How to Write a 30-Second Elevator Pitch (With Examples)
Most networking meetings start the same way: everyone gets about 30 seconds to say who they are and what they do. Those 30 seconds decide whether people remember you, and whether they can refer you. Here is a simple way to write an elevator pitch that works.
The Goal of a Networking Pitch
At a networking meeting your pitch is not trying to sell to the people in the room. It is trying to teach them how to spot a good referral for you. That changes what you say.
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 their words, not industry jargon.
- Your ask: one specific referral you are looking for this week.
Examples
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.”
(Examples are illustrative.)
Tips That Make Your Pitch Memorable
- Be specific. “Anyone who needs marketing” is impossible to refer. “Restaurants opening a second location” is easy.
- Use a referral trigger. Tell people what they might hear that signals a referral.
- Rotate your ask. Change the focus each meeting so people learn every side of your business.
- Keep it under 30 seconds. Practice out loud and time it.
- End with your name and business. Repetition helps people remember.
Common 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 real relationship is built in one-to-one meetings.
Build Your 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.
Referral Triggers: Teach People What to Listen For
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 might be “my parents are getting older and we haven’t talked about a plan”. When you share your triggers, you turn a room of listeners into a room of lookouts for your business.
Rotating Your Ask Each Meeting
If you attend the same group regularly, rotate the focus of your pitch: one meeting about a specific service, the next about a type of client, then a story about a recent success, then an introduction you want to a specific company. Over a few months, members learn your whole business without ever hearing the same pitch twice.
Delivering It With Confidence
- Stand up, make eye contact and slow down.
- Smile when you say your name.
- Practice until you can say it naturally, not word for word.
- Ask a trusted member for feedback after the meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should an elevator pitch be?
About 30 seconds, or 60 to 80 spoken words, at most networking meetings.
Should I change my pitch every week?
Keep the core the same but change your specific ask so members learn more about your business over time.
Practice With Your Tribe
Try your new pitch at a Tribe meeting. Guests are welcome and the first three visits are free.