In today’s busy world, everyone seems to be in a constant rush. Our attention is divided in checking the clock non-stop while scrambling for more time. People want everything in an instant, which is why the acronym TL;DR (Too Long Didn’t Read) is so commonly seen these days.
An elevator pitch is both an interesting and a helpful concept especially in a busy industry such as business. It’s a design to be short and precise while keeping your audience interested in a project, idea, or product that you’re selling.
While creating an elevator pitch may sound simple, crafting one that’s not only short but attention-grabbing can be quite the challenge. You can start creating your killer elevator pitch with these five tips:
- Solve a Problem
You probably heard of the scientific method during your days in the classroom. If you have, then you should know that the first step is defining the problem. Developing an elevator pitch uses the same concept.
As the presenter, you should identify your customer’s specific problem. Having a clear problem will help you focus on finding the solution using your product or service. Place yourself in their shoes and think what you would want to learn if you were them.
Let’s face it, at the end of the day; it doesn’t matter how good you deliver your pitch. To grab their attention, you need to offer them something beneficial. Show the customers how your product or service is the unique solution to their problem.
Part of solving the problem is knowing the audience. Each person has a different set of interests and needs so you should customize your pitches accordingly. You wouldn’t use the same pitch to a customer or when you’re talking to an investor or a potential partner.
- Start off Strong
Since you only have a short amount of time to present your elevator pitch, its starting note will determine whether it’s success. Make sure it will grab your listener’s attention by adding exciting facts.
Your goal is to generate excitement and to stand out. Construct your pitch in a way that not only show’s your value but also leave them wanting to learn more. In the end, what do you want your audience to remember about you, your company, and the product or services you sell?
- Keep it short and simple
As the name implies, an elevator pitch is supposed as short as an elevator ride. You may only have around 60 seconds to speak up. The ideal elevator pitch is written in around 100-200 words or 4-5 sentences. Anything longer than that could make the person lose their interest.
You have to make the best of it as you only have a limited time to make a good impression. Don’t beat around the bush in explaining your offer.
Edit your draft ruthlessly and remove everything you don’t need to be there such as redundancies, unnecessary or unclear information. Keep your words simple and avoid industry jargon.
While in some cases jargon could demonstrate your knowledge in the industry, not everyone you’ll speak with is professionals from the exact line of work. It would be better if you assume that your audience has no knowledge of your industry, your product or your services.
Instead of jargon, it would be better to include analogy to help the visualize your idea. Use relatable terminologies that are relevant to your audience.
- Practice as much as possible
Delivering a pitch that could spark an interest could be challenging. You need to sound natural, comfortable, and confident if you want to be persuasive. The best way to do it is to practice as much as you could.
Some people worry about practicing too much as they could come off too stiff or sound like an advertisement, but according to the co-founder of Goodshop.com and host of MSNBC’s Your Business, practicing too much would help you remember it so well that you’d be more casual about it.
When you practice, you could try to do it with your peers. A friend could help you gain the constructive feedback necessary to improve your speech. It would also be helpful to practice in front of a mirror as you’d be aware of your body language. You could practice hand gestures you’re comfortable with to avoid looking stiff.
A recorder could also be used during practice. It’s a useful tool to make sure your tone is friendly and non-threatening. You could also find and improve the parts where you talk too quickly or too slowly.
- Let your passion show
People usually react to those who show their excitement towards their project, company, product, about their ideas. Make sure that you’re actually interested in what you’re selling and let your audience see it.
Show your personal involvement with the topic. Let your personality and passion shine through, and you can guarantee that your audience would share the same excitement that you have for what you’re offering.
In the end, crafting a killer elevator pitch takes a lot of time. It’s likely that you’ll go through different versions before finding the best one. All you need is a little patience and a lot of determination.
For more tips on marketing strategies, you might want to check out our Business Coaching services here at Business Coaches Sydney. Contact us at 1300-833-574 to learn more.
Garret Norris
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