How To Create Your 30 Second Elevator Pitch! | The Intern Queen

Lauren Berger

13 Dec 201706:10

Summary

TLDRIn this video script, Lauren Berger offers a guide on crafting an effective elevator pitch. She starts by sharing her own attempts, which humorously fall short, and then outlines the key components for a successful pitch: introducing oneself, providing background, making connections, making the ask, and closing out politely. Lauren emphasizes the importance of clarity and directness in communication, ensuring the listener understands the ask and the desired outcome of the interaction.

Takeaways

😄 Lauren Berger introduces herself and emphasizes the importance of an effective elevator pitch.
🎓 She provides her background, mentioning her graduation from UCF with a PR major.
🏢 Lauren explains the need to provide context for your educational or professional background if it's not well-known.
🔗 The script highlights the importance of making a connection with the person you're pitching to, relating your pitch to their interests or expertise.
🤝 Lauren stresses the necessity of making a clear 'ask' during the pitch, whether it's for mentorship, an internship, or other opportunities.
💡 The pitch should include a closeout that is polite and leaves room for future communication, even if the person declines.
📝 Lauren advises to be clear about what you want from the person you're pitching to, avoiding vague requests.
📉 She critiques common elevator pitch mistakes, such as being too wordy or not making a clear ask.
📈 The script outlines a step-by-step approach to creating an elevator pitch: who you are, background, providing context, making the connection, making the ask, and closing out.
📲 Lauren suggests that after the pitch, one should follow up with an email to maintain the connection and express gratitude.
🌟 The video aims to teach viewers how to craft a compelling elevator pitch that can be used in various professional settings.

Q & A

What is an elevator pitch according to Lauren Berger?
-An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you can use to spark interest in what you are doing or selling within a short span of time, ideally 30 seconds.
Why is it important to provide context in an elevator pitch?
-Providing context is important to give the listener a clear understanding of your background or the company you represent, especially if it is not well-known.
What is the first step in creating an elevator pitch according to the script?
-The first step is to introduce yourself by stating your name, as simply as 'Hi, I'm Lauren Berger'.
What should be included in the background information of an elevator pitch?
-The background information should include details such as your educational background, your major, and the university you attended or the company you work for.
Why is making a connection crucial in an elevator pitch?
-Making a connection is crucial because it links what you are offering or selling to the interests or expertise of the person you are pitching to, making the pitch more relevant and engaging.
What is the 'ask' in an elevator pitch?
-The 'ask' is the specific request or proposal you make at the end of your pitch, such as asking for an internship, a mentorship, or an investment.
Why is it important to make the ask clear in an elevator pitch?
-A clear ask is important because it leaves the listener knowing exactly what you want from them, avoiding confusion and increasing the chances of a positive response.
What is the closeout in an elevator pitch?
-The closeout is the final part of the pitch where you express gratitude, ensure you will stay in touch, and leave on a positive note.
What is Lauren Berger's pet peeve regarding students' emails?
-Lauren Berger's pet peeve is when students email her for advice but are unclear about what specific help they need from her.
How does Lauren Berger suggest to handle rejection in an elevator pitch?
-Lauren suggests handling rejection by maintaining kindness and professionalism, and ensuring to close the conversation on a pleasant note.
What is the structure of an effective elevator pitch according to Lauren Berger?
-The structure includes stating who you are, providing background information, giving context, making a connection, making the ask, and closing out positively.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Mastering the Art of the Elevator Pitch

Lauren Burger introduces the concept of an elevator pitch, emphasizing its importance in professional settings. She humorously critiques her own initial attempts, highlighting the need for a concise yet impactful self-introduction. Lauren then outlines the essential components of a successful pitch, starting with stating one's name and providing a brief background. She advises on the importance of contextualizing one's educational or professional affiliations if they are lesser-known, ensuring the listener has a clear understanding. The pitch should then make a connection between the speaker's aspirations and the listener's potential role in achieving them. Lauren stresses the necessity of making a clear request or 'the ask,' which is often the most challenging part due to the vulnerability it entails. Lastly, she touches on the importance of a courteous closeout, regardless of the response, to leave a positive impression and maintain open communication channels.

