An elevator pitch is a 30-second to 1-minute statement used to introduce yourself to professionals in your field. This may be used at a career fair, a professional conference, networking event, and interviews. Pitches are used for many reasons and can be adjusted to fit the needs the interaction. For example a networking elevator pitch would be focused on making professional and social connections where a pitch used at a career fair or interview would be focused on making a good impression that hopefully leads to employment. The overarching goal of an elevator pitch is to make an interpersonal connection with the person you are speaking with, while explaining: who you are, what you do, and what you want.

Developing your elevator pitch

• Who you are
  • Start with your name and area of specialization/focus.
    • My name is __________, I am a(n)_________, specializing in _______.
    • Example
      • My name is Francis, I am a graduating film video major, specializing in camera operation.
• What you do
  • Next, explain a unique talent, or skill that you are particularly good at and/or have worked on during your academic career. Provide a clear example if possible.
    • Example
      • My experience learning and practicing various camera techniques has provided me with the opportunity to obtain my FAA drone license, which I have used to film dramatic high elevation pans as well as one shot commercial building footage.
• What you want
  • Next, you will explain what your goals are during the interaction and/or the value that you bring to potential professional endeavors.
  • This section will depend on the reasons/goals are for using your elevator pitch. This will impact the next and final step of the pitch (call to action).
    • Example – Career Fair
      • I find the work that your production company does to be pioneering in the way that it produces documentaries that highlight social change in developing countries. I believe that it would be rewarding to work for your company and use my expertise in camera operation to elevate the issues your company explores.
    • Example – Networking
      • I find the work that your production company does to be pioneering in the way that it produces documentaries that highlight social change in developing countries. I would love to talk with you more about your company and future projects that you are working on.
• Call to action
  • The elevator pitch is completed with a call to action. Depending on what you have identified as your goal for the interaction
    • Example – Career Fair
      • I would like to send you a link to my demo reel, can I get your contact information so that we can discuss opportunities for joining your team?
    • Example – Networking
      • I would enjoy continuing this conversation, can I get your contact information so that we can set up a time to connect next week?

Delivering your Elevator Pitch

Elevator pitches should be strategically crafted and practiced but the delivery should be natural and conversational. This means that you should speak naturally, in a similar way as you would during a conversation. Conversations are spontaneous, use verbal and non-verbal feedback while speaking, and naturally employ vocal variety. The goal of the interaction is to make a connection between yourself and the representative of the company that you are speaking to. If you were to deliver your elevator pitch to 5 people in the same day, there is a good chance that there will be slight differences each time. Even though you will have practiced your elevator pitch, delivering the pitch should not be simply reciting what you have created.

Do’s

• Practice delivering your elevator pitch
• Speak naturally
  • Rate of speaking – not to quick
  • Express excitement/enthusiasm
• Natural amount of eye contact
• Adjust content to fit the interaction
• Be engaged in the interaction
• Be approachable
• Personalize the content of your pitch
• Thank them for their time

Don’ts

• “Read” through your pitch
• Speak in a monotone voice
• Speak too quickly
• Be generic/vague with the content of your pitch
• Use more jargon/technical terms than necessary

Speech Lab consultants are here to support each step of the development of your elevator pitch. Make an appointment today!