how to write an elevator pitch for research

How to Write a PhD Elevator Pitch

How many times have you been asked, “What do you research?” only to draw a complete blank or ramble on for minutes? Situations like these are why you need an elevator pitch. The idea of an elevator pitch is simple. It’s a short, succinct statement that neatly sums up what you do and why it matters. The name comes from the idea that you should be able to say your entire pitch during the length of an elevator ride (around 30 to 60 seconds).

An elevator pitch is especially useful when talking with non-academics, but it’s also handy for job interviews, funding applications, conferences, and networking events. Only a small percentage of the population are researchers and just a fraction of those are researchers in your field. Before you head to your next big professional event, it’s worth sitting down and dedicating some time to writing your elevator pitch.

Your elevator pitch should have three main sections:

1. The Hook

The elevator pitch is all about the opener. You want to capture someone’s attention immediately so they keep listening for the next minute. At the same time, you need to present the major topic you study and provide some quick background info. Spend some time coming up with your hook.

2. What is Your Solution?

Now that you’ve introduced the problem, explain how your work solves it. This is the essence of what you research. Briefly summarize your major findings. If you’re just starting your project you might not have any findings yet but you can still mention what you expect the results to be.

3. Why Does it Matter?

This is the most important section of the elevator pitch, especially for a non-academic audience. This is the part that puts your work in a larger context and connects it to a real-world application. Try to answer questions such as, “Why is it necessary that you do this research?” Or, “Why should we care?” These answers are easier to come up with in some fields than others. If possible, tie your research to a societal concern (like global warming, public health, or politics) or self-interest (like gaining confidence, being healthier, or making money).

Once you have the basic ideas and structure down, it’s time to refine your pitch. As you work on it, keep these to keep in mind:

Use Plain Language

This is probably the hardest part of developing your elevator pitch. While you are immersed in this topic every day, the person you’re talking too likely isn’t. Even if they’re a fellow scientist or academic they may not have the same specialty as you. Everyone appreciates when someone explains difficult concepts in a way that’s easy to understand.

Keep It Simple and Short

As researcher, you are focused on the details. But in an elevator pitch, the details aren’t important. Someone doesn’t need to know every detail to get the jist of what you work on. Going into detail will make your pitch too long and you risk losing your audience’s interest. Remember, the point of an elevator pitch isn’t to summarize your entire dissertation, it’s to say enough to catch someone’s interest and potentially start a conversation. If they want to know the details, they will ask.

Practice Makes Perfect

It might seem silly to practice what is essentially small talk, but it’s important to get your elevator pitch down pat. All the time you have spent crafting the perfect statement will be wasted if you don’t remember it the next time someone asks, “So what do you do?” Practice your elevator pitch so many times that it becomes second nature. If you don’t practice, you’ll end up just blurting out something random or rambling on until someone cuts you off.

If you get really good at your elevator pitch you might even be able to make some money off it! Over 200 universities around the world participate in the Three Minute Thesis competition which was founded by the University of Queensland.

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Elevator Pitches for Researchers – How to “sell” your big ideas

An elevator pitch is your chance to quickly “sell” whatever you’re selling. It’s based on the idea of – if you were in an elevator with a very important person, and you only had the time until you get to your (or their) floor to pitch your idea, what would you say?

It forces you to distill all your selling points into one elevator ride’s worth (we’ll say 1 minute). And it’s not just for sales. If you’re a researcher, you need one just as much as an entrepreneur.

Poster presentations , networking sessions, in line at Starbucks – these are all places where you only have a few seconds to make an impression.

What do you do?

What do you say?

That’s what we’ll get into here, but specifically for researchers like you.

What you’ll learn in this post

• What an elevator pitch is and why you need one as a researcher.

• Lines you can use and preparation you can take to customize your elevator pitch.

• The right mindset to carry with you at all times so you’ll make a great impression when you meet a key person.

Scenarios where researchers need an elevator pitch

• In a public place, how would you approach an expert in your field and introduce yourself? 
• At a conference, how can you promote your work to other attendees while you are away from your poster ? 
• At a job interview, how will you answer “tell me about your research”?  

Anywhere, anytime, you never know who you’ll meet. If you have a 30-second and 60-second version of your pitch, you can make a powerful impression.

And your life may completely change!

Here are six tips for making that first pitch, as a researcher. 

Tip #1: Prepare and practice to keep it short and sharp

How can you explain the value of your work to someone in just a few seconds? Try this phrase pattern: 

“My (work/project/research) aims to (do something) to try to help (people) with (problem) so that they/we/you can (achieve something). “

Prepare this one line, and then practice until it’s automatic. Rehearse in front of the mirror and with your colleagues. Remember it like your country’s national song.

Here’s an example of a real-world elevator pitch by a researcher at a medical conference: 

“My study aims to find possible connections between prior incidence of cardiovascular disease and current kidney complications, to help improve diagnosis and prevention.”  

The researcher gave this pitch while he was away from his poster and getting a coffee. He spotted a well-known senior journal editor in his field.

He approached this important person, smiled naturally, and introduced himself. He gave her his one-sentence elevator pitch, invited her to come listen to his poster talk, and handed her a small printout of his poster, with his business card attached.

Now THAT is great preparation!

Tip #2: Make your mission statement  

Notice that “your work” can just mean the research project you’re presenting at that one conference,  or it could mean your entire life’s work – your overall mission statement.  

For such a mission statement, you can use the same type of pattern we used earlier for elevator pitches:

“The aim of my (work/research) is to (do/explore something) to try to help (people) with (problem) so that they/we/you can (achieve something). “

Here some real-world examples of mission statements: 

“I help final-year postgraduates at university to land their dream job, through careers counselling and by training them to write outstanding CVs and attractive job cover letters.”  (mission statement from a university research careers counselor) 

“I research and develop ways to deliver effective online training for researchers at laboratories and hospitals, to help them save time and increase their research impact” (mission statement from an instructional designer) 

Tip #3: Approach others with a positive frame of mind 

You have just a few seconds to start the conversation. Good (and bad) impressions are formed by other people very, very quickly —  and these first impressions of you often stick with the other person. 

Here are three quick statistics from recent research into human behavior:  

• people can think up to 30% more clearly when they’re in a positive mood 
• your positive mood can actually trigger a chemical change in the  other  person
• 90% or more of human communication is non-verbal 

Take several deep breaths before you approach someone, or they approach you. Smile gently as you greet them. This will start things off on the right foot.

Sure, it’s not always easy to look and feel relaxed and positive. But try to approach each conversation with a positive mindset.  

Tip #4: Think about what you can do for THEM 

Key when approaching interactions with other people, especially in a professional setting, are probably asking themselves, “How can this person help me or my mission?”

Think about when people approach you on the street or in an airport. Isn’t this usually the case? They want something, and you’re probably inclined to say “no” and resent them for taking up your time.

Make it about them, not about you. It’s a basic principle of sales and marketing.

We all have goals that we’re trying to meet, or an agenda that we are trying to fulfill. By understanding this basic reality of human nature, you can move the conversation in a positive direction.

Try to think about the other person’s position and how your work can benefit them.

Some real-world examples are: 

• (speaking at a job interview): “So these are some of the professional and personal qualities I feel I can offer your laboratory team and your research projects.” 
• (talking with a prospective funder) “I believe it would be worthwhile to fund this research, because it might advance the field in the following ways…” 
• (talking with a fellow conference attendee) “…and that’s what my talk is about. So how about your talk? Where can we listen to it? I’d like to tell my colleagues about it.”

Tip #5: Leave them wanting more! 

The absolutely key, critical, never-to-be-forgotten aspect of conversations and interactions with colleagues is this:  

Always try to leave people thinking, “I’d like to deal with that person again in the future .” 

Even if you can’t deliver what the other person wants at that particular moment – or even if the interaction was just a casual conversation or introduction – try to always be empathetic, kind, and positive with others. This will ensure that a person will want to meet with you again and will make time for you.

Good things will happen in your career if you maintain this mindset when interacting with colleagues. 

Also, don’t be afraid of disappointing someone when you first talk with them. This is hopefully just the start of an ongoing interaction, not the end!

Instead of reflexively saying “yes” or “I agree” to everything, instead try to use phrases like “I completely understand,” or “I see what you mean.”

And if you can’t do something that someone asks, it’s okay to politely decline or defer by saying, “I’m not sure. Can I get back to you later on that?” This frees you from over-committing, but also leaves the door open for future interaction.  

For example:  

That’s a really great question, and I’d like to give you a good answer. May I ask for your business card or connect on LinkedIn so I can contact you later to talk more about this?

Tip #6: Elevator pitches work in many places, not just elevators

Elevator pitches and mission statements also work wonderfully well in other situations: 

• your CV and your LinkedIn profile (put your mission statement at the top, just below your name) 
• job interviews (list some of your career achievements, each as its own elevator pitch) 
• social gatherings (when people ask, “So what kind of work do you do?” give them your mission statement) 

There’s an old saying in Zen: “The most important person in the world is the person standing in front of you now.”

