You only get one chance to make a great first impression. And you only have 30 to 60 seconds – about the length of a ride in an elevator, hence, “elevator pitch” – to communicate who you are and what value you bring. What are you going to say?
- Who are you? (Your name and your company’s name)
- What do you offer that is of real value to your target audience? (Your “Value Proposition” or your “Unique Selling Proposition” or even “your tag line.”)
- Why are you and your company the right choice?
- How can the listener help you – or you help them? What is your goal in simple, realistic and quantified terms?
- Your pitch must have all four elements, yet be succinct.
- Once you’ve written and edited your pitch, practice it out loud in front of a mirror (if you can stand it) until you have a polished pitch.
- Time yourself. (You should be able to say it easily, while making eye contact with your listener(s)).
My pitch: I am Wyn Lydecker, owner of Upstart Business Planning. I craft business plans that answer the questions investors, lenders and customers ask most often. While investors typically fund only 1% of business plans, 60% of the plans I’ve done have raised some sort of funding – ranging from $35,000 in debt to $10 million in equity. I work with inventors or entrepreneurs who need an expansion or start-up plan.
Email: upstartwyn@gmail.com; Website: UpstartBusinessPlanning.com; Blog: upstartwyn.com; Facebook: facebook.com/upstartbusinessplanning; Twitter: @upstartwyn
Wyn Lydecker 