05:00

📢 Crafting a Compelling Elevator Pitch

In this paragraph, Lauren Berger provides a step-by-step guide to crafting an effective elevator pitch. She begins by reiterating the importance of introducing oneself and sharing educational or professional background. Lauren then explains the significance of providing context for one's affiliations to ensure the listener is well-informed. The pitch should include making a connection with the listener, aligning the speaker's goals with the listener's capabilities or interests. A key aspect is 'making the ask,' which involves clearly stating what one seeks from the interaction, whether it be mentorship, an internship, or simply a point of contact. Lauren emphasizes the importance of clarity in communication to avoid confusion and ensure the listener knows how to assist. She concludes by demonstrating a complete elevator pitch, incorporating all the elements discussed, and ends with a polite and professional closeout, ensuring a positive and memorable interaction.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Elevator pitch

An 'elevator pitch' is a short, persuasive speech that one can use to spark interest in what one does or wants to do, typically used in professional settings. In the video, Lauren Burger discusses the importance of a well-crafted elevator pitch and how it can be used to present oneself effectively to a potential employer or executive in a short amount of time, such as during an elevator ride.

💡Professional setting

A 'professional setting' refers to an environment where business or work-related activities take place, often requiring formal behavior and attire. The video's theme revolves around how to present oneself in such settings, particularly through the use of an elevator pitch, to make a positive impression on influential individuals like executives.

💡Background

'Background' in this context refers to the personal or professional history of an individual. In the script, Lauren emphasizes the importance of providing a brief background about oneself, such as education or work experience, as part of the elevator pitch to establish credibility and relevance to the listener.

💡Connection

Making a 'connection' involves relating one's own experiences or goals to the interests or expertise of the person being addressed. Lauren advises that an effective elevator pitch should include making a connection with the listener, such as expressing admiration for their company or expressing a desire to work in the same field.

💡Ask

To 'make the ask' is to clearly state what one is seeking from the interaction, such as a job opportunity, mentorship, or further contact. The video script includes this as a crucial step in crafting an elevator pitch, where Lauren demonstrates how to ask for an internship or to stay in touch with the executive after the encounter.

💡Closeout

A 'closeout' is the final part of a conversation or pitch, where one wraps up the interaction in a positive and memorable way. In the script, Lauren explains the importance of a gracious closeout, which includes thanking the listener and expressing the intention to stay in touch, regardless of their response to the ask.

💡Mentor

A 'mentor' is a more experienced or knowledgeable person who advises and guides another person, typically younger or less experienced. The script mentions asking someone to be a mentor as one of the possible asks during an elevator pitch, which can be a way to establish a valuable professional relationship.

💡Internship

An 'internship' is a temporary job or work experience, often for students or recent graduates, that provides practical experience in a particular field. Lauren uses the example of asking for an internship in her elevator pitch, highlighting it as a common goal for individuals networking in professional settings.

💡Context

Providing 'context' means giving additional information to help the listener understand the significance or relevance of what one is saying. In the script, Lauren mentions the importance of providing context for one's educational or professional background, especially if it is not widely known or recognized.

💡Rejection

'Rejection' refers to the act of refusing to accept or consider something. The script touches on the fear of rejection when making an ask during an elevator pitch, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for any response and maintaining a positive attitude regardless.

💡Stay in touch

To 'stay in touch' means to maintain contact or communication with someone. In the video, Lauren suggests asking for ways to stay in touch as part of the elevator pitch, which can help to build ongoing professional relationships and open doors for future opportunities.

Highlights

Introduction to the concept of an elevator pitch and its importance in professional settings.

Lauren's attempt at crafting an elevator pitch and the realization that her initial attempts were not effective.

The need for clarity and conciseness in an elevator pitch, emphasizing the limited time available for such interactions.

The importance of introducing oneself clearly, including one's name and a brief background.

The significance of providing context for one's educational or professional background if it is not widely recognized.

Making a connection between one's own goals and the interests or expertise of the person being addressed in the pitch.

The crucial step of making a clear request or 'the ask' in an elevator pitch to ensure the purpose is understood.

The importance of being prepared for a response, whether positive or negative, and the need for a polite and professional closeout.

The pet peeve about unclear requests in emails and the importance of being specific about what one wants from the recipient.

A step-by-step guide on how to construct an effective elevator pitch, including the 'who, what, why, ask, and closeout' structure.

An example of a refined elevator pitch that includes a personal introduction, background, connection, and a clear ask.

The importance of following up after an elevator pitch with a polite and prompt email to maintain the connection.

The emphasis on the brevity of an elevator pitch and the need to make every second count in making a lasting impression.

The analogy of an elevator pitch to pitching in business scenarios, such as to investors or in academic settings.

The advice on tailoring the elevator pitch to the specific context and the person being addressed to increase its effectiveness.

The final demonstration of an elevator pitch that showcases how to apply the discussed techniques in a real-world scenario.