15 elevator pitch examples + template & tips | Asana

A good elevator pitch can be the difference between landing your next big opportunity or falling short of the competition. But the reality is, people want to have meaningful conversations without the forced sales pitch. So how do you pitch yourself during a job interview or client meeting with authenticity?

We've put together 15 creative elevator pitch examples that will help you nail your next client meeting or virtual networking event. Whether it's your first time or you're a seasoned professional, our examples cover any situation you might find yourself in.

These examples can help you make a great first impression, whether you're at a career fair, on a short elevator ride, or even crafting your LinkedIn profile.You'll also learn about additional operational resources to keep your business running efficiently using team collaboration tools.

First things first: What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that summarizes who you are, what you do, and what value you offer, all in about 30 seconds or the time it takes to ride an elevator. Also called an elevator speech, it's your chance to make a memorable first impression and spark a meaningful connection with potential employers, clients, or collaborators.

In reality, most people have given an elevator pitch whether they realize it or not. That's because there are many different types of pitches, from interviews to new business opportunities. Preparing your next pitch becomes an important step in marketing both yourself and your company.

When it comes to figuring out who to deliver your pitch to, you should aim for the best point of contact, not just the highest point of contact. Choosing connections that are related to or interested in what you're offering will give you a better chance at making your sale.

How long should an elevator pitch be?

One of the biggest unknowns about creating sample elevator pitches is how long they should be. In most cases, it will depend on what it's about and who you're pitching. A good rule of business etiquette is to make it as short as possible by carefully selecting the most important points.

A study conducted by Microsoft found that the average person has an attention span of around eight seconds, meaning you'll have to fight for that undivided attention. So when it comes to a great elevator pitch, aim to keep it around 30 seconds, though the exact length can vary depending on your industry and what you're pitching.

Pitch length varies by industry and context. Here's how timing typically breaks down:

• Marketing: You have seconds to capture attention, whether through text, video, or imagery. Keep it under 30 seconds.

• Sales: Networking events often allow for longer conversations. You may have more flexibility to expand past 30 seconds.

• Job interviews: Aim for 30–60 seconds when answering "Tell me about yourself."

If your pitch feels too complex for 30 seconds, you're likely pitching to the wrong audience. Focus on people in your industry or adjacent fields who can quickly grasp your offerings.

What makes a great elevator pitch: The 3 C's

The best elevator pitches share three essential qualities, often called the 3 C's: Clear, Concise, and Compelling. Understanding these principles will help you craft a pitch that resonates with your audience and leaves a lasting impression.

• Clear: Your message should be easy to understand without industry jargon or complex explanations. If your listener has to work to understand what you're saying, you've already lost their attention.

• Concise: Keep your pitch brief, ideally 30 seconds or less. Every word should serve a purpose.

• Compelling: Your pitch should spark interest and invite further conversation. This means focusing on the value you provide and why it matters to your specific audience.

When you combine all three C's, you create a pitch that's not only memorable but also actionable. Your listener will understand exactly who you are, what you offer, and why they should care.

How to write an elevator pitch

Writing an effective elevator pitch means knowing what to include, and what to leave out. Skip the full history of your business and focus only on recent, relevant details. Every strong pitch includes five basic components:

Step 1: Introduce yourself

Every strong pitch starts with a brief introduction, your name, role, and company. The more personal and natural you can make it, the better. Body language and eye contact matter just as much as your words.

• Greet your audience in a compelling way that's appropriate for the occasion.

• Use a formal greeting for a business pitch or when meeting with hiring managers.

• Opt for a more casual greeting for a fun event or informal networking opportunity.

• For virtual business meetings and professional networking events, get creative with your introductions over video chat.

• In virtual networking events, focus on making a strong first impression, as it can be more challenging than in-person meetings.

Consider starting with a lighthearted joke to break the ice, ensuring it's relevant to your target audience. This can be particularly effective at career fairs or when giving your elevator speech to recruiters.

Step 2: Present the problem

All solutions start with a problem. Whatever you or your business is trying to solve, it's important to get the point across early on in your elevator pitch to set the theme for the rest of your speech. An example problem: coordinating work between teams is chaotic.

