3/26/2005

Ten Tips for Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch

The point of an “elevator pitch” is to get your prospects interested enough in your company to get their card or refer you to someone else who might be. You don't need to reel them in; you just need to get them on the hook.

Here are 10 ways to make sure your pitch gets a nibble from a big one.

1. Be Concise...
2. Solve a Problem...
3. Tell Them What They Want to Hear: Describe your product or service and its benefits succinctly. Depending on your audience, you may also have to:

define and size the market
explain how you’re going to make money
tell who is behind the company and
frame the competitive landscape and your advantage in it.

4. Speak in Plain English...
5. Grab the Listener's Attention...
6. Ask Qualifier Questions....
7. Tailor Your Pitch to Your Audience:

To investors, the pitch focuses on your team and how you plan to make money.
To customers, your focus should be on the problem you can solve for them.
Potential partners want to know what you're building, why it's important, and why you’re going to be a success.

8. Show Your Passion...
9. Conclude With a Call to Action...
10. Tell a Consistent Story..."

From this article from Stengel Solutions.