When To Use An Elevator Pitch

6/14/2007

As the name implies, an Elevator Pitch is designed to be delivered in a elevator. However, you should be prepared to deliver it in a variety of other social settings.

Bar or Buffet Line
In many cases you have the opportunity to strike up a conversation with a person standing in front of or behind you in line. If it turns out that this person can help you, then you have the length of the line to convince them to keep talking to you.

Trade Show
Every person that staffs a trade show booth must be familiar with their organization’s Elevator Pitch so they know what to say if a prospect, analyst, or member of the press walks up to them and asks, “So what does your company do?”

Individual Introduction
An Elevator Pitch can be used when you are introduced to some-one by a friend and that person asks, “So what do you do?” Of course, it isn’t polite to drone on for five minutes about who you are and what you are doing. Instead, you must be able to reply with a concise statement of who you are.

Group Introduction
Often you are given the chance to introduce yourself to a large group of people, some of whom might be able to help you. That is a great chance to deliver your Elevator Pitch.