Make Every Second Count by Crafting the Ultimate Elevator Pitch

You’re at a networking event, hiring a new employee, or in front of potential investors. You’ve got seconds to make them care. Your elevator pitch can mean the difference between success and failure.

What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is your business in a nutshell. It's short, sharp, and gets to the point fast. It's not just what you do but why it matters. The goal of your elevator pitch is not to seal the deal but to intrigue enough to start a real conversation. It's about making them lean in, not sign on the dotted line.

Clarity wins.

Over my three decades of navigating the startup scene and mentoring at Techstars and Founder Institute, I’ve heard tens of thousands of elevator pitches and delivered plenty of my own across a spectrum of business ideas. This experience honed my ability to spot the great pitches—a skill I want to share with you.

In this article, we’ll explain why a strong pitch matters, examine different variations for different occasions, and show you how to craft yours. We’ll also provide tips to help people remember your pitch.

Think of your elevator pitch like the opening move in a chess game. It’s not about checkmate; it’s about positioning yourself for a meaningful engagement. Your elevator pitch is a concise introduction to who you are, what your business does, and how you solve problems uniquely.

Timing for your elevator pitch

Deploy your pitch in moments that matter, from casual meetups to industry gatherings and even in line at the coffee shop. Make it purposeful (think, “I enhance community engagement by 25%, fostering connections without added costs.”) and ensure a memorable leave-behind, like a thoughtful follow-up or a creative business card exchange.

But remember, it’s called an elevator pitch for a reason. You have limited time to make the pitch.

Thirty seconds — that’s your window. Your pitch should be crisp, engaging, and to the point, steering clear of the weeds that can lose your audience. You want to spark curiosity and invite dialogue, not overwhelm with information.

Your elevator pitch should be prepped and ready to roll before you “step foot in the elevator.” In that brief encounter, your goal is to captivate, convey your unique value, and open the door to the next conversation.

How to write an elevator pitch

Start with an outline
The art of the introduction
Introduce your mission statement
Explain the unique value proposition
Grab attention with a hook to captivate your audience
Tailor your pitch to your audience
Include a call to action (CTA)
Practice your pitch
Be ready to adapt and overcome objections
Polish your pitch
16 terrific elevator pitch examples
What to avoid doing when giving an elevator pitch

Crafting an elevator pitch is like writing a compelling short story. Every great story needs a hook, a clear theme, and a memorable ending. Here’s a step-by-step guide illustrated with many examples:

1. Start with an outline

Imagine you’re creating a custom piece of art. You wouldn’t just start painting without a sketch.

Similarly, beginning with an outline for your elevator pitch provides a clear structure. Consider using a simple yet flexible outline that can adapt whether you’re speaking to investors, clients, or potential partners.

2. The art of the introduction

Introducing yourself is like the opening scene of a movie. It sets the tone and invites the audience in.

A social media consultant might start with, “I’m Alex, a digital pathfinder at SocialVue, guiding brands through the social media labyrinth.” This approach reveals not just the consultant’s role but also hints at their value proposition: navigating social media’s complexities.

Imagine an eco-friendly packaging consultant making their introduction. They might say, “I’m Jordan, a green warrior at EcoWrap, revolutionizing packaging with sustainability at its core.” This introduces Jordan and their company and immediately highlights their commitment to environmental change, setting the stage for what’s to come.

Here are three more examples:

Sustainability consultant: “I’m Taylor, a sustainability strategist at GreenInsight, championing eco-friendly business practices that don’t compromise on profitability.”
Mobile app developer: “I’m Jamie, a digital innovator at AppCraft, turning complex problems into simple, user-friendly app solutions.”
Personal fitness trainer: “I’m Casey, a health motivator at FitJourney, customizing fitness plans that fit into your life, not take it over.”

3. Introduce your mission statement

Your company’s mission statement is the heart of your pitch. Imagine a startup focused on sustainable fashion. Their pitch could include, “At GreenThread, we’re weaving sustainability into fashion, transforming recycled materials into high-end clothing.” This clearly states their mission and hints at their unique approach to an industry-wide challenge.

