Say it like this
- I need to perfect my elevator pitch before the demo day.
- Can you give me your elevator pitch on this feature?
- That's a solid elevator pitch—it clearly explains the problem and solution.
Use it at work
Preparing
- Can you give me the elevator pitch for this project?
- Let's work on our elevator pitch before the conference.
In an interview
- Here's my elevator pitch: I'm a backend engineer who loves fixing slow systems.
- Tell me about yourself in 30 seconds.
Giving feedback
- Your elevator pitch is too technical for sales.
- Start your elevator pitch with the problem.
Don't say this
An elevator pitch must be very brief; if you include too much information or technical jargon, it is no longer an elevator pitch.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. You meet a potential investor. Which sounds most professional?
2. Before the investor meeting, she spent two hours _______ her elevator pitch until it was perfect.
3. Which sentence uses elevator pitch incorrectly?
4. Rewrite in natural tech English: 'We need to make a very short explanation of what our app does that we can say in one minute.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"I need to perfect my elevator pitch before the demo day."
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More about elevator pitch
Real examples(3)
- in a networking event
"When I met the investor at the conference, I delivered my elevator pitch and she asked for a full demo."
- in a team standup
"The product manager gave a quick elevator pitch of the new authentication feature to help the team understand the goal."
- in a job interview
"The interviewer asked me to give an elevator pitch explaining my last project and its impact."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. This is not about pitching an elevator product; it is a metaphor for a very brief sales or explanatory speech. Do not confuse it with a full presentation or demo.
- ✕My elevator pitch was about the elevator industry.✓My elevator pitch was a quick summary of my startup idea about cloud storage.
Elevator pitch is a metaphor for a brief speech, not literally about elevators. The term refers to the time constraint (30-60 seconds, as if riding an elevator).
- ✕I elevator pitched our entire roadmap to the investor.✓I gave a focused elevator pitch on our core product, and we discussed the roadmap in the follow-up meeting.
An elevator pitch should focus on one key message, not multiple topics. Save details for longer conversations.
Other forms(2)
- elevator pitch noun
"My elevator pitch took exactly 45 seconds and got the investor interested."
- to elevator pitch (or pitch elevator-style) verb
"She elevator pitched her startup idea to the panel of judges very effectively."
Often used with(4)
- deliver / give an elevator pitch · You deliver or give an elevator pitch to an audience or decision maker.
- perfect / refine an elevator pitch · You work to perfect or refine your elevator pitch until it sounds natural and compelling.
- nail / crush an elevator pitch · Informal: to deliver an elevator pitch extremely well.
- a 30-second / 60-second elevator pitch · Elevator pitches are usually described by their duration, commonly 30 to 60 seconds.
Similar words(3)
- pitch · More general; can be longer. Elevator pitch is a specific, very short type of pitch.
- one-liner · Even shorter; typically one sentence. An elevator pitch is longer and includes more structure.
- tagline · A catchy phrase or slogan. An elevator pitch is a complete mini-speech, not just a phrase.
Opposites(3)
- detailed presentation
- full demo
- lengthy explanation
Questions(4)
- What should be included in a good elevator pitch?
- A good elevator pitch includes: (1) what your product or idea is, (2) who it is for (the target audience), (3) the problem it solves, and (4) why it matters or what makes it different. Keep it simple, avoid jargon, and end with a call to action like offering to schedule a longer meeting.
- How long should an elevator pitch be?
- An elevator pitch typically lasts 30 to 60 seconds—the time it takes to ride an elevator. This is about 75 to 150 words. The goal is to be concise enough to hold someone's attention while still conveying your core message.
- When do you use an elevator pitch in tech?
- You use elevator pitches at networking events, investor meetings, startup pitch competitions, job interviews, conferences, and casual encounters with potential partners or clients. Whenever you have a limited window to explain your idea or product, an elevator pitch is useful.
- Is elevator pitch formal or informal?
- Elevator pitch is neutral in formality. You can deliver it in a formal setting like a boardroom or a casual setting like a coffee meeting. The delivery style adapts to the context, but the concept itself is used across formal and informal tech environments.
