What do you do if your elevator pitch falls flat during a public speaking interview?

If your elevator pitch falls flat during a public speaking interview, swiftly pivot by acknowledging the response and redirecting the conversation with a concise, engaging story or example that showcases your expertise and passion. it will be wise to use this opportunity to demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and the ability to captivate an audience even in unexpected circumstances.

I blanked out, presenting in front of 350 people. I took a second to realize it was happening. Then I asked the audience to help me. I asked for an applause. Then I remembered everything and continued. People want to see you succeed. People want to help. Just ask them!

The awesome thing about your elevator pitch/speech is that you are the only one who knows what you stumbled on it’s your own personal story therefore gather your thoughts and regain ownership of your pitch and as my Great Colleague Birchard said expect the unexpected ??

Take a moment to mentally regroup and gather your thoughts. Personal experience: I once stumbled over my words during an elevator pitch at a networking event. Instead of panicking, I took a brief pause, collected myself, and continued with confidence.

If your pitch falls flat, don't panic. Do your best to pivot during the interview. You should be able to run your pitch in under 30 seconds. You should be able to give a detailed and concise overview of what you do. Practice is so important, this is why you should run the pitch by different people if possible. Everyone can give you different feedback to help you figure out what works and what doesn't. While you are in the moment of a pitch interview that doesn't seem to go well, don't dig yourself a deeper hole. Focus on what you can control.

Acknowledge any concerns or objections raised during the interview and address them directly. Listen actively to the interviewer's feedback and demonstrate your willingness to address any doubts or hesitations.

Acknowledge any concerns or confusion that arose during your pitch and address them directly. Personal experience: After a lackluster response to my elevator pitch, I asked the interviewer if there were specific aspects they found unclear or needed further elaboration. This allowed me to clarify and fill in any gaps.

If your pitch doesn't resonate initially, quickly pivot by engaging the audience with a question like, "Can I clarify any points for you?" This approach opens a dialogue, shows your responsiveness, and helps pinpoint where your message might need adjustment. It also demonstrates your willingness to interact and value audience feedback, which can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your presentation. For further advice on refining your pitching skills, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

When your pitch falls flat, some will say looking at familiar faces in the audience helps but what if there are no familiar faces. Looking at your slides will help you stay on track.Be flexible and try to remember a familiar story in line with the topic. Be in the moment and make it practical. Speak slowly and with zeal. Remember it's your speech and no one knows it better than you. After all you prepared it.

One thing I have found very effective is the flexibility of a presenter to quickly alter his approach and engage the audience in dialogue excavating the avenues of interest.

Demonstrate your adaptability by being open to adjusting your pitch based on feedback or the context of the conversation. Personal experience: When my elevator pitch didn't resonate with the interviewer, I pivoted to highlight different aspects of my experience and expertise that aligned more closely with their interests.

If your elevator pitch fails, thats okay. Not every thing is going to go our way, but if you have a fast recovery and can highlight your qualifications tie it back into the topic and reengage the audience you are golden and good to go. Not every opening line is going to be a hook, line, and sinker but what you do after the fact to grab the audiences attention is more important.

Absolutely, adaptability is paramount in public speaking, especially when faced with unexpected challenges. Being ready to adjust your strategy in real-time is crucial. If complex language is hindering understanding, simplify your message. If a certain point isn't connecting, swiftly transition to a more compelling aspect of your presentation. Your capacity to adapt not only rescues your pitch but also showcases a valuable skillset highly sought after in professional contexts.

Start asking the prospect questions to identify pain points where you can help to solve their problems. Create a dialog then once you have them engaged ask of they see how your product can help them? Finally ask for the sale and shut up. First person to talk looses!

Connect with the interviewer on an emotional level by sharing a compelling story or example that demonstrates the value you bring. Personal experience: I shared a brief anecdote about a challenging project I successfully managed, illustrating my problem-solving skills and resilience.

Inject emotion and passion into your pitch to captivate the interviewer and leave a lasting impression. Share personal anecdotes or stories that resonate with your audience and highlight your authenticity and enthusiasm.

When incorporating personal stories into your pitch, ensure they're relevant and relatable to your audience. This strategy aims to forge a connection by making your message more human and accessible. However, be cautious—stories that don't resonate with your audience may not yield the intended positive outcome. It's crucial to choose anecdotes that align closely with the interests and experiences of your listeners to maximize engagement and impact. For tips on crafting relatable stories and other speaking strategies, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Emphasize the benefits and unique value proposition you offer, focusing on what sets you apart from other candidates. Personal experience: I highlighted specific achievements or skills that directly addressed the needs or pain points of the organization or role I was applying for.

Emphasize the unique benefits and value proposition of your pitch, focusing on how your skills, experiences, or ideas can benefit the organization or audience. Highlighting concrete benefits can help reignite interest and enthusiasm.

Extend an offer for further discussion or follow-up after the interview, demonstrating your commitment to addressing any lingering questions or concerns. Providing additional information or resources can help reinforce your pitch and keep the conversation going.

Reflect on your performance during the interview and identify areas for improvement. Consider seeking feedback from peers or mentors to gain insights into how you can enhance your elevator pitch for future opportunities.

Practice: Review and refine your elevator pitch to ensure clarity, conciseness, and effectiveness. Seek feedback: Solicit feedback from mentors, peers, or interviewers to gain insights into areas for improvement. Continuous improvement: Treat each pitch as a learning experience and use feedback to refine your approach for future opportunities.

Listen. I own a speakers, Bureau and the number one issue that speakers have getting hired is focusing on what they want to say versus what the organization wants them to say. Listen, listen listen. Don’t be so focused on what you want to say. Most of the time and organization has a topic that they want a speaker for. Rise to the occasion!

If you're still in the middle of your pitch and see you're failing, pause and say, "I think everyone here can see the concept may have merit, but the details won't convince management. So, how about some feedback? What different approach or details might make this idea something management would consider too good to pass up?"

Keep it simple. Your elevator pitch should be drilled down to three basic needs including the What (what do you want that person or the audience to authentically know about your issue) the So What (why should they care) and lastly the Now What ( what do you want them to do). Keep it simple and if your authentic pitch doesn't land… that's okay too! Keep sharing until you find your person/people.