How to Prepare an Elevator Pitch: 3 tips

So, now you know you need an elevator pitch. But how to get started?
It's not complicated at all. Here are some tips and tricks to consider:

First of all, we're talking about the real world here. There are many short pitching contests and competitions that use the term 'Elevator Pitch' to describe their format. But they are formal, staged events with microphones, large audiences, and bright lights. That's not what we're concerned with here. (I'm actually a big fan of such competitions).

What we are concerned with is the real world:
-The time when you are at a party and someone asks you what you do.
-Or the time you meet an old colleague and they ask you what you're working on now.
-Or for when you find yourself in an elevator with Bill Gates and you really want to share your great new idea.
Regardless of where it is,  you need to be prepared. It's happened to all of us: somebody asks the question, and we really don't answer well. We don't answer well because we don't have an elevator pitch.

So let's get straight to the how part:
We'll start with the technical side. The next instalment of this topic will deal with the actual pitching side.

Preparing:

1. It's meant to be short. That doesn't mean that you should talk faster to fit all the information into a certain time limit. Instead you need to edit your information.
How short? It depends, but in general the shorter the better. Aim to get your main point across in a compelling and easy to understand way. If the listener is genuinely interested they will ask follow-up questions, and then the elevator part is over and you're having a conversation. If you can do the pitch in 30 seconds, you're well on your way. Most elevator rides are even shorter than that.
So edit, and then edit again. Keep it simple. Don't go into complicated detail.

2. What is it you are selling? Is it yourself? (ie., are you trying to get a job?) Is it an idea? Is it a product?
What's special and unique about what you are offering?
How will this benefit the listener? Why should they be interested?
Knowing the answer to these questions will help you organise what to say. And remember, this is the real world, so try to keep it sounding natural and unrehearsed. You should be able to summarise your main idea in one sentence.

3. Be sure to include what you need to happen. If your great idea needs 10 000 euro to get going, you need to include that in the pitch. It doesn't have to be so direct; you might say something like: ''Right now we're looking for start-up capital.'' Or if you're trying to get a job, you might say: ''And that's why I'm so eager to get started in the business.'' You're pitching, after all, so pitch!

In the next post we'll look at putting it into action.

All the best, and happy trails,
Rob