You’ve been chomping at the bit to create your own elevator pitch (or have been told you need one so many times you’ve finally got around to it). Whichever one is you (no judgement), we’ve put together a list of steps to take to help you create your own elevator pitch.
Why Would I Need an Elevator Pitch?
Aptly named as an elevator speech or pitch due to the amount of time you have to talk to someone in an elevator, it’s supposed to be a quick summary of you and your business. The aim of this short blurb is to create interest in what you and your business offer, hoping to get the person to remember and contact you when the right opportunity arises.
Ideal as an icebreaker or for when you’ve been asked to introduce yourself to a group, it is a handy tool to have in your repertoire. Even better, it’s one you can prepare ahead of time and use repeatedly.
Step By Step Guide to Writing Your Elevator Pitch
An elevator speech is around 30-60 seconds long, so writing one isn’t hugely time-consuming. What’s challenging though, is knowing what to put into it and where. Knowing that remember you need to answer the questions about who you are, what you do and what you want to happen after giving your speech.
Spend some time jotting down notes before moving onto the next steps below:
- Introduce yourself – your name is a given, but also remember to smile and shake hands too.
- Explain what you do – if you have a job title, here is where you would share it. Also now is the time to explain what you and your business offer. Your mission statement should help guide you here.
- Discuss how you solve problems – explain the value you and your business offer and how you solve problems.
- Unique selling proposition – what makes you and your business better than others in your industry?
- Question time – here you can bring your audience or person into the discussion. Ask them a question related to the problems you can solve.
- Give a call to action – ask for what you want to happen next. Often this is to contact you but could be to sign up to your newsletter, follow your business on social media or take your business card.
Writing your pitch down on paper lets you get your thoughts together. Doing so also gives you the opportunity to take it with you when you go networking, and also to practise reading it aloud (but not to your audience!).
If you’d like to run through you elevator pitch, reach out to your MBP Business Advisor for a chat. Don’t have an MBP Business Advisor Yet? Book in a chat with the team here.