Why Do I Need an Elevator Pitch?
An effective elevator pitch gives whoever you are talking to a solid sense of who you are, who you work with, and how you help people. When delivered with confidence, it inspires the listener to ask more questions and engage with you. Even if they are not a potential client, the pitch provides the person with enough information that they can pass on to a colleague or friend that could use your product or services.
As you create your pitch remember that it is not permanent. Developing an effective elevator pitch will be a fluid process. Don’t obsess over getting it “right” before you start using it. (Link to “ready” post) Just as you evolve and develop throughout your career, so will your elevator pitch.
The simple exercise of writing and practicing your pitch can be beneficial because it forces you to get really clear on what you are doing or trying to do professionally.
I recently worked with two clients on their elevator pitches.
One client discovered that saying her new pitch aloud made her see how much more passionate she is about her new career than she was with her old one. When she was working in property management and people asked her what she did, her explanation was dull and perfunctory. Now that she is pursuing something she is excited about, she can’t wait to tell people about what she does. People lean into her excitement.
Another client tried out her pitch and discovered from her friends’ feedback that her elevator pitch was an opportunity to share with others her personal interest in her new career path and what unique talent and experience she brings to the table. She uncovered why this new career path was so important to her.
If you have never put together a elevator pitch, here are steps on how to get started:
Start by answering these three questions: 1. What do you do? 2. Who do you serve? 3. How do you serve them?
Take your elevator pitch for a test drive. Challenge yourself to use the pitch 3 times in the following week.
Make adjustments based on the feedback.
Repeat.