Click to listen for information on how to master your elevator speech..
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
In this episode, I am going to help you master your elevator speech. I will provide you with 7 specific steps that you can use to pitch the perfect speech. I have assembled these steps from different articles and resources online, all of which are referenced in the resources section of this post.
Engineering Success quotes:
Here are the 7 steps to help you Master your Elevator Speech:
1. Use your time well.
- Shoot for a shorter pitch (e.g. a 30-second pitch).
- Time yourself, or measure it by sentences of content.
- Keep it short and if it must be longer and complex, start with a simple beginning to frame it out.
- Your speech should sound natural.
2. Script out your elevator speech.
- No matter how many times you’ve done it, try to give the impression that you’re pitching for the first time.
- Avoid dull monotone pitches, but don’t get over-excited either.
- Your first objective during an elevator pitch is to get them to like you.
- Have something written out that you can review from time to time.
3. Format your elevator speech.
- A good pitch should answer three questions: Who are you?; What do you do?; What are you looking for?
- Remember, this is not just a pitch, it’s a first impression.
- Once you have a solid 30-second pitch, develop a longer version that focuses on your unique value that you can bring to the table.
4. Memorize and recite your pitches.
- The reason that you want to commit these to memory is that you’re going to be able to flex where you need to and also mix and match some of those things together and you won’t get caught off guard.
- Memorize a couple of pitches and be able to fire them off at any moment.
5. Record your pitch.
- Once you’ve gotten feedback on your pitch and you’ve honed it down, record yourself saying it.
- Listen to your tone—make sure it’s friendly, non-threatening, and your pace is not too slow or too fast.
- Make sure you’re not repeating words and that you’re sending the message you want to convey.
6. Embracing all of the possible alternatives.
- No matter how perfect of a pitch you craft, someone is not going to like it.
- Think about how you can vary your pitches to the audience.
- If you have the ability to speak clearly in public, you will have the ability to make changes and create alternates for your elevator speeches right in the moment.
7. Ride the elevator
- Practice your speech in a situation that is very similar to the actual one you are going to experience.
- You can do this by riding in an elevator and practice your speech.
- Try to create difficult situations, high pressure, short periods of time, that can replicate your ability to impress someone under pressure.
More in this episode…
In the Take Action Today segment of the show, I will wrap up the idea of an elevator speech.
“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” –Thomas Jefferson
Resources and links mentioned in this session include:
The Engineering Mastermind
How to Craft a Winning Elevator Speech
How to Master Your Elevator Pitch
The Perfect Elevator Pitch To Land A Job
Perfect Pitch: How to Nail Your Elevator Speech
What’s your elevator story?
Master Your Elevator Speech
This episode is brought to you by PPI, the leader of FE, PE, or SE exam prepartions. Use promo code COACH for 20 % discount at PPI2Pass.com/coach.
How can you master your elevator speech?
We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you might share on mastering your elevator speech.
Please leave your comments, feedback or questions in the section below.
To your success,
Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED AP
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