Are  you  ready to engage with the most important person in the world? And when you want to communicate your science sharply and memorably, check our full range of researcher services .

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Business tips

11 actually great elevator pitch examples and how to make yours

There's a trope in late '90s movies where a motivated, ambitious main character does everything they can to get on the same elevator ride as the CEO of some powerful company.

It usually ends the same way. Our protagonist makes a nervous, fast-paced speech that the CEO ignores while repeatedly pressing the elevator button, and we get a five-second scene with sad music of our main character watching them walk away.

That nervous, fast-paced speech is an elevator pitch example—a bad one, because otherwise, those movies would be nine minutes long and uninspiring. In the real world, an elevator pitch can make a powerful impression and pave the way for business ventures, employment opportunities, and networking. It won't get you a corner office and a fancy title one week into your new job, but it can be an important step in the right direction. 

To highlight that difference—and to really dismantle "The Pursuit of Happyness" as a plot—I've put together some elevator pitch examples and a guide on how to write one that actually works.

Table of contents:

Components of an elevator pitch

11 elevator pitch examples

How to write an elevator pitch

What is an elevator pitch.

An elevator pitch is a concise speech in which you introduce yourself and a few key points about what you're pitching, whether it's to acquire investors, promote a product, advertise a business, or even sell yourself as a potential employee. If it takes longer than a minute to get the point across, it's getting too long.

Elevator pitches were originally exclusively spoken—used in business conversations and investor pitches—but have since grown into a written format used for things like websites, social media, video ads, marketing outreach, and media pitches . 

You're not trying to convey your entire business strategy or all your selling points. Your goal here is to raise interest, make a connection, and facilitate an opportunity for business in the future.

Let's say you're in the fintech industry and are attending a networking event full of bank representatives and decision-makers. Instead of spending an hour going through your company's history and how it's aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2157, you'd find more success introducing it concisely, pointing out one or two key features and how they could serve your audience's interests. 

The pitch begins with a hook to draw your audience in, veers into the value you offer, provides some proof to support your statement, and wraps it all up with a display of what makes you different.

It's relatively easy to incorporate these elements into a short pitch. The difficulty lies in choosing a good hook and phrasing your proposition in a way that appeals to the other side of the conversation.

The hook: This element doesn't need to be fancy or complicated. Make it simple and get straight to the point. For example, if you're pitching a time management tool, your hook can be a personal story like: "When I first started my business, it felt like there was too much to do and not enough time to do it." It can also be a statistic. If you're pitching an online collaboration tool, your hook can be something like: "73% of all teams will have remote workers by 2028."

The value proposition : This is where you provide an overview of the value you're bringing to the table. Discuss what you're pitching and what it does, research your listener's unique needs beforehand, and prepare a compelling argument for how you can meet them. 

The evidence: The person you're talking to may be nodding, but that doesn't necessarily mean your point is getting across. Some proof of past success or stats that speak to your success could make that nodding a lot more genuine.

The differentiator: Let them know that you're different—that your product or service isn't just another iteration of what came before. You get brownie points for originality and not quoting any movies.

The call to action: Make sure you're inviting your audience to take action. They have all the details, and they might be interested. It's time to bring it home with a clear call to action . Ask them to connect with you on LinkedIn, invite them for a coffee chat, share contact information, and make sure there's an opportunity to follow up on the conversation.

11 elevator pitch examples done right

I rewatched "The Pursuit of Happyness" to see if there was anything I could salvage, but all I walked away with was frustration at the misleading lesson that passion can overcome anything. Passion cannot, in fact, overcome a busy decision-maker who can't wait for you to stop talking.

If you're at all like me, you'll find the following examples a much better use of your time.

1. Startup pitch example

Everyone's got ideas for [shared goal] . But ideas aren't enough.

We took [shared goal] and turned it into a reality.

We developed [solution] at [company name] that's [list of qualities] . We made it possible for [target audience] to [shared goal] .

What sets us apart is our [differentiator, followed by brief overview] .

If you're passionate about [high-level goal] and interested in [benefit of collaborating with you] , let's connect.

This elevator pitch example demonstrates how to approach potential business partners and investors with a clean energy project. The hook is simple. It leans on the issue and the harsh reality of how little the world does to achieve utopian sustainability. Then it introduces the solution as the company's proactive effort to change the status quo. It pitches efficiency, reduced costs, and access to a larger customer base. Finally, it addresses how ease of use sets the solution apart from the competition and invites further collaboration. 

This example is ideal for startups in that it focuses more on the product, what makes it unique, and the features that set it apart, rather than the company's past achievements, success stories, or revenue metrics. It can easily be used to pitch investors and potential clients alike.  

You can follow this example by making the problem the centerpiece of the hook. Open with the issue, and position your company's service or product as the solution.

2. Job seeker pitch example

It took me [period of time] to [achieve goal] .

It's always been my priority to deliver [high-level result] , but I want to put my [expertise] to use making [high-level goal/impact] .

At [company name] , I [past experience] that [measureable results] .

I love what I do. But I [differentiator, high-level goal] .

If you're looking for a [position/title] who's [differentiator] , let's chat. I'm eager to explore how I can help your organization achieve its [field] objectives.

Since tropes are only a good idea when I propose them, I've decided that our job seeker would be making a pitch to GreenCorp, the company from our previous example. Will Smith will not be playing this role.

In this example, the author of the pitch isn't trying to sell a company or a product; they're trying to sell themselves. The hook addresses their background, expertise, and goals. It then veers into past performance results and highlights the key skill set. The uniqueness factor here speaks to GreenCorp's mission, showcasing that the author shares the company's grand goals, empathetic mindset, and desire to help build something positive. 

If you're ever job hunting, open your pitch with a concise and direct overview of your background, share your most impressive achievements, and do your research into the company you're pitching.

3. Sales pitch example

Most people [relevant statistic, followed by explanation] . 

At [company name] , we've taken the [pain point] out of the equation. 

Our [products] are designed for [value proposition] .

They're more than just [product] . They're [differentiator, followed by supporting evidence] . 

We're not just salespeople; we're [differentiator] .

So, are you ready to find [product selling point] ? Let's [CTA] .

In this example, a guitar shop is pitching its unique guitar design to potential customers. It recognizes a very common problem and ties it to a feeling that most guitar enthusiasts know all too well: giving up too soon. It later positions the author as an expert and fellow musician and utilizes customer reviews as supporting evidence.

A sales pitch will always depend on your industry, product, and customer base. Approach your audience by speaking to their greatest pain points .

4. Networking pitch example

I'm a [position/title] at [company name] , and I've worked on [past experience] . 

Over the past [period of time] , I've had the privilege of working with diverse industries, from [industry] to [industry] , and what truly excites me is [shared interest] . 

I'm here to connect with other professionals who share my enthusiasm for creative and innovative [field] ideas. I really want to explore new [differentiators and shared interests] .

Let's connect on [communication channel] . I have quite a few compelling [field] resources to share and talk through.

This networking pitch resembles the job seeker pitch with one major difference: the audience shifts from an employer to a colleague. The objective changes, and that affects the entire approach. 

In this example, the author isn't trying to convey their efficiency or results in percentages or measurable performance points. They're sharing aspects of their industry that they're passionate about and are interested in discussing. The point here is to make a memorable introduction at a networking event and gather connections .

Ahead of your next networking event, tailor your pitch so that it speaks to your expertise and knowledge without going into too much detail.

5. Investor pitch example

At [company name] , we [business concept offer] , plain and simple.

We [value proposition] .

Our portfolio contains [supporting evidence] .

Why us? Well, we [differentiator] .

We roll up our sleeves and get involved. 

We're currently prospecting [target audience] to join us on our journey. If you're ready to be part of the next [field] disruption, let's talk about how [company name] can help.

Investors have heard it all a million times over. It's why their faces are so hard to read—set in unimpressed silence. So it's best to make your hook short and to the point. "We do X to achieve Y" can be a breath of fresh air when your job is listening to entrepreneurs pitch their ideas five days a week.

In this example, YZTech Ventures aims to secure investors for promising companies. The hook is straightforward and simple, slowly veering into an overview of the company and why it works.

6. Nonprofit pitch example

Every day, [pain point] .

[Company name] is working to change that.

We're a nonprofit dedicated to [high-level goal] . We've already provided [supporting evidence/achievements] .

We don't want to treat the symptoms; we want to face the root cause of [pain point] . But this will be a losing battle if we're fighting it on our own.

We're always looking for individuals who share our vision and drive to build a better world where [high-level goal] .

If you're ready to make a difference, let's discuss how you can be part of the solution.

Empathy is the name of the game here, and charities and nonprofits can use it as a unique selling point. The good news is there's very little risk of doing this wrong. The example outlines the cause, its aim, and the efforts being made to find a solution. 

If you're pitching a nonprofit or a charity to potential donors, lean heavily on the charity's message and accomplishments.

7. Personal branding pitch example

I'm [name] , and I'm a dedicated [title] . I've helped [past expertise and achievments] .

