Whether giving an introduction to a stranger at a networking event, pitching to a potential customer or investor, or even speaking on a panel, there¡¯s a limited amount of time to convey an idea well. That¡¯s where good elevator pitch examples come in handy. They show how to present a short, easy-to-grasp explanation of a person, an offer, or a company that stays with the listener.
This post will discuss what an elevator pitch is, review helpful examples, walk through how to write one, and go over some best practices.
Table of Contents
- What is an elevator pitch?
- How long should an elevator pitch be?
- How to Write an Elevator Pitch
- Elevator Pitch Examples by Use Case
- Elevator Pitches From Real Founders
- Elevator Pitch Best Practices
- Elevator Pitch Delivery Tips
- Elevator Pitch Frequently Asked Questions
What is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch, also known as an elevator speech, is a short, memorable description that explains who a person is, what they do, what they sell, and why it matters. A good elevator pitch includes an introduction, a clear problem or role, a value statement, proof, and a next step.
A strong elevator pitch helps create a lasting impact. The goal is to earn a second conversation, not to convince the person you¡¯re talking to that they should hire you or buy your solution.
Here¡¯s an elevator speech example:
¡°Hi, I¡¯m Samantha, an account manager with Vacation Locator. We help travelers across the world plan their perfect holiday based on their interests, budget, and location preferences. With travel experts assigned to each account, we find the best deals and most unique experiences for each client, so they can enjoy their vacation instead of stressing about planning it. On average, we¡¯re able to save travelers up to 30% on expenses such as hotel and airfare. I¡¯d love to know more about your upcoming trip to Spain. When are you looking to travel?¡±

Pro tip: An elevator pitch is an opportunity to earn more of your prospect¡¯s attention and time. It¡¯s a quick introduction to you, your company, and how you can help your prospect.
When to use an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch has a place in almost any professional setting ¡ª in networking events or conferences, over virtual calls, in job interviews, for cold outreach or sales prospecting, and in investor meetings.
No matter the context, keep the elevator pitch goal-oriented. For instance:¡°I help companies like yours increase production by up to 30% without additional cost.¡± Additionally, keeping things concise is key. No one wants to waste their listener¡¯s time, or even worse, make them tune out.
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How long should an elevator pitch be?
A typical elevator pitch length is between 30 to 60 seconds. At a conversational pace, that translates to approximately 75-140 words. As there¡¯s such a short window for delivery, it¡¯s crucial not to go too deep into the weeds where the listener might lose interest, but keep it easily digestible.
That said, not every situation calls for the same length. A two-minute elevator pitch works best for interviews, investor conversations, and longer networking exchanges, where there¡¯s a bit more room to talk about the problem and the value on offer. At the same pace, this comes to around 250-280 words.
Pro tip: It¡¯s worth prepping both a short and an extended version of a pitch. The shorter variant works well for quick intros or happenstance encounters, while the longer variant is better for more formal settings where a deeper conversation is expected.
Here¡¯s an easy-to-scan table that shows the difference:
|
Factor |
30¨C60 second elevator pitch |
Two-minute elevator pitch |
|
Word count |
75-140 words |
250-280 words |
|
Detail level |
High-level summary only |
More context, supporting details, and room for one specific story/example |
|
Goal |
Capture attention quickly |
Explain value, and build interest and credibility |
|
Number of key points |
One core point, one supporting point |
One core point, three to four supporting points |
|
Typical use cases |
Cold calls, networking, career fairs, quick intros, LinkedIn DMs, job interviews |
Investor conversations, structured meetings, formal interviews, sales discovery calls, panel discussions |
Regardless of length, a strong hook to capture attention and a clear purpose to keep it are what make a pitch land.
How to Write an Elevator Pitch
Writing a good elevator pitch comes down to two things: the content and the structure. Here is a five-step guide to writing an elevator pitch that helps earn the next conversation, along with a running example to bring each step to life.
1. Introduce yourself.
Know the five Ws essential for storytelling? The first one is ¡°who¡±, and for good reason. Opening the elevator pitch with your name, role, and company/professional identity gives the listener mission-critical context. You can¡¯t get much mileage out of a pitch if the listener has no idea who you are or who you¡¯re with.
