1. What is an elevator pitch, and why is it important?
see all the answers below
2. How can I prepare and practice my elevator pitch?
3. How can a well-crafted elevator pitch help in career advancement?
4. How can an elevator pitch reflect my ambition and future growth?
Imagine stepping into an elevator alongside influential individuals like Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Folorunso Alakija, or Tony Elumelu. You have a brief moment to introduce yourself and make a compelling impression that may lead to further discussions. This scenario is not far-fetched; chance encounters can be transformative. One such encounter occurred when I shared an elevator ride with a significant Career Influencer. In that fleeting moment, I had the opportunity to leave a lasting impression and establish a connection. This experience made me realise the importance of crafting an elevator pitch that captures attention and sparks interest, as it can open doors to unexpected opportunities.
What is an Elevator Pitch?
An elevator pitch is a concise statement that encapsulates who you are and showcases your best assets. It derives its name from the limited time frame, lasting about 118 seconds, roughly the duration of an elevator ride. The pressure to make a memorable impression within such a short span can be overwhelming. However, with careful preparation, an elevator pitch can become a powerful tool in your professional arsenal.
Consider the example of Sarah, a recent computer science graduate. Sarah had perfected her elevator pitch, highlighting her academic achievements, such as winning a prestigious coding competition and her ability to adapt to emerging technologies. This pitch helped her secure an internship opportunity with a renowned tech company during a chance encounter with a top executive in an elevator. It exemplifies the potential impact of a well-crafted elevator pitch.
What is an elevator pitch, and why is it important?
An elevator pitch is a concise statement that quickly introduces who you are and highlights your key strengths and achievements. It’s named after the short time span of an elevator ride—usually around 118 seconds. A well-crafted elevator pitch is important because it helps create a lasting impression in brief encounters, potentially opening doors to new professional opportunities.
The Three Principles
These three principles should guide your approach to creating an effective elevator pitch.
- Brevity:Â In a world characterised by information overload, brevity is paramount. You must distil your value proposition into a concise message that captures attention. Think of Jeremy, an aspiring graphic designer. His elevator pitch focuses on his ability to blend creativity with technical skills, emphasising his experience leading design teams for high-profile projects. By keeping it concise, Jeremy ensures that his pitch engages the listener and leaves a lasting impression.
- Skills and Benefits:Â Your elevator pitch should clearly articulate your skills and the potential benefits you can offer to the person or their organisation. Consider the example of Maya, a marketing professional seeking new opportunities. Maya’s elevator pitch highlights her expertise in digital marketing strategies and her track record of increasing brand visibility and driving revenue growth for her previous employers. By emphasising her skills and quantifiable achievements, Maya positions herself as a valuable asset to potential employers.
- Ambition and Growth:Â People and organisations value individuals who display ambition, adaptability, and a drive for growth. Your elevator pitch should reflect these qualities. Take the example of Mark, an ambitious entrepreneur. In his elevator pitch, Mark highlights his successful startup ventures, his passion for innovation, and his desire to disrupt traditional industries. By showcasing his ambition and openness to change, Mark piques the interest of potential investors and collaborators.
How can I prepare and practice my elevator pitch?Â
To prepare your elevator pitch, write a summary of your key points, organise it logically, and ensure clarity. Practice your pitch with a friend or colleague to get feedback on your delivery, body language, and confidence. Regular practice will help you deliver your pitch smoothly during chance encounters.
Crafting Your “I AM” Elevator Pitch
The “I AM” framework can be a helpful guide to structure your elevator pitch effectively.
Introduction:Â Introduce yourself with your first name, surname, discipline, and qualification. Share some distinguishing achievements from your academic journey or relevant experiences. For instance, John, a recent finance graduate, might mention his distinction in financial analysis and his leadership role in a university investment club. By highlighting his academic excellence and extracurricular involvement, John establishes credibility and demonstrates his proactive attitude.
Assets:Â In this section, highlight the unique skills and strengths that set you apart. Think of Amanda, a project manager with excellent communication and problem-solving abilities. In her elevator pitch, Amanda emphasised her proficiency in leading cross-functional teams, resolving conflicts, and delivering projects on time and within budget. By showcasing her valuable skills, Amanda positions herself as a capable project manager who can drive success in any organisation.
