How to Write the Perfect Elevator Pitch with Examples

An elevator pitch is basically a sales pitch. It's succinct and persuasive. Unlike crafting an entire speech, you're condensing who you are, what you do, and what your company offers into a few short sentences, just enough to explain but not enough to bore or overwhelm.

A successful elevator pitch essentially lays the foundation to get people interested in your idea, product, or service. They then want to know more and might just contact you.

While today an elevator speech doesn't necessarily have to be in an elevator, it's been rumored that the first elevator pitch was in an elevator. It happened in 1853 when a number of buildings had elevators. They were dangerous, especially considering they used ropes to pull the elevator and passengers.

Alisha Otis thought of another, safer way for people to travel from one floor of a building to the next. And he demonstrated his idea in an elevator display at a convention.

How long should an elevator pitch be?

Now that you know the answer to "What is an elevator pitch," know that it should be the length of a short elevator ride, so about 20 to 30 seconds.

Keep in mind that it doesn't matter whether you want to start a business, have online business ideas, or already have a business and are looking for ways to grow your audience, expand your company, or sell your product or service.

It also doesn't matter what type of entrepreneurship the pitch is for either, whether a small business, medium-sized company, or large enterprise. The goal is to write something concise and quick that can encapsulate your main idea.

Ultimately, the object of an elevator speech or sales email is to explain how it's a product market fit in as short of an amount of time as possible. You must give enough information to adequately explain but not too much that the audience loses interest.

Creating an elevator speech is less complicated than you may think if you're contemplating how you can summarize everything about your business in a few sentences.

Here are some key aspects to consider to help you write a good elevator pitch:

Know your business and target audience

Before you create your elevator pitch, make sure you create a business plan.

In your business plan, establish what you plan to offer, who you'll hire, and a variety of other details that are vital to creating your business. Not to mention, you perform market research, so you develop a profound understanding of who your target market is.

Know your goal

What do you plan to accomplish with your elevator speech? Do you want to find a co-founder, gain a new client, or sell your products to a large company? The possibilities are numerous. And not everyone will create the same type of elevator pitch since they may not have the same purpose.

Briefly describe your business

In your elevator pitch, sum up your business in a sentence or two. While it sounds difficult to keep your elevator speech short, especially if you've been in business for a bit, it's possible.

Think of what your company does or offers. Even if the concept of your products or offerings is technical in nature, leave out the technical jargon. Describe it in a way that almost any adult could understand what you do and provide.

Explain what makes your business unique

Elevator pitch crafting considers your industry and competitors. You have competition out there who are trying to obtain business in your niche. You need to find a way to stand out. Think about what sets your company apart. Why is your product or service better? Is it your customer service or the product itself?

Whenever you're going to networking events, meeting new people, or even cold emailing, you need to persuade people to choose you and your business over others. Therefore, make sure you explain why you're different in your elevator pitch.

Be positive

It's easy to come across in a negative way, even if that wasn't your intention. For instance, you could exacerbate the problem or put the competition down. These, however, come across poorly and can be off-putting for your potential customers.

Instead, explain everything in a positive manner. If you mention anything about how your company is different, explain it in a way that shines a light on your product or services and doesn't trash the competition.

For instance, if you want to say your company offers quicker service, don't mention that other companies can take days to show up. State that you built your business around providing quicker service than the competition.

Be concise

When you talk about something you know, it becomes almost effortless to just ramble on. You then might find people are ignoring you when you're pitching your idea. This can pose quite a problem when you're trying to summarize your business quickly and intrigue people.

Instead, discuss only the most important key points to build intrigue among your audience. Then, you can provide more details once the person becomes interested in learning more about your offering.

Be the solution

Whether you're at a professional networking event, sending an email, or preparing for job interviews, make your pitch encompass being a solution for their problem.

For instance, if someone has dry skin, your elevator pitch could sell lotion. Let's say the individual is a major investor. Their focus is on making money. Therefore, marketing your company is a way for them to earn big bucks.

Go out with a bang

At the end of your elevator speech, you need a solid conclusion that pulls the audience in. For instance, you could conclude with how your product or service can change people's lives. Or it may include how much becoming your partner could bring prosperity.

Besides ending with a thought-provoking statement, you could also end with a question to get the audience thinking and questioning if what you're saying is right for them. It could also be a question that gets them to respond so you can begin a conversation with them. If they're in a hurry, it's a prime opportunity to exchange information, such as a business card.

Elevator pitch template

We've developed an elevator pitch template to help you write an effective elevator pitch. This structured framework can help you craft a compelling and concise presentation of your business idea or personal brand.

Following this elevator pitch template ensures you cover all the essential elements of a successful pitch while maintaining a clear and focused message that captures your audience's attention.

Why use a template for your elevator pitch?

Using structured elevator pitch templates for your business pitch offers several key benefits:

• Consistency: An elevator pitch template ensures you cover all crucial points every time you deliver your pitch, maintaining a consistent message across different audiences and situations.
• Organization: It helps you structure your thoughts and present information in a logical, easy-to-follow order, making your successful pitch more coherent and memorable.
• Time management: With an elevator pitch template, you can better control the length of your pitch, ensuring you stay within the ideal 20-30-second timeframe while maintaining your audience's attention.
• Clarity: A well-designed template prompts you to distill your message to its essence, forcing you to be clear and concise in your communication, which is crucial for a successful pitch.
• Adaptability: Elevator pitch templates can be easily modified to suit different contexts or audiences, allowing you to tailor your pitch while maintaining its core structure.
• Confidence: Having a reliable format to follow can boost your confidence when delivering your pitch, especially in high-pressure situations where capturing your audience's attention is critical.
• Practice and improvement: Using an elevator pitch template makes it easier to practice and refine your pitch over time, helping you identify areas for improvement and polish your delivery for a more successful pitch.

