Imagine you step into an elevator and suddenly find yourself face-to-face with someone who could change your business — an investor, a future client, or a potential collaborator.
You have 30 to 60 seconds to make a great impression. What do you say?
That’s what an elevator pitch is all about: a short, powerful description of your business that grabs attention, sparks curiosity, and leaves the listener wanting to know more.
Let’s break down how to create an elevator pitch that works — and how to use it with confidence.
What Is an Elevator Pitch?
An elevator pitch is a concise, clear, and compelling summary of your business, product, or service. It’s designed to communicate:
- What you do
- Who you help
- How you help them
- And ideally, what makes you different
It’s not a full sales pitch — it’s the hook that gets the conversation started.
Why You Need One
Whether you’re networking, pitching investors, attending events, or posting on social media, a great elevator pitch helps you:
- Make a memorable first impression
- Show professionalism and clarity
- Build confidence in how you talk about your business
- Quickly identify interest and open new opportunities
In short, it helps you speak about your business like a pro — anytime, anywhere.
The 5 Elements of a Great Elevator Pitch
Let’s break your pitch into five simple parts:
1. Who You Help
Start with your audience — be specific.
Example:
“I help busy professionals…”
“We support small local retailers…”
“We work with first-time business owners…”
2. What Problem They Have
Show that you understand their pain point.
Example:
“…who struggle to stay organized.”
“…who are losing sales due to weak online presence.”
“…who feel overwhelmed by digital marketing.”
3. How You Solve It
Now explain what you actually offer.
Example:
“…by providing simple productivity tools.”
“…through custom e-commerce websites.”
“…with step-by-step online training.”
4. What Makes You Unique
Share what sets you apart.
Example:
“Our tools are built by real people who used to struggle just like our users.”
“We focus 100% on local businesses and never outsource.”
“Our course is built for absolute beginners, no tech skills required.”
5. Call to Action or Curiosity Hook
Close with something that invites further conversation.
Example:
“Want to see how it works?”
“Can I show you what we’re building?”
“We just helped a similar business double their traffic — would you like to hear more?”
Full Example Elevator Pitch
“We help independent café owners who are struggling with low foot traffic by building custom loyalty apps that bring customers back more often. Unlike big tech solutions, our service is local, affordable, and personalized — built by former café owners. Want to see how it’s working for a café just like yours?”
Short, sharp, and impactful.
Tips to Make Your Pitch Even Stronger
✅ Keep It Under 60 Seconds
Less is more. Practice trimming the fluff. Aim for clarity over cleverness.
✅ Speak Like a Human
Avoid buzzwords and jargon. Talk like you would in a real conversation.
✅ Practice (But Don’t Memorize)
Know your pitch well enough to say it naturally, not like a script.
✅ Adjust for Your Audience
Talking to a potential investor? Emphasize ROI and market opportunity.
Talking to a potential customer? Focus on how you help them specifically.
✅ Have a Written + Spoken Version
Use a version of your pitch on your website, social bios, and LinkedIn headline too.
When to Use Your Elevator Pitch
- Networking events
- Trade shows and expos
- Cold calls or emails
- Investor meetings
- Job interviews (if you’re a freelancer or contractor)
- Social media bios and intros
- Sales calls
- Anytime someone says: “So… what do you do?”
Final Thoughts: Speak with Confidence
A great elevator pitch isn’t about “selling” — it’s about clearly communicating your value.
When you know how to describe your business with purpose and passion, people remember you. And more importantly, they start to see you as someone they want to work with.
So take the time to craft your pitch, practice it until it feels natural, and use it whenever the opportunity comes.
Your next big break might start with just one sentence.