Here's how you can create a compelling elevator pitch.

Know your "why". This should be crisp and clear. You also need to stand out in your delivery for that why. A simple framework to use could be present-past-future. For example, someone looking for employment - "Hello! I am AAA and I am a program manager. My focus is "list strength". In the past I worked on "list a career highlight". Have you heard about it? I am excited to learn more about XXX project/company goal to solve for customer." This framework should work in any scenario.

To create a compelling elevator pitch, knowing your goal is crucial. Define what you want to achieve with your pitch, whether it's securing funding, gaining a new customer, or landing a partnership. Understanding your audience is also vital, tailoring your message to resonate with them. Keep your pitch concise, limiting it to 30 seconds to 1 minute, and focus on the benefits of your product or service, explaining how it solves a problem or improves lives. Start with a hook to grab attention, using a surprising statistic, thought-provoking question, or personal story. Show enthusiasm and passion for your idea, and use simple language to avoid confusing your audience.

Nail down your core message - what do you do, and why does it matter? Use simple, impactful language. Hook your listeners with a strong opening, perhaps a startling fact or a relatable problem. Clearly articulate the value you bring and why you're uniquely positioned to deliver it. Practice until it feels natural but not rehearsed. Your pitch should invite curiosity and conversation - it shouldn’t be a monologue. Tailor it to your audience; relevance is key. Lastly, deliver it with confidence and genuine enthusiasm - your passion can be your most persuasive tool.

Craft your message to have an emotional impact with your listener. In an elevator pitch, details and specifics don’t matter. It’s all about grabbing their attention and getting them interested. Start off with a problem or pain point that paints a picture and make them feel it. Then introduce your solution in a simply and concise way, and show them the benefits of that solution and what it could mean for them. Your goal is just to get them to want to hear more.

Practicing your pitch goes beyond memorization. It's about truly owning it. Are you rushing? Does your body language project confidence? Refining your delivery builds natural enthusiasm and allows you to anticipate questions. Also, consider the stories you will tell. When you genuinely connect with your experiences, the passion shines through. The more you rehearse and make your stories real, the more comfortable you'll be, ensuring your pitch lands smoothly and sparks the conversation.

A technique I use is to record myself giving the pitch. This helps me see my body language (very important) and, most importantly, how comfortable I look delivering the message. Your pitch should convey two things: 1. Your essence: This is why you need to integrate the message into yourself and not just recite it as if you were reading a book. 2. Your confidence: If you are selling or offering something, your confidence and the ability to make others feel comfortable are key to your success. The confidence you convey is crucial. Record yourself while practicing and evaluate yourself. Remember, practice makes perfect.

Always, read the room! This principle applies to pitches or any communication. A recent Apple ad flop showed us that when you don't do that, your message fails hard. Feel your audience's vibe, ask a relatable question, show how you solve their problems. A well-tailored pitch resonates!

There are so many evelator pitch formulas out there, but most result in bland recitals. Truly successful pitches tap into universal motivators like pleasure and pain avoidance. Keep the dialogue flowing to grab attention. People buy solutions to their problems and pathways to desires, not just products. A conversational, insightful pitch allows you to deliver that value proposition in a much more compelling way.

The first follow up happens with the "call-to-action" which is crucial to have at the end of every meeting/call with the client to set expectations and the timeline. Leveraging online smart tools such as "LinkedIn's SmartLinks" enable you to track target audience's engagement with the docs shared (proposals etc.) to ensure necessary nudges and follow ups can be made at the right time. On top of having standard templates of information / each time they are shared personalization needs to be made based on the specific needs to show relevance and focus on "problem solving". If a well-designed follow-up structure is not yielding results, multi-threading should be engaged to focus on alternative decision makers to proceed (or disqualify).

You can create a compelling elevator pitch by using the I - You/Company - Possibility sequence. For employment, "I admire this about you. You/Company is making an impact and I want to be a part of it. Is it possible to share how I could be useful towards future successes?" If the pitch works, ask for (only) ONE way to contact and follow up. For pitching a project, "I may have found an opportunity to increase our value as a company. You've been working in that direction. Is it possible to share financial projections associated with a project that fits in with what we are trying to achieve?" For networking at trade show or conference, "What you said caught my attention. I am XYZ from ABC company. Is it possible to connect on LinkedIn?" Done.