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Have you ever heard someone’s job title and wondered exactly what it means? Some job title’s seem to describe exactly what that person does while others leave you wondering.
Take the title, “sheepherder”, as an example. While you, personally, may not know many sheepherders, the title does tell you just what they do: they herd sheep.
On the other hand, the title, “special assistant”, tells very little about what that person actually does. What things do they assist with? It could be anything from a maid to an administrative assistant.
If your job title doesn’t describe what you actually do, it’s possible you need an elevator pitch.
What is an Elevator Pitch?
An elevator pitch is so named because you could deliver it during a short elevator ride. That’s all the time it would take to tell someone what you do for a living in layman’s terms.
In written form, it’s usually anywhere from a few sentences to a paragraph in length. When spoken verbally, it should last only about 20 seconds or so.
Reasons You Need an Elevator Pitch
There’s actually more than one reason you need to create an elevator pitch.
1. Provide Smooth Delivery
When I’m asked a question I’m not prepared for, I can’t always answer and I get flustered. I don’t know about you, but I dislike being taken off guard like that.
Having an elevator pitch helps you eliminated that type of situation. Instead of being caught unaware, you can be ready for whatever is thrown your way.
But, of course, for that to work you must write out an elevator pitch ahead of time and practice it aloud. That way, when you are approached about what you do, you can recite it flawlessly.
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2. Gain Attention to Yourself
The elevator pitch is persuasive in nature. Your goal is to get people interested in you or your job. To make that happen, your elevator pitch needs to gain attention.
Injecting something interesting can help to gain the attention you need.
3. Introduce Your Business
Obviously another reason to use an elevator pitch could be to introduce your business or company rather than yourself. Once again, it needs to be compelling and unique to have the desired effect.
Tell them what your business does, makes or provides. Add information about how it provides service or value to others and you may end up with new customers.
4. Promote a Product
Promoting a product is another of the reasons you could use an elevator pitch. Using a short, well-rehearsed spiel is a great way to get investors, customers, and others information about something new.
Give a few exciting features that leave listeners wanting more and you’ll have them hooked.
5. Present an Idea
Additionally, you could use your pitch to present an idea. Tell about any unique details that make your idea a good one.
As you can see, there are several reasons you need an elevator pitch. Then when an opportunity comes knocking on your door, you can let it in.