I do what I do by [value proposition, followed by differentiator] .

I'm here to [offered value] .

There's " [position] " in the title, but I'll be [differentiator] .

Let's schedule a meeting and discuss what you can do.

Personal branding comes into play when you're pitching yourself, the individual. Just as companies share their unique idea, proposition, and values, the life coach does the same at a personal level. 

If you're ever writing a personal branding pitch, approach it as you would a business. The key difference is to showcase your values and what makes you unique as a person rather than as a corporate entity.

8. Product launch pitch example 

I'm very excited to share with you [product selling point] .

At [company name] , [products] aren't just a [basic nature of product] . We see them as a game-changer in [selling point] .

This is why we developed our [product] , a cutting-edge [product overview] .

Imagine all of your [value proposition, followed by key features] .

Our product has already received rave reviews during beta testing, with users reporting [survey results] .

[Product] is now available for preorders! [CTA].

This example focuses less on the company and more on the newly revealed product. The new release speaks for itself and the business at the same time.

The hook immediately positions the product as the future or "the next best thing." The pitch dives into what makes the new product unique, utilizing a hypothetical to paint a picture of what it can achieve.

If you're writing a product launch elevator pitch, focus on the product and let it speak for the company.

9. Rebranding pitch example

We've done great things as [company name] . We've helped businesses [services and past achievements] .

We've since been on a journey of transformation, and it's time for a fresh start.

Our company has grown, adapted, and innovated in response to changing market dynamics. We've [outlined change] . Now, [company name] is about to become [new company name] .

Why the change? We've rebranded to [rebranding reasons] .

With [new company name] , you can expect the same quality, expertise, and dedication you've come to trust. But now, we're adding a fresh perspective and a dynamic spirit to our brand.

We invite you to join us in this exciting phase of our journey. [New company name] is ready to [service/value proposition] .

Let's schedule a meeting and explore how our renewed brand can better serve your evolving needs.

In this example, the hook immediately delivers the reasoning behind the change. 

Instead of a value proposition, the pitch offers an assurance that the rebranding won't have detrimental effects. It's designed to address stakeholders and clients as well as provide context.

10. Consulting services pitch example

At [company name] , we specialize in [value proposition] .

With a team of seasoned experts in [field of expertise] , we've successfully guided organizations to [high-level goal] .

Our approach is all about partnership. We take the time to deeply understand your unique market and audience. From there, we [differentiator] .

[Company name] can be the catalyst for your business's transformation. Whether you're looking to [goal] or [goal] , we're here to help.

Let's schedule a virtual meeting to discuss where your company stands and where we can take it.

This pitch is designed to attract clients for a consulting service. It takes a collaborative tone in its approach and focuses on areas of growth that pretty much every decision-maker worries about. It makes the solution the centerpiece of its hook instead of the problem, and goes on to briefly outline how the firm's process is structured. 

11. Technology solution pitch example

[Relevant statistic].  

That's how it goes for your [pain point] .

Imagine you didn't have to worry about [pain point] .

Our [product] is designed to enhance [process] . We help businesses [value proposition] .

One of our recent success stories includes helping a [supporting evidence] .

The thing is, [differentiator] ; we make sure our [product] is specifically customized for your organization's needs. 

Are you available to meet next week for a personalized demo?

In this example, the hook is a statistic that lays the foundation for the problem and the value proposition. It's a powerful hook that captures the audience's attention and helps you transition into what you really want to say.

You can be an optimist and decide to improvise an elevator pitch. But you'll likely end up taking too many pauses under the guise of sipping your water, and stumbling over your words mid-pitch might waste a precious conversation.

It pays to be prepared, and writing an elevator pitch beforehand can make a big difference.

1. Outline a clear objective

Before you start writing the elevator pitch, focus on your objective . Are you introducing yourself to grow your personal network, pitching a service or product, prospecting investors, or trying to acquire a new client?

Your objective will help you pinpoint the information you want to mention in your pitch. 

Tip: Establish success metrics relevant to your objective. Investors will want to know how much revenue your business can generate, while potential clients will want to know the benefits of your product or service. Make sure your success metrics speak to your audience's concerns.

2. Define your audience

One speech won't work across the board. Hollywood says the up-and-coming manager likes to be impressed with a Rubik's cube, while the CEO likes to hear your heartfelt speech about how much this job means to you and how you're expertly overcoming odds. 

Both those things are wrong, but the point remains that identifying who your listener is and what matters to them is a nice way to tailor your pitch so that it speaks to their concerns, needs, and bigger pain points. The more you resonate with your audience, the more impactful your pitch will be, and the closer you'll get to a tearful Will Smith movie ending.

Defining your audience goes beyond knowing the name and nature of what might make a potential client. 

Tip: Conduct in-depth audience research by diving into your chosen market, competitors, user data, and digital marketing analytics. Then comb through that information to define your audience's pain points and how you're uniquely positioned to address them.  

3. Craft a hook

You know what you want to say and why. Now you need an opening statement—a hook that grabs their attention and gets them invested in the rest of your pitch. You want to set the stage for the elements that come next. Make it clear and engaging, but keep it concise. The goal here is to get an attentive listener, not a bored one.

The hook needs to spark the audience's interest. You need to speak their industry's language, show knowledge and expertise, and put your audience research data to good use by pointing out the difficulties and issues they face.

Tip: Use a personal story, a statistic, a fact, or an interesting hypothetical to draw your audience in.

4. Explain your value proposition

Once your audience is paying attention, it's time to dive into the proposition and the value within. What do you and your idea bring to the table? What problems do you solve, and how does that make your listener's life better? How does your solution differ from those they've heard pitched a thousand times before?

Point out the differentiating factors that make you and your business unique, whether it's the groundbreaking tech you've patented or the better pricing options your competitors can't keep up with. 

Tip: Write down all the aspects that make your business different, and choose the most compelling ones for the pitch.

5. Support your pitch with evidence

Who doesn't like real-life measurable data? Well, Hollywood doesn't, but that's just because no amount of Hans Zimmer music can make your 325% ROI cinematically engaging. You can be confident that your audience will want to hear success stories that support your proposition.

Have a few successful case studies from former and current clients ready to drive the point home and turn a semi-interested listener into an engaged party.

Tip: Draw on your own expertise, and use performance statistics and relevant metrics from previous projects. 

6. Keep it concise

It's called an elevator pitch for a reason. You have under a minute to get your entire pitch across to a busy decision-maker who doesn't have all day. Cut the fluff, and only say what you feel certain will convince your recipient to take your side.

Tip: Practice reading your pitch out loud in the mirror. Use a timer to measure how long it takes to deliver it comfortably.

7. End with a clear call to action

Since the point of an elevator pitch is to generate interest, you'll want to end it with a clear call to action—one that evokes a response and maybe a more in-depth conversation.

If you're pitching a service, you can offer to schedule a meeting to further outline your services and how they can help the listener. If you're pitching a product, you could offer to schedule a demo to prove it can improve their business. Get creative here, and aim to turn that interest into a meeting.

Tip: Lead your audience to connect with you beyond the pitch. Schedule a meeting or a coffee chat, exchange contact information, and make sure there's room for a longer discussion.

8. Prepare to answer questions

You can't just deliver your pitch and then hit the open bar at the networking event. Be ready to answer questions.

Questions at this stage mean your listener is intrigued, curious, and interested. At this point, feel free to provide as much context in your answers as you'd like. The elevator pitch has already ended, and it served its purpose. Go in-depth and provide context.

Tip: Write down a few questions based on your own market research. Ask yourself what your customers, investors, and audience might be curious about. Prepare your answers so you're never surprised.

Make a unique first impression

Elevator pitches exist because humans have shorter attention spans than goldfish, and we really need a leg up on our aquatic competition.

Opportunities are fleeting, especially when businesses are launching every day. In an oversaturated environment, an elevator pitch can help you make an impression that lasts. And who knows, you might just have what it takes to inspire a 50-million dollar movie that Will Smith can "misty-eye" his way through.

Related reading:

How to pitch your small business to the press

How to use personalized sales pitches to convert clients and sell more 

ChatGPT prompts that will generate great sales emails

Email etiquette: How to ask people for things and actually get a response

How to create a project plan (with project plan templates)

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Hachem Ramki

Hachem is a writer and digital marketer from Montreal. After graduating with a degree in English, Hachem spent seven years traveling around the world before moving to Canada. When he's not writing, he enjoys Basketball, Dungeons and Dragons, and playing music for friends and family.

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Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is your chance to quickly describe your work and start a conversation. Although your pitch will take different forms, a successful one will:

• Get a stranger excited about your ideas,
• Use simple language that is familiar to your audience,
• Include a concise phrase that captures the value of your work or idea, and
• Take as little as 20 seconds.

The sections below describe how to develop a pitch based on the situation’s purpose , audience , and context , and how to craft and deliver the final pitch.

1. Developing a pitch

To develop the pitch, focus on the purpose, audience, and context. Once you have a pitch for a specific situation, minor changes can help it fit many situations.

