The Elevator Pitch: How to Sell Your Idea in 60 Seconds

An elevator pitch is based on the idea of having just a short moment—like an elevator ride—to introduce yourself and your idea to someone important. It’s a quick way to share what your business is about, how you can help them, and why you’re trustworthy.

In fact, around 80% of professionals believe networking plays a key role in helping them succeed in their careers. The main goal is to make someone curious and start a connection so they’ll want to talk with you again. Here’s a guide to help you create your perfect pitch.

Understand Your Idea (Know Your “Why”)

Knowing your “Why” brings authenticity and energy to your elevator pitch. It shows your true passion and commitment, helping others connect with you and trust what you’re saying. Ask yourself:

• What issue do I want to solve?
• Why does this matter to me?
• How will this help others?

For example, “I want to help students manage school stress because I believe everyone deserves a chance to succeed without burning out.”

Define Your Audience

Knowing the qualities of your target audience helps you find the right people and make your pitch more effective.

For instance, if you’re making an app to help students stay organized and you’re talking to an investor, think about the qualities they might have. Look for someone who:

• Cares about education
• Has worked with new startups
• Enjoys supporting young entrepreneurs

Investors could be people who started educational apps or contacts at universities with programs for young business owners.

Or, perhaps you’ve created your app and want to pitch your product to fellow students. You’re looking for students who struggle with time management, value academic success, and are looking for ways to reduce stress. Understanding these pain points will help you tailor your pitch to show how you can improve their lives.

Start With a Hook

Begin by catching the attention of the person you’re pitching to with a one-sentence hook that sticks with them. Make it simple and something interesting right from the start.

For example, “Ever get ready for bed and suddenly remember an assignment due tomorrow? This app helps you avoid those last-minute surprises.”

Explain the Problem, Then Solve It

Here’s an example of how to explain the problem and offer a solution that shows the value of your app.

• The Problem:Keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and test dates for different classes can get confusing and stressful. A regular calendar doesn’t let you check off what’s done, and it’s not easy to customize for school.
• The Solution: This app does more than just show dates; it lets you sort assignments by subject, set priorities, get daily reminders, and mark things off when they’re done.

The problem-solution approach works because it immediately connects with the audience by addressing a real issue they face and creates a sense of urgency to use your product.

Show What Sets You Apart

For this idea, you might pull out your phone and give a quick 30-second demo of the app to show how fast and easy it is to use. You can highlight one feature, like the ability to sort assignments by subject.

You can also briefly mention competitors and explain how your service or product is better.

End with a Call to Action (CTA)

After giving your elevator pitch, think about what action you want the student to take. For example, you could say, “Give it a try right now!” and share the download link, or encourage them with, “Try it out for free and let me know what you think,” by offering a free trial.

Wrapping up with a call to action gives your audience a simple next step, making it easy for them to get involved and showing you believe in what you’re offering.

Key Takeaway

Your elevator pitch should feel personal to you, your product, and the people you’re talking to. Think about which key features are most exciting, use a clear call to action (like a QR code for easy downloads), and aim to spark curiosity.

The goal isn’t always to make an immediate sale; it’s about creating a connection. Even if someone isn’t interested right now, they might remember you or tell others about your product later. Keep practicing and refining your pitch to open up more chances for future conversations and opportunities.

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