Elevator pitch
An elevator pitch is a succinct and persuasive speech designed to ignite interest in a product, idea, or individual within a brief timeframe, typically lasting from thirty to sixty seconds. The term derives from the notion that one should be able to deliver their pitch during a short elevator ride, effectively capturing the listener's attention quickly. Originating from historical anecdotes involving early elevator innovations and Hollywood scriptwriters, the concept emphasizes clarity and intrigue to keep the audience engaged.
Elevator pitches are commonly utilized in various professional contexts, including business and job interviews, where entrepreneurs and job seekers aim to communicate their value propositions efficiently. A well-crafted elevator pitch typically starts with an engaging statement or question, followed by a clear description of the product or the speaker's qualifications, and concludes with how the offering addresses a specific need or benefit for the listener. Preparation and practice are key components of delivering an effective pitch, allowing individuals to convey their message naturally and confidently. When executed successfully, elevator pitches can open doors to new opportunities and foster meaningful connections.
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Elevator pitch
An elevator pitch is a brief speech intended to convince a listener that a speaker has something that can benefit them. It is often used to entice someone to invest in a product or idea or to hire an individual for a job. Sometimes called an elevator speech, the pitch is short, concise, and interesting or intriguing. It is an important tool for sparking someone’s interest and convincing them to ask for more information.
Background
The origin of the term “elevator pitch” is uncertain. Some connect it to Elisha Otis (1811–1861), a nineteenth-century businessperson who founded the Otis Elevator Company and invented a safety brake for elevators. To convince companies to buy his product, he “pitched” the idea by building an elevator in a convention hall, getting in, and cutting the cable. His device saved him, and others were convinced of its value.
Others tie the term to Hollywood in the early twentieth century. People who had written a script for a movie would quickly make their “pitch” while riding in an elevator with a producer, who could not walk away and had little choice but to listen. The idea that an elevator pitch should be short—short enough to be delivered during an elevator ride—and intriguing is tied to this origin story.
Overview
good elevator pitch quickly and succinctly outlines an idea so that another person can quickly understand it and become interested in it. It is generally no more than thirty to sixty seconds long or between fifty and 200 words. The pitch is essentially in an all-verbal commercial for the idea or proposal.
Pitches are used in a variety of ways in the business world. Entrepreneurs and investors use them to convince investors to back their ideas or products. Business owners use them to convince others to use their services or products. Individuals can use them to promote an idea or themselves to a prospective employer. Sometimes, a slightly longer version of an elevator pitch is used to end a longer presentation. These speeches, usually no longer than sixty seconds, summarize the presentation’s key points and give the listeners a concise, easy-to-remember take-away message.
The elevator pitch generally opens with an interesting or intriguing statement or question to catch the listener’s attention. Then, it includes a brief description of the speaker. Depending on the intended purpose of the elevator pitch, the speaker uses a sentence or two to describe the product, the company, or their credentials. The pitch usually includes a sentence about how the product or service solves a problem or how the speaker could benefit an employer. It also explains why this pitch is being made to this particular individual and how learning more will help them.
People who effectively use elevator pitches write them out in advance and practice them to sound natural and not rushed. They emphasize how their idea or product will benefit the listener. When done well, elevator pitches can create opportunities.
Bibliography
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