1.1. Identify your purpose

“Why are you giving a pitch to this person or audience?” Clarifying the purpose of your pitch will help you decide what information to include. Below are three common purposes and what to include in each case.

Return to Contents

1.2. Analyze your audience

Just as your purpose helps you decide what topics to cover, considering your audience will help you narrow down what information or technical details to include. Audiences can be divided into four groups, with increasing levels of technical knowledge on your subject, as shown below.

1.3. Be mindful of the context

Understanding the context of your pitch, both in terms of social atmosphere and length of time, will help make your pitch stick with your audience. Context can be broadly grouped into four categories:

2. Crafting and delivering a pitch

With your pitch purpose, audience, and context in mind, bring all the pieces together and focus on delivery.

2.1. Putting it together

Order the content of your pitch in three steps:

• Set up : introducing a broad problem that the audience can relate to or describing the specific problem in the field that you’re trying to solve
• Description of your work : overall or a specific portion of your work
• Follow up : describing how your work solves the specific problem or why you’re interested in talking more with them

The figure below shows how these three parts fit together, where you can start based on pitch audience and where you can end based on pitch purpose. A good rule of thumb is to limit the content you associate with each box to 1-2 sentences. Try to cross out non-essential words or jargon, and focus on the key concepts. (Note that you will adjust your pitch further when you start practicing.)

2.2. Delivering your pitch

Because your oral delivery is as important as the message itself, it is essential that you practice delivering your pitch aloud. Continue to edit your pitch to make it more natural-sounding to you, and more memorable for your audience.

Adjust what you say: The way we write is different from the way we speak. When drafting your pitch on paper, your sentences and words may tend to be longer and more complicated than in day-to-day conversations. This written structure is often too rigid for a pitch and will feel forced when you try to deliver it as is. Read your pitch out loud as you draft it to ensure that it sounds natural.

Adjust how you say it: A good pitch feels natural. You are comfortable with the words and structure because you have practiced delivering it, yet it’s not rigid or robotic from over-practice. Natural conversations have changes in energy, speed, and volume, so try to vary the way you speak to emphasize the most important parts of your pitch. Use pauses to let the audience think about something you said or underscore the importance of a point.

Think about how you interact with your audience: The most effective pitches may require you to tweak your pitch as you deliver it. For casual pitch contexts, you can use questions to directly gauge audience interest or knowledge, and change the “Set up” or “Description of your work.” Try to read the audience’s non-verbal cues and be ready to pivot to a different topic, or end the pitch early if it’s clear that they’re not interested in what you’re saying.

Practice your pitch and seek feedback from friends, family, or group members to help refine your content and delivery.

3. Quick tips

• “No one listens to your content unless you connect with them,” says Tony Eng from MIT EECS. Being genuinely interested in something unique about the other person will help you establish this connection.
• Introduce yourself using both your first and last names. Nancy Houfek from Harvard notes that, in professional settings, women are more likely than men to omit their last names and often risk being less memorable. (It is also encouraged to introduce your colleagues with both their first and last names.)
• Speak your name clearly and slowly, and pause briefly before introducing your work. This will help your audience remember you and start making connections.
• When practicing your pitch, consider marking your “script” with delivery cues to highlight which words to emphasize, where to pause, and where to change the intonation of your voice.
• Do not rush through your elevator pitch. It is better to say fewer words more slowly, than more words too fast.

To practice your pitch and receive feedback, make an appointment with us. We’d love to help!

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How to Create an Elevator Pitch with Examples

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How to Write a Perfect Elevator Speech

“What’s an elevator pitch, and how can it help your career? An elevator pitch —also known as an elevator speech—is a quick synopsis of your background and experience. The reason it’s called an elevator pitch is that it should be short enough to present during a brief elevator ride.

This speech is all about you: who you are, what you do, and what you want to do (if you’re job hunting).

Your elevator pitch is a way to share your expertise and credentials quickly and effectively with people who don’t know you.

Done right, this short speech helps you introduce yourself to career and business connections in a compelling way. It can help you  build your network , land a job, or connect with new colleagues on your first day of work.”

Read the full article at thebalancecareers.com.

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Tips for Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch

Table of Contents

Whether you’re starting a business or getting into sales, an elevator pitch is a must. You give this pitch when you meet prospects at any networking event, in passing or at meetings. Elevator pitches are also commonly used among people who are looking for a job. [Related: Networking Sites for Job Seekers ]

An elevator pitch is a sales pitch that is typically 30 seconds long. Legend has it that it originated in Hollywood, where screenwriters would use an elevator ride to suggest stories to film executives.

Screenwriters, sales executives and others have limited time to get their unique selling proposition across, so a well-crafted and tested elevator pitch is critical.

When is an elevator pitch important?

There are three elements in a situation where a prepared elevator pitch is important:

• You are meeting someone for the first time.
• Your time to capture the person’s attention is limited.
• The person is in a position to help you in some way.

In general, you can use an elevator pitch anytime someone asks you, “What do you do?” or “What does your company do?” It is a succinct and compelling summary that both answers the question and ideally intrigues the asker enough for them to ask more or to take some desired action.

How to write an elevator pitch: The research stage

Before you set pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, you should do your research. You need a full understanding of what you’re selling, who your company is and what you have to offer.

1. Become an expert on the products and services you sell.

One thing that will set you apart from your competition is your knowledge. Study your products and services like you would review vocabulary for a school quiz.

It’s easy to say, “We’re a gardening company, and we sell pots and plants,” but so do all the other gardening companies. Before crafting your elevator pitch, dig into the details of your products and services. Consider what is unique about your product and what sets your business apart from the competition . Perhaps, for instance, you sell rare heirloom plants and handmade pots from local artists. It is these details that will make your prospects want to know more about your business.

2. Know your audience.

As part of knowing your products and services, you should understand the problems they solve and your prospects’ pain points. The better you know your products and services and your target audience , the more confident you’ll be when giving your elevator pitch and answering follow-up questions. If you’ll be presenting to different types of audiences, you’ll want to customize your elevator pitches accordingly.

What you need to do is develop buyer personas – representations of your perfect customers – from market research. Once you’ve established your buyer personas, tailor your elevator pitch to address the pain points and needs of the buyer type you are discussing.

For example, when talking to a middle-income prospect about solar panels, you might say, “Our product can virtually eliminate your electricity bills,” while an elevator pitch to an engineer might be, “Our systems are made using the latest solar cell technology for the highest efficiency,” and an elevator pitch for someone interested in saving the planet could be, “We help you reduce your carbon footprint and create clean, sustainable energy for your family.”

There are many ways to conduct market research , but the easiest methods are interviews with your current customers and surveys of groups who meet certain criteria for your target audience. [Read related article: 6 Interview Skills That Will Get You Hired ]

3. Highlight the key points of your products and services.

Most businesses have a lot of moving parts, but there’s no time to tell a long story in an elevator pitch. Instead, pull out the key points of your business and top-selling offerings to engage your audience. Think about the big picture, and instead of just listing product benefits, show value. Consider the following.

Is your product unique and interesting because it is …

• Exclusive/patented?
• Hard to obtain?
• Available at an unbeatable price?
• Technologically superior?

Is your company unique and credible because it …

• Has been around for a long time?
• Is an innovator in its industry?
• Is owned or financed by a well-respected and well-known person?
• Has won a prestigious award?

Does your service …

• Solve a problem that no one else can?
• Solve a problem in a way that is more comprehensive or convenient?

4. Decide what you want the person to do at the end of your pitch.

The purpose of the elevator pitch is to motivate the listener to take some action. What that is depends on the role of the person you are pitching.

If the listener is a potential customer, you may want them to …

• Schedule an appointment with a salesperson.
• Visit your business.
• Get a quote.
• Add your company to a bid list.

If the listener is a current customer, you may want them to …

• Schedule a visit or phone call with their company rep.
• Make a referral or recommendation to a potential customer.
• Visit your business to find out more about a new product or promotion.

If the listener is a potential mentor or employer, you may want them to …

• Agree to meet with you.
• Accept your resume.
• Schedule an interview.
• Find out if there is a suitable position in the company for you.

5. Put it all together.

Every good elevator pitch should be built on a standard foundation of these elements:

• Your name and job title
• Your company name (for business owners and salespeople)
• What your company sells or, for job seekers, your most relevant skills and experience
• The type of people you sell your products and services to or, for job seekers, some impressive results you have gotten for your present or past employer
• Your unique selling proposition (covered above for job seekers)
• A call to action

Use social proof to urge your listener to join the crowd by mentioning your company’s popularity, number of social media followers, awards or other recognition.

How to deliver your elevator pitch

1. time it..

While elevator pitches can range from 20 to 60 seconds, 30 seconds is the goal. Before giving your pitch, present it to friends, family, and co-workers, and ask them to time it for you.

2. Practice.

Practice your elevator pitch in the mirror. It may feel silly at first, but it can help you with facial expressions, timing and confidence.

