Elevator Pitch: More Bang For Your Buck

                                      Image by: Steve Snodgrass 

Elevator Pitch: More Bang For Your Buck

 Presentations are a staple in the business world. From illustrating a product to a client, outlining a new system to a sales team, or grand speaking events, there are many types of methods that one can use. Employers now look for the skillset and knowledge of how to research, create, and showcase a presentation from their employees.   Some people are given the luxury of time and choose to use visual methods like Power Point, Keynote, and the lesser-known Pecha Kucha (A presentation that uses 20 image based slides with each slide being 20 seconds long). What happens when you don’t have time to make a fancy presentation?

 Imagine you are a startup with a brilliant idea but you need an investor to get the concept up and running. One day, you head out to the office and find yourself riding the same elevator as investor Mark Cuban. There is no one else but you and Mark and you have a chance to get him interested in your idea. How do you approach this situation? Do you beat around the bush?  Make small talk and miss your opportunity? Do you verbally barrage him with your idea and how he could be a part of it? Or do you do something else? The elevator pitch is used for this situation and more. It is a perfect way to make your idea or product a concise well-formulated message that hits all the highlights of a business plan.   

 Becoming an expert in this type of presentation would be a handy tool for any entrepreneur. The article written by Dan Schwable, “How to craft an Elevator Speech and Make aBig Impact”, is loaded with amazing information on how to set yourself up for success. Some topics that he touches on are, three effective ways to create an elevator speech, how to set yourself apart, and how to find your effective voice.  Another, more recent, article by Martin Zwilling, “Eight Common Elevator Pitch Blunders and How to Fix Them”, addresses frequent mistakes that occur. Carrying this skill in your entrepreneurs’ toolkit will have you prepared the next time you find yourself with 60 seconds, a wealthy investor, and idea that can take you to new heights.