A friendly introduction also sets the tone for the conversation. As , ÌÇÐÄVlog Director at , says, ¡°[a]void sounding too sales-y. In my experience, people often shy away from elevator pitches that feel like a typical sales pitch. Your elevator pitch should come across more like a casual chat.¡±
2. State the problem you solve.
Leading with the audience¡¯s challenge before jumping to the solution creates an ¡°aha¡± moment ¡ª the feeling that this person genuinely understands the issue. People want to feel heard, not sold to, and framing a pitch around their pain points helps create that connection.
It can be as simple as:
¡°Hi [name]. I¡¯m Christopher, a sales rep at Better Than the Rest Cable. I know how frustrating it can be for hotels to navigate the endless options for cable providers, overpaying for plans that don¡¯t fit their needs or guest expectations.¡±
3. Share your unique value.
This is where the pitch answers the question: ¡°What¡¯s in it for the listener?¡±A prospect isn¡¯t going to be interested in a solution that they can¡¯t see the value in, so naturally, being able to articulate a compelling value proposition is vital.
This is perhaps the most important section to cover. Provide a sentence or two that covers why the product or service is worth it ¡ª what makes it credible and stand out, or why current customers are happy. For example:
¡°Hi [name]. I¡¯m Christopher, a sales rep at Better Than the Rest Cable. I know how frustrating it can be for hotels to navigate the endless options for cable providers, overpaying for plans that don¡¯t fit their location, budget, or guest expectations. That¡¯s where we come in. With regional experts assigned to each account, we match hotels across the U.S. with the most cost-effective plan for their needs.¡±
4. Add a hook.
You¡¯ve spent the pitch up to this point lining them up. Now knock them down. Give the listener the bit that¡¯s going to prompt that second conversation¡hit them with the hook. This is the detail that sticks, the line they walk away thinking about.
That can come in the form of a:
- Fascinating statistic or data about the offering.
- Exciting story about a customer.
- Interesting information about your company¡¯s founders.
- Surprising detail to pique interest.
Let¡¯s add an attention-grabbing stat to the sample elevator pitch:
¡°Hi [name]. I¡¯m Christopher, a sales rep at Better Than the Rest Cable. I know how frustrating it can be for hotels to navigate the endless options for cable providers, overpaying for plans that don¡¯t fit their location, budget, or guest expectations. That¡¯s where we come in. With regional experts assigned to each account, we match hotels across the U.S. with the most cost-effective plan for their needs. On average, we¡¯re able to save hotels up to 25% on their annual cable bills.¡±
5. End with a clear CTA.
As the adage goes, ¡°you can¡¯t get what you don¡¯t ask for.¡± After delivering a strong pitch, the worst thing to do is let the moment fizzle out without a clear next step. A good call-to-action does not have to be aggressive, but simply give the conversation somewhere to go.
Here¡¯s how to end an elevator pitch with a CTA:
¡°Hi [name]. I¡¯m Christopher, a sales rep at Better Than the Rest Cable. I know how frustrating it can be for hotels to navigate the endless options for cable providers, overpaying for plans that don¡¯t fit their location, budget, or guest expectations. That¡¯s where we come in. With regional experts assigned to each account, we match hotels across the U.S. with the most cost-effective plan for their needs. On average, we¡¯re able to save hotels up to 25% on their annual cable bills. I¡¯d love to learn more about your current setup. Would you be open to a quick call this week?¡±
, CEO and co-founder of , says, ¡°The most important tip I can offer for creating and delivering an effective elevator pitch is to keep it simple and focused. Have one clear message or key insight you want to convey and structure your pitch around that.¡±
Additionally, the core structure of the how-to guide stays the same whether a person has 30 seconds or two minutes for an elevator pitch. What changes is the level of detail packed into each element. Here¡¯s a side-by-side breakdown.
|
Structural Element |
30¨C60 second elevator pitch |
Two-minute elevator pitch |
|
Who you are |
Name + role in one line |
Name + role + brief relevant background |
|
Problem Statement |
One quick line on the problem + why it matters |
Explicit problem statement + why it matters, in more detail |
|
What you do |
One clear value statement |
Expanded explanation with context |
|
Proof/Credibility |
One quick stat/ data point/ example |
Specific result or case study + one-two shorter supporting points |
|
Differentiation |
Usually skipped or a quick mention |
Slightly deeper comparison to alternatives |
|
Call to action |
Simple, direct ask |
Direct ask backed by reasoning |
For a head start, offer a range of formats and styles to work from.
