The document provides examples and guidance on creating an effective elevator speech. An elevator speech is a brief statement used to introduce yourself and your background in a clear, concise manner. The document outlines the typical elements of an elevator speech, including who you are, your experience and goals. It also discusses making elevator speeches memorable through simplicity, credibility and other sticky techniques. Examples of effective elevator speeches are also included from different organizations.

1. Your E L E V A T O R Speech
Every day we are given passing chances
to tell others who we are.
What do you say?

2. In the time it takes to ride an elevator what would
you tell someone about who you are?
Elevator Speech: A speech
designed to tell another
person(s) about you
in such a way that

3. In the time it takes to ride an elevator what would
you tell someone about who you are?
Elevator Speech: A speech
designed to tell another
person(s) about you
in such a way that
intrique

4. In the time it takes to ride an elevator what would
you tell someone about who you are?
Elevator Speech: A speech
designed to tell another
person(s) about you
in such a way that
intrique
and
curiosity

5. In the time it takes to ride an elevator what would
you tell someone about who you are?
Elevator Speech: A speech
designed to tell another
person(s) about you
in such a way that
intrique
and
curiosity
are created about you.

6. VAT OR
ELE
PEE CH?
S
The term grew out of the limited time entrepreneurs are given to
pitch their product to potential investors. The same idea naturally
extends to all professionals, whether they sell a service or a product.

7. Do I have to be on an
elevator to use this speech?

9. NO! NO!
NO ! NO! N O !

10. NO! N O! NO! NO!
O !
N
NO!
NO !
NO ! NO! N O ! NO !

11. NO! N O! NO! NO!
NO! O ! N
N O ! N O!
NO!
N O!
NO ! NO!
NO ! NO! N O ! NO !

12. NO! NO ! NO! NO!
NO! NO! O ! N
N O ! N O!
NO!
N O!
NO ! ! NO ! NO!
NO NO!
NO ! NO! NO! NO !

13. NO! NO ! NO! NO!
NO! NO! O ! N
N O ! N O!
You can tell it anywhere, any time, to anyone!
NO!
O!
An elevator is not required.
N
More on that later....
NO ! ! NO ! NO!
NO NO!
NO ! NO! NO! NO !

14. The E L E M E N T S of an
elevator speech answer the
following 5 questions . . .

15. What are the
ELEMENTS of an Elevator Speech?
1
This is
who I
am . . .

16. What are the
ELEMENTS of an Elevator Speech?
2
This is
where I’ve
been . . .

17. What are the
ELEMENTS of an Elevator Speech?
3
This is
where I’m
going . . .

18. What are the
ELEMENTS of an Elevator Speech?
4
This is
why I’m
going
there . . .

19. What are the
ELEMENTS of an Elevator Speech?
5 This is
how I’m
going to
get
there . . .

20. Elevator Speeches are also
S T I C K Y. How? By using these elements:

21. Elevator Speeches are also
S T I C K Y. How? By using these elements:
SIMPLICITY

22. Elevator Speeches are also
S T I C K Y. How? By using these elements:
SIMPLICITY
UNEXPECTEDNESS

23. Elevator Speeches are also
S T I C K Y. How? By using these elements:
SIMPLICITY
UNEXPECTEDNESS
CONCRETENESS

24. Elevator Speeches are also
S T I C K Y. How? By using these elements:
SIMPLICITY
UNEXPECTEDNESS
CONCRETENESS
CREDIBILITY

25. Elevator Speeches are also
S T I C K Y. How? By using these elements:
SIMPLICITY
UNEXPECTEDNESS
CONCRETENESS
CREDIBILITY
EMOTIONAL APPEALS

26. Elevator Speeches are also
S T I C K Y. How? By using these elements:
SIMPLICITY
UNEXPECTEDNESS
CONCRETENESS
CREDIBILITY
EMOTIONAL APPEALS
USE STORIES

27. Elevator Speeches are also
S T I C K Y. How? By using these elements:
SIMPLICITY
UNEXPECTEDNESS
CONCRETENESS
CREDIBILITY
EMOTIONAL APPEALS
USE STORIES
SATISFYING

28. Elevator Speeches are also
S T I C K Y. How? By using these elements:
SIMPLICITY
UNEXPECTEDNESS
CONCRETENESS
CREDIBILITY
EMOTIONAL APPEALS
USE STORIES
SATISFYING
Learn more about Sticky Ideas in one of our favorites:
Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath

