
Introducing yourself to strangers may feel awkward or entirely terrifying for you. Or, it can be like a natural conversation with your friends or family. All it takes is planning and practicing; then, it will be a natural conversation with repetition. In the book, Small Message, Big Impact. How To Put The Power Of The Elevator Speech Effect To Work For You, Terri L. Sjodin provides several examples of how “a small message can have a big impact.” I recommend her book as you prepare for your first elevator pitch or if you are working on your communication skills.
I like to keep things simple and not over-engineer most things in my career and life. In preparing for your elevator pitch, consider the following steps:
STEP 1: Know Your Audience – This is THE most important thing to know in any form of communication. If you don’t know who your audience is, it is less likely you will connect. My recent awakening to this was when I took the Cringe Quiz: Are You Fluent In Gen-Z Office Speak? published in the Washington Post. Although I am the mother of two Gen-Z young professionals, I could have scored better on this quiz. Lessoned learned: it is a good idea to have social awareness in any situation.
STEP 2: Research Your Topic- “Google It” is now a part of our daily vernacular. Social media, news sources, podcasts, and good old-fashioned books are excellent references for your topic or situational awareness. It is best to avoid awkward moments or unattended messages. You want to come across as something other than the smartest person in the room but at least informed and knowledgeable.
STEP 3: Refresh Online Eminence – Whether you are interviewing for a job or networking at an event, your online persona will influence the impression you make with your audience. Is your latest product or service available in the public domain of your website? Do you need to edit or delete some of the content? Is it time to publish a blog or update your LinkedIn profile or posts?
STEP 4: Outline Your Talking Points- Our attention spans are very short. In the past, an elevator pitch was usually 2-3 minutes. Today is more like 30 seconds. Writing your pitch word for word is unnecessary – use bullets or talking points. The short outline structure typically includes the following:
- Introduction
- Body – Talking Points 1,2,3
- Conclusion
- Closing
STEP 5: Practice, Practice, Practice – You heard this before, but it is true: Practice makes perfect. The more your practice out loud, the better. Your elevator pitch will flow smoothly and become more authentic. Practice in front of a mirror or record a video. Once you are comfortable with your delivery, practice with a friend or trusted advisor in person. Always ask for feedback and thank them for their time.
Lastly, the question of Business Card or No Business Card? I have always had professional business cards since the beginning of my career. It was a staple and standard tool used in business. Today that is not necessarily the case. Since retiring from my corporate job, it does depend on the setting and audience when it comes to exchanging business cards. I recently published a poll on LinkedIn: Do you still use business cards for your business networking events? The results were:

You invest in your career or business when you deliver your best with your elevator pitch. The first 30 seconds can make a lasting impression that could lead to immeasurable success.