You'll be asked "so, what do you do?" far more often than you'll be asked to give a formal presentation. A short pitch makes you ready.
Direct answer
An elevator pitch is a 30-second summary of who you are or what you offer. To write one: say who you help and what problem they have, what you do and the result, add one proof point, and end with a clear ask. Write it, cut it in half, then practise saying it naturally.
The formula
- Who you help and their problem: "Small shops struggle to get found online."
- What you do: "I build simple, fast websites."
- The result or proof: "My last client doubled enquiries in a month."
- The ask: "Could I show you a quick example?"
Steps
- Write everything you could say.
- Pick the one idea that matters most to the listener.
- Write it in plain language.
- Cut it to about 75 to 100 words.
- Add a hook at the start: a question or surprising fact.
- Say it aloud and trim awkward bits.
- Prepare 10, 30 and 60 second versions.
Three versions
Personal / networking
Who you are, what you're good at, what you're looking for.
Business or idea
The problem, your solution, who it's for and why you.
Interview ("tell me about yourself")
Current role or study, a relevant achievement and why this job.
Mistakes
- Jargon
- Too many ideas
- Reading from paper
- No ask
Examples
See elevator pitch examples for students, job seekers and businesses.
Where Teyro fits
Teyro's How to Give a Convincing Elevator Pitch course teaches one clear sentence, a hook, a story, confident delivery and a clear ask, for yourself, your idea or your business. It has 50 short lessons and is free to start.
The bottom line
Short, specific, human, with an ask.
