What is an elevator pitch and how should you prep one?

Whether you’re job hunting or networking, starting a new small business or are a seasoned business owner, your elevator pitch is an important communication tool to have. An elevator pitch, or elevator speech, is all about you: who you are, what you do, and what you want to achieve. So, what makes an effective elevator pitch and how do you craft one? Keep reading as we outline everything you need to know about elevator statements.

What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is a concise way to share your professional credentials or product expertise with someone who doesn’t know you. Think of the speech as a brief introduction, summary of your professional experience, or description of a product, service, or idea. It should be persuasive and show how you or your business can positively impact the person you’re speaking to.

The name elevator pitch comes from the idea that your speech should be short enough to be delivered during the length of an average elevator ride. Ideally, your pitch should be restricted to 30 to 60 seconds. Of course, these pitches don’t only take place in the elevator; you can employ yours at a business fair, job interview, your workplace, or even over the phone or social media.

Why and when should you use an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is a great way to highlight your small business, your goals, and build business connections. The purpose of your elevator pitch should be to create a spark of interest and begin to build rapport with the person you’re speaking to.

The elevator pitch can be used in a variety of settings. It’s wise to have a few different versions tailored to specific scenarios. For example, business owners may use a more detailed elevator pitch to introduce themselves to potential investors. They might work in a request for a more formal pitch that helps investors understand why investing in their business would be valuable. In a more casual setting, like on an airplane or in the grocery store, your elevator pitch could be as simple as a concise, one-sentence statement. You might even include your elevator speech on your LinkedIn profile to draw attention from your network so you can more deeply share what your business does or explain the products you sell.

How to write an elevator pitch

Before you start delivering your elevator pitch, draft what you’d like to say. You want your speech to sound natural and be concise. Before you begin writing the speech you’ll also want to be clear he goal of your pitch. Are you introducing yourself to hiring managers? Is there a business idea you want to share with someone higher up in your company? Or are you marketing your new business to prospective clients? What you want to achieve determines what you include in your speech.

Here, we’ll outline the steps for writing an elevator pitch as a small business owner.

Elevator Pitch Steps:

1. Introduce yourself – The first part of your speech should be an introduction to who you are or what you do. Be sure to keep this part brief and to the point. Draw the listener in.
2. Highlight the problem your business will solve – Next, explain the problem your business solves and who you solve it for. Highlight who your customers are, pain points your business alleviates, and why your listener may want to work with you.
3. State the solution – Then, provide a solution statement. This sentence should explain how your business solves the problem stated earlier. Tailor this section to your target audience as much as possible.
4. Present value and what sets you apart – If you have time, include a sentence about what sets your business apart. What unique value do you have to share? You want your pitch to be persuasive and memorable.
5. End with a call to action – Always end your elevator pitch with an actionable next step. Wrap up your speech with a question or proposition. It should compel the listener to continue the conversation, and build rapport to increase engagement.

The elevator pitch dos and don’ts

It can be difficult to grab someone’s attention in under a minute. So what makes an elevator pitch effective? Here are some tips and tricks. Plus, what not to do when delivering your pitch:

• DO keep your objective in mind.
• DO practice, practice, practice.
• DO come prepared with business cards, flyers, resumes, etc.
• DO use your natural voice to sound honest and authentic.
• DO tailor your pitch to each situation and your target audience.
• DO speak clearly.
• DO show confidence. (Nonverbal communication is key!)
• DO follow up.

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• DON’T talk too fast.
• DON’T include too many details.
• DON’T use technical jargon.
• DON’T sound too rehearsed. It’s important to practice your pitch but try to vary your tone and pace. Avoid sounding over-rehearsed or “robotic.”
• DON’T forget to listen. Be ready to engage in a conversation after your pitch.

How long should an elevator pitch be?

As shared above, ideally an elevator pitch should come in under a minute max. More specifically, most are 30 to 60 seconds long. The goal is to be brief, while touching on the most important points and piquing your listener’s curiousity to get them to engage in a longer conversation after.

Elevator pitch examples for small business owners

We’ve gone over how to write an elevator pitch and what to do when delivering one. Now let’s see some small business elevator pitches in action.

1- General elevator pitch

“Hi, I’m Sam, owner of GreenScape Landscaping. We bring professional landscaping services right to your home, making it easy to create and maintain a beautiful outdoor space. From lawn care to full garden makeovers, we make sure your yard looks its absolute best, hassle-free. If you or anyone you know is looking for reliable, high-quality landscaping, I’d love to connect!”

2- Elevator pitch for your niche target audience

“Finding a trusted mechanic while traveling can be stressful. Our startup connects road-trippers and traveling professionals with certified, highly-rated mechanics across the U.S. Through our app, over 5,000 drivers have gotten back on the road quickly and confidently, knowing their vehicles are in expert hands. We’re also expanding to offer roadside assistance services, making travel even more seamless. Follow us on social media to stay updated!”

3- Data-driven elevator pitch

“After noticing how many artists struggled to find affordable gallery space, I launched a shared studio network where creatives can pool resources to display and sell their work. I tested the idea by teaming up with a local sculptor, and together we saw a 20% boost in sales within six months. With more partnerships, we’re projecting up to a 40% increase for participants. If this sparks your interest, I’d love to discuss how we can collaborate over coffee!”

4- Elevator pitch for investors

“I’m Jake and my startup is revolutionizing urban mobility with compact, electric scooters designed for efficient, short-distance travel. In just two years, we’ve sold over 50,000 units and achieved $3 million in revenue, with a 20% profit margin. As cities push for greener solutions, we’re uniquely positioned to scale, especially with our upcoming subscription service. With additional funding, we can expand production and enter new markets, projected to grow revenue by 200% in the next three years. Let’s discuss how you can be part of this movement toward sustainable transportation.”

5- Phone elevator pitch template

“Hi [Recipient’s Name], this is [Your Name] with [Your Company/Business]. I know your time is valuable, so I’ll keep this brief. We specialize in [briefly explain your product/service], helping [target audience] solve [specific problem]. For example, we’ve helped clients like [notable example or success story] achieve [key result]. I’d love to schedule a quick call to share how we can do the same for you. Does [specific day/time] work for a 15-minute chat?”

6- Email elevator pitch template

“Subject Line: Helping [Recipient’s Company] [achieve a specific goal]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I’m with [Your Company/Business]. We help [target audience] by [briefly describe product/service and the problem it solves].

Recently, we worked with [notable client or similar company] and helped them achieve [specific result]. I believe we could deliver similar results for [Recipient’s Company] and would love the chance to discuss how.

Would you be open to a quick call? I’m available [specific dates/times], or let me know a time that works best for you.”

Get small business help from Block Advisors

Having your elevator pitch prepared is beneficial. You never know when you might need it. But we get that adding one more thing to your small business to-do list can be overwhelming. That’s where Block Advisors can help.

Get back to doing what you love and let our experts lighten your load, in person or virtually, year-round – as always – backed up by the Block Advisors guarantees. Our taxes, bookkeeping, payroll, and incorporation services are designed with small business owners like you in mind.

Speak with a certified small business pro today!

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This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. You may want to seek the advice of an attorney to evaluate all relevant considerations.