Many people often hear the term “elevator pitch” and see it as a quick sales pitch to try and get your foot in the door. However, there is much more to it than that.
Elevator Pitch – What Does It Mean?
It’s a clear, brief message or “commercial” about you. It communicates who you are, what you’re looking for, and how you can benefit a company or organization.
It’s name, often credited to journalists Ilene Rosenzweig and Michael Caruso, is derived from the idea of bumping into a senior staff member in an elevator and having to try and win them over by the time they’ve reached their floor. Thus Elevator Pitches tend to last between 30 to 90 seconds, and, when successful, end with an exchange of contact information and/or a continuation of the discussion. The purpose of the elevator pitch is to stimulate interest, not to close a deal.
Practice makes perfect
You never know when a potential client or senior manager will ask you what you do. Be prepared by practicing your elevator pitch so that you can deliver it seamlessly when asked what you do. When done correctly, the elevator pitch will work to engage your recipient further about you, your business, your ideas, or your products/services you offer. Elevator speeches can also be a great tool for career development and have the potential to connect you with future employers, collaborators, or funding agencies.