Elevator Pitch tips

Summary

In this video, Vanessa Van Edwards, from Science of People, discusses the importance of an effective elevator pitch for making a strong first impression. She critiques a viewer’s pitch, praising clear enunciation and open body language, while offering tips for improvement. Vanessa encourages adding movement, using hand gestures for emphasis, and incorporating storytelling to make the pitch more engaging and memorable. Her actionable advice aims to help viewers create impactful pitches that resonate with their audience and boost their chances of success.

Takeaways

• 😀 First impressions matter, and having a strong elevator pitch is crucial for leaving a positive impact.
• 🗣️ Clear enunciation and pacing are key components of a good elevator pitch, as the audience is hearing it for the first time.
• 👐 Body language, such as keeping an open torso and using appropriate hand gestures, enhances engagement and makes you more approachable.
• 💡 Slow down your delivery to give the listener enough time to process new information, especially when discussing technical topics.
• 🔄 Incorporating movement like head tilts or slight nods can make your pitch more dynamic and engaging.
• 👋 Use nonverbal communication, such as hand gestures, to illustrate and emphasize concepts during your pitch.
• 🖐️ Adding hand movements can help both explain what you do and add more fluidity to your body language.
• 📖 Include a short, relevant story or example in your pitch to make it more memorable and relatable for the listener.
• 🎯 The goal of an elevator pitch is to show how you can help the listener, making them want to learn more or ask for your business card.
• 👍 Practicing your pitch until it's memorized allows for more natural body movement and expression during delivery.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video?

The video focuses on improving elevator pitches, particularly helping viewers enhance their first impression by refining their pitches.

Why is an elevator pitch important, according to Vanessa van Edwards?

An elevator pitch is crucial because it forms the most important part of a first impression. Knowing exactly what to say and how to say it helps people understand your work quickly.

What are some positive aspects of John’s elevator pitch highlighted by Vanessa?

Vanessa praised John’s clear enunciation, good pacing, and open body language, all of which make his pitch more engaging and easy to understand.

What common mistake does Vanessa highlight regarding elevator pitches?

One common mistake is the lack of movement, where people focus so much on their words that their bodies remain still, making the pitch feel less dynamic and engaging.

How does Vanessa suggest John can improve his pitch through movement?

Vanessa suggests incorporating more head, arm, and torso movement to add fluidity and natural expression. She emphasizes using slight head tilts and nodding along with key points.

What is Vanessa’s second suggestion for improving John's pitch?

Vanessa recommends adding non-verbal explanations using hand movements to visually demonstrate concepts, which will help the audience understand what John does more effectively.

What example does Vanessa give for using hand movements in a pitch?

Vanessa suggests using hand movements to show larger concepts, such as using both hands to represent a website analysis as 'the whole thing' or shrinking a large problem into a small, manageable solution.

How can storytelling enhance an elevator pitch, according to Vanessa?

Storytelling helps make the pitch more memorable and personal. When people hear a story, they connect the speaker's work to themselves, making the pitch more engaging and relatable.

What specific storytelling element does Vanessa advise John to add?

Vanessa advises John to include a quick example or story of how he has helped a client, even if it’s brief, to make the pitch more relatable and memorable for the audience.

What is the ultimate goal of an elevator pitch, based on the video?

The ultimate goal of an elevator pitch is to get the audience to recognize how you can help them, ideally leading them to engage with your services.