For this assignment you will write your own elevator pitch. Think about your major, your field, and your goals. Using the knowledge you’ve gained from the resources, readings, and lecture this week, craft your elevator pitch.
Topic: BPW -Unit 1 AS: Elevator Pitch
For this assignment you will write your own elevator pitch. Think about your major, your field, and your goals. Using the knowledge you’ve gained from the resources, readings, and lecture this week, craft your elevator pitch. Remember an elevator pitch is who you are professionally in 30 seconds or less. While we want to include as much as we can, we have to speak at a speed that’s comfortable for the speaker and the listener. Think about what you wish to include based on what we’ve learned, and choose your wording wisely. AS Instructions: Type the document in Microsoft Word in 75 words or less (this should be about 30 seconds)
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.
There are three elements in a situation where a prepared elevator pitch is important:
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.
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.
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.
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 ]
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 …
Is your company unique and credible because it …
Does your service …
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 …
If the listener is a current customer, you may want them to …
If the listener is a potential mentor or employer, you may want them to …
Every good elevator pitch should be built on a standard foundation of these elements:
Tip: 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.
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.
Practice your elevator pitch in the mirror. It may feel silly at first, but it can help you with facial expressions, timing and confidence.
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.
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.
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 fi