12 Tips on How to Deliver Your Elevator Pitch

Are you struggling to deliver a memorable elevator pitch?

Don’t worry! In this post, we’re going to share 12 tips on how to craft and deliver an amazing elevator pitch.

We’ll also share examples of successful elevator pitches and explain why they work so well.

By the end of this post, you’ll have the confidence and know-how to create an elevator pitch that will make a lasting impression.

Prepare your pitch in advance

When it comes to delivering your elevator pitch, preparation is key. Taking time to craft and practice your pitch can make all the difference when you’re networking or trying to make a great first impression.

Here are some tips for preparing your elevator pitch in advance:

Focus on What You Want

Before you begin crafting your elevator speech, take a few moments to consider what it is that you’re looking for and what type of job or opportunity you want most. Knowing this will help you focus on what points need to be conveyed during your conversation and help keep the conversation focused on those points.

Research Your Audience

If possible, try to learn something about the person or people with whom you’ll be speaking before delivering your elevator pitch so that you can tailor it appropriately.

This could mean researching their organization online, learning who they are and what they do, etc., so that when they ask questions about who you are and what interests them most, your answers will be relevant and tailored specifically for them.

Prepare a Script

Writing out a script of exactly what it is that you intend to say during an introduction or conversation can help ensure that all of the important details get included without going off track or forgetting something vital during an exchange with someone else!

Make sure not only to include relevant information but also practice speaking aloud so that the words flow naturally when giving an actual presentation; reading from notes can come off as stiff!

Practice Delivering Your Pitch

Once prepared, take some time practicing how best to deliver this information in various settings (such as one-on-one conversations versus group introductions) as well as varying lengths of time (for example 30 seconds versus 2 minutes).

Doing this will not only help familiarize yourself with different scenarios but also build confidence when having conversations with others because there won’t be any surprises along the way!

Put Yourself in Their Shoes

To really maximize effectiveness while introducing yourself through an elevator speech, try putting yourself in their shoes.

Think about why they should care about who I am/what I’m offering?

They may have dozens of other conversations throughout any given day–how do I stand out? How does my story connect directly with their goals?

Answering these questions beforehand will enable more meaningful dialogue between both parties involved while conveying context-specific value quickly!

Make sure to be concise

Making sure to be concise is critical when delivering your elevator pitch. You want to make sure you get your point across without rambling on and wasting the listener’s time. Here are some tips for making sure you are concise when delivering your elevator pitch:

Know what you want to say before you start talking

Take some time to think about what points or stories you would like to include in your pitch. Before starting, write down or practice saying these points aloud so that when it comes time for delivery, all of the pieces of information are easily accessible in your mind and easy to recall without stumbling over words or losing track of thoughts.

Start with a strong introduction

Strong introductions help grab the listener’s attention and give them an idea of where the conversation is headed. Try starting off with a brief statement that introduces who you are and what it is that you do so they know right away what subject matter will be discussed next.

Focus on key aspects

Instead of trying to cram every detail into one sentence, focus on just a few key aspects that make up who you are professionally, such as relevant experience or skillset which will help show why someone should choose to work with/for/hire you . This way, each point is given enough room for explanation while still staying within an appropriate timeframe for delivery.

Use powerful language

Avoid using words like “um” or “like” which can break up the flow of conversation and distract from your message. Instead, opt for more powerful language such as action verbs and descriptive adjectives which can help paint a clearer picture in people’s minds about who it is they’re speaking with.

Bring up stories/examples

If appropriate, try bringing up specific stories or examples from past experiences which relate back directly to why someone should consider working with/for/hiring you over someone else. This helps create an emotional connection between yourself and the listener while also showing real-world application behind each point made during delivery, further increasing its impact overall.

Introduce yourself and explain your role

The first step in delivering an effective elevator pitch is to introduce yourself and explain your role. To do this effectively, you need to be clear and concise.

Start by giving your name, title, and company (if applicable). This will help the listener get a better understanding of who you are and what you do. If you’re not employed by a company, give a brief description of what it is that you do professionally. For example: “My name is [Name], I’m the CEO of [Company] that provides [product or service].”

If the person already knows who you are, then going into too much detail may not be necessary. Just give them the key information they need to understand who you are and why they should listen to your pitch.

After introducing yourself, it’s important to explain your role within the organization or industry that is relevant to your elevator pitch topic. Explain how long have been involved with this area/industry and any relevant experience or knowledge that would make someone want to hear more about what it is that you have to say on the subject matter.

This will provide context as well as credibility for your elevator pitch topic so make sure not to skip over this part! For example: “I have been working in this industry for 10 years now, specializing in marketing strategies for small businesses…”

At this point, it might also be beneficial for some people to explain why their product/service/idea matters or why someone should care about their elevator pitch topic before diving into further details about it.