If possible, relate the problem back to your audience by using real-world examples. This will help make the problem more relevant and grab your audience's attention.

Step 3: Offer the solution

If the problem is what draws the audience in, then the solution is what hooks them. This is your time to show them why they need your help. Here's an example solution: Asana gives teams a system to organize and manage work so they know what to do, why it matters, and how to get it done.

The solution is arguably the most important part of an elevator pitch, so spend time perfecting it. If pitching for yourself, talk about the unique skills you've developed and why they would be beneficial to your prospect.

Step 4: Explain your value proposition

Now that you've piqued your audience's attention, it's time to seal the deal by explaining why your solution is better than anyone else's. An example value proposition is: Asana is the only platform that connects goals with the work needed to achieve them.

The value proposition differs from the solution by focusing on why your audience should use your solution over a competitor's. If you don't have that answer just yet, perform a competitive analysis to compare your offerings.

• If you're pitching during a job search or to build your network, your value proposition should highlight your unique skills, career path, and how they align with the company's or individual's goals.

• If your market is extremely niche and you don't have a clear differentiator, consider why your idea or solution is original enough that someone would want to use it.

Step 5: Engage the audience

While most of the hard work is done, it's important to engage your audience with a compliment or question before you part ways. Always err on the side of being genuine rather than delivering a scripted goodbye.

There is no right or wrong way to engage your audience. Don't forget to include a clear call to action, whether it's scheduling a follow-up meeting, exchanging business cards, or connecting on LinkedIn.

Elevator pitch template

Now that you know the basic components, it's time to build your own pitch. We analyzed templates from industry experts, including Harvard research and Guy Kawasaki's pitching framework, to create a versatile template that works for job interviews, client meetings, and startup pitches alike.

Use it as a starting point and personalize it with your own details. You won't recite it word for word, but having a framework ready ensures you're never caught off guard.

General elevator pitch template

Use our elevator pitch template to start constructing your speech by adding statistics and personalized greetings where needed. This template incorporates the four parts explained above to hit all of the important details of a good elevator pitch.

• ***Introduction****: "Hi I'm [name], a [position title] at [company name]. It's great to meet you!"*

• ***Problem****:**"Since you work with [company name or industry] I figured you'd be interested to know that [problem + interesting statistic]."*

• ***Solution****: "The great part about working at [your company's name] is that we've been able to fix just that problem by [solution]."*

• ***Value proposition****: "In fact, we're the only company that offers [value proposition]."*

• ***CTA****: "I think our solution could really help you. Are you available this week to speak further on this?"*

Don't be afraid to change up your pitch template based on your personality and professional expertise. We've also included personalized 30-second elevator pitch examples below to inspire personal facts you can add to create a more engaging speech*.*

30-second elevator pitch examples

Here are nine 30-second elevator pitch styles to help you find the approach that fits your personality and goals. Each example demonstrates how to pitch project management software to increase productivity.

Example 1: Short and sweet

This example is one of the most common you'll come across. It's a great example of a quick and easy pitch that fits almost any situation. Try to stick closely to the 30 seconds or less rule since the point is to be brief and transparent.

• The problem is that work is chaotic no matter what industry you're in or how good you are at your job. But a good project management software can help improve productivity and communication. I haven't missed a deadline in years. If you're interested in how it can help your team, give me a call and I can take you through some numbers.

Example 2: Relatable over reliable

Sometimes the best way to grab your audience's attention is to reel them in with a personal anecdote they'll relate to. This approach puts more weight on making a personal connection rather than an immediate sale.

• It's so great to finally meet you. How is business going? I heard you've been struggling with communication issues. My team and I struggled with that too. It wasn't until we added project management software into our routine that we really saw an improvement in teamwork and overall communication. I hope you find a solution that works for your team.

Example 3: Savvy with stats

Start your pitch off with a hook by dropping an attention-grabbing statistic. It's important to have hard data to back up your statistics to ensure their accuracy before pitching.

• Did you know that despite having more ways to connect remotely, 60% of workers'time is spent on work coordination with just 26% spent on skilled work and 14% on strategy? No wonder teams need help with project management. Implementing project management tools can decrease time spent on work coordination and help increase skilled work.

