The Elevator Pitch - What it is and how to write
it!
An elevator pitch is a short summary used to quickly and simply
define a product, service, or organization and its proposition. The
name "elevator pitch" reflects the idea that you should be able to
deliver the summary in an elevator ride, or approximately thirty
seconds to two minutes.
A variety of business people, speakers, politicians etc commonly
use elevator pitches to get their point across quickly. It may be
presented in words, writing, or video.
An elevator pitch is often used by an entrepreneur who is
pitching an idea to receive funding from a venture capitalist or
angel investor or an employee in interviewing potential candidates.
This is used to assess the quality of an idea or the preparation
and clarity of a candidates thinking. It is a great way to
summarize a service to potential clients and audiences. For example
breakfast club meetings typically allow the audience a minute to
share their services.
Also, this could be very helpful when you meet the new CEO for the
first time in the lift.
So how do we produce our own Elevator
Pitch?
Imagine that you have only one minute to present yourself, your
business, your objectives, and your passions to an audience that
has not met you before. Can you present your vision smoothly,
enticing them to want to know more? So explain:
1. Who are you and what would you really like your audience to
remember about you?
Choose words that express who you are eg an expert, leader,
innovator etc
2. What do you do? This could by your tag line. For example I
use for my corporate CC1 brand 'helping organizational leaders
develop themselves to deliver greater Results, Profit and Success'.
I then explain 'how'. This must allow the audience or listener to
appreciate how you bring value.
3. Why do you do it- Demonstrate what you do that is different
or better than others
4. Objectives - Explain your prime objectives. These must be firm
commitments, be clear and achievable. Also, it should be clear what
you are asking the audience or listener to do.
Example
'My name is Chris Cooper and I am a trusted senior advisor
who through my CC1 Consulting brand helps organisational leaders
develop themselves and their people to achieve greater corporate
Results, Profit and Success. This is achieved through bespoke
mentoring, coaching, training and consultancy. I also have a
personal development brand called 'Be More. Achieve More' that
supports corporate leavers in successfully establishing and
developing their own businesses. This includes some unique
mentoring and group coaching, tele-seminar interviews and workshop
programmes. I am also currently speaking and writing a book
about 'How to follow through with ypur entrepreneurial goals' and I
will shortly be hosting a 'Be More. Achieve More' global radio
show. My prime objective is to enable high achievers around the
world to add greater value to their organisations and
entrepreneurial businesses through increasing levels of personal,
people and business awareness. If you are interested in developing
yourself, your people and ultimately your business we should
talk'.
References: Wikipedia and Harvard Business Review.