An elevator pitch is a quick way to tell someone about your business idea. It’s called an elevator pitch because it should be short enough to say during a brief elevator ride.
You only have a few seconds to make a good first impression, that’s why it’s important to have a clear, snappy elevator pitch ready. A great elevator pitch grabs attention and explains your idea fast.
Having a solid elevator pitch helps you feel more confident when talking to new people. It’s useful for networking events, job interviews, and anytime you want to share your ideas quickly. Let’s look at some examples and templates to help you craft your own winning pitch.
Elevator Pitch Examples and Templates
Problem-Solution Pitch:
Template 1
“You know how [problem]? Well, I’ve created [solution] that [benefit].”
Example 1: “You know how small businesses struggle to manage their finances? Well, I’ve created an app that simplifies bookkeeping and saves them hours each week.”
Example 2: “You know how many people struggle to eat healthy? Well, I created an app that plans nutritious meals and grocery lists.”
Template 2
“You know how [problem]? Well, my company [name] solves that by [solution]. We’re different because [unique selling point].”
Example: “You know how small businesses struggle with bookkeeping? Well, my company EasyBooks solves that by offering affordable, user-friendly accounting software. We’re different because our technology learns and adapts to each business’s needs.”
Question-Hook Pitch:
“What if you could [desirable outcome]? That’s exactly what [your product/service] does.”
Example: “What if you could double your productivity without working longer hours? That’s exactly what our project management software does.”
Unique Selling Proposition Pitch:
Template 1
“I help [target audience] to [achieve goal] by [your unique approach].”
Example: “I help digital marketing agencies to boost client retention by creating customized social media strategies that deliver measurable results.”
Template 2
“Unlike [competitor], my [product/service] [key differentiator].”
Example: “Unlike traditional gyms, my fitness studio offers personalized workout plans for every member.”
Key Differentiator Pitch:
“My name is [your name], and I [what you do] for [target audience]. Unlike [competitors], we [key differentiator].”
Example: “My name is Sarah, and I design websites for small businesses. Unlike other designers, we focus on creating sites that convert visitors into customers.”
Passion-Driven Pitch:
“I’m passionate about [industry/field], and I’ve developed [product/service] to [solve problem/achieve goal].”
Example 1: “I’m passionate about sustainable living, and I’ve developed an app to help people reduce their carbon footprint through simple daily actions.”
Example 2: “I’m passionate about education and I create interactive online courses for kids.”
Target Audience Pitch:
Template 1
“I help [audience] to [benefit] through [your method].”
Example: “I help small business owners save time through my automated bookkeeping software.”
Template 2
“For [ideal customer], [company name] is the [category] that [benefit]. Unlike [competitors], we [key differentiator].”
Example: “For busy professionals, QuickMeal is the meal delivery service that saves time and promotes healthy eating. Unlike other services, we use only organic, locally-sourced ingredients.”
Storytelling Pitch:
Template 1
“I noticed [observation], so I decided to [action]. Now, [result].”
Example: “I noticed how hard it was to find reliable pet sitters, so I created a pet-sitting app. Now, pet owners can easily find trusted sitters in their area.”
Template 2
“I noticed [observation]. This led me to create [company name], which [what you do]. Now, we’re helping [target audience] to [benefit].”
Example: “I noticed how much time people waste searching for lost items. This led me to create FindIt, which makes Bluetooth trackers for everyday objects. Now, we’re helping forgetful folks to quickly locate their belongings and reduce stress.”
Mission-Driven Pitch:
“At [company name], we believe [mission]. That’s why we [what you do]. Our goal is to [impact].”
Example: “At GreenTech, we believe in a sustainable future. That’s why we create eco-friendly home products. Our goal is to reduce plastic waste by 50% in the next five years.”
Numbers-Focused Pitch:
“[Company name] is a [industry] company that has [impressive stat]. We’ve grown [growth rate] and are projecting [future goal].”
Example: “TechGrow is a SaaS company that has helped over 10,000 startups scale their operations. We’ve grown 200% year-over-year and are projecting $50 million in revenue next year.”
Non-Profit Elevator Pitch Templates
Problem-Solution Pitch:
“You know how [problem]? We [solution] by [method]. Join us in [impact].”
Example: “You know how many kids go hungry on weekends? We provide nutritious meals by partnering with local schools. Join us in feeding 500 children every week.”
Mission-Driven Pitch:
“We believe [vision]. That’s why we [action] for [beneficiaries]. Help us [goal].”
Example: “We believe everyone deserves a safe home. That’s why we build houses for low-income families. Help us construct 20 new homes this year.”
Impact-Focused Pitch:
“Every [time period], [problem statistic]. We’re changing that by [solution]. Your support can [specific impact].”
Example: “Every day, 100 seniors in our city feel lonely. We’re changing that by organizing social events. Your support can bring joy to 1,000 elderly people this month.”
Personal Story Pitch:
“I started this non-profit because [personal reason]. Now, we [action] to [goal]. Will you help us [specific ask]?”
Example: “I started this non-profit because my sister battled addiction. Now, we provide rehab services to help others recover. Will you help us open a new treatment center?”
Urgent Need Pitch:
“Right now, [urgent situation]. We need your help to [specific action]. Together, we can [positive outcome].”
Example: “Right now, our animal shelter is at capacity. We need your help to find homes for 50 pets. Together, we can give these animals loving families.”
Elements of an Effective Elevator Pitch
A great elevator pitch grabs attention fast. You want to make a strong first impression in just 30 seconds.
- Start with a hook. This could be a question or an interesting fact about your business. Your goal is to make the listener curious and want to hear more.
- Clearly explain what you do. Use simple language to describe your product or service. (Avoid technical terms that might confuse people.)
- Highlight your unique value. What makes you different from competitors? Share the key benefit you offer customers.
- Practice your delivery. Your tone should be friendly and confident; speak at a steady pace so you don’t rush through important points.
- End with a call to action. Ask for a meeting, a phone call, or a chance to send more info. (Give them a clear next step!)
Example: “I’d love to show you how these strategies could work for your business. Could we set up a quick 15-minute call next week?” - Your pitch should take about 30 seconds to deliver. Any longer and you risk losing interest.
- Be ready to adapt. You might need to adjust your pitch based on the situation or who you’re talking to.
Perfecting Your Pitch
Receiving and Incorporating Feedback
Feedback is key to improving your pitch. When you share it with others, ask specific questions. What parts stood out? Was anything confusing? Did it spark their interest?
Criticism is not always easy to hear, but it can lead to big improvements. Take notes on the feedback you get and look for patterns. (If multiple people mention the same issue, it’s probably worth addressing!)
Don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions: others might have ideas for making your pitch stronger or more memorable. Try out their ideas and see what works best for you.
Your pitch is about connecting with people. Pay attention to how listeners react. If they seem bored or confused, it’s time to make changes.
Adapting Your Pitch Over Time
Your elevator pitch isn’t set in stone. As your goals change or you gain new skills, you can update your pitch to match.
Think about tailoring your pitch for different audiences. A pitch that works well with potential clients might need tweaking for networking events. You can create a few versions of your pitch for various situations.
Test out different opening lines or examples to see what gets the best response. Sometimes a small change can make a big difference! Keep track of what works and what doesn’t.
As you use your pitch more, you’ll get better at reading people’s reactions. Use this insight to make your pitch even more effective. The goal is to create a natural, engaging conversation starter that evolves with you and your career.