We have written about Crafting the Perfect Elevator by our mentor Rodrigo Narciso where he shared his method of crafting an elevator pitch and the types of challenges designers or non-designers might face when crafting an elevator pitch. If you Google, there are tons of techniques shared by other experts as well. In this blog, we have another technique shared by our mentor Frankie Kastenbaum, an Experience Designer using 3 simple steps:
a) Relay your current or ideal title
b) Explain why you are in this industry?
c) Talk about the projects that you have worked on
Frankie will also share her good elevator pitch examples to guide you through the process.
Step 1: Start With Your title
Start with your own title
Use either the title you are aiming for or your current job title
Frankie’s example: I’m Frankie and I’m an Experience Designer
Step 2: Why X Industry?
Explain why you are in this industry?
What drew you into the industry?
Frankie’s example:
“For me, the golden thread has always been my desire to solve problems. However, in my Graphic Design days, although I was creating something for a missing need, there never was data to back up my design decisions. So for me, I was drawn to UX since it is the perfect combination of problem-solving through design, while also having user data to confidently explain my solutions.”
Step 3: What have you worked on in the past?
Talk about a recent or current project you have worked on and at a high level explain the context and the company style.
Frankie’s example: Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to work in a variety of company environments which has allowed me to work on a variety of projects.
Now that you have learned the 3 steps to craft an elevator pitch, it is time for you to create your own. It might take some time for you to combine the 3 steps into 1 paragraph of an elevator pitch. Do not free pressure, edit your elevator pitch accordingly as it goes. An elevator pitch usually takes 30 secs to 1 minute, so it should be presented briefly and straightforwardly. Memorize the main pointers and practice the script of your elevator pitch in a natural tone manner. A robotic tone and emotionless elevator pitch may raise an eyebrow or make the scenario too awkward. Remember that your body language plays a role for your audience to listen to your pitch. Below is an example of a complete elevator pitch from Frankie:
I’m Frankie and I’m an Experience Designer who has always had a desire to solve problems. However, in my Graphic Design days, although I was creating something for a missing need, there never was data to back up my design decisions. So for me, I was drawn to UX since it is the perfect combination of a problem- solving through design, while also having user-data to confidently explain my solutions. Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to work in a variety of company environments which has allowed me to work on a variety of projects.
The 6 main reasons why it is important to craft an elevator pitch.Good elevator pitch examples allow you to:
Market yourself in a quickest and impactful manner. We can never know when good opportunity strikes and most elevator pitch are given when our target audience have limited time or are on-the-go. This is your time to shine and present yourself in a quickest and impactful manner. Time yourself and practice will soon make your elevator pitch perfect.
Present your elevator pitch in an interactive and engaging way. Craft your elevator pitch to reduce to many long pauses of "err," "emm" or using too many unnecessary repetition words. Good elevator pitch examples should highlight the main pointers clearly that could gives a good first impression about yourself.
Ready for action Early elevator pitch preparation could help your mind and body language to be ready when the times comes to present yourself. Ready when the opportunity strikes!
Adjust your elevator pitch based on your target audience To whom you present your pitch are are important as well. You could craft your elevator pitch to different types of audience. What could grab their attention? How to maintain the engagement of the conversation between you and your target audience? What are the keywords that would excited them to listen to you? Craft a few good elevator pitch examples for different sets of audience.
Get hired or get new projects If you craft your elevator pitch well, chances are you might get hired or open the possibilities of getting new projects too.
Quick networking Even if you do not get the response you wanted on the spot, you might get the chance to exchange business cards, or any kind of information to keep in touch for future business collaborations. Your effort will never goes to waste!
If the word elevator pitch freaks you out, watch this interactive animation video and reframe the word to an elevator conversation. Sounds a bit casual and less nerve-wracking you agree? Want to share your elevator pitch with a top global mentor? Book a free session here.
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