3. Speak clearly.

Knowing that you don’t have a lot of time to give this pitch, you may be tempted to say it fast to get more content in. However, talking too fast is a big no-no when delivering an elevator pitch. If you speak too quickly, it can be difficult for your audience to understand what you’re saying.

4. Be conversational.

It’s also important to be conversational. A good salesperson never sounds like they’re selling something, but as if they’re having a conversation with good friends. The elevator pitch should be your tool for starting a more in-depth discussion.

5. Smile and let your passion show.

People want to do business with people they like. When you deliver your elevator pitch, it’s important to smile and let your personality shine through. Your message should come across in a way that shows you’re passionate about what you’re selling and that you’re a trusted source.

6. Test and tweak.

As the saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Your elevator pitch may not lead to an extended conversation the first time or even the fourth time you give it. If you find that it’s not working, tweak it and continue to test it over and over again.

Turn your call to action around; rather than asking for something, offer to do something of value for the other person. It will be surprising and memorable, making the person want to reciprocate.

What makes a good elevator pitch? Elevator pitch examples

We asked several professionals to share their successful elevator pitches with us to give you some ideas.

Example 1: Mark Armstrong, content marketer at Mark Armstrong Illustration

“My name’s Mark Armstrong. I’m an illustrator. I do business as Mark Armstrong Illustration. Clever name, right? I help brands get noticed and connect with people. I specialize in humor, which helps humanize a brand and makes it easier to relate to. Humor also gets people to drop their shields long enough to hear what you have to say. I also illustrate books and do editorial work for magazines. Mark Armstrong Illustration, at your service! I’d love to send you a link to my portfolio. Do you have a business card?”

What makes it a good pitch: It’s clear and to the point, adding a bit of curiosity with the question he asked along with humor.

Example 2: Megan Moran, stylist at The CEO Style Society

“I’m Megan Moran, and I’m a wardrobe stylist for busy businesswomen. I help them take the stress out of getting dressed by cleaning out their closets, mixing and matching what they own, and shopping for what they need, ultimately saving them time, easing frustration, and leaving them feeling confident in their clothes. You can find out more and make an appointment at CEOStyle.com.”

What makes it a good pitch: It clearly and concisely explains whom she helps, how she helps them and the results they get.

Example 3: Jessi Beyer, speaker and mental health advocate

“Hi, my name is Jessi. It’s nice to meet you! I’m a speaker and personal development coach, specializing in helping my clients break free from expectations and discover their passions and purpose. Through my past struggles with mental health and familial expectations, I discovered key, actionable strategies that helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my life, craft a powerful motivational statement, and create an attention-focusing tool that immunized me from distractions. I also found that many of my peers were struggling with the same thing, so my mission is to help them navigate those issues and eventually live a life that’s passionate, purposeful and authentic. I love meeting other individuals with similar passions and missions. Follow me on Instagram so we can keep in touch!”

What makes it a good pitch: Along with following the foundation for writing a pitch, she includes a personal connection to the other person (“it’s nice to meet you”) and a sentence about what she does.

Elevator pitch advice for job seekers

1. state your specialty..

“The fact that you’re looking should be clearly stated without embarrassment,” Armstrong said. “New graduates should mention a project or study they were part of, either in school or during an internship. Older job seekers should state their specialty, then put it in context by mentioning a specific achievement at a particular company.”

Example: “I’m Jonathan Mendoza. I am originally from Alabama but recently moved to New York City, as it has always been my dream to live and work here. I graduated in December 2018 from the University of Montevallo, located in Alabama, with a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and a minor in public relations. With experience in content creation, I was lucky enough to quickly land a position as a content marketing specialist at Fueled, a technology consultancy, where I write copy for landing pages, create and publish blog content, and manage social media. I am seeking opportunities in the digital marketing industry. I would love to hear more about your company.”

2. Get to the point.

“Interviewers are looking for candidates to be direct and to the point,” said Tom McGee, vice president and general manager of executive recruiting firm Lucas Group. “Candidates should have the knowledge of what the interviewer is looking for based on their recruiter or from the job description they were given or saw online. It is essential for candidates to point out examples of the work they have done that match what the client is looking for.

“Where candidates go wrong in an interview is answering the question and then continuing to talk, instead of stopping and waiting for the next question. You have to be concise and stay on message. Just talking for the sake of talking won’t help you. The key for a candidate is to point out how they have made their recent company money or saved them money.”

Example: The company is looking for a vice president of sales who has grown a sales team from 10 to 50 and increased revenue by 100%.

Elevator pitch: “My name is Joe Smith, and I was informed you were looking for a VP of sales. I recently left a VP position after the private equity partners sold the company. I was brought in to grow the sales team from 10 to 55 within two years, and I increased revenue by 150% over that time. Given my experience and proven track record of success in this field, I would love to meet and discuss this position.”

3. Be confident.

Dominic Lawson, co-founder of Owls LLC and host of the podcast “The Startup Life,” says the No. 1 thing to remember when giving a pitch as a job seeker is to be confident.

“Potential employers want to know that you are able to rise to the challenge and effectively do the job,” he said. “Also, remember that no one has the script to your pitch, so if you mess up a few words, the receiver of the pitch will never know it. Keep going. Research the company if you can, and add some of their words and phrases so they know you have bought into their culture and want to be an asset within it. Most importantly, be clear about what you want. You definitely do not want to appear all over the place.”

Jennifer Dublino contributed to the writing and reporting in this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

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How to Write a Winning Elevator Pitch

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What is an Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch is a statement, a short description of about 30 seconds, that introduces yourself, an idea, or a concept. The best way to think about an elevator pitch is to think about how well you can pitch anything within the timeframe of riding an elevator, hence the name elevator pitch. This pitch should leave an interesting and memorable experience with the other person. It needs to explain what makes you, your organization, your product, or your idea. The key is to distinguish yourself uniquely within these 30 seconds and at the very least, by the end of giving your elevator pitch, you want to have made a connection or impression on your audience.

Why have an Elevator Pitch?

 Elevator pitches are good to practice and have ready at any time to market yourself. A well-developed elevator pitch is important because it can assist you in getting your point across while making it easier to ask to stay connected. In any instance, you never know what event you will be at where you are introduced to a prospective job opportunity or new networking connection. For this reason, you want to identify the type of elevator pitches you might need. Knowing when to use an elevator pitch and for who, can help you develop the different ones that cater to your audience. Types of elevator pitches you might practice include:

• Job Positions
• Building your Network
• Sales Pitch
• Business Startup
• Personal 

🔬Learn About: How to Sell Yourself in an Interview

Essential Features

No matter what type of elevator pitch you are preparing and practicing, every elevator pitch should contain the same five common elements. Your pitch should be delivered with a special combination of enthusiasm and strong and eloquent speaking. Pay attention to the following components:

• Short and Crisp
• Capture Attention
• Concise and Clear
• State problems and offer solutions
• Highlight the features

You might be wondering how to integrate each of these elements and what should be included in your overall statement. Keep each element in mind, while reading and developing how you would write your elevator pitch. 

How to Write an Elevator Pitch?

Similar to practicing for an interview, or preparing to share who you are with someone else, understanding yourself, your business, or your product, is a critical part of creating an effective elevator pitch. To effectively deliver this message, self-reflection is a good first step. When reflecting, try and understand what it is that you are trying to introduce, why it is important to you, and why you are motivated to pursue this idea. By understanding, your motivation and purpose you will be better prepared to present yourself in a confident way that accurately represents why you are giving the elevator pitch to begin. The following questions are the most simple parts, that should be integrated into an elevator pitch, for it to be effective: 

What do I do?

What do i ask.

These questions are surface-level responses that better exhibit what should be addressed in the elevator pitch. In each question, we can learn how to properly tie together our knowledge, skills, and experiences. This goal will then illustrate to our audience how our abilities prepare us for what we are trying to pitch forward.  

To answer “Who am I” the best way is to pick adjectives that begin to describe you. Try and imagine yourself from a third-person perspective. How would another person describe who you are? Create a tailored list, that is appropriate to the audience you will be addressing. In this list, include qualities that can be fitting for the position. For example, in a professional networking situation, a chemist shares “ I am a baker and a  researcher.”  Her passions show she is detail-oriented with an understanding that everything in the recipe impacts the final result. In research, every detail in the experiment can drastically change trends, patterns, and final conclusions. This example, exemplifies her field concentration, along with her cocurricular activities, creativity, and personality. These are all great traits, which can potentially make anyone a stronger candidate. 

When answering “What do I do,” you want this part to build off of your “Who am I.” When you get here, focus on one to two items that will remind your audience who you are. Please keep in mind you have 30 seconds. Proceed by sharing the skills and experiences that drive your career focus. Make sure you are answering what you do, and why you do what you do. Consider how you can make a connection with the person by sharing a deeper level of how you understand your career. Share your goals and priorities that inspire and propel you forward in your position. For instance, our chemist shares “my ability to write recipes has contributed to my success in writing research protocols that accelerate protein refolding. By developing my biochemical understanding of the body I can contribute to advances in the medical field.” What has been demonstrated here is both skill and passion. Your skills and passions are valued components that should be answered in this section. To better understand each, skill specifically answers “What skills will you bring to the job or internship positions, and how did you gain them?” Passion or value answers What do you care about that drives your career goals, and interests, or inclines you to pursue your field? 

