How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

The Elevator Pitch

Techniques > Public speaking > Preparing the Presentation > The Elevator Pitch

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Develop a short version of your presentation that you could give to somebody during a short elevator journey.

At the core of the pitch is a benefit for your audience, resolving a problem that faces them. It is also important to keep it focused on them, typically using the word 'you' in the pitch.

Make the pitch trigger an emotional response, whether it is desire, fear, anger or whatever makes sense in motivating the audience to act.

Keep it simple. Present one idea. Give them something they will remember.

Example

You may know that regulations will be forcing you to reduce your carbon footprint. I will show you how to calculate this and what you can do stay within the new laws at optimal cost.

Discussion

The 'Elevator Pitch' is an idea that is used in sales to promote their goods and hook the customer in the short period they may well have before the customers moves away.

In speeches and presentations, the elevator pitch is used at the start of the session to hook the audience by triggering a need and indicating how that need will be resolved.