How to write a strong elevator pitch
Over the last several years, I've worked with many entrepreneurs through 1:1 engagements, pitch competitions, and workshops.
While the businesses have covered a range of sectors, they tend to have one common problem: a messy elevator pitch.
Today, let's talk about what an elevator pitch is, what its essential components are, and how you can spin one up for yourself.
📌 What is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch is a brief, memorable statement that explains what your business or organization does.
When someone inevitably asks, "What do you do?", your elevator pitch will help you answer that question easily, preventing you from a meandering explanation.
It's called an elevator pitch because it should be short enough to convey during an elevator ride!
📌 Essential components of an elevator pitch
An elevator pitch should always answer three questions:
What is the problem you are tackling?
What is your solution?
What are the results you achieve?
📌 How to write an elevator pitch
Next, sit down, and get out your computer 💻 or ye olde pen 🖊️ and paper.
Jot down the three questions above and answer them in your own words.
If you find yourself coming up with several answers to each of the questions, choose the strongest or most important one in each category and use that.
Make sure that all three answers make logical sense when woven together.
📌 Revise and refine until it is simple to remember and repeat
Once you have your rough draft, start playing with it and revising it.
Tinker with it until it is easy to remember and it rolls off your tongue naturally.
When I work with clients, I encourage them to have two versions of their elevator pitch.
One version is a single sentence that is easy to remember and jargon-free.
It is usually shared in conversation.
The other version is strategic with more detail. It usually uses two sentences, and definitely no more than three.
The longer version is often used for marketing materials that will be read.
📌 The benefits of a compelling elevator pitch
When you have a strong elevator pitch, you'll convey your message without straining your brain cells and losing your audience while you ramble.
Best of all, your listener will remember you - which is the whole point!
📌 Can you use AI to write an elevator pitch?
Absolutely!
Just keep in mind that you will need to edit and tweak the output from a ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or other tool.
You want to sound like yourself - not a robot - when you share your elevator pitch.