These elevator pitch templates help structure pitches for four key audiences: prospects, investors, employers, and potential network connections, making the creation process easier and freeing up time to focus on perfecting the delivery.
Elevator Pitch Examples by Use Case
Business elevator pitch examples aren¡¯t one-size-fits-all. The best pitches are tailored to the listener, the relationship, what the listener actually cares about, and the context of the conversation. These elevator speech examples span a range of real-world situations, each with a breakdown of the specific elements that make them land.
Audience-based Elevator Pitch Examples
Whoever is on the other end of the pitch informs the strategy. Whether it¡¯s a hiring manager, a potential client, or a fellow professional at a networking event, these examples show how to shape an introduction for different audiences.
1. The ¡°About Yourself¡± in a Job Interview
¡°Hi, I¡¯m Rohan Iyer, and I¡¯m a digital marketing specialist with five years of experience in creating high-impact campaigns for the tech industry, specializing in social media strategy and content marketing. I know how difficult it can be for software companies to cut through the noise and build a brand that resonates with their audience, and that¡¯s exactly the challenge I¡¯ve spent my career solving.
In my previous role at BrightSpacious Tech, I developed and executed a social media campaign that increased the company¡¯s Instagram following by 250% in six months and generated a 35% increase in website traffic. I also led a bottom-of-the-funnel content campaign that reduced customer acquisition costs by 20%; all results that came from building data-driven strategies.
I¡¯m passionate about helping companies tell their stories in ways that connect and convert, and I¡¯d love to bring that to your team through the Senior ÌÇÐÄVlog Executive position.¡±
Why This Elevator Pitch Works
A job interview elevator pitch should emphasize relevant experience, strengths, and fit for the role. This pitch does that and goes a step further. It not only introduces the candidate but frames them as someone who understands the employer¡¯s world by leading with the industry pain point before diving into credentials.
The example lead with data and tangible results, showing the company concrete proof of the employee¡¯s expertise. Anchoring the close to the exact role being interviewed gently signals specificity and genuine preparation.
2. The Freelancer/Consultant
¡°Hi, I¡¯m Zachary, a graphic designer with over three years of experience specializing in brand identity design. A lot of startups and small businesses I work with have the same problem ¡ª their branding doesn¡¯t reflect the quality of what they actually offer, and it¡¯s costing them first impressions they can¡¯t afford to lose.
That¡¯s the gap I close. I blend creativity with strategy to deliver visuals that not only look good but also resonate with the intended audience. For example, I recently helped a nail salon overhaul its logo and marketing materials, and within three months, they saw a 40% increase in customer recognition and a 25% jump in website engagement.
Clients choose me because I prioritize clear communication, fast turnaround times, and designs built around their goals (not just aesthetics). I¡¯ve worked with 55 brands to date, and I¡¯d love to help you bring your brand vision to life. Are you free for a quick, 15-minute conversation this week?¡±
Why This Elevator Pitch Works
The pitch leads with a problem that hits close to home for the potential client and makes them say, ¡°Hmm, this person gets me.¡± Rather than merely listing services, the pitch shifts the dynamic from vendor to problem-solving consultant.
The numbers lend credibility, and the closing paragraph shows prospects what makes working with Zachary worthwhile (someone who delivers on both the creative and the commercial side).
3. The General Intro in Networking
¡°Hi, I¡¯m Maya Sharma. I work in product management at a fintech startup here in the city. I focus on building tools that simplify financial planning for everyday users, which basically means I spend a lot of time figuring out why people avoid managing their money and what it would take to make them actually want to.