Example 4: Question everything

This example uses questions to make your pitch easily comprehensible. It also forces the audience to join in on the conversation rather than just presenting them with a speech.

• Do you ever feel like you spend too much time on busywork? I've talked to so many people who share the same frustrations. I used to work long hours every day just trying to catch up. But do you know what? Ever since we started using project management software, I've been able to get so much more work done. Have you tried anything similar in the past?

Example 5: Comedic twist

If your pitch isn't about a serious topic, you can add comedic twists to engage the audience. This is especially useful if giving a presentation. If using this example, be sure it fits the occasion and tone of your company.

• Did you know that the average person can only pay attention for eight seconds? That's not even long enough to place my coffee order in the morning. Maybe that's why my barista always gets it wrong. But seriously, I think that's why so many companies struggle to hit deadlines.

Example 6: Tell a story

Use customer testimonials or your own personal story to paint a picture for the audience. Telling a story is a great way to add a relatable twist, especially if your topic is hard to explain in 30 seconds or less.

• We have a customer that transitioned to a fully remote workforce this year and needed help making sure deadlines were met. With our help, they were able to get up to 10% of their time back in their day and focus on more important things like strategic planning.

Example 7: Emotionally driven

While this type of pitch may be more difficult to create, you have a better chance of winning over your audience if you can make your pitch emotionally driven. It's important to keep the emotions on the lighter side to prevent the conversation from steering too dark.

• It may seem like any other tool, but when you look closely it really is helping teams connect. And not just that, but it's helping cultivate teams that actually enjoy working together on new projects. That's something that's hard to come by, but something everyone is looking for.

Example 8: Write it first

While most speeches start by writing a general outline, you can opt to write the entire pitch from start to finish. This tends to create a thought-provoking and poetic flow once you do present your pitch.

• Hi, my name is Kelly! It's great to meet you. You work for Apollo Enterprises, right? I've heard a lot about them. I actually heard that you're looking for project management help. In my experience, any organization, whether sales or suppliers, needs help coordinating work and team communication. Work can be rather chaotic, especially now, without it. That's why we've created a software tool that helps both individuals and teams organize their projects and communications all in one place. Have you ever thought about using something similar?

Example 9: End with a one-liner

Making a grand exit doesn't come easily, but if you can pull it off your audience is sure to be impressed. The point here is to leave them with a thought that they'll remember after the meeting is over.

Over one-quarter (26%) of all deadlines are missed each week because of a lack of clarity. But with the right project management tools, that number could be much lower. So the question is, can your business afford not to use project management software?

Elevator pitch examples by scenario

Now that we've covered the types of pitch examples, let's dive into example elevator pitches for different scenarios. Whether you're pitching for your business or yourself, you can use an elevator pitch to organize your thoughts and prepare for the real deal.

Example 10: Networking event

Networking events are the most common scenario for elevator pitches, and virtual events make meaningful connections even more challenging. Whether you're chatting casually or meeting an executive, you need a pitch that works in any setting. Prepare a versatile template you can adapt on the spot.

• Great to meet you, I'm Kelly with Apollo Enterprises. We've been able to improve productivity and collaboration for teams all over the world. If you ever need help with project management, just reach out. I think we could make a huge difference for your company. I'll make sure to keep your contact information handy as well.

Example 11: Job interview

Most job interviews start with "Tell me about yourself." This is your cue to deliver a polished elevator pitch that highlights your experience and key skills. Having a pitch ready ensures you make a strong first impression with recruiters and hiring managers.

• I'm Kelly, a specialist at Apollo Enterprises. I chose a career in project management because I had a passion for it, and now I can proudly say that I've been able to make a real difference in people's lives. That's why I'm looking to continue my career with an employer who shares those same values. I know my unique skills can make a big difference at your company because I've proven my results with a few key projects.

Example 12: Formal meeting

You've landed the meeting, now it's time to deliver a polished, professional pitch. Consider pairing your elevator speech with a brief presentation to reinforce your key points. Dress the part and lead with your unique selling proposition.

