Don’t let a boring elevator pitch stand in the way of you getting your dream job. We’ve created the perfect elevator pitch examples to help you prep.
No matter the industry, this one question always comes up - “Tell me about yourself.” it seems like an easy question, right? Well, I can tell you it isn’t. The first time I came across this question, I was doing an introductory interview for an internship at a law firm. I remember it like yesterday because that cringy memory is living rent-free in my head. From sweating profusely to forgetting my name. You name it. Any nightmare you ever had before an interview was me, in a nutshell.
Being able to introduce yourself professionally to someone is a skill that not many people know. You can use an elevator pitch in an interview, networking event, or a friendly gathering. In the following paragraphs, I want to show you some secret tips, tricks, and examples of how you can wow your audience with a perfect elevator pitch.
Before we begin…
What is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch is an opportunity to share a summary of yourself and the services and products you are offering. Some people call it an elevator speech. However, what makes this introduction unique is the opportunity it gives you. You have the chance to make a long-term connection with your listeners.
How to write the perfect elevator pitch
For your pitch to attain perfection, it should focus on the most relevant and recent details. No one wants to get a history lesson about yourself and your business during a lively networking forum. To come up with the best elevator pitch, you have to understand the five components of a good elevator pitch.
5 important components of a good elevator pitch
1. Introduce yourself
A good pitch starts with an introduction so your audience knows who you are. To make your elevator pitch feel more natural, make it personal. Additionally, body language plays a big part when making your elevator pitch. Therefore, you might want to practice in front of your family and friends or a mirror. Look into more personalized and light-hearted greetings to break the ice and connect from the beginning.
2. Highlight a problem
All solutions start with a problem. Hit the ground running by highlighting the problem your skills, business or product fixes. When you start with the problem, it gives your elevator pitch a theme for the remaining part of your elevator pitch. Think outside the box when explaining a problem. Try using a visual, relating it to current affairs, or using more examples.
3. Present a solution
Now that you have their attention, reel them in with your solution. Let your audience know how you will help. Since this is the most important part of the pitch, you have to have your facts right, or else your elevator pitch will not have any value. You can also personalize your pitch to fit the audience. If you are pitching yourself, focus on your skills and their value to your audience.
4. Propose your value
Seal the deal by letting your audience know why your solution is better than everyone else’s. The first step is to know your competitors and do a competitive analysis. What do you offer that your competitor doesn’t? What makes you stand out from the rest? If you’re unable to find a clear differentiator, try using interface and communication capabilities or explain how your solution is original.
5. Finish with a call to action
Finish up by creating some engagement with your audience. Do this through welcoming questions or giving compliments. When done, you can exchange contact details. Don’t forget to carry your business profile or cards.
4 examples of a perfect elevator pitch
Now that you know the components of a perfect elevator pitch, here are a couple of examples to get your creative juices flowing:
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Written elevator pitch
The best part about a written elevator pitch is you will have enough time to make it creative, poetic, and thought-provoking. You will have to memorize it.
“Hello, my name is Durant. I’m honoured to meet you. You work for Hilton Hotel, right? I’ve heard that you are looking for project management assistance. In my experience, all businesses need help coordinating communications and the workload. I mean, work can be stressful without a system. Thus, I’ve created software that allows your fellow employees to organize their communications and projects in one place. Have you ever thought about automating your projects?”
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Have a story
Do you have customer testimonials? If not, you can use a personal story to paint a picture of how good your product or business is. Telling a story is the best way to communicate your elevator pitch if your topic or theme is difficult to explain.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we found out our customer, Winnie was struggling with adjusting her business into a fully remote workplace. Her deadlines were overdue, and her clients were not happy. However, guess what? When we stepped in, her business got 36% of its time back within the first month. If you would want to try us, here is my business card. Call me when you are ready.”
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Job Interview
Whether you're attending a career symposium or an interview, you have to know how to sell yourself. When you hear, “Tell me about yourself,” it should be all systems go. When making this elevator pitch, highlight your skills, experience, and notable achievements.
“My name is Anita Roosevelt, I'm an SEO specialist at Frankfurt Inc. My career path started as a joke when I was embracing the idea of working from home, and it slowly grew into a passion. I can now happily say that I am proud of myself for taking the leap and making a difference in my industry. My passion and goals are why I would like to take the next career steps with someone who has similar values. I know my skills are top-tier because I have proven my potential through my most notable project, the 'We are family' Koka Kola campaign."
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Networking setup
Networking is the best place to debut your elevator pitch and make long-term business connections. The pitch should be compelling enough to reel in and connect with someone on a virtual networking platform.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, and my name is Killian Femi of Femistar Global. We have collaborated with teams across the continent and are looking to boost our productivity and collaborations abroad. If you ever need assistance with time-saving project management, reach out. Here’s my business card and company profile.”
Conclusion
What’s a perfect elevator pitch? It’s a pitch that gets attention. Making people interested in what you have to say is not as easy as it sounds. Most people get anxious during the first few seconds and ruin the whole pitch. However, not you because you have practised and come up with the best elevator pitch for your business or career.
With the tips and examples above, you will make the best first impression. As much as it sounds nerve-wracking, the examples above will help you develop a personalized speech and seal the deal. Your pitch could be the start of a new opportunity, so draft, review, re-read, practice, and deliver. All the best!
