Presentation Training The Elevator Pitch 2012 BPC Elevator
Presentation Training The Elevator Pitch
2012 BPC Elevator Pitch Winner
Less is more “If you can’t get your message across in three minutes, you don’t know what you are doing” “A poor pitch is a bore pitch”
Different types of Elevator Pitches The ten second pitch ¢ round table introductions ¢ in answer to the question, ‘What do you do? ’ ¢ at networking events when you only have one ¢ chance to make a first impression. ¢ at trade fairs to pique interest in potential ¢ customers ¢ phone messages
Different types of Elevator Pitches The three minute pitch ¢ presentation to venture capitalists and financiers at conferences ¢ at job interviews ¢ at sales meetings ¢ at recruitment fairs / trade fairs ¢ elevator pitch contests ¢ networking evenings
Golden rules Be listener oriented. Ask yourself, ‘Who is listening to my Elevator Pitch? ’ Give the listener a reason to remember you. An easy to understand Business needs a USP (Unique Selling Point – Alleinstellungsmerkmal). Unless you are in a very hi-tech field, your grandma should be able to understand describe it to someone else.
Golden rules Don’t pitch the idea/product/service! Pitch what it will do for the investor, for the customer and for the world. A message without a specific request is a wasted opportunity. Mention the benefits for all. Think global – show vision. Talk in tangibles not in abstractions. Don’t use buzz or tech speak as it is either too detailed or too vague.
Golden rules Practice makes perfect. Elevator pitches need a lot of preparation and there are consultants who take weeks (and large fees from clients) to help them to perfect their pitch. The first aeroplane didn’t fly!
Structuring your Pitch Pique interest of your audience with a ‘hook’ i. e. a question, an amazing fact or a problem. E. g. ‘We’ve got the biggest chicken and egg problem of anyone here this evening. ’ Briefly describe your products/services/ideas. Outline a need /problem then solve it.
Structuring your Pitch Tell your audience the benefits. Mention your market. Mention partners/references. Call to action - say what you want. Finish with your own name.
Fine Tuning the Pitch Use language you feel comfortable with. Speak clearly. Use an analogy e. g. ‘We are the Yahoo for teens!’ Use word play and a tag line e. g. ‘We start up start-ups. ’
Fine Tuning the Pitch Try to raise the pulse rate of your audience. Pique interest but don’t do jokes. Vary pitch and intonation. Smile.
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