It¡¯s a space I genuinely enjoy, especially the intersection of user behavior and product design. I¡¯d love to hear what you¡¯re working on. What brings you to the conference today?¡±
Why This Elevator Pitch Works
The pitch sounds like a real person talking. The conversational tone sets a relaxed dynamic from the start, stripping away corporate stiffness and making the speaker immediately approachable.
The glimpse into what her role actually involves gives the listener something to engage with beyond a job title, while the closing question signals genuine interest, handing the floor to the other person exactly when it counts.
4. The Mutual Connection in Networking
¡°Small world, I believe we have a mutual connection, Sarah Kim. We recently worked with her team at DevFlow to cut their software development lifecycle in half, and she mentioned you two worked together. I help mid-sized software teams streamline their development lifecycle, and would love to hear more about what you¡¯re currently focused on. Are you open to grabbing a coffee later at the event?¡±
Why This Elevator Pitch Works
Mutual connections are one of the most powerful trust signals in professional circles. When a speaker references someone both parties know, they instantly move from being a stranger to a closer peer. Even a casual name drop creates an immediate sense of familiarity and common ground, making networking so much easier.
Thus, it¡¯s no surprise that according to HubSpot¡¯s 2024 State of Sales report, referrals from existing customers generate the highest-quality leads. People generally trust those in their own network more than the businesses selling to them.
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Sales Elevator Pitch Examples
The best sales pitches don¡¯t sell, but solve. A sales elevator pitch should focus on the buyer¡¯s problem and the value of the solution. These examples cover a variety of approaches, from leading with a question to weaving a success story, each designed to hook a prospect and earn the next step.
Of course, a strong pitch is only as good as the context behind it. can help sales reps by researching accounts, identifying buying signals, and drafting personalized outreach messages, so sellers have relevant context from the start.
With the right prep in place, here¡¯s how a pitch can come to life.
5. An Attention-grabbing Question
¡°Has your boss ever asked you to ¡®whip up a quick report before the end of the day?¡¯ You say yes, but your heart sinks, because you know there is nothing quick about it. I¡¯m Nadia, an account executive at AnswerASAP. Our founders constantly faced this problem in their roles as marketing executives, so they created a tool that pulls all your data into one place and creates unique reports in 30 seconds or less. Would you like to take it for a spin?¡±
Why This Elevator Pitch Works
This sales pitch works on a few key levels. Right off the bat, it has a straightforward yet compelling hook in the opening question, which is tailored to get the prospect to place themselves in a specific scenario.
It¡¯s also framed with language that strikes a balance between engaging and accessible. For example, the ¡°sinking heart¡± detail adds a human touch that, while slightly dramatic, captures the emotional undercurrent.
Thirdly, it¡¯s relatable and rooted in empathy. It calls out an ¡°Oh geez, all of us in the industry have been there, am I right or am I right?¡± situation without being too heavy-handed, speaking to a key pain point that¡¯s general enough to cast a wide net but specific enough to invoke a relatable feeling.
6. A Customer Story
¡°Siena Rosen, a social media executive at Dunder Mifflin, used to spend 45 minutes per day manually creating reports, time that could have been spent on actual strategy. With AnswerASAP, that¡¯s gone down to five minutes, and she¡¯s producing twice as many. Our reporting automation tool helps marketers like Siena answer almost any question on their mind (or their boss¡¯s) nearly instantly. If you¡¯re curious, I can explain more.¡±
Why This Elevator Pitch Works
Everyone loves a good story, and a well-told one sticks long after the conversation ends. A pitch rooted in a real customer experience makes for a compelling narrative thread, while giving the prospect someone to see themselves in.
The tangible results lend solid social proof and credibility without the pitch feeling like a hard sell.
7. An Outlandish Stat
¡°Your marketing team members will each spend approximately 8,730 minutes of their work year putting together reports. Multiply that across the department, and the cost adds up fast. So, how much could you save if you took that manual chore off their to-do lists? AnswerASAP, our reporting tool for marketers, automatically pulls your data into an easy-to-read dashboard and can create customized reports in under 30 seconds. We¡¯ve saved companies tens of thousands of dollars per year, and they¡¯re operating more efficiently than ever. Want to see what that could look like for your team?¡±
Why This Elevator Pitch Works
Citing outlandish numbers is one of the better ways to cultivate fact-based urgency, providing a real and justified gravity to the elevator pitch.
