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Elevator pitches: Nah or Still relevant?
Gareth Turner, Hannah Logan and 2 others8 Comments-
If you go to events where you have to do that cringy 60 second pitch then its worth having something in the tank I guess. I went to a workshop event recently run by a guy called Stefan Thomas. It was a really interesting take on how to ‘Win the room’ at networking events. Really interesting chap and he did touch on the 60 second pitch and how to break it down to help you confidently and meaningfully answer that dreaded “so what do you do” question.
This is his book if interested in finding out more..
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@robfryer-brandstorm thanks for this, I always dread the 60 secs.
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@robfryer-brandstorm Did he write the Dummies Guide to Networking? I know him, met him when I was in 4N he’s quite the chap!
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@stu Yeah thats the chap he co-founded 4N apparently
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Like Rob says they are a necessary evil in my opinion, but you need to have a couple of good ones up your sleeve just in case it’s required. . I dont think they work as no one really listens or takes in, especially if they are focused on or nervous about what they are going to say themselves. If you are going to do it, make it memorable and change what you say each time . Using props is often helpful and focuses the creative mind.
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@signal-emma It was an interesting point of view and debate that day on the whole change it/mix it up or stick with the same one thing. On one hand repetition breeds familiarity and he was very much in that camp and it makes you become known for one thing. Plus as you say, most people aren’t always listening so repeating means they will catch on eventually. I was for mixing it up a bit for a bit of variety but I guess it’s like your brand advertising, you wouldn’t rewrite an ad every week or month, you would keep pushing the same message out so more and more people get it.
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It’s a tough one. You can’t assume people know what you do, so you do need a way of telling them that’s short and to the point.
But for me? Elevator pitches are very much a NAAAH.
I tend to switch off the moment someone starts reeling one off—it always feels too salesy, too forced, and a bit samey. It puts me off, honestly.
I’d much rather just have a proper conversation, get to know the person, and naturally find out what they do. Bullet point it for me if you must—but please don’t give me a rehearsed 60-second pitch that’s vague, boring, and doesn’t really explain anything.
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@garethturner I guess it helps when people ask “what do you do” to have something succinct to put you in context. But yeah, a slick pitch with a CTA at the end, bleughhhhh
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