The high-impact elevator pitch
The high-impact elevator pitch
5 minutes
An elevator pitch is a short, sharp message designed to spark interest in your ideas, skills, or value – all within the time it takes for a short elevator ride (up to 3 minutes). Best selling author Terri Sjodin calls this the Elevator Speech Effect – the ability to make a small message creates a big opportunity.
It should be interesting, memorable and succinct. It also needs to explain what makes you – or your organisation, project or idea – unique.
Some people think that this kind of thing is only useful for salespeople who need to pitch their products and services. However, you can use an elevator pitch to:
- Introduce a new idea to a leader
- Start a key conversation
- Influence a stakeholder
- Create buy-in for a project
- Build a new client relationship
- Stand out in an interview
- Raise support for an initiative or cause
Done well, it intrigues, inspires, and earns you permission to keep talking.
We’ve all had that moment – you’re suddenly sitting across from an influential stakeholder, a CEO, or a potential client who could genuinely shift things for you, and they say, “So, tell me about yourself?”
And the window is tiny.
Without a prepared pitch, you’re at the mercy of instinct and emotion and the opportunity can pass before you manage to express yourself. Research shows that first impressions form incredibly fast, often within one-tenth of a second, which is why those opening moments hold so much weight.
A well-crafted elevator speech helps you:
- Communicate with clarity under pressure
- Avoid over-explaining or ‘data dumping’
- Make your message memorable
- Demonstrate confidence and professionalism
- Move someone from interest… to curiosity… to a next step
Research on persuasive communication shows that short, well-structured messages improve listener recall and increase the likelihood of follow-up action. Terri Sjodin’s work demonstrates that when messages are concise, purposeful, and emotionally engaging, people are significantly more likely to agree to next steps – such as a meeting, a referral, or a continued conversation.
A powerful elevator pitch captures attention, creates excitement, and communicates value quickly. Use our quick guide to build yours now.
