The Elevator Pitch is a must for all entrepreneurs looking to promote their project. But this exercise is just as appropriate for learning how to present yourself effectively to a potential recruiter or a potential partner. How does it work?
This oral communication exercise consists of presenting yourself and highlighting your project to a person (generally a decision-maker), whose time is limited. This should allow you to identify the key elements when you meet someone or when you want to “sell” your project.
The pitch must be able to be delivered for the equivalent of the duration of a conversation in an elevator (less than a minute).
The added value of the elevator pitch consists of highlighting your skills and your strengths as an individual, as well as the key elements of the project you are leading. The main difficulty of the exercise consists of synthesize information by targeting the most relevant elements to highlight. So be careful not to fall into the trap of saying too much!
The benefits of the elevator pitch
Some of the benefits of using an elevator pitch include:
- Clarity: This pitch helps you distill the most important information about your project, idea or product and communicate it clearly and succinctly.
- Memorability: A well-crafted elevator pitch should be memorable and easy to remember so that the listener remembers you and your idea.
- Commitment : it is designed to capture the interest and attention of your interlocutor and make them want to know more about what you are telling them.
- Networking: it is also a powerful networking tool, because the pitch allows you to easily and spontaneously introduce yourself to new contacts and leave them with a positive first impression.
Instructions for use
To help you write your pitch, you can find a template to download for free to print it (and fill it out).
Step 1. Preparation / Brainstorm
To make writing your elevator pitch easier, first answer these questions as clearly as possible:
- Who are you? What is your name? Which companies have you worked for? What is the name of your service/product? How do you address your audience/target? What sector do you work in? Who are the competitors?
- What are you doing ? What is your professional experience? What is the project or initiative that you are most proud of? What projects are you currently working on? What volunteer work have you already done? What are your interests and hobbies?
- How do you succeed? What specific methods or strategies do you use to achieve your goals? What are your technical and transversal skills? What is the real added value of your service/product? What resources do you have at your disposal?
- What makes you unique? What do you offer that your competitors can’t? How do you develop your personal branding or your company’s brand? What statistics or KPIs can you provide to prove your value? What specific training have you followed?
Step 2. 5-part structure
To write your pitch, write only one sentence per element (prioritize clarity, conciseness and impact).
- YOUR INTRODUCTION : explain to your interlocutor who you are and what your current position (or situation) is.
- YOUR EXPERIENCE : present your experience in a clear and relevant manner.
- YOUR GOALS : hook your interlocutor with objectives that clearly communicate what you are proposing.
- YOUR SOLUTION : explain your added value to achieve the objectives you have just stated.
- YOUR ACTION PLAN : you have defined your objectives and your solution, end with a call to action proposing the next step.
3 basic tips
- Your objective is clear: you must ensure that your interlocutor perfectly understands what you say, what you do and how you can be useful to them.
- Try to start with a good hook: an intriguing sentence or a unique question that can capture the attention of your interlocutor.
- Remember: you only have 60 seconds maximum to get your message across, so avoid unnecessary language: everything you say must have value.
If you want to go further in preparing your pitch, you can also draw inspiration from the method of Pitch storytelling proposed by Marshall Ganzprofessor of communications at Harvard and strategist for Barack Obama’s campaign. It is a narrative process in 3 acts to create an impact when we present ourselves: the “me”, the “we” and the “now”.