29. Need a few examples?

30. Somewhere along the way, after discovering his inability to spell the word botany (he wrote quot;botonyquot; on his application to
Texas A&M), Charles wandered into the forest sciences building and was accepted into this burgeoning department
(about a dozen students) studying the renewable natural resources of forestry. The rest is history, well, sort of. While no
one knows exactly what's on his mind these days given those occasional lapses in memory, we think it could be building
that American Chopper he's been dreaming about. Not to ride of course, he's way too cautious for that. It's for the
opportunity to build something, see it go wrong, and then solve the problem that keeps this classic running (him - not
the bike). Besides, it's hard to pull a boat to Rockport with a motorcycle. He constantly fights that micro-manager inside
but down deep he knows, with a team like Burditt, there's just no need to worry. Right? Right.

31. is
xa mple ite
T his e a webs n
i
from written on.
s
and i hird pers it is
the t etheless,
Non sticky.
Somewhere along the way, after discovering his inability to spell the word botany (he wrote quot;botonyquot; on his application to
Texas A&M), Charles wandered into the forest sciences building and was accepted into this burgeoning department
(about a dozen students) studying the renewable natural resources of forestry. The rest is history, well, sort of. While no
one knows exactly what's on his mind these days given those occasional lapses in memory, we think it could be building
that American Chopper he's been dreaming about. Not to ride of course, he's way too cautious for that. It's for the
opportunity to build something, see it go wrong, and then solve the problem that keeps this classic running (him - not
the bike). Besides, it's hard to pull a boat to Rockport with a motorcycle. He constantly fights that micro-manager inside
but down deep he knows, with a team like Burditt, there's just no need to worry. Right? Right.

32. is Charl
xa mple ite es bec
omes
T his e a webs n dimen
sional three
i
from written on. reade
r. The to the
s
and i hird pers it is list of
h
re is n
o
the t etheless, award is accolade t
s, degr s
Non sticky. ees, et ,
c.
Somewhere along the way, after discovering his inability to spell the word botany (he wrote quot;botonyquot; on his application to
Texas A&M), Charles wandered into the forest sciences building and was accepted into this burgeoning department
(about a dozen students) studying the renewable natural resources of forestry. The rest is history, well, sort of. While no
one knows exactly what's on his mind these days given those occasional lapses in memory, we think it could be building
that American Chopper he's been dreaming about. Not to ride of course, he's way too cautious for that. It's for the
opportunity to build something, see it go wrong, and then solve the problem that keeps this classic running (him - not
the bike). Besides, it's hard to pull a boat to Rockport with a motorcycle. He constantly fights that micro-manager inside
but down deep he knows, with a team like Burditt, there's just no need to worry. Right? Right.

33. is Charl
xa mple ite es bec
omes
T his e a webs n dimen
sional three
i
from written on. reade
r. The to the
s
and i hird pers it is list of
h
re is n
o
the t etheless, award is accolade t
s, degr s
Non sticky. ees, et ,
c.
Somewhere along the way, after discovering his inability to spell the word botany (he wrote quot;botonyquot; on his application to
Texas A&M), Charles wandered into the forest sciences building and was accepted into this burgeoning department
(about a dozen students) studying the renewable natural resources of forestry. The rest is history, well, sort of. While no
one knows exactly what's on his mind these days given those occasional lapses in memory, we think it could be building
that American Chopper he's been dreaming about. Not to ride of course, he's way too cautious for that. It's for the
opportunity to build something, see it go wrong, and then solve the problem that keeps this classic running (him - not
the bike). Besides, it's hard to pull a boat to Rockport with a motorcycle. He constantly fights that micro-manager inside
but down deep he knows, with a team like Burditt, there's just no need to worry. Right? Right.
Instead, t
he
to know” reader “gets
Ch
becomes arles. He
interestin someone
g
I would l and someone
ike to wo
rk with

34. When Gravitate was founded in 1999, we knew it was never destined to be a typical design agency.
We didn’t want the bureaucracy, the revolving door of designers, and outrageous egos that we knew
drove many design houses. Instead, our priorities were fixed from the beginning on three things –
doing great work, treating our employees really well, and exceeding our clients’ expectations.
We never set out to be the biggest, most cutting edge, or hippest firm out there, because good
business isn’t about those things – it’s about delivering outstanding solutions that are sensible and that
drive profit. What’s more, talent isn’t found in European light fixtures or expensive coffee – it’s found
in amazing employees who truly believe in what they do, not just in their paychecks.
What does our philosophy mean for you? It means you will get our best, no matter what your
budget. It means you’ll always be able to reach someone who is working on your project when you
pick up the phone. It means we will never sell you technology that you don’t need. And it means we
do what we promise.

