The term elevator speech obtained its name from an actual elevator. Its the words that you can use to describe yourself to someone who is higher than you in the professional ladder when you meet them in the elevator. The brief speech should be powerful enough to make the recipient ask for your contacts and help you progress in your career. Despite its funny origin, an elevator speech is not something that should be taken lightly. It should be carefully crafted because it can mean the difference between getting stuck in your current position and clinching that dream job or making getting worthy investors. It can also be used to sell products and services.
The characteristics of a good elevator speech are short, conversational, direct and simple, engaging, fresh and relevant sentences. For example, if you are asked to describe your business within 30 to 90 seconds, you should give a direct and compelling description of your business. You should mention what your business does and also point out its purpose, personality and vision.
Why is it important you ask? Well here are a few reasons why you should consider writing a world-class elevator pitch that you can use whenever the situation demands:
It helps you organize your thoughts this means that you wont have to ramble when you are required to give an elevator speech because you will be ready.
It helps you communicate important ideas within a short time an elevator speech is usually short and direct to the point. It also summarizes all the important information that you wanted to put across to the person you want to impress.
It helps you to identify know where you are going when writing an elevator speech you have to think what kind of investor you want, the language to use and what kind of a job you are looking for.
Digital era — It helps to strike conversation and establish relationships in this hard times of fast paced information and internet.