Elevator pitches have been around almost forever. What is new about them is that more people are realizing they need them and at younger age.
No matter who you are or what kind of work you do, you should have an elevator pitch ready to share. Your elevator pitch is not just to sell products and services. Your pitch is an infomercial that tells the world who you are and why anyone should care.
You must know what an elevator pitch is so you can create a great one.
The phrase elevator pitch is a common one. Almost every businesswoman has heard the expression. Many have attempted to create elevator pitches of their own. Most often, the phrase elevator pitch is used to refer to a very short sales presentation, one that is short enough to be made during an elevator ride. The purpose of the elevator pitch is to let others know who you are and what you stand for quickly and easily. When done well, the elevator pitch rolls off the tongue easily and sounds like a conversation and not a prepared speech.
Elevator pitches are most often used in sales situations. One gives an elevator pitch in order to sell one’s products and services to others. But, this is not the only time elevator pitches are useful. Your elevator pitches are also useful when:
- describing what you do to others in a social setting
- applying for work
- creating business cards
- signing email
- preparing a resume
In each of these circumstances, a good elevator pitch will help you to tell others who you are, what you do and why you do what you do. When you have a clear idea of what you believe and why you do it, you can line up your actions. Your elevator pitch can help you decide which clients to take, which employees to hire and the way you operate on a daily basis. The elevator pitch is à way of reminding yourself to stay on mission.
A good elevator pitch can rocket you to the highest heights.
There is a difference between a bad elevator pitch and a good one. A bad elevator pitch is uninteresting and raises more questions than it answers. A good elevator pitch leaves no question about who you are and why you do what you do. Check out the following bad, boring, and bland elevator pitches:
- I am a blogger
- I am a writer
Each of these elevator pitches is terrible. They raise more questions than they answer. Once you tell someone you are a blogger they want to know what you blog about and why and if you can make a living doing that. When you tell someone you are a writer, they want to know what you write, where you write, and why you write. These are definitely not, good elevator pitches. They do not clearly communicate who you are, what you believe, and why you do what you do.
My preferred format for elevator pitches is the “I believe” statement. I learned this technique at a conference and it changed my life. The “I believe” statement goes like this:
I believe . . . so I . . .
It is so simple, that anyone can use it. It works in two parts. First, clearly state what you believe. Make it a simple, declarative and firm statement. My I believe statement is:
I believe every working mom can succeed and be happy with the right encouragement, inspiration and motivation.
The second part of the “I believe . . . so I . . . ” statement can be tailored to your audience. Be sure to prepare a few in advance so that they can roll off your tongue quickly, easily, and in a conversational tone. I statement I use when dealing with companies I want to partner with on my blog and consulting firm, a second one I use with peers and a third one I use when casually meeting people.
1. My elevator pitch for companies with whom I would like to partner:
I believe every working mom can succeed and be happy with the right encouragement, inspiration, and motivation. So I tell stories and share information in ways that will make my readers want to become your customers.
2. My elevator pitch when speaking with peers:
I believe every working mom can succeed and be happy with the right encouragement, inspiration, and motivation. So I want to help other working moms like us feel good about themselves and the choices they make at home and work.
3. My elevator pitch when speaking with casual acquaintances:
I believe every working mom can succeed and be happy with the right encouragement, inspiration, and motivation. So I write articles about topics and products to help women be happier, less stressed, and more efficient.
Each of those statements is tailored to the audience. Each of them clearly states what I believe and lets the audience know what I do and why I do it. After hearing my elevator pitch, listeners clearly know who I am, what I believe in, why I do it, and how I do it. These elevator pitches answer all those questions and make the listener feel as if they got to know me a little better than they did before hearing the pitch.
People, whether they are friends, family, associates, partners, readers, sponsors want to know who you are and for what you stand. Your pitch should give that information. As you see, it all starts with the “I believe . . . so I . . . ” statement. Take time today to craft your own elevator pitch using the “I believe . . . so I . . .” method. Revise each section until the words feel true, comfortable, and conversational when you say them. One of the goals of the elevator pitch is to make listeners feel at ease and confident in your words. If you say them comfortably and with ease, you will convey that ease and comfort to the listener.
The right elevator pitch can help you to succeed and reach your goals. I believe that every working mom can succeed and be happy with the right encouragement, inspiration, and motivation so I blog at Janeane’s World. So, the question for you this wonderful day is what do you believe in and what do you do about it?