This document provides guidance on developing an effective elevator pitch to introduce one's work. It recommends identifying core messages such as the problem/context, your role/solution, proposed actions, and potential results. You should know why the audience should listen, take action, and what actions you want them to take. Then tailor the core message based on content, style, appropriate messengers, delivery timing and location. Consider engaging with different stakeholders like academics, media, policymakers, and practitioners. When pitching, be clear, concise, frame points for the audience, and use context and stories to make ideas stick.

1. Delivering the perfect elevator
pitch

2. Objectives from this session
• Develop a 1-2 minute pitch to use anywhere anytime: Speaking
events – introducing your work – in a media interview – in the lift!
• Identify approaches for developing core messages
• Practice tailoring communications for different audiences
• Test for clarity

3. Identify core information and
messages1. Agreed analysis of problem/questions and context ( & solution)
2. Summarise your role/position/identity/affiliation - establish
credibility
3. What are you going to do about it?
4. What may happen as a result?

4. You need to know
• Why should they listen?
• Why should they take action?
• What actions do you want them to take?
Then tailor your core message
• What you say – ideas arguments
• How you say it – language, style, format
• Who says it – appropriate messengers
• When, where and how you deliver it
What might work best for your audience? Frame and
contextualise

5. Who might you need to
engage with?
Academics from other disciplines
The media
Ministers
Civil Servants
Donors
Bureaucrats
Community members
Young people and children
NGO practitioners
Teachers
Corporate executives
Social workers

6. Content and Style
• Think about what you are going to say and how you can say it in such a way that it
will resonate with your audience.
• Prepare 3 or 4 things you want to say and say them.
• Avoid making abstract points.
• Make sure each of your key points are different.
• Be clear and concise.
• Frame your points for the audience you are speaking to.
• Think about the wider context – what is happening locally and globally and can you
make any connections?

8. The “sticky” communicator:
SUCCES
Simple – find the core of any idea
Unexpected – grab people's attention by surprising them
Concrete – make sure an idea can be grasped and
remembered later
Credible – give an idea believability
Emotional – help people see the importance of an idea
Stories – empower people to use an idea through narrative
Chip and Dan Heath 2007, Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive
and Others Die

9. Jargon Buster