Identify where you can use your elevator pitch

We’ve established that the scenario of an actual pitch in an actual elevator is vanishingly infrequent. So where can we use our elevator pitch?

Here are some common applications:

• At a networking event. It’s a luncheon, and you find yourself seated at one of those big round tables with nine strangers. Invariably, there’s a moment when you go around the table and introduce yourselves. Some people fumble their way through this exercise, and some people nail it. We’re going to help you nail it.

• As the H1 or H2 on your freelance website. Your elevator pitch can serve as one of the first things a site visitor sees.

• As the headline on your LinkedIn profile or Twitter bio. This is similar in some respects to the example above; your elevator pitch can quickly communicate what you’re all about on your social profiles.

• As a theme for your professional bio. Your elevator pitch can be a guide as you write your bio. If something in your bio doesn’t support your pitch, it’s a candidate for removal.

The point: as you continue through this playbook, don’t think of your elevator pitch as an “only when the pressure’s on” statement.

Rather, conceive of it as a core element of your communications program. A good elevator pitch can sharpen and unify your entire approach.

Exercise B: build a list of your likely elevator pitch scenarios

This exercise is straightforward: list all the scenarios and applications in which you think you might use your new elevator pitch. 

Start with the list above and add any other applications you can think of. Shoot for at least eight in total.

1. At a networking event. 

2. As the H1 or H2 on your freelance website.

3. As the headline on your LinkedIn profile or Twitter bio. 

4. As a theme for your professional bio. 

5. __________________________________

6. __________________________________

7. __________________________________

8. __________________________________

Be as specific as possible. Keep these applications in mind as you build your elevator pitch.