It gives prospects a clear-cut sense of the price of inaction and positions the solution as the best way to avoid it. This might sound obvious, but pain points should be painful (this kind of pitch is one of the more straightforward, interesting ways to get there).
8. The Advisor
¡°In my conversations with dozens of marketing leaders, I¡¯ve found that one of the key issues growing teams struggle with is the time lost to manual reporting. This includes pulling data from multiple sources, analyzing it, formatting it, and getting it out the door on time. I¡¯m Jo?o Gonsalves, a Senior Solutions Lead at AnswerAsap. This past year alone, we¡¯ve helped 38 marketing teams in your industry automate their reporting workflows, resulting in an average 75% reduction in time spent on reports and tens of thousands of dollars saved annually. I¡¯d love to learn more about how your team currently handles reporting. Would you be open to a quick conversation?¡±
Why This Elevator Pitch Works
This pitch gives a seller the space to demonstrate familiarity with a prospect¡¯s work and position themselves as a valuable, consultative resource whose insight is directly relevant to the prospect¡¯s situation.
This approach also balances insight and advice with hard results; an ideal combination when trying to hook a prospect and build quick credibility.
Pro tip: After structuring a pitch, delivery is the next challenge. For sales reps, can help by surfacing talk tracks, objection handling tips, and pitch frameworks right where reps are already working ¡ª inside the prospect¡¯s contact record ¡ª during live conversations. Since it¡¯s built on , the guidance is contextual and connected to the customer data reps already rely on.
Short-form and Investor Elevator Pitch Examples
When the format changes, so does the crux of the pitch. Whether it¡¯s breaking down a message to a single compelling line or making a high-stakes case to a room of investors, these examples show how to adapt without losing what makes a pitch work.
9. The One-liner
¡°AnswerASAP can create custom marketing reports in under 30 seconds ¡ª saving marketers time and companies money by eliminating the manual tedium of data gathering, analysis, and formatting, that eats up an average of six hours of a marketer¡¯s week.¡±
Why This Elevator Pitch Works
This one strips the pitch back to the bare necessities. No flash, no frills, just the core message.
It¡¯s risky, but certain situations call for a pitch that resonates in a sentence or two, such as a cold call, a LinkedIn connection request or DM, or simply when a listener is busy or distracted. Here, trimming the fat is the way to go.
10. The Investment Ask
¡°In the logistics industry, inefficient route planning has long been a challenge, costing businesses millions in fuel and time every year. Traditional GPS systems simply cannot keep up. They miss real-time variables like weather, traffic, and fuel optimization, leaving fleets behind schedule and over budget.
That is where OptiRoute comes in. I am Daniel Chen, CTO of the company. Our AI-powered platform uses predictive analytics and real-time data to build dynamic, fuel-efficient routes for fleets of all sizes, cutting costs by up to 25% while reducing carbon footprint. Since launching in 2022, we have patented our technology, secured $2 million in seed funding, onboarded three Fortune 500 clients, and are projected to double our revenue by 2028.
To scale what we¡¯ve built, we¡¯re seeking a $5 million investment to expand our development team, accelerate customer acquisition, and improve our platform. The logistics industry is ready to be disrupted, and we¡¯re already doing it. We are looking for the right partner to grow this with us. Would you be open to sitting down and talking numbers?¡±
Why This Elevator Pitch Works
An investor elevator pitch should include the problem, solution, market opportunity, data/results, and traction. And this pitch hits every mark an investor needs to hear: a clearly defined problem, a differentiated solution, and a traction story that does the heavy lifting. The specific numbers build credibility fast and signal that this is a business already in motion, not just an idea.
The ask is also well-judged. Rather than leading with the funding number, the pitch earns it. By the time the $5 million ask lands, the investor already understands the scale of the opportunity. And framing the CTA as finding ¡°the right partner¡± adds a subtle sense of exclusivity without feeling pushy.