• I took a look at your current productivity figures and noticed an opportunity for improvement. With our project management software, you could get back up to 10% more of your workday. Not only would that mean more work getting done, but it would also have a positive effect on the overall success of your business. Not to mention, our tool is the only one in the industry that has goal capabilities to ensure teams stay on track.

Example 13: Sales pitch

Professionals often pitch traditional sales jargon, but the real key is creating a human connection while lightly sprinkling in what you're selling. Start with a personal story or light-hearted introduction instead of the typical sales presentation. You can also prepare by creating sales team goal templates to ensure your team is on the same page.

• Our team really struggled to transition to a remote workforce. Communication wasn't organized and people struggled to find the correct information to complete projects. But, thankfully, we found a solution to our problem. Implementing project management tools not only improved productivity but also improved overall teamwork. Every company prefers different tools, but I can say without a doubt that our software was the best at connecting goals with the work needed to achieve them.

Example 14: Social introduction

Now, more than ever, professionals are choosing to meet virtually rather than face-to-face. Whether you're chatting over LinkedIn or have a virtual meeting set up, it's important to make your pitch personal and use clear visuals to help sell your point.

• Thanks for connecting! I noticed that your competitors are outperforming you when it comes to year-over-year growth. I took the liberty of doing a competitive analysis and didn't find any outlying problems. I'm wondering if it could be an issue with productivity. How has the transition to remote work been? If you're interested, I could run you through some productivity figures if you were to add project management tools to your current processes.

Example 15: Entrepreneurs and business owners

Pitching to a business owner is much different than pitching to an executive. They can be harder to sell because they are often hesitant about new investments. The most important tip is to use examples as they pertain to the business when explaining a problem and solution.

• I love your products at Apollo Enterprises. I'm a huge proponent of your mission. I did realize that there may be some opportunities to improve productivity and collaboration internally. Have you ever considered project management software? I think it could have a big effect on business growth now or even down the road.

4 tips to perfect your elevator pitch

A great pitch isn't just about what you say, it's how you say it. From posture to tone, your delivery can make or break your first impression. Here are four tips to help you nail it:

1. Stick to your outline

To prevent getting off-topic, it's important to stick to your outline at least to some extent. While you don't need to recite it word for word, it's best to memorize the majority of your pitch.

2. Speak slowly and clearly

Many professionals tend to talk quickly when they're nervous, and that's understandable. But it's important to enunciate and speak slowly so the audience can understand you, especially when presenting over video chat.

3. Record your pitch

Record yourself reciting the pitch to work on any areas that need improvement. A couple of key areas to focus on are speed and tone. It's better to sound overly energized rather than monotone.

4. Practice, practice, practice!

There'snothing more effective than practicing your pitch until you're able to recite it in your sleep. If possible, practice in front of friends and family to get constructive feedback on how you can make your pitch even better.

Common elevator pitch mistakes to avoid

Even with the best elevator pitch examples at your disposal, it's easy to fall into common pitfalls. Here are four mistakes to avoid when crafting your pitch:

1. Rambling and using too much jargon

One of the biggest mistakes in delivering an elevator pitch is exceeding the optimal amount of time and filling it with industry jargon. Remember, the best elevator pitch is concise and easily understood.

2. Not communicating your value proposition in a compelling way

Your elevator speech should quickly and effectively convey your unique value. Whether you're job hunting or pitching a new business, clearly articulate what sets you apart.

3. Not tailoring your pitch to your target audience

A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works for an elevator pitch. Tailor your message to your specific audience, whether you're at a career fair, a networking event, or even crafting cover letters.

4. Forgetting to include a call to action

An effective elevator pitch should end with a clear next step. Whether it's exchanging business cards, setting up a follow-up meeting, or inviting them to subscribe to your newsletter, always include a call to action.

Make a strong first impression with your elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a chance to show off your strengths and pitch your solutions. While it may sound nerve-wracking, using the 15 elevator pitch examples above will help you develop your own method using personal tidbits that tie into your innovative solutions.

Your pitch is just one piece of the puzzle. The right work management tools can help your team stay connected, set strategic goals, and focus on the work that matters most. Ready to see what's possible? Get started with Asana today.

Frequently asked questions about elevator pitches