The Magic Number (Going into more Detail)
Whether you wanted it or not, it's here. The Magic Number Part 2 has arrived. In one of my previous blog posts, we talked about the number 7 and how it applies to writing elevator pitches. In my opinion and with my experience, I have discovered that there are 7 steps to successfully writing an elevator pitch and today I will write around 7 sentences about each of these 7 steps. This blog post is brought to you by the letter 49. (It's not so good the second time, is it?)
The first step is to have a topic. Topics inform your audience about what it is you will be talking about and it gives them something to expect. Your topic should be included in the first couple sentences of your pitch. Remember that the point of your elevator pitch should be to get across something that you have to offer. This will most likely either be a service, idea, or product. Another thing to keep in mind is that your topic is the thing that will intrigue your audience and it is important to have a good first impression. You need to get all of this across in (ideally) one sentence, every word must count.
This brings me to the second step. The second step is to be concise. You only have 7 sentences and so you have to make sure each one counts. Stick to what you need to say, there's no need for humour. Make what you say incredibly to the point and specific, it's a waste of time to ramble. If you ramble, you could lose your opportunity. Remember the point of an Elevator Pitch, getting on an elevator with a possible investor and they're busy, so you only have until they get off the elevator, less than 2 minutes.
Next up is step 3, the problem. What's the problem that your service, idea, or product is trying to fix. What you're selling is useless if it doesn't have a purpose, usually making something difficult easier. Here's an example, granola bars. The problem that occurs that granola bars want to fix is hunger. Problems are really important and they are a big part of your elevator pitch. Something to keep in mind is that your problem needs to affect a lot of people, not just a few.
It's time for step 4, aka the solution. You can't have a problem without a solution, everybody knows that. To continue the granola bar metaphor, the solution they have is quite obvious, buy the granola bars.
Step 5! Practice, practice, practice and practice some more. If the Elevator Pitch is used for the hypothetical situation it was developed for, you don't have very much time. In order to get your point across you need to know exactly when to say something and especially how to say it. Don't throw away your shot! (Hamilton the musical reference, bonus points if you got it.)
Fact: it's time for step 6. For step 6, remember to put in some facts; some shocking and some purely captivating. Facts are a really good way to get your point across, I suggest using statistics as they work better. Have between 1 and 2 sentences set aside in your pitch for facts, they are for sure a must have.
Finally, for step seven, achieve success. If you've come this far and are confident in yourself, go out and give it a try. Talk to people and make connections, after all, that's what an Elevator Pitch is for.
Thank you for reading my blog post today, I hope you've learned something about Elevator Pitches.
Until next time,
Hari,13
Student Advisor for Blue Sky School
The first step is to have a topic. Topics inform your audience about what it is you will be talking about and it gives them something to expect. Your topic should be included in the first couple sentences of your pitch. Remember that the point of your elevator pitch should be to get across something that you have to offer. This will most likely either be a service, idea, or product. Another thing to keep in mind is that your topic is the thing that will intrigue your audience and it is important to have a good first impression. You need to get all of this across in (ideally) one sentence, every word must count.
This brings me to the second step. The second step is to be concise. You only have 7 sentences and so you have to make sure each one counts. Stick to what you need to say, there's no need for humour. Make what you say incredibly to the point and specific, it's a waste of time to ramble. If you ramble, you could lose your opportunity. Remember the point of an Elevator Pitch, getting on an elevator with a possible investor and they're busy, so you only have until they get off the elevator, less than 2 minutes.
Next up is step 3, the problem. What's the problem that your service, idea, or product is trying to fix. What you're selling is useless if it doesn't have a purpose, usually making something difficult easier. Here's an example, granola bars. The problem that occurs that granola bars want to fix is hunger. Problems are really important and they are a big part of your elevator pitch. Something to keep in mind is that your problem needs to affect a lot of people, not just a few.
It's time for step 4, aka the solution. You can't have a problem without a solution, everybody knows that. To continue the granola bar metaphor, the solution they have is quite obvious, buy the granola bars.
Step 5! Practice, practice, practice and practice some more. If the Elevator Pitch is used for the hypothetical situation it was developed for, you don't have very much time. In order to get your point across you need to know exactly when to say something and especially how to say it. Don't throw away your shot! (Hamilton the musical reference, bonus points if you got it.)
Fact: it's time for step 6. For step 6, remember to put in some facts; some shocking and some purely captivating. Facts are a really good way to get your point across, I suggest using statistics as they work better. Have between 1 and 2 sentences set aside in your pitch for facts, they are for sure a must have.
Finally, for step seven, achieve success. If you've come this far and are confident in yourself, go out and give it a try. Talk to people and make connections, after all, that's what an Elevator Pitch is for.
Thank you for reading my blog post today, I hope you've learned something about Elevator Pitches.
Until next time,
Hari,13
Student Advisor for Blue Sky School
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