How to fix boring elevator pitches

How to fix boring elevator pitches

Hamish Knox, Sandler Training, Calgary, AB, CYBF Young Entrepreneur

Most elevator pitches are boring at best, and bad at worst, because entrepreneurs make two mistakes:

1. They think the elevator pitch is about them
2. They believe the purpose of an elevator pitch is to sell their company

Let’s address each.

Elevator pitches typically revolve around a company or individual’s features-and-benefits (e.g. best service, number one in client satisfaction etc.) but unfortunately, this makes you sound like everybody else (boring).

Instead, focus your elevator pitch on the problems you help solve (e.g. our clients are typically frustrated with managing multiple databases and tired of wasting time checking for duplicate entries).

The real purpose of an elevator pitch is to start a conversation, which may lead to an investment or sale.

Let’s pretend you’re at a bar looking to connect with someone. Do you spill your life story in the first 30 seconds or do you share a little about yourself, ask a question and let a conversation develop?

If you take the former approach to elevator pitches, talk to your mentor about a new strategy.