Essentially, you had 15 seconds to sell yourself, stand out, and be memorable – and hopefully attract new friends in the process. And that was your first ever elevator pitch.
Today, as an adult, you’re making your rounds at networking events, bumping into former clients at the coffee shop, or sitting next to someone interesting on a flight to a conference.
What do you say when you’re asked what you do?
Do you pause and think? Or do you have a well-crafted elevator pitch that you’ve memorized because you want to be prepared for moments just like this?
Remember that elevator pitches vary; they can be short or long, much like an elevator ride itself. You won’t always get the opportunity to go into detail because the person you’re engaging with may suddenly have to get off on their floor or simply move on. This is why you need an elevator pitch for all occasions. Here are tips on how to take your elevator pitch from an icebreaker to a deeper dialogue:
1. Short but Succinct
You’ve got about 15 seconds to make a good impression. Start with your name. Say what you do, the kind of people you help, and the positive results of working with you.
They don’t need to know your job title or how passionate you are; they want to know how what you do can benefit them. It’s important to be specific and avoid broad terms like “I help people” or “I guarantee results.” Finally, end with your name and how they can reach you. The key is not to let them forget you.
2. Go Into Detail
Another type of elevator pitch allows you to talk longer. In about 30 seconds, you can go into more detail about what you do while adding details that may help you make connections to the audience or group of people you’re addressing. Details like the geographic area you’re from, companies you’ve worked for, or even college you went to are all conversation starters.
3. Progress Into Conversation
The point of the elevator pitch is to be persuasive enough to have someone engage in a meaningful conversation with you. Don’t assume that once your 15-30 seconds are up, your elevator pitch is over just because it’s progressed into a discussion.
Remember that you want to keep the relationship growing. This conversation can lead to another and eventually a collaboration or an introduction to someone of value. While it’s important to be authentic and let the conversation flow naturally, bear in mind that you want to continue delivering a clear and professional message about who you are.
4. Mind Your Delivery
The problem with memorizing your elevator pitch is that it could sound mechanical and rehearsed. Deliver it in a tone that is clear yet natural.
When you believe what you say, it won’t sound so forced. And don’t allow too much excitement overwhelm you to the point that you’re rushing through your words. Mind your pace and relax. Practice with a friend or record yourself. Recognize the gaps and tweak your delivery.
5. Be in Control of Your Body Language
Your presence and your stance are just as powerful as the content of your elevator pitch. Before you even open your mouth, your audience will have already noticed if you’re fidgety with nerves, slouched due to a lack of confidence, or hopping around from too much excitement.
Don’t overdo it with hand gestures and body movements that don’t complement your words. Stand straight but not so erect that it looks unnatural. Shift your weight from one leg to the other. If you’re on a stage, don’t move around so much that it’s difficult for your audience to keep their eyes on you.
You’ll get plenty of opportunities to deliver your elevator pitch throughout your life and career. It will be challenging at first. But the more you practice, the more you will find your footing. The key is to be genuine; know that your words are true. When the content of your elevator pitch is authentic, your body and presence will reflect your intention and its delivery will flow naturally.
Dr. Yashima White Azilove
I am an international speaker, certified coach and skilled consultant with over 20 years of corporate brand communications executive experience in the media, entertainment, healthcare and financial service industries. I now use my expertise in brand communications to ELEVATE audiences, corporations, celebrity/talent and faith organizations.