This could be especially helpful if people don’t immediately understand its relevance without some explanation first! For example: “This product helps small businesses save time and money while increasing efficiency…”

Finally, make sure whatever information that is provided during introductions relates back directly either directly or indirectly with whatever point(s) being made within an elevator speech. No one likes having irrelevant information thrown at them during conversations so try keeping everything as focused as possible on whatever main point one wants others to take away from their speech!

Outline your purpose and key points

Before you deliver your elevator pitch, it is important to have a clear outline of what you want to achieve and the key points that you want to highlight. This will help ensure that your message is concise yet informative and that it captures the attention of whoever you are talking to.

The purpose of your elevator pitch should be clear: that is, why are you delivering this pitch? What do you hope to accomplish when delivering it? Are you introducing yourself or a business? Are you trying to secure a job interview or get funding for an idea? Whatever the purpose may be, make sure it is clearly stated in your elevator pitch.

When outlining key points for your elevator pitch, consider what information would be most relevant to whatever audience or person(s) it’s being directed at.

Start by introducing yourself: who are you and what do you do (or what’s your background)?

Then focus on the main topic of conversation – why should they care about what you have to say?

What makes this worth their time? Give them something tangible that they can walk away with; explain how this could benefit them in some way.

Next, provide any relevant facts or statistics around this topic – these will add credibility and authority to your speech.

Finally, wrap up by summarizing everything in one concise sentence – leave them wanting more!

By having an organized outline for the purpose and key points of your elevator speech ahead of time, not only will delivery go smoother but also it allows more room for improvisation if needed as well as ensuring no important details get left out!

Express your passion for the topic

Expressing your passion for the topic is an important part of delivering a successful elevator pitch. Your enthusiasm and excitement should be palpable to the listener—you want to come across as passionate and engaged in whatever it is you are discussing. Here are some tips on how to effectively express your passion during an elevator pitch:

Use Authentic Language

When expressing your passion for the topic, use language that comes from an honest place within yourself. Avoid using language that sounds rehearsed or contrived, as this can come across as insincere. Instead, focus on communicating in a genuine way about why this topic matters to you and what drives you about it.

Connect with Your Audience

One of the best ways to express your passion for a certain topic is by connecting with your audience in an emotional way. Try to tap into their interests and needs—what do they care about? What resonates with them?

If you can make a connection between yourself, your ideas, and the needs of those listening then they’ll likely be swept up in your enthusiasm too!

Show Enthusiasm

As mentioned before, show enthusiasm when talking about whatever it is that has caught your attention or ignited a spark within you. Speak with energy; use hand gestures; smile; make eye contact—all of these things will help convey how passionate you are about this subject matter!

Tell Stories & Share Examples

People tend to remember stories more than facts or figures so try weaving personal anecdotes into any speech or conversation when expressing how passionate you feel about something.

This helps create vivid images which will engage listeners more than just plain facts would alone! Additionally, sharing examples of success stories related to this topic can also help illustrate why it’s so important and meaningful for others too!

Be Passionate About Every Word You Speak

This may sound like common sense but when delivering an elevator pitch try not only be enthusiastic but also careful at every word uttered during delivery – even if mistakes happen – keep going forward and makes sure each word shows true emotion behind them!

Speak confidently and clearly

Confidence is key when delivering an elevator pitch. It will help you convey your message more effectively, as well as help the listener understand what you’re saying better.

You don’t have to be overly confident, but you should make sure to project a level of confidence that makes the listener comfortable with what you’re saying.

The best way to do this is by speaking clearly and slowly. Make sure that each word is pronounced correctly and enunciated fully in order for it to be understood properly by the listener. This can be done through practice and repetition of your pitch before actually delivering it.

When presenting your elevator pitch, stand up straight with good posture and maintain eye contact with the other person throughout your conversation. Doing this will help increase confidence while making sure that the recipient understands exactly what it is that you are trying to say.

Additionally, try not to rush through your pitch - take pauses in between words or sentences so that there is no confusion on either end when communicating important information or facts about yourself or the product or service being sold.

Be conscious of any nonverbal cues such as hand gestures or facial expressions which can make a huge difference in how confidently people perceive your message being delivered across.

These can also add emphasis on certain points within an elevator speech which may not necessarily come out strongly if said verbally alone.

Lastly, smile often during delivery; this conveys a sense of warmth and friendliness which could potentially leave a lasting impression upon completion!

Keep it simple and to the point

When delivering your elevator pitch, it is important to keep it simple and to the point. You want to be able to deliver an effective message without overwhelming your audience with too much information.

Here are a few tips for keeping your elevator pitch simple and concise:

Focus on one key message

When crafting your elevator pitch, focus on one key point that you want your audience to take away from the conversation. This will help ensure that they remember what you said long after they leave the room.

