This is where you need an "elevator pitch", a short, pre-prepared speech that explains your organization or more importantly YOU clearly and succinctly.
An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech used to spark interest in you. A good elevator pitch should last no longer than a short elevator ride of 20 to 30 seconds, hence the name.
They must be interesting, memorable, and concise and explain what makes you – or your organization, product, or idea – unique.
When to Use an Elevator Pitch
Some people think that only salespeople use elevator speeches but most people use them every day to introduce themselves, their clubs or churches, their businesses, or their kids' school or soccer clubs. But the most important use of an elevator pitch is introducing yourself.
Creating an Elevator Pitch
Crafting a great elevator pitch takes time. You'll likely go through several versions before finding one that is compelling and sounds natural.
To do a great one, you need to:
1. Identify Your Audience
Start by thinking about the objective of your pitch.
For instance, do you want to tell people about your organization? Do you have a great new product idea that you want to pitch for funding? Or do you want a simple and engaging speech to explain who you are and why you are the best candidate for a job?
2. Explain What You Do
Start your pitch by describing what yourself or your organization. You want to be memorable. Find a story that illustrates how you are unique and illustrates your uniqueness.
3. Design Your Pitch Carefully
Start with a "grabber" to get your audience interested. Tell your story using vivid examples and then end with a bang. Be sure to be clear what the next steps are. Your pitch should have an introduction, body, and a conclusion.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice
You should be able to deliver your pitch persuasively and naturally if I woke you out of a sound sleep. Practice it over and over to make your delivery smooth. Remember your pitch changes over time as you change.