Elevator Pitches From Real Founders
Learning from real-world examples of elevator pitches is among the best ways to sharpen one¡¯s. Below, four founders and CEOs across different industries share how they communicate their organization¡¯s value to win over audiences.
: Streamline web project management.
, CEO of , offered this pitch:
¡°At Webvizio, we streamline web project management for digital teams, making collaboration seamless. Our platform allows you to visualize changes, communicate in real time, and manage feedback efficiently ¡ª all in one place. We eliminate the clutter of back-and-forth emails, so you can focus on what you love: creating. Interested in simplifying your project processes and enhancing team productivity?¡±
: Simplify the insurance buying experience.
, CEO of , offered this pitch:
¡°Imagine buying life insurance the way you shop online ¡ª quick, easy, and transparent. At Dundas Life, we streamline the complex process of finding the right insurance, making it accessible at your fingertips. With us, you¡¯re not just a policy number; you¡¯re in control, informed, and secure. Let¡¯s make insurance straightforward together.¡±
: Enhance your online visibility.
, founder and CEO of , offered this pitch:
¡°Hi, I¡¯m Bruno from CodeDesign. We often see companies struggle to gain visibility in the digital space, losing potential revenue to competitors who dominate online. Our agency specializes in leveraging advanced data analytics and custom digital strategies to enhance your online presence, driving more traffic and increasing sales. Imagine what it would be like to see your business outperform competitors by simply optimizing your digital marketing. Let¡¯s chat about how we can make that happen for you.¡±
: Solve food waste.
, CEO of , offered this pitch:
¡°We¡¯re tackling the issue of food waste in restaurants. Our app allows diners to buy surplus food at a discount while helping venues reduce waste and generate extra revenue. This creates a win-win for businesses and customers looking to save money and curb food waste.¡±
Elevator Pitch Best Practices
Successful elevator pitches rarely happen off the cuff. They¡¯re only as strong as the prep behind them. Here are six best practices to keep in mind before and while giving one:
1. Keep it brief.
A good elevator pitch is short and engaging. Aim to stay under a minute, including an introduction, unless the setting calls for more, such as a formal interview or an investor conversation.
2. Don¡¯t under-emphasize the problem you¡¯re solving.
It¡¯s easy to get so excited about the solution that the problem gets no more than a passing mention. But the problem is what creates urgency. It¡¯s what makes the listener lean in. Lead with the pain point, let it land, then present the solution as the natural answer. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Do the research to get specific about the problem (avoid vagueness).
- Highlight how the issues can hurt the prospect (detail the tangible and opportunity costs).
- Show how the offer (and particular features) can help solve the prospect¡¯s challenges.
3. Read and edit the pitch.
Once everything¡¯s written out, read it aloud to make sure it sounds natural. Overly rigid, borderline-robotic pitches are rarely compelling. If it seems too stiff, go back to the drawing board.
Pro tip: Treat the elevator pitch like a living document. Revisit and update the pitch whenever the offer, role, audience, or market shifts.
4. Be genuine and positive.
Having the right energy matters. People respond to authenticity, so let the passion for the product, service, or idea come through naturally. Try to stay upbeat and confident, even if the nerves kick in.
5. Come prepared with backup materials.
When delivering an elevator pitch, be ready for what comes after. Whether it is a business card, a brochure, or a quick demo, having relevant materials on hand makes it easy to support the pitch and keep the momentum going.
Pro tip: Sending over a pitch deck or a proposal document as a follow-up? Use to see when prospects view it, for how long, and whether they share it.
6. Be mindful of the listener and the environment.
A pitch that works in a quiet one-on-one setting may not land the same way in a busy conference hall. The best pitches are responsive, not rigid. So, read the room and pick up on the listener¡¯s verbal and non-verbal cues. If they seem pressed for time, trim it down. If they¡¯re engaged and asking questions, let the conversation breathe.
3 C¡¯s of an Elevator Pitch
Not sure if a pitch is ready to go live? The 3 C¡¯s stand for clarity, concise, and compelling, and serve as a quick checklist before delivering an elevator pitch.
