How to Write a 30-Second Elevator Pitch (With Examples)
An elevator pitch is a 30-second introduction that tells people who you help, the problem you solve and what a good referral looks like. This guide gives a 4-part formula, elevator pitch examples by industry and the mistakes that make a pitch forgettable.
What Is an Elevator Pitch?
An elevator pitch is a short spoken introduction to you and your business, short enough to deliver during an elevator ride. At a networking meeting, an elevator pitch has a specific job: an elevator pitch teaches the people in the room how to spot a good referral for you. A networking pitch does not try to sell to the room. For the rest of the room, see how to network at an event.
What Should You Say in an Elevator Pitch?
An elevator pitch for networking follows a simple 4-part formula:
- Who you are: your name and business.
- Who you help: a specific type of customer.
- The problem you solve: in your customer’s words, not industry jargon.
- Your ask: one specific referral you want this week.
What Are Good Elevator Pitch Examples?
Good elevator pitch examples are specific about the customer and the referral. The examples below are illustrative; adapt them to your business.
| Business | Example elevator pitch |
|---|---|
| Insurance agent | “I’m Sam with Front Range Insurance. I help families who just bought a home make sure they aren’t overpaying or underinsured. This week I’m looking for an introduction to a real estate agent who works with first-time buyers in Littleton.” |
| Bookkeeper | “I’m Priya, and I keep the books for contractors and trades businesses so the owner can stay on the job site. A great referral is a contractor who just told you they’re behind on invoicing.” |
| Roofer | “I’m Luis with Summit Roofing. I help homeowners get storm damage repaired and through insurance without the headache. If you hear ‘we had hail damage last week,’ please think of me.” |
| Estate attorney | “I’m Dana, an estate planning attorney. I help parents put a simple plan in place so their kids aren’t left guessing. A great referral is anyone who says their parents are getting older and haven’t talked about a plan.” |
| Marketing consultant | “I’m Alex. I help restaurants fill tables on slow weeknights. This week I’d love an introduction to a restaurant owner opening a second location.” |
How Do You Create an Elevator Pitch Step by Step?
- Step 1: write one sentence describing your best customer as specifically as you can.
- Step 2: write the problem they have, in the words they would use.
- Step 3: add one sentence about the result you deliver.
- Step 4: choose one specific referral you want this week.
- Step 5: read it out loud, cut every word you do not need and time it.
What Is a Referral Trigger?
A referral trigger is something a friend or client might say that signals they need you. A roofer’s trigger might be “we had hail damage last week.” An estate attorney’s trigger might be “my parents are getting older and we haven’t talked about a plan.” Sharing your triggers turns a room of listeners into a room of lookouts for your business.
Should You Change Your Elevator Pitch Every Meeting?
A networking elevator pitch should keep the same core but rotate its focus each meeting. Talk about a specific service one week, a type of client the next, then a recent success story, then an introduction you want to a specific company. Over a few months, members learn your whole business without hearing the same pitch twice.
What Makes an Elevator Pitch Memorable?
- Specific: “Restaurants opening a second location” is easy to refer; “anyone who needs marketing” is not.
- Short: under 30 seconds, about 60 to 80 spoken words.
- Triggered: include one phrase people might hear.
- Repeated: end with your name and business.
- Delivered well: stand up, make eye contact, slow down and smile when you say your name.
What Are Common Elevator Pitch Mistakes?
- Listing every service you offer.
- Using acronyms and industry jargon.
- Asking for “anyone who…”
- Reading a script word for word.
Your pitch opens the door; the relationship is built in one-to-one meetings. For email, use the same formula in an introduction email, and see 25 networking tips for the rest of the meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should an elevator pitch be?
An elevator pitch should usually last about 30 seconds, or 60 to 80 spoken words, at most networking meetings. Some groups allow 60 seconds. Practice out loud with a timer and cut any word that does not help people refer you.
Should I change my pitch every week?
Keep the core of your elevator pitch the same, but change the specific ask each week. Rotating the focus between services, client types and success stories helps members learn more about your business over time.
What is the difference between an elevator pitch and a sales pitch?
An elevator pitch introduces you and explains who you help in about 30 seconds. A sales pitch tries to persuade a specific buyer to purchase. At networking meetings, an elevator pitch should teach people how to refer you, not sell to them.
Practice With Your Tribe
Try your new elevator pitch at a Tribe meeting. Guests are welcome and the first three visits are free.