How to Create a Successful Elevator Pitch – Dr. Ivan Misner

When you participate in networking, business, or even casual gatherings, introduce yourself to others using your elevator pitch. This will assist them in recalling who you are and what you do.

For a considerable period, I harbored a dislike for the term “elevator pitch.” It truly bothered me. However, it has now become a widespread term in the business world. The concept of an “elevator pitch” originated from the hypothetical scenario where you have only a minute or less in an elevator to explain who you are and what you do. What would you say? That is your elevator pitch.

It is crucial to understand that this is not a sales pitch. It is a creative and concise method to pique the listener’s interest in your business.

Here are my seven guidelines for crafting a compelling elevator pitch:

1. Avoid delivering your elevator pitch in an actual elevator. Unsolicited pitches in elevators are akin to face-to-face cold calls and can be quite uncomfortable for the recipient. I have experienced this myself. Do not subject others to this. Unless someone inquires about your profession, simply greet them with a “hello” or “good day.” The elevator pitch should be reserved for appropriate settings outside of elevators.
2. Keep it concise and authentic. This is a brief pitch, not a lengthy novel. Your pitch should resemble a masterpiece rather than an experiment. Make it brief yet impactful; something you refine meticulously and deliver with professionalism and coherence. Additionally, strive for naturalness. Practice to ensure you are genuine and can speak without sounding scripted.

3. Simplify your pitch. Don’t overwhelm with unnecessary details. Keep it concise to capture attention and spark interest effectively.
4. Avoid industry jargon. Speak in a way that everyone can understand without confusion. Don’t lose your audience by using technical terms they may not be familiar with.
5. Highlight your Unique Selling Proposition. Clearly communicate the value of your business in a brief and impactful manner. Show how you stand out from the competition with a compelling statements

6. Highlight the advantages.
   Begin by emphasizing the benefits. For instance, you could say, “I assist individuals in boosting their sales by 33%” or “I aid individuals in doubling the number of new clients they acquire each month.” By focusing on the positive outcomes for the client, you open up a dialogue about how you achieve those results.
7. Capture interest.
   Author Sam Horn, known for works like Talking on Eggshells: Soft Skills for Hard Conversations and Someday is Not a Day of the Week, talks about the “eyebrow test.” If what you say makes someone raise their eyebrows, you’ve piqued their interest! You’ve left them intrigued and wanting to know more, which is exactly what you aim for. Conversely, if their eyebrows furrow, you’ve missed the mark. It’s time to refine your pitch.

Dr. Ivan Misner is the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of BNI (https://BNI.com), the world’s largest business networking organization. Founded in 1985, the organization now has over 11,100 chapters in 76 countries throughout every populated continent of the world. Last year alone, BNI generated 15.1 million referrals resulting in more than $23.3 billion dollars’ worth of business for its members.