It’s more valuable to end by asking a question because it leaves room open to start a conversation. Ending with a question, more often, is extremely valuable, because it shows you care about making a connection, at minimum. The question could be simple, such as a request for advice on how to develop in the field. It could also be a request that requires further exchange of sharing information. You could also ask for their contact, which you never know when you will need. If it seems reasonable, sharing with your audience why you want to connect with them, or why you are at the event and chose to speak with them, could all be helpful moments that open more possibilities. For instance, a student getting ready to graduate shares with a company they want to work for “I am at industry night seeking a career in biotechnology manufacturing. Could you please share with me about your company, and if you have any opening positions in this line of work?” 

🔬 Watch: Sample Elevator Pitch

More Questions for Businesses

If you are more interested in creating a marketable elevator pitch for a product or service in the business world, you might consider reframing your elevator pitch. While the same principles apply to the outline above, you should pivot to address the value of your company. Questions you should instead discuss include:

What is the company?

What does the company do, how do you do it, who do you do it for.

Answering this question is similar to responding to, “Who am I,” but is more relative to who the company is and what it is they do as a company. For a startup, you might answer what the company's product/service/ idea is that is being proposed and offered.

After a short statement of who the company is, you should explain why the business is valuable. In most cases, explaining the value and need for your business would include stating your business value proposition. Focus on answering what makes your company unique and why the user needs it. 

Responding to how this product is accomplished can be short and sweet. It should be simple and reflect how you achieve your marketable product. For example, you might say “High technology for simple features,” very similar to how Apple markets its products. 

Perhaps the second most important aspect of a business elevator pitch is showcasing who your product is for. Choose one specific target market and include this market in your elevator pitch for the product. Many examples can be found in slogans, like “America runs on Dunkin.”

Effective Tips

Keep it brief

Remember, you just have a few short seconds to deliver your message. There will be time for sharing more information after you win over your audience. With a great elevator pitch, there is potential for your audience to gain interest in you, which might lead to a follow-up conversation. Before this can happen, earn your way into a follow-up conversation by making a good first impression. First impressions matter and your elevator pitch will pave the way for the rest of the audience's experience with you. 

Target your Pitch  

Also, keep in mind that each event you are attending will have a different focus. There are events catering to business startups, alumni networking events, college fairs, and industry nights. These are only a fraction of the types of events you might find yourself at. Once you know the kind of event you are attending, practice an elevator pitch that supports and aligns with the event, you are attending. For example, for a career fair you should expect to meet with hiring managers. Your elevator pitch should, therefore, share your experiences in your field, the position you are looking for, and why you would be a good fit. In comparison, if you are networking with startup investors, your elevator pitch might focus more on what the company does, why it is valuable, and what you have accomplished as a startup.  

The first few times you try and introduce yourself through an elevator pitch it might feel unconventional. Giving the elevator pitch, you might feel awkward, you may not know where to begin, and feeling anxious or overwhelmed by the idea is not unusual. That being said, if you practice you can only get better as you begin to get comfortable with sharing your elevator pitch. A tip of advice when practicing, practice your elevator pitch with those you don’t mind messing up with. Of course, you should try your best, but let’s pretend you are at an industry night. There are small-scale companies and large well-known companies. You absolutely know which company you want to work with, so start practicing by giving your elevator pitch to the companies you care about less. Then, you can work your way up, becoming better at giving your elevator pitch and speaking with the company. Save your top three companies for last, and slowly become comfortable with your award-winning elevator pitch. This approach, might not guarantee you a perfect pitch, but it sure will help you avoid practicing on your top company of choice. 

Have an ask:  

One other note, always give the person you’re talking with a way to be helpful. This helping hand can be through sharing information or making professional contact, letting the other person know how they can help you is always an advantage. As explained in “What do I ask,” having an ask could leave room for more conversation. It also sets up the type of impression you are leaving with your audience. By having an ask you are expressing your interest. It could also be helpful to do your research beforehand, so you are knowledgeable in carrying the conversation forward. 

Follow-up:  

It is always helpful to gain a new connection! It benefits you to be handed their business card or be asked to connect on LinkedIn. Secure the connection, and then you can use email or LinkedIn to follow up. When following up, remind the person of the context in which you met. You might reintroduce yourself in three short sentences. Then thank them for speaking with you and what about the conversation you had that intrigued you or led to you pursuing to follow-up? After setting the tone, find a way to ensure that you have started a conversation. 

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Elevator pitch

Create an overview of your project so concise it can be communicated in the time it takes to ride an elevator.

Prep Time 5 mins

Run Time 60 mins

People 3-11

Elevator Pitch

Elevator Pitch in action

This team of app developers works through the elevator pitch for their new game using Trello.

These beverage brand marketers meet on Zoom and capture their Elevator Pitch Play session in Confluence.

This team met in person to work through the elevator pitch for their new neighborhood restaurant.

What you'll need

Video conferencing with screen sharing, digital collaboration tool (see templates), meeting space, whiteboard or large sheet of paper, optional templates, atlassian templates, instructions for running this play.

First, exactly what is an elevator pitch? Simply put, an elevator pitch is a brief (think 30 seconds to one minute) overview of your project that gives listeners all the information they need to understand who you are, what problem you solve , and why they should care. A good elevator pitch is attention-grabbing, exciting, and quickly informative. If creating such a short overview of your project sounds like a tall order, don’t worry – this Play will teach you how to write an elevator pitch that stands out. 

1. Prep 5 MIN

Remote teams should start by creating a collaboration space or document, like a Trello board or Confluence page. You can use the elevator pitch templates provided above or create one of your own. You can refer to the elevator pitch examples above to get a sense of how teams around the world have used a template to succinctly pitch their project . 

For in-person teams, you can still use our elevator pitch templates if your team will be using their laptops during the exercise. Otherwise, find a whiteboard or large paper and set out sticky notes and markers in a meeting room. Set up five columns on the board or paper with these headings:

• As a [target customer type]
• who want(s) to [customer need],
• [product/feature/service]
• is a [market category]
• that [key benefit].

If you have any information validating the need for your product, such as market research, target audience information, customer feedback, or customer interviews , share the materials in advance with the team.

TIP: A PITCH FOR ANY TEAM

If the classic elevator pitch template doesn’t apply, customize it for your team with variations like:

Structure: [Who], [what], [why]

Example: As a [client], I want [service] so I can [outcome].

2. Set the stage 5 MIN

Once you've gathered your team to craft your project's elevator pitch, let them know the following at the start of the session:

• This is a fill-in-the-blank exercise.
• We’ll be focusing on our customers: who they are, what they need , and how our project fills that need.
• Our goal is to align on our project’s purpose in order to succinctly articulate the project’s value.

3. Fill in the blanks 10 MIN

Before you have your team start adding their elevator pitch ideas, make sure to let them know that this is a safe, collaborative space and that there are no real wrong answers. Ask everyone to add their ideas for filling in the information in brackets, either in your collaboration document or by placing sticky notes on the board or paper.

TIP: LESS IS MORE

Keep your responses as concise as possible. Think of this elevator pitch exercise like a game of fill-in-the-blanks.

4. Vote 5 MIN

Ask the team to vote on the ideas that best represent the project’s purpose, one vote per column. In order to reduce groupthink , try to keep the vote-casting stage private. In-person teams should privately note their choices, and once all votes have been cast, the host can calculate the options with the most votes. Remote teams will have an easier time keeping votes private with the use of laptops. 

TIP: TRELLO POWER-UP

Try the Trello Voting Power-Up to enable voting on the board or ask attendees to add "+1" in comments.

5. Discuss 20 MIN

Once all votes are in, use the cards with the most votes to complete the phrase, “As a [target customer type] who want(s) to [need/desire], [product/name/service] is a [market category] that [key benefit].”

Here’s a finished elevator pitch example to help keep you on the right track: “As a dog parent (target customer type) who wants to keep their dog healthy (need/desire), Charlie’s Kibbles (product/name/service) is a low-grain, organic dog food (market category) that provides optimum canine nutrition and a taste your pup will love (key benefit).”

As a team, decide if the highest-voted cards capture the project’s value in the given format, or if any changes need to be made. If changes need to be made, try swapping out one card at a time until you’ve crafted the best possible elevator pitch for your project. 

6. Final pitch 5 MIN

Document your final elevator pitch. As a team, verify that it captures the value of your product, feature, or service in the most concise way possible.

Final elevator pitches from a variety of teams and products.

If you have specific instructions for what teams should do after this play, such as share the document, schedule the next Play, etc., write them here.

Save your elevator pitch in a place where your team and stakeholders can easily find it, such as your knowledge base in Confluence . If you need to create more elevator pitches for future projects, save your completed elevator pitch templates as examples for next time. If you did this exercise in person, take a picture of your completed whiteboard or paper for reference. 

