How to Craft the Perfect Elevator Pitch LEAH TSUI MS, RDN INCOMING DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIP
As a Nutrition Entrepreneur, you are likely used to telling people what you do, and how it may be different from other dietitians. Having the perfect elevator pitch ready to give at any moment is helpful because you never know when you’re going to need it. Being able to talk about what you do with an effective and captivating story is how you make a great impression on the person you’re speaking with. Whether you’re pitching yourself at a networking mixer, interviewing for a job, or talking about your nutrition services in a discovery call, an elevator pitch will come in handy!
WHAT IS AN ELEVATOR PITCH?
An elevator pitch is a 30-second spiel where you introduce yourself and what services you provide that can help the person you are speaking to. You want to use relatable terms that any layperson can understand to keep what you do as the focus, and avoid getting bogged down with technical vernacular.
WHY SHOULD I HAVE AN ELEVATOR PITCH?
There are many occasions where an elevator pitch will be helpful: y At a networking mixer when everyone is meeting new people, you want to have a unique elevator pitch that makes you stand out. y In an interview, describe who you are, what you do, and why they should hire you. y In a discovery call with a potential client, describe what you do, your nutrition philosophy, and how you work together with clients to support them in their health journey. y On your website, using a version of your elevator pitch on the homepage of your website gives audience members a quick and concise way of getting to know you and what you offer.
HOW DO I CREATE AN ELEVATOR PITCH?
Keep it short! Thirty seconds or less is ideal. Be general – if someone relates to what you do, you can always dive in deeper later with the conversation. Remember – you are the only you there is! Brainstorm what makes you unique and sets you apart from other nutrition entrepreneurs and express that in your elevator pitch. y Outline:
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I ntroduce yourself and describe what you do in a clear and concise way.
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hare an example that shows S how you can help the person whom you are talking to. This specific example may change depending on whom you speak with, so know your audience and be prepared to change this accordingly. You don’t want to show how you can solve just any problem; you want to prove how you can solve that person’s problem.
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End with a “call to action” * At a networking mixer, hand a person your business card and ask for the other person’s as well. * In an interview, express your enthusiasm for the role. * In a discovery call, sign the person up for an initial consultation. *O n your website, have the person sign up for your newsletter or download your offer.
Lastly, practice makes perfect! While you don’t want it to sound rehearsed as if you’ve memorized a script, you do want to confidently deliver an elevator pitch about who you are. Now you know the steps to creating the perfect elevator pitch, so here is one final tip: follow up! You’ve made a positive impression on the person you’re speaking to, and it’s your responsibility to follow through on your elevator pitch. You can do NE-thing, and it’s time people know you are the person for it.
Leah Tsui, MS, RDN, is the owner of Leah Tsui Nutrition LLC, integrating sports nutrition with intuitive eating for her clients. Leah has become quite the plant mom during quarantine. She bakes sourdough bread weekly and loves exploring Los Angeles. In her time off from being an RDN, you can find her coaching functional fitness at her favorite gym, reading a book (or two!) for the several book clubs she's in, or running along the beach.
