What is an Elevator Speech or Elevator Pitch and why do I need one?

An elevator speech is a clear, brief message or “commercial” about you. It communicates who you are, what you're looking for and how you can benefit a company. It's typically 30 seconds, the time it takes people to ride from the top to the bottom of a building in an elevator.

An elevator pitch is important because it communicates the most important aspects your business and services within that short amount of time. You need it to get the potential client or employer interested in you and what you have to offer.

What is a good elevator pitch?

The elevator speech gets someone’s attention. It can land you that dream job, or it can launch a lasting relationship with a strategic client.

Anxious you won’t be able to deliver a good one yourself? Most people are.

Only a few people are comfortable “pitching” themselves. But once you practice a few times, you’ll nail it!

Six steps to writing a powerful elevator pitch:

1. Start with who you are. Introduce yourself.

2. Write about what you do and how you do it.

3. Explain the results of your work and what makes you unique.

4. Edit what you’ve written. Erase sentences that are too long, unclear or don’t sound like you talk. Be yourself – write and say it how you would say it.

5. Add a good conversation-starter at the beginning. An interesting fact about your career that grabs attention.

6. Record your pitch. Make sure you are not repeating words, or that the sentences don’t sound awkward or salesy.

Stay within the 30 seconds without talking too fast.

Practice a lot. Ideally, with someone who knows you. Ask for feedback: do you sound natural? Is your elevator pitch conversational and free-flowing?

Your elevator pitch could be the beginning of a new opportunity, so draft, review, refine and deliver with confidence.