Keep it short

Your elevator pitch should be no more than two minutes in length; any longer and you risk losing the attention of your audience or confusing them with too much information at once.

Avoid jargon

If possible, use language that is easy for everyone in the room to understand; avoid industry-specific terms as not everyone may be familiar with them and could become confused if used during the delivery of the speech.

Speak slowly

Make sure that you speak slowly enough so that everyone can hear and understand what you’re saying clearly; this will also help ensure that people don’t tune out while listening due to boredom or confusion caused by a rushed delivery of information or an overly complicated topic being discussed within such a short time frame as an elevator ride typically affords its occupants.

Emphasize benefits

Be sure to emphasize how what you have said could benefit those listening by providing tangible examples of how their lives would improve if they followed through on whatever actionable items were mentioned in order for them to receive greater value from their experience hearing about whatever product or service was mentioned during delivery of said speech.

Practice your pitch in front of colleagues and friends

Practicing your elevator pitch in front of colleagues and friends is an important step in perfecting your delivery. This will help you get comfortable with the material and make sure that you don’t stumble over any words or phrases. Here are some tips on how to practice with others:

  • Start by introducing yourself to the group or person that you are practicing with. Explain why you are practicing your elevator pitch and what it is about so they can provide constructive feedback when they hear it.
  • Deliver your pitch as concisely as possible, using clear language and avoiding technical jargon or industry-specific terms if possible. The shorter the better – keep it under 30 seconds if possible!
  • Ask for honest feedback about what worked, what didn’t work, and how you could improve the delivery of your pitch from those who heard it. It’s important to take note of these suggestions as they can help shape a more effective final product when delivering your elevator pitch during a job interview or networking event.
  • Practice different versions of the same elevator pitch until one feels natural for you to deliver without having to read from a script or notes – this will give off an air of confidence that employers look for in potential hires!
  • Record yourself delivering each version so that you can compare them later on, listening out for any areas where improvement could be made (i.e., word choice, tone). This will also allow friends and family members who couldn’t attend these practice sessions to listen in and provide their own helpful feedback afterward if needed!
  • Finally, remember to stay positive throughout each practice session – no matter how many times it needs repeating before perfecting the final version of your elevator speech!

Make sure to smile and maintain eye contact

Making sure to smile and maintain eye contact is an important part of delivering a successful elevator pitch. Smiling will make you appear more confident, friendly and approachable while maintaining eye contact conveys respect and trustworthiness.

Here are some tips to help you with this:

  • Make sure your smile is genuine. A genuine smile comes from the eyes as well as the mouth, so make sure that your eyes crinkle when you smile. This will help to show that you’re sincere in what you’re saying and that it’s not merely a rehearsed spiel.
  • Try to establish eye contact early on in your pitch. This will demonstrate that you are confident in what you have to say, as well as help put the other person at ease if they feel nervous about talking to someone for the first time or about hearing an unfamiliar topic being discussed so quickly.
  • Maintain eye contact throughout your elevator pitch by alternating between looking at both of their eyes or concentrating on one if it makes them feel more comfortable with being spoken to directly in such a short amount of time (but don’t forget about the other one!).
  • When speaking, try not to look away too much or avert your gaze as this can convey disinterest or boredom which may hinder how receptive they are towards what you have said so far!
  • If possible, try smiling while speaking – even if it’s just a slight upturning of the corners of your mouth – as this can help keep people engaged and interested until the very end!

Use appropriate body language

The body language that you use while delivering your elevator pitch is just as important as the words you choose. Your body language can help build trust and credibility, or it can be a distraction and make your listener less likely to listen to what you have to say.

When it comes to delivering your elevator pitch, there are a few key points of body language that you should focus on:

Eye Contact

Eye contact is key in any communication situation, but this is especially true when delivering an elevator pitch. Make sure that you maintain eye contact with your listener throughout the entire presentation. This will show them that you’re confident and engaged in the conversation. However, be careful not to stare too intently—maintain a natural level of eye contact without making it seem like an interrogation!

Posture

Your posture speaks volumes about how confident and prepared you are for the conversation. Stand up straight and relaxed—avoid hunching over or tensing up during the presentation as this will make it harder for people to take in what you’re saying confidently. Also, be aware of any shifting around or fidgeting—try not to move too much during the presentation as this can also distract from your message.

Facial Expressions

Facial expressions are one way we communicate our enthusiasm for a subject or convey our interest in someone else’s ideas. Be sure to smile often, nod when appropriate, and never look bored! Keeping positive facial expressions is important if people are going to find their experience engaging enough to follow through on whatever action steps they might take after hearing your pitch (like making a purchase).

Gestures

Gestures can help bring life into any conversation but should be used sparingly when delivering an elevator pitch since they can sometimes become distracting if used too often or exaggeratedly by one person during the exchange of information between two parties.

