Sometimes, an elevator ride is the perfect time to indulge in small talk. And, sometimes, that small talk can present the opportunity to promote yourself.
Unfortunately, elevator rides don’t last long, so you need an effective way to give your companion the information they need before they’re lost to you forever.
That’s where an Elevator Pitch comes in!
Your elevator pitch is a short, concise way to promote yourself, your business, your new book, or whatever you have to offer!
Here’s how you make one.
Step 1: Introductions!
If they don’t know who you are, they won’t care about your pitch, so introduce yourself in the first sentence! You can also give them a short description of what you do, such as:
“Hello! I’m Erynn Crittenden, a writer who’s ready to make your ideas come to life!”
It’s short, simple, and instantly grabs their attention for the rest of the pitch.
Step 2: Promotions!.
Now it’s time for the meat of your pitch. Time is of the essence, so think about which product, service, or quality you want to promote. Then, add it in!
“For a limited time, I’m offering quality content- including articles and blog posts- for half price!”
By keeping it concise and to the point, you can get your message across without wasting time or thinking up a description on the spot.
Step 3: Benefits!
How will your product or service benefit them? Your new friends will appreciate an incentive, so include those benefits in your pitch.
“I do all the research and writing on a topic of your choice, and it’s perfect for websites, blogs, and other content-heavy platforms!”
If people know how your offer will benefit them, they’re more likely to remember you!
Step 4: Differences!
Here’s where you stand apart from the competition! Tell them a little about your process, your writing style, how you find topics, and any other relevant information.
“I also automatically optimize it for SEO results, so it’s ready to publish whenever you need it!”
Your differences make you special, so don’t be afraid to include them!
Step 5: Inclusion!
No one likes a one-sided conversation, especially when you’re in a confined space (like an elevator), so make sure you get the other party involved.
“What’s the worst part of content creation? How do you manage it?”
Getting the other party involved helps them remember the conversation, gets them interested in your message, and proves that you’re interested in them as a person.
Step 6: Call to Action!
By ending the interaction with a Call to Action (CTA), you give them something to do, which, in turn, reminds them who you are. It can be something simple, like handing them your card. Or it can be more complex, like telling them where to order your product. Either way, it’s the perfect opportunity to seal the deal.
“I understand! Here’s my card, and if you ever get tired of creating content, feel free to contact me!”
It’s the perfect way to close the interaction and leave all parties with the information they need to make their decision.
Examples
Here’s what a good elevator pitch looks like:
“Hello! I’m Erynn Crittenden, a writer who’s ready to make your ideas come to life! I’m currently offering quality content– including articles and blog posts- for half price! I do all the research and writing on a topic of your choice, and it’s perfect for websites, blogs, and other content-heavy platforms! I also automatically optimize it for SEO results, so it’s ready to publish whenever you need it! Do you write the content for your business? How do you like it?” *Pause for Answer* “I understand! Here’s my card. If you ever get tired of creating content, let me know!”
“Hi! I’m X, and I’m the author of a brand-new fantasy trilogy called the X! It’s full of magic, mystery, and a romantic triangle that will leave you craving more. And, if you pre-order today, you’ll get X or X! Do you enjoy fantasy stories? Then you’d like this! Here’s how to find it: X.”
“Hi! I’m Erynn Crittenden, author of By the Bones. By the Bones is a dark poetry collection guaranteed to keep the Halloween season alive all year long! It’s also unique in that all the poems reference bones. Does that sound interesting? Then check out my website for more info!”
As you can see, your elevator pitch doesn’t have to be fancy. Play around with it until you find a pitch that feels right, then memorize the heck out of it!
After all, you never know when you’ll be riding in an elevator!
Erynn Crittenden 