Boring presentations in lengthy meetings are a horror scenario for everyone involved, especially for those who present and want to convince colleagues and superiors with their ideas. Therefore, the pitch should be as short, concise, and exciting as possible to ensure colleagues’ attention. You can achieve this with the “Elevator Pitch,” allowing you to present your thoughts quickly. But how does an elevator pitch work, and how do I explain my entire strategy within a few seconds?
We want to tell you in advance which questions we will answer about the Elevator Pitch in this article. Here’s what we’ll get to the bottom of:
- What is an elevator pitch?
- How do I build an elevator pitch?
- How can I create a successful elevator pitch?
Definition: Elevator Pitch
The term “elevator pitch” refers to presenting an idea convincingly in the shortest possible time and winning over colleagues or superiors to this idea. In principle, you should be able to give your idea to a person you meet in the elevator in such a way that you convince them within the shared elevator ride. That’s why this type of presentation is called an elevator pitch. Because the elevator ride is relatively short, an elevator pitch must last up to 60 seconds. In these seconds, you have to present all relevant information. Whether product ideas, whole projects, or new campaigns – every thought can be delivered by an Elevator Pitch.
Of course, there are certain areas of application that are predestined for Elevator Pitches. Namely, exactly when you can only exchange ideas shortly and crisply. For one thing, job interviews can be an ideal setting for this type of presentation. Because here, it is essential to convince the counterpart of yourself quickly. For example, you could match your skills and the job requirements so appropriately and succinctly that you can say exactly why you are the right person for the job within 60 seconds. But also at trade fairs, in telephone calls, or within presentations or speeches, it is a good idea to be brief and concise but convincing to bring your thoughts and considerations to the point. It helps your counterpart to grasp your concept quickly, and by preparing this pitch, you can also think about what is most important or innovative about your idea.
Building An Elevator Pitch
Now it’s time for the structure of the pitch. But what exactly do you have to mention in the 60-second speech? Time is short, and the idea is usually so extensive that you can only include some essential facts. But with the right strategy, you can succeed. Above all, you should remember that the pitch only convinces you of the basic idea rather than presenting a finished concept.
A good elevator pitch is based on the AIDA formula: Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action because these are precisely the qualities that can convince your counterpart within a short time with all the essential information; that is why we’ll go through the individual AIDA components together.
Attention
You will only be able to convince people of your plan, idea, or vision if they pay attention to you. Therefore, you need to start your presentation with something that makes the other person pay attention and listen to you. A direct opening sentence that is provocative, startling, or simply unexpected is perfect. Use exciting industry facts or ask a rhetorical question.
Interest
In the next step, you must use undivided attention to create genuine interest. So what are the advantages of your idea? State your unique selling proposition and precisely what sets your vision apart from the rest. Ideally, it would help if you offered a solution to the problem that has been bothering your counterpart for a while. So note that you have an enormous advantage if you know the people to whom you pitch your idea well.
Desire
Once you have highlighted why your idea is so good, you must create a certain desirability in the other person. Again, the better you know the person to whom you are presenting your talk, the more likely you are to understand how to create an appeal to them. So try to find out as much as possible about your “audience.”
Action
The last thing you do is conclude your presentation with an appeal or a clear call to action to the listener(s). What precisely the step should be is up to you. Whether you clearly call for another conversation, call for networking, or have a prototype of your product idea ready to take away, you leave an impression.
Tips, ideas, and examples for a successful elevator pitch
So that you can now create your elevator pitch, we would like to give you some tips and ideas to make your short presentation a complete success. Sometimes, making your angle broad and well-rounded takes a few minor details.
Use Facts And Figures, But Be Moderate
Groundbreaking study results or industry figures that surprise and amaze that grab attention, perhaps shock, can be a great start to your pitch. This is because they can support your idea, proposal, or plan and create a sense of urgency. However, use only a few numbers, as no one can remember entire tables or calculations. Use them selectively and appropriately, and keep your presentation manageable.
Use Familiar Names To Support Your Elevator Pitch Idea
It plays into your hands if you can back up your idea with the opinions of customers, partners, influencers, or well-known personalities. If you say that XY does it the same way or is already convinced of your idea, it seems to confirm and also tested. Because if others have already found the picture to be good, why not your counterpart?
Pay Attention To Your Facial Expressions And Gestures
During the elevator pitch, try to appear confident and express your conviction through your posture. Only those 100 percent convinced of their idea can stand confidently in front of the boss and make clear announcements. That’s precisely what your pitch should be: an announcement. Try to convey this feeling not only through your words but also through your performance.
Use Comparisons Or Stories
Sixty seconds is short, so you can remember to justify a campaign plan with a market analysis. Break away from everything typically on the agenda in a meeting or a long talk. Take a step back and detach yourself from a business environment. Use comparisons that are simple and compelling but show a different perspective. This is also an excellent place to tell short stories illustrating that you have found your solution to a problem. Try to use figurative language and avoid technical terms. Simple language that is direct and specific is most effective.
Conclusion: Prepare An Elevator Pitch Correctly
An Elevator Pitch can help you to summarize your idea so that you can present it precisely within 60 seconds. This method can help you to look at your concept from a completely different perspective and to make the core benefits visible. To ensure that your presentation is a success, you should practice it beforehand, present it to other people and correct any final mistakes before the critical presentation. Time your presentation to get a feel for how quickly 60 seconds go by. Once you’ve practiced it a few times, nothing should stand in the way of the perfect elevator pitch.