- Clarity: Keep the language and message simple and direct. Cut the fluff.
- Concise: Respect the listener¡¯s time. A tight, focused pitch signals confidence, while a meandering one signals uncertainty. The goal is to communicate maximum value in minimum time, without losing the prospect along the way.
- Compelling: A good pitch informs. A great pitch sticks (and prompts a second conversation). Make sure there is at least one element the listener walks away thinking about, whether that¡¯s a striking stat or a solution they weren¡¯t expecting.
Elevator Pitch Delivery Tips
A well-written elevator pitch can fall flat with the wrong delivery, so understanding how to give an elevator pitch effectively ¡ª by avoiding tangents and minimizing filler words ¡ª is just as important as writing it. Three tips can help get the delivery right.
- Practice the elevator pitch out loud numerous times beforehand: The goal isn¡¯t just to memorize the pitch, but to practice its tone, pace, volume, and overall delivery. Do a mock run with trusted colleagues and ask for critique. The more familiar the pitch feels, the more authentic and confident it will come across when it counts.
- Use natural language and keep it conversational: Avoid heavy, rehearsed-sounding language and delivery. The pitch should feel like a natural conversation, not a scripted monologue.
- Use the right tone and introduce variation: Match the tone to the situation. A formal presentation requires a different approach than a casual encounter. Varying the tone of voice throughout also helps highlight the most important points while keeping the listener attentive.
Delivering pitches over the phone or on virtual calls? For sales teams, can record and analyze prospect calls, track key terms and performance patterns, and flag coaching moments, helping delivery get sharper over time.
Elevator pitch Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 3 C¡¯s of an elevator pitch?
The three C¡¯s of an elevator pitch are clarity, concise, and compelling. Clarity calls for simple, direct language that¡¯s easy to grasp. Concise means keeping the pitch tight and focused. Compelling means giving the listener a reason to care, something striking enough to earn a follow-up conversation.
How do I write my elevator pitch?
Writing a strong elevator pitch follows a five-step structure. Start with an introduction that gives relevant context, then identify the audience¡¯s problem and why it matters. Share how the offer solves that challenge and what unique value it brings, add a hook such as a compelling stat or customer story, and close with a clear call to action. Once written, read it aloud several times to make sure it sounds natural. can help turn top-performing elevator pitches into reusable, personalizable templates for email outreach.
What is a 2-minute elevator pitch?
A two-minute elevator pitch is an extended version of the standard pitch, built for situations where more time and context are expected, such as job interviews, investor meetings, warm introductions, or internal pitches to leadership. At around 250 to 280 words, it follows a similar structure but provides more room to explore the problem, elaborate on the solution, and reinforce the value being offered.
What¡¯s a good pitch example?
A good pitch example sounds like this: ¡°Good evening! I¡¯m Jamie, a customer success manager at ShiftDesk. Most HR teams we work with are so buried in paperwork and approval chains that supporting their people becomes an afterthought, leading to high turnover and constant firefighting. ShiftDesk takes that grunt work off their plate. Our platform automates the day-to-day admin so HR teams can focus on what actually matters: their employees.
The teams we work with tell us it is the first tool that finally feels built for them, and the average department wins back 17 hours weekly. Would you be open to a quick chat to see if it could work for your team?¡±
Land your next conversation with a strong elevator pitch.
As the famous quote reads, ¡°people will forget what you said¡but people will never forget how you made them feel.¡±
Some of the most valuable business relationships start with a single conversation, and a well-crafted elevator pitch is what opens the door. The key is showing up prepared, because the right opportunity can come along when least expected. The examples and best practices in this guide are a strong starting point. Keep iterating until the pitch feels as natural as the conversation it¡¯s meant to start.
Editor¡¯s note: This post was originally published in August 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
Download Now: Free Elevator Pitch Templates
E-pitch templates to better sell your product, fund your business, or network.
- Business and investment pitches
- Personal branding pitches
- Customer-focused pitches
- And more!
Download Free
All fields are required.
Form not available
You're all set!
Click this link to access this resource at any time.
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