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How to Craft an Elevator Pitch That Gets People to Lean In

Author

Ashish Kumar
January 17, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Hey Readers,

It was so cool to see all the energy around National Startup Day yesterday!

It really shows how much our government is supporting young businesses.

We need more events like this – the ideas that come out when young people get guidance from experienced folks are incredible.

How was your yesterday? Did you go to any of the events?

Now let's kick off today’s lesson with a nice hot cup of coffee. ☕

1% BETTER MORNING

How to Craft an Elevator Pitch That Gets People to Lean In

Imagine you’re at a bustling event, someone asks, "What do you do?" and suddenly, all eyes are on you.

In that moment, your elevator pitch isn’t just an introduction; it’s your chance to capture someone’s attention and make them lean in for more.

Your elevator pitch is like your startup’s first impression.

Whether you’re at a networking event, waiting in line for coffee, or having a brief chat with a potential investor, you have about 30 seconds to make an impact.

That’s not a lot of time, so it’s critical to nail it.

A great elevator pitch starts with a clear introduction of who you are.

If you’re the founder, tell them! This is the moment to introduce yourself and your role in the company.

Don’t bury the lead. You need to quickly establish credibility and authority, so when they ask about your startup, it feels natural for you to answer.

Next, you need to include a hook — the most exciting or unique thing about your startup. Is it your innovative product, your breakthrough technology, or maybe your company’s impressive growth?

This is your opportunity to tell them the one thing that sets you apart and makes your startup special.

Keep in mind that your hook should leave them curious enough to ask questions.

Here’s a good example of a clear, concise elevator pitch:

  • Bad Pitch: “I run a tech company that helps businesses.”

  • Good Pitch: “Hi, I’m Ashish, founder of GreenTech Solutions. We’ve developed a device that turns carbon dioxide into building materials.”

Notice how the second pitch immediately grabs attention. It’s intriguing, specific, and leaves the listener wanting to know more.

You didn’t need to get into all the details, just enough to spark curiosity.

Action Points:

  1. Write down your elevator pitch. Start with who you are and your company’s most exciting achievement.

  2. Craft a hook that sets you apart from others and makes people want to ask more questions.

  3. Practice until your pitch flows naturally and confidently.

WHAT I AM READING

How to Finish Everything You Start by Jan Yager

👉Today’s Takeaway: It's easy to fall into the trap of overachieving, thinking that doing more will always lead to better results. But here's the thing: pushing yourself too hard can actually lead to burnout. Sometimes, "good enough" really is enough. Instead of pouring all your energy into tasks that don’t truly move the needle, try saving your extra effort for the things that really matter. It’s all about finding that balance.

YOUTUBE TREASURE

👉My Pick: Satya Nadella on Future of SAAS

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