Elevator pitch examples

Although the advice above may help, looking at elevator pitch examples can further your understanding and start thinking about your elevator pitch. Here are a few of the best elevator pitch examples to help you get started:

Skincare product

Are you tired of scanning the store shelves for natural skin care products only to find parabens and phthalates? After much deliberation and research, I created the perfect blend of herbs, minerals, and vitamins to give you soft, supple skin without everything you don't want. Would you like to give it a try?

Housekeeping company

It can often seem like you're failing when you can't juggle everything. That's when my company can help. No matter how frequently you need cleaning, my company can assist. We complete everything from sweeping and dusting to washing walls and windows. We're insured and guarantee high-quality results. So if you're sick of streaked windows, give us a try.

Restaurants looking for investors

Who doesn't want a mouthwatering, healthy, home-cooked meal brought to them? I've been in the restaurant business for over 10 years and am ready to take it on my own and provide the area with healthy, comfort food. While it sounds like an oxymoron, it isn't. I know how to cut calories and unhealthy ingredients without sacrificing taste. I'm just looking for an investor for this potentially profitable venture.

Marketing solutions software

Did you know, on average, a company spends between 7% and 8% of its revenue on marketing? Think about that in dollar amounts. With 365 Marketing, many of those tasks you're paying for right now can be automated, saving you time and money in the long run.

Writing and delivering an elevator pitch may seem straightforward, but there are several pitfalls you'll want to avoid. These include:

Being too vague

One of the most frequent mistakes in elevator pitches is failing to provide specific, concrete information about your product, service, or idea.

Vague statements like "We offer innovative solutions" or "Our product is revolutionary" don't give your audience a clear understanding of what you do or offer.

Instead, provide precise details about your unique value proposition, using concrete examples or statistics when possible. For instance, rather than saying, "We help businesses grow," you could say, "We've helped over 100 small businesses increase their revenue by an average of 30% in the first year."

Overloading with information

While it's important to be specific, the opposite extreme of cramming too much information into your pitch can be equally detrimental. Attempting to cover every aspect of your business or idea in a 30-second pitch can overwhelm your audience and dilute your core message.

Remember, your elevator pitch doesn't exist, so you can explain every detail of your business plan; the pitch should spark interest and open the door to more meaningful conversations. Focus on the most compelling aspects of your offering, leaving room for questions and follow-up discussions.

Failing to practice delivery

A well-crafted elevator pitch can fall flat if it's not delivered effectively. Many people make the mistake of writing their pitch and assuming they'll be able to deliver it smoothly when the time comes. However, your delivery may come across as stilted, unnatural, or lacking in confidence without practice.

Regular practice is essential to refine your timing, tone, and body language. Record yourself or practice with friends to get feedback and improve your delivery on your pitch. The more comfortable you become with your pitch, the more natural and engaging it will sound face-to-face with a potential client or investor.

Ignoring the target audience’s pain points

A common oversight in elevator pitches is focusing too much on your product or service without addressing your target audience's specific needs or challenges. Your pitch should communicate how your offering solves a problem or fulfills a need for your potential customers or investors.

Take the time to research and understand your audience's pain points, and tailor your pitch to demonstrate how you can address these issues.

How to test and improve your elevator pitch

Not every elevator pitch is perfect at the start. You should be prepared to revise your pitch regularly based on the reactions you get.

This process will ensure your pitch resonates with your audience and achieves its intended purpose. Here are a few strategies to help you enhance your elevator pitch:

Practicing with peers or mentors

Practicing it with peers or mentors is one of the most valuable ways to test and improve your elevator pitch.

Set up mock scenarios where you deliver your pitch to colleagues, friends, or industry professionals. Pay attention to their reactions, noting where they seem engaged or confused. This real-world practice helps refine your content and improves your delivery and confidence.

Incorporating feedback

Actively seek and incorporate feedback from your listeners. Ask specific questions about clarity, impact, and areas for improvement. Was your value proposition clear? Did they understand your unique selling points? Was there anything confusing or unnecessary?

Use this feedback to identify weaknesses in your pitch and make targeted improvements.

Refining your message for different audiences

An effective elevator pitch should be adaptable to various audiences and contexts. What resonates with a potential investor might differ from what appeals to a prospective client or partner.

Create versions of your pitch tailored to different stakeholders, emphasizing aspects most relevant to each audience. For instance, an investor might be more interested in market potential and return on investment. In contrast, a potential client may focus on how your product or service solves their specific problems.

Regularly update these variations based on your experiences and the evolving needs of your target audiences.

Expand your reach with Mailchimp

An elevator pitch is a synopsis of what makes you and your company unique. It's often offering a solution to a problem. Fortunately, Mailchimp provides various options that can help you with the process.

With Mailchimp's products, you can reach your investors, clients, or customers conveniently through automated email generation and more. You can then use your well-written, well-thought-out elevator pitch on a large number of people.