How to Create an Elevator Pitch as an Entrepreneur

Business, Creative Entrepreneurs, Interior Designers, Photographers, Wedding Professionals

Think elevator pitches are only useful for job interviews? Think again.

As a creative entrepreneur, you may have put the task of crafting your elevator pitch on the back burner. What you may not realize is how many opportunities there can be where a clearly defined elevator pitch comes in handy.

There are so many uses for an elevator pitch, including:

  • Introducing yourself during a podcast interview 
  • Writing copy for your sales page or website 
  • Giving a speech on stage or during a virtual event
  • Crafting a professional bio for a book or another product
  • Connecting with other business owners through networking events


Your elevator pitch is the simplest way to communicate exactly who you are and what you do in a minimal amount of time. This summary will help you connect with people who want to work with you or collaborate with you on an upcoming project.

Since most elevator pitches are only a couple of sentences long, you’ll want to intentionally create an elevator pitch that’s easy to deliver and incredibly engaging. Only then will it be memorable for anyone who hears it. 


Best practices for creating a memorable elevator pitch 

You only have a limited amount of time to make an impact, so your elevator pitch must be crafted purposefully. Before you start writing the first draft of your elevator pitch, let’s talk about some of the key practices you’ll want to follow.


Keep it short and sweet

Your elevator pitch doesn’t need to include every detail of your work history. Instead, it should be about 30 to 60 seconds long at the very most.

Microsoft recently found that the average human attention span dropped to eight seconds, which is nearly 25% less than it was a few years ago. Because of this, you’ll need to present your elevator pitch with clarity and in a concise manner. The good news is you can still be persuasive and share your skills in a short period of time. I’ll talk more about how to craft your elevator pitch in a moment, but let’s cover more best practices before we dive in.


Highlight what is essential

Since you only have so much time to give your elevator pitch, it’s important to keep the essentials front and center. You’ll want to explain who you are, who you help, and what you do.

It really is that simple! Without these necessary details, others may not have the information they need to understand what you’re all about.

If you have enough room left in your pitch, you may also want to talk about specific solutions you offer and how you produce your best work. Just make sure it still fits within the 30-60-second parameter. 


Say it with confidence

While you can deliver your elevator pitch through written content, it’s even more powerful when you practice saying it aloud. You may not feel completely comfortable and confident the first time you deliver it, but you’ll be able to identify areas of improvement.

Your elevator pitch shouldn’t just read well on paper. It also needs to sound natural when you’re speaking or in conversation with others. At this stage, practice makes perfect. Experts recommend running through your speech at least ten times.

To take this one step further, think about recording yourself giving your short elevator pitch. No one has to hear the recording, of course, but you can use it as a tool to determine how confident you sound. Over time, you’ll be able to give your elevator pitch with confidence and ease.


Know your audience

While you may be tempted to show how much you know about your industry by using jargon, it can actually be more off-putting than effective. It’s best to first understand who you are speaking to and what information they’re hoping to get from you.

It’s better to keep your elevator pitch focused and simple rather than trying to impress your audience with big words or extensive information. You can show your industry knowledge in other ways, and speaking with confidence is another way to demonstrate your experience in the field.


Let your elevator pitch evolve

While you could treat your elevator pitch as a “one and done” piece of your brand identity, I’d be willing to bet your business will evolve over time. Each change may require a small tweak to your elevator pitch.

Think of your elevator pitch as a living, breathing thing that goes through seasonal changes. For example, if you were a business coach who wanted to transition into helping entrepreneurs with their financial strategies, you may want to edit your elevator pitch. You wouldn’t need to start from scratch, but rather, add a specialization in finances.

Modeled after this example, you can create an elevator pitch that has a strong foundation to build from. If you decide to rebrand or completely pivot your business, you may need to draft a new elevator pitch, but there are details worth salvaging in most cases. 


3 elevator pitch examples you can customize 

One of the best ways to write an elevator pitch is to follow an example. By using fictitious businesses, I’ll help you learn what makes each elevator pitch unique and how you can use it as a template for your own business.


Example 1: Destination Wedding Photographer

“I’m Lauren, an award-winning destination wedding photographer who loves to capture free-spirited couples who have a sense of adventure. I have my passport ready for any destination you have in mind!”

Why this works: 

  • Clearly explains what the wedding photographer does
  • Builds trust with the term “award-winning”
  • Identifies who the wedding photographer ideally likes to work with
  • Talks about their ideal client’s attitude and personality 
  • Shares a statement of excitement about being ready to travel to any destination 


Example 2: Health Coach & Nutritionist 

“As a health coach and nutritionist for busy mom entrepreneurs, I provide intuitive meal planning and preparation strategies that are easy to maintain and manage.”

Why this works:

  • Explains the coach’s work title 
  • Clearly states who the coach likes to work with 
  • Shares what service and offerings they provide 
  • Shows the value of those services in a concise way


Example 3: Event Planner

“I create corporate events to remember from my event planning studio in sunny San Diego, California. I proudly serve corporate clients across the Southwest region.”

Why this works: 

  • Clearly explains what kind of events they are known for planning
  • Displays where the event planner is based 
  • Restates how the event planner loves working with corporate clients
  • Explains how the event planner is willing to travel within the local region
  • Written in a way that’s short and to the point for busy corporate professionals


Now it’s your turn to create an elevator pitch!

As you begin, choose one of the elevator pitch examples above to use as inspiration. Eliminate any details that are not specific to your business and replace them with words that are relevant.

These templates will help you get a head start on creating an elevator pitch that’s easy to remember and simple to understand. Keep practicing it and refining it over time to make sure it is the best reflection of you.

I can’t wait to see what you create!

How to Create an Elevator Pitch as an Entrepreneur

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