Mission: State your goal, making it SMARTER (Specific, Meaningful, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Evaluated, and Readjusted). Consider the example of Alex, a software developer aiming to contribute to the field of artificial intelligence. In his elevator pitch, Alex articulates his desire to develop cutting-edge AI algorithms that enhance automation and improve efficiency across various industries. By aligning his mission with a specific domain and emphasising the broader impact of his work, Alex captures the interest of potential collaborators or employers.
How can a well-crafted elevator pitch help in career advancement?
A well-crafted elevator pitch can help in career advancement by creating opportunities during brief interactions with influential individuals. By clearly articulating your skills, achievements, and ambitions, you can make a memorable impression and build connections that may lead to job offers, internships, or collaborations.
Owning Your Elevator Pitch
To truly own your elevator pitch, follow these steps:
- Organise: Write a summary of your speech, ensuring logical arrangement and proofreading for clarity. Let’s revisit John’s elevator pitch: “I am John Thompson, a finance graduate with a distinction in financial analysis. I also served as the president of our university’s investment club, overseeing successful investment strategies that outperformed the market.”
- Act It Out: Roleplay your pitch with a friend, seeking feedback on delivery, eye contact, and body language. Let’s imagine Amanda practising her elevator pitch with a trusted colleague. By receiving constructive feedback and making necessary adjustments, Amanda refines her delivery and appears confident and engaging.
- Be Ready:Â Prepare your elevator pitch and remember your key selling points. Imagine Sarah, the aspiring graphic designer, always having her elevator pitch ready. During a chance encounter with a renowned design agency’s creative director in an elevator, Sarah confidently showcases her skills and achievements, leaving a lasting impression and paving the way for future opportunities.
How can an elevator pitch reflect my ambition and future growth?Â
To reflect ambition and growth in your elevator pitch, focus on your desire for continuous learning, innovation, and personal development. Highlight your adaptability to change and your long-term goals, demonstrating that you are driven and forward-thinking. This approach will attract individuals looking for collaborators or employees with potential.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of the elevator pitch empowers you to seize unexpected opportunities and leave a lasting impression on influential individuals. Consider the examples of Sarah, Jeremy, Maya, Mark, John, Amanda, and Alex. Each harnessed the power of a well-crafted elevator pitch to make a memorable impact. By practising and refining your elevator pitch, you can confidently navigate chance encounters, open doors to exciting possibilities, and set yourself apart in a competitive professional landscape. Share your “I AM” elevator pitch in the comments below, and let’s collectively refine our communication skills for success in any role.
I learned how to craft a powerful elevator pitch from Sam Soyombo’s blog. An elevator pitch should be brief, highlighting skills and benefits, and showcasing ambition and growth. The “I AM” framework helps structure the pitch, introducing oneself, showcasing unique assets, and stating a SMARTER mission. Practicing and refining the pitch enables confident delivery and leaves a lasting impression. Thank you, Sam Soyombo, for sharing your expertise and providing practical guidance on creating an effective elevator pitch!
Hi Sam, you’ve done it again.
Your guidance on mastering the elevator pitch is invaluable.
Your step-by-step approach and practical tips have equipped me with the skills to craft a compelling pitch that leaves a lasting impression. I’m excited to put these insights into practice, refining my pitch to showcase my unique value proposition and connect with my audience more effectively.
Your blog post has not only taught me how to deliver a memorable elevator pitch but has also inspired me to continue honing my communication skills.
I’m eager to share this knowledge with others and witness the positive impact it will have on our professional journeys.
This blog post effectively highlights the importance of a well crafted elevator pitch in making a memorable first impression. By sharing real life examples and outlining the three fundamental principles brevity, showcasing skills and benefits, and demonstrating ambition he post offers valuable, actionable advice for anyone looking to create a powerful pitch. The story of Sarah, Jeremy, Maya, and Mark provides relatable scenarios that illustrate the potential impact of a succinct and targeted elevator pitch. It’s a great reminder that opportunities can arise at any moment, and being prepared with a compelling pitch can open doors to new possibilities.
Hi Daniel, I appreciate your thoughts on the blog post. You’re right; the real-life examples and the focus on brevity, skills, and ambition make a compelling case for the power of a well-crafted elevator pitch. It’s a great reminder of how being prepared can turn chance encounters into significant opportunities.