Elevator Pitch Guide

The Ultimate

Elevator Pitch Template & Guide Win over any audience with this 60-second pitch

“The purpose of an elevator pitch is to describe a situation or solution so compelling that the person you’re with wants to hear more even after the elevator ride is over” – Seth Godin

Elevator pitches condense your idea into 1 minute or less (the amount of time you might have on an elevator... get it!?).

T

hey’re useful for a variety of reasons.

Whether you’re pitching to investors, looking for potential partners, or simply telling someone about your startup, a concise elevator pitch is essential. Having a great elevator pitch in your back pocket will help you make the best of brief encounters with potential investors & stakeholders at parties or business events.

You can use it in every networking encounter.

Needless to say, a good elevator pitch is essential, yet difficult to execute. It takes practice, guidance, & time to perfect it. Remember, it will constantly change as your idea does, so don’t get caught up in wordfor-word memorization.

The purpose of the elevator is to get someone to ask more about your idea, not walk away knowing everything off the bat. Think of your elevator as a concise way to talk about what you’re working on that leaves the listener wanting to hear more. That being said, knowing what not to include is just as important as knowing what should be covered.

Your Crazy Helpful

Elevator Pitch Template

Critical Components of Your

Elevator Pitch Company Name

What Your Product/Service Does What Problem You’re Solving Who It’s For Key Differentiators/Value Prop Call to Action

Your company name.

What you do.

Example:

The problem it solves.

Example:

We are the provider/ developer of ___.

There are X million people that experience ___.

The current method of doing ___ results in ___.

Who it is for.

Example:

What makes you different.

Example:

Our market niche is ___ because ___.

Doing something faster or cheaper.

Doing something higher quality.

Design improvement.

Efficiency improvements.

Economies of scale/scope.

Proprietary technology (Intellectual property).

Call to action.

Example: We’re looking to ($X) to fund (major milestone).

We’re looking for mentors to (help you with something specific).

We’re looking for partners to (collaborate on xyz).

Celebrity Example:

Elevator Pitch

w

hy does Tesla Exist? We have record high CO2 Levels in the atmosphere resulting in a steadily increasing temperature. And it is still climbing. combustion cars emit toxic gasses too killing 53,000 people per year. What can we do to change this? How can we make a difference? What we’re trying to do with tesla is accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable transport.

At Tesla, we make great electric cars. This is really important to the future of the world.

Elon Musk

Here are our tips to help...

Simplify your idea.

When you’re working on a startup, it’s very easy to get buried in the weeds.

Your elevator pitch is about your vision, not the day-to-day nuances.

Write down the most important points. Then weave a story out of them.

The way you describe your concept to your teammates is different than describing it to an outsider. Know what details are critical for someone who is new to your concept.

Even if you’re pitching to an expert in your space, aim to keep it simple. Your goal should be to tell them how you will stand out among the competition.

Don’t use industry jargon. A good rule of thumb: If your grandmother wouldn’t understand it, it’s too complex.

Don’t use fluff words.

Don’t sound too rehearsed. Investors can spot someone who’s ‘fake’. You need to sound natural. Using carefully crafted, clever wording can backfire. Just speak naturally.

Avoid Jargon:

Use language anyone can understand.

DON’T SAY: “We create synergies between companies & customers by

assisting them with upselling & cross-selling their data between networks.”

DON’T SAY: “Our CRM software creates synergies between firms &

customers by upselling & cross-selling their data between networks.”

DO SAY: “We’ve created a customer relationship management software that allows companies to track their customer data more efficiently.”

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

– Albert Einstein

Know your audience & purpose of the elevator.

You should have different pitches for different audiences. An investor pitch is totally different than a partner pitch.

Consider who you are talking to - Does this person/audience already understand your industry or have a common passion?

If so, lead with a problem, recent event, or anything related to the passion that you both could connect with.

Remember to include an ASK (if pitching in a business plan competition or to an investor) like, “We’re seeking $20,000 to do x, y, & z.” If you aren’t pitching for cash, you can also close with contact info or an ask for something that’s non-cash (like access to mentors or advisors).

Know when to stop talking.

If the listener is zoning out, that’s a sign you’ve lost them.

Stop talking or get to your point quickly, even if it means jumping over some info you think is important.

If they have an opinion about your startup, listen to it. Don’t argue with it. Always thank someone for their feedback, insight, or ideas even when you don’t agree with them.

Practice, practice, & practice some more.

Use your phone to time & record yourself practicing.

Actually watch your recording.

Notice if there are any areas that are weak or need improvement.

Practice on other people. For example, give your elevator pitch to your friends & family. Or, use it in casual conversation when talking to other people about what you’re working on.

Don’t Practice Until You Get It Right.

Practice Until You Can’t Get It Wrong.

- Unknown