Here are three more examples:

Boutique owner: “At FashionForward, we curate ethical fashion that empowers artisans worldwide, blending style with social responsibility.”
Educational tech company: “EduTech aims to democratize education, making learning accessible, engaging, and affordable for everyone, everywhere.”
Eco-friendly cleaning service: “CleanEarth provides non-toxic, sustainable cleaning solutions that ensure a safe environment for families and pets alike.”

4. Explain the unique value proposition

The value proposition helps you differentiate. For example, a tech company specializing in AI for small businesses might say, “We empower small businesses with AI tools previously only accessible to giants, leveling the playing field.” This succinctly states how they add unique value to their customers.

Here are three more examples:

Local bakery: “We bake with locally sourced ingredients, offering a fresh, homemade taste that supports our community’s economy.”
Freelance web designer: “I specialize in creating intuitive, visually appealing websites that enhance user experience and drive business growth.”
Pet grooming service: “Our mobile grooming service brings convenience and professional care right to your doorstep, making pet maintenance stress-free for busy owners.”

5. Grab attention with a hook to captivate your audience

Hooks can be a powerful statistic, a surprising fact, or a compelling story. For a health startup, a hook could be, “With our wellness app, users see a 40% improvement in mental health in just three months.” This surprising and compelling statistic makes the audience want to learn more.

Here are three more examples:

Craft brewery: “Our beer is not just crafted; it’s designed to tell a story, with each brew celebrating a piece of local history or culture.”
Virtual reality startup: “We’re transporting users to unexplored worlds, with our VR platform increasing empathy and understanding through immersive experiences.”
Organic cosmetics brand: “Our products aren’t just makeup; they’re a movement towards beauty that’s kind to your skin and the planet, with 95% of users reporting improved skin health.”

6. Tailor your pitch to your audience

Understanding your audience is crucial. Modify your pitch based on who you’re talking to: an investor, a potential client, or a partner.

An investor might be interested in your business’s scalability, while a client might focus on how your product or service solves a problem for them.

For investors: “We’re not just selling a product. We’re creating a scalable ecosystem that addresses untapped market needs.”
For clients: “Our service simplifies your daily tasks, allowing you to focus on what truly matters to your business.”
For partners: “Together, we can combine our strengths to create unparalleled value for our customers.”

7. Include a call to action (CTA)

Don’t leave the next steps to chance. End your pitch with a clear call to action that invites further conversation, be it a meeting, a demo, or a simple exchange of contact information.

Meeting request: “Let’s schedule a brief meeting to explore this synergy further.”
Product demo: “I’d love to show you how it works. Can we set up a demo?”
Exchange contacts: “May I have your card? I’ll follow up with some detailed information.”

8. Practice your pitch

An effective pitch is not just about what you say but how you say it. Practice delivering your pitch to make it sound natural and engaging. Work on your timing, tone, and body language to ensure your message is delivered with confidence and authenticity.

Timing: Keep your pitch within the 30-second limit without rushing.
Tone: Use a conversational tone that matches your enthusiasm for what you’re discussing.
Body language: Maintain eye contact and use gestures to emphasize points, making your pitch more dynamic and engaging.

9. Be ready to adapt and overcome objections

Be prepared to answer questions or address concerns that may arise during or after your pitch. This shows that you’re passionate about your business, knowledgeable, and ready to tackle challenges.

Objections on market fit: “We’ve conducted extensive market research and found that…”
Questions on business type: “We registered an LLC because…”
Questions on scalability: “Our business model is designed to easily scale by…”
Concerns on competition: “What sets us apart from the competition is our unique approach to…”

10. Polish your pitch

Finally, ensure your pitch sounds natural and engaging. It should feel like a conversation, not a presentation. Reading aloud can help you refine the tone and pace, ensuring it resonates with your audience while staying true to your voice.

In each step, the key is to be clear, concise, and compelling, ensuring your audience is eager to hear more.

16 terrific elevator pitch examples

1. The engaging problem-solver

Start with a relatable problem, demonstrate understanding, introduce your solution, and highlight benefits.

Example:

“Ever found yourself scrolling through endless menus, trying to find a healthy meal that fits your dietary needs? It’s frustrating when ‘quick’ food options are anything but healthy. That’s where NutriQuick steps in. Our founders, nutritionists with a tech background, developed an app that filters local restaurant menus to instantly recommend meals tailored to your dietary restrictions, making healthy eating simple and fast.”