If you are a startup business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, it is inevitable that you will need an elevator pitch to tell people about your business – in as little as thirty (30) seconds. Yes, thirty seconds isn’t a lot of time but that’s all you will have to sell your business to prospects or investors in a concise, yet compelling way.
Convincing the right person at the right time can make all the difference for your startup; which is why it pays to master the punchy summary.
While it may be short, an elevator pitch is by no means small. Crammed into that thirty (30) seconds is an explanation of what your business is, what makes it unique, and what it hopes to achieve. On top of this, an elevator pitch needs to capture someone’s interest and ensure it is sustained long after you have left.
Because of the sheer amount of information covered in such short timeframe, an elevator pitch can be harder to write than even the most lengthy and detailed business plan. But because of how often it will be used, it’s crucial to get it right.
Here are three (3) questions to ask yourself to ensure you end up with a rich elevator pitch:
1) What Problem Does My Business Solve?
There is a problem-solving angle for all businesses.
Your business must be framed as the solution to a problem. Even if that problem doesn’t come readily to mind, keep thinking – there is a problem-solving angle for all businesses. Once you’ve identified the problem your business solves, find a way to present it in a relatable manner that can be quickly and easily grasped.
Your audience needs to walk away from your elevator pitch believing your business leaves the world a better place. There must be something at stake and something to be gained to make your business seem valuable and memorable.
2) Who Is Having This Problem?
You need to get specific about who is having the problem your business currently solves, and incorporate it into your pitch. Is it a community problem? Is it domestic? Is it for women? Men? Children? Pets? Is it schools? churches? Is it other businesses?
3) Why Should They Choose To Do Business With Me?
In the same way it is important to present a problem to be solved, it is equally necessary to explain why your business is the ideal place to solve it. If this connection isn’t made, your audience will be left wondering why your competitors cannot do it, or why they can’t do it themselves.
Make your pitch pop with richness and be a precise representation of your business.
Identify your unique features and what makes them efficient and effective, explaining clearly and concisely how they solve the problem. At the same time, touch on the shortcomings of other existing approaches to the problem and why yours is different and better.
Make your pitch pop with richness and be a precise representation of your business. They need to be excited about you and your business in order for your elevator pitch to stick, so go for the rousing and inspiring. Where possible, use narratives that engage people on a deeper level. Avoid anything negative – keep it constructive, affirmative and optimistic to create lasting positive associations. Ensure your language serves your audience. Edit and cut the dry jargon that slows speech down, and instead use natural, plain English. Don’t get bogged down by boring nouns but draw on punchy verbs that convey action and results. Meet your audience halfway and make it easy for them to understand, remember and care about your business and what it does.
So there you have it! Three (3) Questions to Answer in Order to Craft a Rich Elevator Pitch.
Do this right, and watch your business succeed!
With love, gratitude, and empowered attitude,
This is definitely a “must-get-right” for any business to succeed. It took me a while to get it right, but now I know I nailed it cause I’m getting results 🙂 And yes, it answers those questions!
Hey Katie 🙂 indeed it is! That’s the measurement of success – results, and we’re happy you are seeing results. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for the tips. I’m struggling with this as we speak, so I’m really grateful I found this article. Thanks Georgia for sending me the link to this, you know I needed it. and thanks My Blooming biz 🙂
You’re welcome Clarissa! That’s a huge part of why we’re here – to help you get equipped with tools for your empowerment. Please let Georgia know we appreciate her sending you here. Feel free to browse our resources and continue to advance in all areas of your choosing. All the very best!
I happen to know a whole lot about elevator pitch so feel free to contact me if you need some help. those questions are a must answer for a great pitch, but there’s an art to narrowing it all down and fashioning the pitch so that it connect and sticks. I got the magic! (LOL, if there’s one.)
Hi Meagan, I bet you do! Would you like to do a guest post here on that topic? This is a women empowerment blog, and so we strive to make this space resources-friendly for women all around the globe – personal and business tools. Let us know by replying here are sending us a note via our contact page. Thank you!
I’ve heard some really good elevator pitch and some of them kinda remind me of some commercial ads. It’s a bit difficult to nail, but once nailed, it’s all the way up for you. I like this, “Make your pitch pop with richness and be a precise representation of your business.” Only way to go!
Hey Gillian 🙂 yes, it takes practice and some thought put into it, but nailing the elevator pitch can mean the difference between the success or failure of getting our desired results. Thanks for contributing!
Those are three solid tips indeed. I use them all and they work. This could either make or break your marketing efforts. Get your pitch right and you’re 3/4 way there 🙂
Love your blog!
Excellent questions! If you can truly answer those there is no doubt you will succeed at whatever you are pitching. I started out very shaky but I’ve learned a lot before getting to where I am and a part of that is due to me answering those 3 questions and subsequently crafting my invaluable elevator pitch. The right pitch will get the right people to notice and act in our favor. It’s possible, just take some time until you get it right 🙂