You are entering the ground floor of an elevator in a building, dressed in your best business attire, with a portfolio under your arm. The equally smartly dressed stranger inside smiles at you and asks, “What floor do you need?” You reply, “I’m going to the 21st floor. I am pitching an idea to a group of investors.” “Wow, what a coincidence!” they reply. “I think I’m one of the people you’re pitching to. What do you do?”  

This is where your elevator pitch comes in handy. A well-crafted elevator pitch is also extremely helpful when you’re networking, and people ask about you and what you do. 

Your elevator pitch should be a 30 to 60-second story about who you are and your area of expertise and differentiation. In short, it is a way to share your expertise, distinctiveness, and aspirations quickly and effectively with people who you’re just meeting. When done well, your pitch ensures you are focused and specific in your personal brand messaging.

It’s smart to think about stories to tell that spotlight your top strengths in action to help people conceptualize your distinctiveness. Things to include in your pitch are your current role, where you’re headed professionally, your strengths, and areas of specialization.

Use these fictitious examples as a rough guide for how to start:

• I’ve spent 15 years working as a sought-after interior designer for a few leading companies, like X, Y, and Z in the DC metro area. I'm ready to take the leap and open my own design firm to highlight the ethnic-eclectic brand that I’m known for. I’m looking for affordable office space and prospective clients. If you have connections in the industry, I’d be happy to be introduced.

• I am a well-respected graphic designer that has built a stellar reputation building innovative brands for creative companies. I won the ABC award in 2020. My vision is to build a team that can service clients from concept to launch, specializing in unconventional design concepts to appeal to millennials. I’m looking for designers and brand strategists to build out my team.

Crafting an elevator pitch that displays your brilliance is part of your self-promotion tool kit. This is the time to amplify your message showcasing the strengths, expertise, and talents you bring to the table.

I’d be happy to help you self-promote in authentic and powerful ways so that you can land the ideal role your heart desires. Let’s chat!