If you’ve added your elevator pitch to Confluence, don’t forget to tag key team members and stakeholders in the comments. In-person teams should add them to their shared physical workspace to give anyone interested at-a-glance info on your project’s purpose.

Return to the elevator

If you find your team getting lost in the details of the project, refer back to the elevator pitch to regain sight of the project’s overall purpose.

Conversely, if your project has changed significantly, re-run the entire elevator pitch exercise to ensure you’ve still got an accurate, succinct description of it. 

Have each team member pitch their own elevator pitch to the team, then vote on the pitch that captures customer value the best.

Measurements

Instead of voting, have teammates rate each idea on criteria like customer value, risk, marketability, etc. Use ideas with the highest overall score in the elevator pitch.

Still have questions?

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• Business strategy |
• 15 creative elevator pitch examples for ...

15 creative elevator pitch examples for every scenario

A good elevator pitch can be the difference between landing your next big opportunity or falling short of the competition. But the reality is, people want to have meaningful conversations without the forced sales pitch. So how do you pitch yourself during a job interview or client meeting with authenticity? 

First things first: What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch, also known as an elevator speech, is an opportunity to share a quick summary of yourself and your product offerings. But a pitch can also be your chance at making a real connection that you can use later down the road. It’s not always an immediate benefit, but you should be prepared for any scenario in which you could be giving an elevator pitch. 

In reality, most people have given an elevator pitch whether they realize it or not. That’s because there are many different types of pitches—from interviews to new business opportunities. That makes preparing for your next pitch an important step in marketing both yourself and your company. 

When it comes to figuring out who to deliver your pitch to, you should aim for the best point of contact, not just the highest point of contact. Choosing connections that are related to or interested in what you’re offering will give you a better chance at making your sale. 

How long should an elevator pitch be?

One of the biggest unknowns about creating sample elevator pitches is how long they should be. In most cases, it will depend on what it’s about and who you’re pitching. A good rule of business etiquette is to make it as short as possible by carefully selecting the most important points. 

A study conducted by Microsoft found that the average person has an attention span of around eight seconds, meaning you’ll have to fight for that undivided attention. That’s no small task. So when it comes to a great elevator pitch, aim to keep it around 30 seconds—though the exact length can vary depending on your industry and what you’re pitching. 

When looking at pitch length based on industry, each one differs to some degree. Let’s take marketing for example. Your pitch opportunities will likely be to customers that come across your brand. And in that case, you have very little time to get your message across—whether it’s text, video, or imagery. But when it comes to sales, you may get the opportunity to expand your elevator pitch past 30 seconds. You will likely have plenty of networking opportunities where people are more than willing to listen to what you have to say. It really just depends on your medium and the audience’s eagerness to listen. 

But what if you can’t cut your elevator pitch down to 30 seconds? It may seem like your brand is too complicated to distill down to such a short timeframe, but if you’re pitching to the right audience you shouldn’t have that problem. Make sure you pitch to people related to your industry or a tangential audience that will be able to interpret your offerings. 

How to write an elevator pitch 

When it comes to writing an elevator pitch, it can be hard to decipher important facts from unimportant ones—this is why knowing how to effectively communicate in the workplace is important in the first place. For example, while it’s good to personalize your communication tactics wherever possible, it’s not necessary to give prospects an entire history lesson on your business. Only the most recent and relevant details should be included. To get started creating your own pitch, you first need to understand the basic components that make up any good elevator pitch.

Introduce yourself

All good pitches start with a short introduction. It could be as simple as stating your name and who you work for if those details apply. But the more personal you can make it, the more natural your elevator pitch will seem. Body language is also an important part of a solid introduction, as is eye contact. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when introducing yourself to a new prospect. 

Greet your audience in a way that’s appropriate for the occasion. Go formal for a business pitch or more casual for a fun event. With business meetings and networking events being held virtually, you’ll need to get creative with your introductions over video chat. You could even start with a lighthearted joke to break the ice. But whatever you do, make sure it’s relevant to your audience. 

Present the problem

All solutions start with a problem. Whatever you or your business is trying to solve, it’s important to get the point across early on in your elevator pitch to set the theme for the rest of your speech. An example problem: coordinating work between teams is chaotic.  

If possible, relate the problem back to your audience by using real-world examples. This will help make the problem more relevant and, hopefully, grab your audience’s attention. If your problem isn’t easy to explain, try using more than one example or a visual to really paint a picture for your audience. 

Offer the solution

If the problem is what draws the audience in, then the solution is what hooks them. This is your time to show them why they need your help. Here’s an example solution: Asana gives teams a system to organize and manage work so they know what to do, why it matters, and how to get it done.

The solution is arguably the most important part of an elevator pitch, so spend time perfecting it. If you’re pitching for a business, it’s likely the quick solution pitch has already been created. But again, it’s always better to personalize your pitch. So don’t be afraid to tweak it to fit your audience. If pitching for yourself, talk about the unique skills you’ve developed and why they would be beneficial to your prospect. 

Explain your value proposition

Now that you’ve piqued your audience’s attention, it’s time to seal the deal by explaining why your solution is better than anyone else's. An example value proposition is: Asana is the only platform that connects goals with the work needed to achieve them. 

The value proposition differs from the solution by focusing on why your audience should use your solution over a competitor’s. If you don’t have that answer just yet, perform a competitive analysis to compare your offerings or look to your executive summary. 

If your market is extremely niche and you don’t have a clear differentiator or significant competition, look to communication and interface capabilities. Consider why your idea or solution is original enough that someone would want to use it.   

Engage the audience

While most of the hard work is done, it’s important to engage your audience with a compliment or question before you part ways. Always err on the side of being genuine rather than delivering a scripted goodbye. 

There is no right or wrong way to engage your audience. While ending with a question can create a dialogue between you and your audience, a genuine compliment can go a long way. Think about what made you want to pitch them in the first place and use that to end the conversation. Lastly, don’t forget to swap contact information, such as a business card, if you don’t already have it. 

A foolproof elevator pitch template

Now that you know the basic components of a pitch, the next step is creating your very own elevator pitch. This template can work for just about any situation, from a job interview to pitching a small business or startup. That’s because we analyzed some of the most famous templates from industry experts—from Harvard research to Guy Kawasaki’s art of pitching—to create a foolproof template that will work in any situation. 

Plug your information into our elevator pitch template to draft a quick speech. While you won’t necessarily recite it word for word, it’s a great model to keep in mind in case you find yourself in a position where you’re not prepared with a personalized pitch.

Whether you’re looking for a pitch template for a job interview or for pitching your business, this template is a foolproof example for any situation you might find yourself in. 

General elevator pitch template

Use our elevator pitch template to start constructing your speech by adding statistics and personalized greetings where needed. This template incorporates the four parts explained above to hit all of the important details of a good elevator pitch. 

Introduction : “Hi I’m [name], a [position title] at [company name]. It’s great to meet you!”

Problem : “Since you work with [company name or industry] I figured you’d be interested to know that [problem + interesting statistic].”

Solution : “The great part about working at [your company’s name] is that we’ve been able to fix just that problem by [solution].”

Value proposition : “In fact, we’re the only company that offers [value proposition].”

CTA : “I think our solution could really help you. Are you available this week to speak further on this?”

Don’t be afraid to change up your pitch template based on your personality and professional expertise. We’ve also included personalized 30-second elevator pitch examples below to inspire personal facts you can add to create a more engaging speech .

30-second elevator pitch examples

Let’s dive into the best 30-second elevator pitch examples to help you create a pitch that’s both engaging and informative. Our examples take inspiration from the four elements included in the template above, to demonstrate how you'd pitch project management software to  increase productivity . Try a few or try them all to find one that best fits your personality and value proposition. 

Example 1: Short and sweet

This example is one of the most common you’ll come across. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best, but it’s a great example of a quick and easy pitch that fits almost any situation. When working on this type of elevator pitch, be sure to keep it as short and to the point as possible. Try to stick closely to the 30 seconds or less rule since the point is to be brief and transparent.

The problem is that work is chaotic no matter what industry you’re in or how good you are at your job. But a good project management software can help improve productivity and communication. I haven’t missed a deadline in years. If you’re interested in how it can help your team, give me a call and I can take you through some numbers. 

Example 2: Relatable over reliable

Sometimes the best way to grab your audience’s attention is to reel them in with a personal anecdote they’ll relate to. While it’s still important to drive home your solution, this approach puts more weight on making a personal connection rather than an immediate sale. 

It’s so great to finally meet you. How is business going? I heard you’ve been struggling with communication issues. My team and I struggled with that too. It wasn’t until we added project management software into our routine that we really saw an improvement in teamwork and overall communication. I hope you find a solution that works for your team. 

Example 3: Savvy with stats

Start your pitch off with a hook by dropping an attention-grabbing statistic. It’s important to have hard data to back up your statistics to ensure their accuracy before pitching. When it comes to a statistics pitch, it’s a good idea to come full circle at the end and connect how your solution can help solve that statistic.  

