
By Colin DeKuiper
The elevator pitch: the hypothetical situation where you find yourself in an elevator with someone that you want to work with, and you have only the time it takes to travel a few floors to introduce yourself, your value, and a proposition.
Of course, you may never actually find yourself in a literal elevator, but there are plenty of instances where it’s helpful to be able to summarize yourself – either to a stranger at a party, a potential employer at a job interview, or even with an in-law at a family get together.
If ever you have a short amount of time to present yourself to someone, here are some things to keep in mind.
The perfect elevator pitch describes:
- Who you are
- What you do
- What makes you and what you do unique
- How you do it and who it may affect
Here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Make it flexible, but know those key elements listed above intimately.
- Use the pitch as a conversation starter, not a monologue.
- Use your pitch to ask a question to the person you’re pitching. Questions are what make the pitch a conversation.
- Be yourself. In all cases and contexts.
- Be concise. Less is more!
- Parties, concerts, exhibitions, family functions, etc. All are great practice arenas of the “pitch.”