Try using gestures sparingly but effectively when discussing certain points so that they do not become distracting from what is actually being said instead add emphasis where necessary on particular aspects of what has been said by either party involved in the exchange.

End your pitch with a call to action

The end of your elevator pitch should be the most effective and memorable part. To ensure that you leave a lasting impression, you should include a call to action. A call to action is an invitation for the listener to take some sort of action after hearing your pitch.

Your call to action should be clear and concise, so make sure you don’t ramble or become too vague here. You want the listener to understand what you are asking them right away, and why they should respond positively. Here are some tips for crafting an effective call to action:

Be specific

Make sure that whatever it is that you are asking for is clear and easy for the listener to comprehend. Be as specific as possible about what type of response or follow-up action you’re requesting from them.

For example, instead of simply saying “let me know if there’s anything I can do” try something more direct like “Please contact me if there are any opportunities I may be able to help with” or “If this project interests you please let me know and we can discuss further details over coffee/lunch/phone etc."

Offer incentives

If appropriate, offer incentives or discounts in exchange for taking the desired course of action (e.g., 10% off their first order). This encourages people who may have been on the fence about responding positively towards taking immediate steps in doing so!

Make it time sensitive

If possible, add a sense of urgency by making your request time-sensitive (e.g., contact me before Friday). By doing this you not only encourage quick responses but also create an opportunity where potential clients may feel like they have something tangible they can accomplish within a set amount of time; which makes their decision easier!

Ask questions

Ask questions at the end of your elevator pitch that require either yes/no answers or short responses from listeners (e.g., Is this something we could potentially pursue together?).

This helps keep conversations going while also helping listeners stay focused on what has been discussed thus far – increasing their likelihood of responding favorably!

Follow up with contacts you meet

Once you have delivered your elevator pitch, it is important to follow up with the contacts you have made. Follow-up communication shows that you are serious about building relationships and engaging with potential customers or partners. Here are some tips for following up after delivering your elevator pitch:

Send an Email

After meeting someone, send a personalized email thanking them for their time and including a brief summary of what was discussed in the elevator pitch. Make sure to mention any action items that were agreed upon during the conversation and provide contact information so they can easily reach out if needed.

Keep Connected on Social Media

After connecting on LinkedIn or other social media sites, be sure to engage regularly with posts from those contacts as well as share relevant industry news related to their interests or businesses. This will help establish a relationship between both parties and create opportunities for further conversations in the future.

Schedule Follow-Up Calls/Meetings

If there is an opportunity for further discussion about potential partnerships or business deals, make sure to schedule regular follow-up calls or meetings with these contacts to keep them informed of progress being made towards achieving each party’s goals from the initial conversation held during your first elevator pitch delivery.

Send Resources As Needed

Be sure to also provide resources (eBooks, white papers etc.) that may be helpful to your contacts, as this can help build trust between both parties and show that you are invested in helping each other succeed together through any kind of partnership or business deal that may come out of your initial meeting resulting from delivering an elevator pitch effectively!

Thank the person for their time

When you have finished delivering your elevator pitch, it is important to thank the person for taking the time to listen. This helps create a positive impression and shows that you respect their time. It also helps to ensure that they take away a good impression of both yourself and your business.

There are several different ways you can thank someone for their time when delivering an elevator pitch:

Acknowledge Their Time

Simply telling them “thank you for taking the time to listen” is often enough, as it acknowledges that you understand how valuable their time is and appreciate them taking the opportunity to hear what you have to say.

Use Positive Language

When thanking someone, use positive language such as “I really appreciate your interest” or “I am grateful for this opportunity” instead of just saying “thanks”. This will help make a good impression and show that you really mean it when thanking them.

Offer Something in Return

As an additional gesture, offer something in return such as a free consultation or invitation to view additional materials about what your business offers. This can be especially effective if they seem interested in learning more about what your company has to offer and gives them another reason to stay engaged with what you are presenting.

Follow Up Later

After concluding your presentation, follow up later with a note expressing thanks again and offering any additional information they may need. This will show that not only do you value their time but also demonstrate commitment on your part by following up afterward with extra information or resources they may find useful.

Following these tips on how to thank someone after delivering an elevator pitch not only will help to create a positive impression but also ensures that both parties leave feeling appreciated after engaging in conversation!


About the Author
Hi there, I'm James, founder of Melbado. I have over 20 years of experience as a leader and entrepreneur. Recently, I turned to leadership coaching and writing to pass on my knowledge to the next generation. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me via our contact page.

Disclaimers

All the information on this website - https://melbado.com/ - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Melbado does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website (Melbado), is strictly at your own risk. Melbado will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website.

From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'.

Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

By using our website, you hereby consent to our disclaimer and agree to its terms.

Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same, but we will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us keep going!
Copyright © 2023 Melbado