Did you know that despite having more ways to connect remotely, 60% of workers’ time is spent on work coordination with just 26% spent on skilled work and 14% on strategy? No wonder teams need help with project management. Implementing project management tools can decrease time spent on work coordination and help increase skilled work.

Example 4: Question everything

This example uses questions to make your pitch easily comprehensible. It also forces the audience to join in on the conversation rather than just presenting them with a speech. Try starting and ending with a question that makes the audience think about your pitch long after you leave the room.

Do you ever feel like you spend too much time on work about work? I’ve talked to so many people who share the same frustrations. I used to work long hours every day just trying to catch up. But do you know what? Ever since we started using project management software, I've been able to get so much more work done. Have you tried anything similar in the past?

Example 5: Comedic twist

If your pitch isn’t about a serious topic, you can add comedic twists to engage the audience. This is especially useful if giving a presentation. Add a GIF or quick funny clip in between slides to lighten the mood. If using this example, be sure it fits the occasion and tone of your company. 

Did you know that the average person can only pay attention for eight seconds? That’s not even long enough to place my coffee order in the morning. Maybe that’s why my barista always gets it wrong. But seriously, I think that’s why so many companies struggle to hit deadlines. 

Example 6: Tell a story

Use customer testimonials or your own personal story to paint a picture for the audience. This can be especially helpful if your topic is hard to explain in 30 seconds or less. Telling a story is a great way to add a relatable twist. 

We have a customer that transitioned to a fully remote workforce this year and needed help making sure deadlines were met. With our help, they were able to get up to 10% of their time back in their day and focus on more important things like strategic planning.  

Example 7: Emotionally driven

While this type of pitch may be more difficult to create, you have a better chance of winning over your audience if you can make your pitch emotionally driven. It’s also more likely they’ll be willing to share the experience with someone else down the road. It’s important to keep the emotions on the lighter side to prevent the conversation from steering too dark. Here is an example to inspire your own speech. 

It may seem like any other tool, but when you look closely it really is helping teams connect. And not just that, but it’s helping cultivate teams that actually enjoy working together on new projects. That’s something that’s hard to come by, but something everyone is looking for.  

Example 8: Write it first

While most speeches start by writing a general outline, you can opt to write the entire pitch from start to finish. This tends to create a thought-provoking and poetic flow once you do present your pitch. You’ll have to memorize this pitch, so practicing is a key element to this strategy. 

Hi, my name is Kelly! It’s great to meet you. You work for Apollo Enterprises, right? I’ve heard a lot about them. I actually heard that you’re looking for project management help. In my experience, any organization—whether sales or suppliers—needs help coordinating work and team communication. Work can be rather chaotic, especially now, without it. That’s why we’ve created a software tool that helps both individuals and teams organize their projects and communications all in one place. Have you ever thought about using something similar?

Example 9: End with a one-liner

Making a grand exit doesn’t come easily, but if you can pull it off your audience is sure to be impressed. Stay away from cliche one-liners and make your closing authentic to you. The point here is to leave them with a thought that they’ll remember after the meeting is over. Consider sharing a surprising statistic or question relevant to their business.

Over one-quarter (26%) of all deadlines are missed each week because of a lack of clarity. But with the right project management tools, that number could be much lower. So the question is, can your business afford not to use project management software? 

Elevator pitch examples by scenario

Now that we’ve covered the types of pitch examples, let’s dive into example elevator pitches for different scenarios. Whether you’re pitching for your business or yourself, you can use an elevator pitch to organize your thoughts and prepare for the real deal. Let’s look at key tips for any situation you may find yourself in. 

Example 10: Networking event

A networking event is probably the most common scenario you’ll run into. And with the new virtual-first culture, it may be even more challenging to make meaningful connections over video chat. That’s why it’s so important to prepare an elevator pitch that’s compelling no matter where you’re pitching it from. While most salespeople pitch casually in this environment, you may get the opportunity to meet an important executive. In which case, you’ll want to be prepared with a versatile pitch template. 

Great to meet you, I’m Kelly with Apollo Enterprises. We’ve been able to improve productivity and collaboration for teams all over the world. If you ever need help with project management, just reach out. I think we could make a huge impact on your company. I’ll make sure to keep your contact information handy as well. 

Example 11: Job interview

Looking for a new job or have career fairs coming up? Most interviews—whether with human resources, a recruiter, or a hiring manager—start with some form of the phrase, “Tell me about yourself.” This is an opportunity for job seekers to briefly explain themselves and their professional experience using industry buzzwords and key skills. Having an elevator pitch ready can ensure that you’re prepared when the opportunity presents itself. 

I’m Kelly, a specialist at Apollo Enterprises. I chose a career in project management because I had a passion for it, and now I can proudly say that I’ve been able to make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s why I’m looking to continue my career with an employer who shares those same values. I know my unique skills can make a big impact at your company because I’ve proven my results with a few key projects. 

Example 12: Formal meeting

You’ve landed the meeting, congratulations! Now is the time to create a formal elevator pitch to really get them interested. When presenting a formal pitch, a presentation can be a great addition to traditional elevator speech examples. But whether or not you choose to create a presentation, this meeting is about selling your product in the most professional way possible. So dress the part and don’t forget your unique selling proposition. 

I took a look at your current productivity figures and noticed an opportunity for improvement. With our project management software, you could get back up to 10% more of your workday. Not only would that mean more work getting done, but it would also have a positive impact on the overall success of your business. Not to mention, our tool is the only one in the industry that has goal capabilities to ensure teams stay on track. 

Example 13: Sales pitch 

Professionals often pitch traditional sales jargon, but the real key is creating a human connection while lightly sprinkling in what you’re selling. Start with a personal story or light-hearted introduction instead of the typical sales presentation. You can also prepare by creating sales team goal templates to ensure your team is on the same page. 

Our team really struggled to transition to a remote workforce. Communication wasn’t organized and people struggled to find the correct information to complete projects. But, thankfully, we found a solution to our problem. Implementing project management tools not only improved productivity but also improved overall teamwork. Every company prefers different tools, but I can say without a doubt that our software was the best at connecting goals with the work needed to achieve them. 

Example 14: Social introduction

Now, more than ever, professionals are choosing to meet virtually rather than face-to-face. Whether you’re chatting over LinkedIn or have a virtual meeting set up, it’s important to make your pitch personal and use clear visuals to help sell your point. Here’s a great example of a social media pitch. 

Thanks for connecting! I noticed that your competitors are outperforming you when it comes to year-over-year growth. I took the liberty of doing a competitive analysis and didn’t find any outlying problems. I’m wondering if it could be an issue with productivity. How has the transition to remote work been? If you’re interested, I could run you through some productivity figures if you were to add project management tools to your current processes. 

Example 15: Entrepreneurs and business owners

Pitching to a business owner is much different than pitching to an executive. They can be harder to sell because they are often hesitant about new investments. The most important tip is to use examples as they pertain to the business when explaining a problem and solution.  

I love your products at Apollo Enterprises. I’m a huge proponent of your mission. I did realize that there may be some opportunities to improve productivity and collaboration internally. Have you ever considered project management software? I think it could have a big impact on business growth now or even down the road. 

4 tips to perfect your elevator pitch

In addition to creating the perfect elevator pitch, you should also work on sprucing up your delivery. There’s nothing worse than sitting through a boring speech, so make sure yours is anything but. From posture to tone, there’s a lot you can practice to make sure you look professional and knowledgeable. Consider these four tips when trying to nail a successful elevator pitch. 

1. Stick to your outline

To prevent getting off-topic, it’s important to stick to your outline at least to some extent. While you don’t need to recite it word for word, it’s best to memorize the majority of your pitch. That way you won’t need to worry about checking your notes. 

2. Speak slowly and clearly

Many professionals tend to talk quickly when they’re nervous—hey, we’re only human. But it’s important to enunciate and speak slowly so the audience can understand you. This is especially important when presenting over video chat. But try not to slow yourself down too much or you’ll go over your allotted time. 

3. Record your pitch

Record yourself reciting the pitch to work on any areas that need improvement. Practice your pitch a handful of times by playing the recording back and working out any pain points. A couple of key areas to focus on are speed and tone. It’s better to sound overly energized rather than monotone. 

4. Practice, practice, practice!

There’s nothing more effective than practicing your pitch until you’re able to recite it in your sleep. If possible, practice in front of friends and family to get constructive feedback on how you can make your pitch even better. Even if you have years of experience, you can never go wrong with being overly prepared. 

Elevate your first impression with an elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a chance to show off your strengths and pitch your solutions. While it may sound nerve-wracking, using the 15 elevator pitch examples above will help you develop your own method using personal tidbits that tie into your innovative solutions.

While your pitch is an important part of leveling up your business, there are many avenues you can take to achieve growth. One of those ways is by determining whether project management vs. work management tools are right for your team. Not only will they help connect your team members, but the right tools and software can also help your organization set strategic goals. That means more time spent on bigger projects to help your business reach next-level growth. 

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