FREE ELEVATOR PITCH TEMPLATE

What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is a memorable, short (typically 30-second), description of what you do and who you do it for. Your goal with your elevator pitch is to intrigue the other person enough that they want to learn more, typically with the goal of leading to a second conversation, hiring you, or buying your solution.

A big mistake that beginners make with elevator pitches is thinking that they’re going to close a deal or get hired on the spot.  Elevator pitches are meant to earn attention, not money.

When and how to use an elevator pitch

Elevator pitches are perfect for:

• Networking events
• Job interviews
• Pitching investors
• Elevators (obviously)

So how do you use the elevator pitch?

Most advice on elevator pitches tell you to talk about yourself and your company first.

And that advice couldn’t be more wrong. Here’s a totally new approach to an elevator pitch.

1. Get their attention

Share an intriguing one-sentence story about a client or customer you’ve served that had outsized results from working with you. Alternatively, share an interesting fact or statistic that may surprise the person.

For example, when somebody asks the standard question of, “What do you do?” replying with “Did you know that only X% of people…” will surely hook their attention.

2. Tell who you are

Once they can see themselves in the story of your company and the work that you do, you’ve earned the privilege of introducing yourself. Sharing your role in that story and how you help that company and those customers is key to bridging the gap to how you can help the person you’re speaking with.

Narrowing this down to one sentence is key.

3. Your company’s mission, vision and values

Note that this step does NOT say “What your company does.”  People you’re talking to rarely care what your company does, which is why you’ve already led with a story about the impact you’re making on the world.

Here, you can expand on that story by talking about why your company is passionate about serving that audience or making that change in the world.

By diving into your company’s mission, vision and values, you’ll connect the results you achieve with the WHY behind them.

For exact scripts you can use in your elevator pitch, make sure to download the template above.

Things not to say during an elevator pitch

Two ways to immediately ruin an elevator pitch are:

1. Jargon — This is first because it’s the easiest mistake to make. Thinking that the person you’re speaking to is your co-worker (or even your ideal client) could lead to using nuance and jargon that’s foreign to them. Start by assuming they know nothing about what you do, or simply asking if they do.
2. Rambling — The second biggest mistake people make during an elevator pitch is talking about themselves too much. This isn’t actionable and condensing it to only the real-life examples and attention-grabbing facts is more effective.

Get a free elevator pitch template

Nobody likes being put on the spot.

Having to explain why you do, on a moment’s notice, isn’t ideal and it takes PRACTICE.

Being prepared is the name of the game and this elevator pitch template is the perfect way to get in some reps for the next time you’re asked to share.