A few days ago a glum, tired and disheveled communication consultant point blank demanded, “I don’t have much time… so get on with your elevator pitch.”
This came as a surprise because:
1. I wasn’t there to see him or pitch anything.
2. I’d never even thought about having an elevator pitch
3. He scared me!
Anyone who is self-employed is aware that the next job could come from any situation. Just because I wasn’t looking for work didn’t mean I shouldn’t be ready to pitch.
So in front of this scary man I managed, ‘I’m sort of a designer.”
“Right?”
“I’m really experienced.”
He looked bored, but once I engaged my brain and started to tell him about my passion for design and his industry, things picked up.
Now working for this guy would probably have been a bad idea. However, I should have an elevator pitch ready for these encounters. I consider myself a storyteller who designs. That’s what I should lead with.
So I decided to put together a brief guide to elevator pitches. This way you’ll be better prepared when you’re in the right place at the right time.
