Ready, Set, You’re On: Essentials of a Perfect Elevator Pitch
Women’s Venture Fund
Whether you’re still fine-tuning your big idea, have launched your start-up or been in business for years, take time now to ‘listen’ to your elevator pitch to make sure it is a stellar 30-second presentation of what you have to offer. In a nutshell, here’s how to create a winner:
- Know your audience, know your goal: Your audience could be a prospect, potential partner, or even a highly desirable employee candidate. Make sure your pitch is specifically targeted and addresses this one question: What is in it for them?
- What problem are you addressing? You launched your idea because you were concerned about/realized that/could not find ____________(Fill in the blank.)
- Move quickly to your solution to the problem you have identified. The best way to do this is by telling a story that will resonate with your audience. Barring a compelling story, you could relate a prior success or significant achievement. If relevant, cite an interesting statistic about your intended market. However you relate your solution, be genuine, confident and persuasive.
- Write down your pitch; edit it; and then edit it again. Commit it to memory and practice it on anyone who will listen. Then practice it some more.
That’s it. Your 30-second elevator pitch. Your prospect has reached her floor and the door is closing. Are you going to stick in her mind?
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