Scroll down for elevator pitch examples for a tax consultant, mortgage lender, health coach, and benefits advisor.
The most popular part of my workshops is the live speed coaching.
People enter their short pitches into the chat box, and I sharpen them live. In the process we learn the key elements of an effective Elevator Pitch and make sure that people:
- understand what we do
- think of good introductions for us
Scroll down some compelling examples from a recent workshop.
Or if you want to sharpen your Elevator Pitch, start here.
So why don’t Elevator Pitches work?
Mostly because, starting in elementary school, it’s drummed into our heads that we’re smart when we generalize.
Lions and tigers and cats are all… FELINES!
Saturday and Sunday are… THE WEEKEND!
A landscaper, an accountant, and an IT shop are… SMALL BUSINESSES!
But, like creative writing, Elevator Pitches work on specifics.
No poem features a mammal hopping across the meadow. They call it a rabbit.
And a good Elevator Pitch doesn’t talk about rewarding experiences or increasing profits or realizing real estate dreams.
They talk about travelling to Spain, creating an effective LinkedIn profile, or finding a house with an in-law suite.
I notice that people spend a lot of time racking their brains to come up with the word that encompasses everything and anything they could ever offer.
But that’s the wrong approach.
In networking, you grab people’s attention and develop trust when you are clear and concise and specific.
Here are the examples:
“I help business owners keep more of what they make” becomes
==> “I show business owners IRS approved strategies to reduce their taxes
Notes: “keep more of what they make” doesn’t give any context – could be expense reduction or laying off employees or using offshore accounts. His specifics are tax reduction strategies – and I like the positive spin on the IRS – that will get people’s attention!
“I help people realize their dreams of home ownership” becomes
==> “I help people with non-traditional income statements still qualify for a mortgage”
Notes: “people” is too vague, and “realize their dreams” isn’t how people talk to each other about buying a house. Now that interest rates are higher she wanted to focus on customer service. Helping someone with non-traditional documentation qualify for a mortgage is a great example of outstanding customer service.
“I help people eat healthy with fruits and vegetables” becomes
==> “I help women in their 50’s eat healthier, get stronger, and gain energy”
Notes: People is too vague. And no one wants to eat more fruits and vegetables. However, middle aged women are interested in being healthy, stronger, and getting more energy. Think “women in their 50’s” is too specific? If it’s not uncomfortably specific then it isn’t specific enough. Specifics start conversations.
“I help business owners provide a rewarding experience for their employees” becomes
==> “I help small businesses set up retirement plans for their employees
Notes: “rewarding experience” could refer to an escape room, or laser tag, or coffee in the break room. This participant offers retirement plans. That’s not a rewarding experience, but it is something that small business owners struggle with. Just say what you do in plain language.
Want more examples?
Click here to introduce yourself and start better conversations.
You’ll learn practical techniques to
- start conversations with strangers
- connect at networking groups
- pitch multiple services
You also get access to our monthly Elevator Pitch Lab.