35. er
ve anoth
we ha ple of an
Here exam r
gre at ’s e levato
iz ation n from
organ ch take
spee r website.
thei
When Gravitate was founded in 1999, we knew it was never destined to be a typical design agency.
We didn’t want the bureaucracy, the revolving door of designers, and outrageous egos that we knew
drove many design houses. Instead, our priorities were fixed from the beginning on three things –
doing great work, treating our employees really well, and exceeding our clients’ expectations.
We never set out to be the biggest, most cutting edge, or hippest firm out there, because good
business isn’t about those things – it’s about delivering outstanding solutions that are sensible and that
drive profit. What’s more, talent isn’t found in European light fixtures or expensive coffee – it’s found
in amazing employees who truly believe in what they do, not just in their paychecks.
What does our philosophy mean for you? It means you will get our best, no matter what your
budget. It means you’ll always be able to reach someone who is working on your project when you
pick up the phone. It means we will never sell you technology that you don’t need. And it means we
do what we promise.

36. er
ve anoth Throug
we ha ple of an languag h great
Here exam r such as e choices
gre at ’s e levato “
iz ation n from found.. talent isn’t
organ ch take .” we se
e this
spee r website. firm is
differen
thei t.
When Gravitate was founded in 1999, we knew it was never destined to be a typical design agency.
We didn’t want the bureaucracy, the revolving door of designers, and outrageous egos that we knew
drove many design houses. Instead, our priorities were fixed from the beginning on three things –
doing great work, treating our employees really well, and exceeding our clients’ expectations.
We never set out to be the biggest, most cutting edge, or hippest firm out there, because good
business isn’t about those things – it’s about delivering outstanding solutions that are sensible and that
drive profit. What’s more, talent isn’t found in European light fixtures or expensive coffee – it’s found
in amazing employees who truly believe in what they do, not just in their paychecks.
What does our philosophy mean for you? It means you will get our best, no matter what your
budget. It means you’ll always be able to reach someone who is working on your project when you
pick up the phone. It means we will never sell you technology that you don’t need. And it means we
do what we promise.

37. er
ve anoth Throug
we ha ple of an languag h great
Here exam r such as e choices
gre at ’s e levato “
iz ation n from found.. talent isn’t
organ ch take .” we se
e this
spee r website. firm is
differen
thei t.
When Gravitate was founded in 1999, we knew it was never destined to be a typical design agency.
We didn’t want the bureaucracy, the revolving door of designers, and outrageous egos that we knew
drove many design houses. Instead, our priorities were fixed from the beginning on three things –
doing great work, treating our employees really well, and exceeding our clients’ expectations.
We never set out to be the biggest, most cutting edge, or hippest firm out there, because good
business isn’t about those things – it’s about delivering outstanding solutions that are sensible and that
drive profit. What’s more, talent isn’t found in European light fixtures or expensive coffee – it’s found
in amazing employees who truly believe in what they do, not just in their paychecks.
What does our philosophy mean for you? It means you will get our best, no matter what your
budget. It means you’ll always be able to reach someone who is working on your project when you
pick up the phone. It means we will never sell you technology that you don’t need. And it means we
do what we promise.
The idea
s
simple a are very
nd conc
This mak rete.
e
easy to r s them
emembe
r.

38. I’m a conquistador who liberates the
undiscovered, sets boundaries for safe play,
and builds fortresses where dreams can be
realized. I create, protect, and conquer the
future with extreme respect and reverence for
the past.

39. a
h ave r
lw ays ell ou
’t a s to t ancy n
don ute e N esig
We min Her te D s a
few tory. Duar ives u e is.
s e of gy g sh
t lo o
uar Slideo to wh
D d n
an pse i
glim I’m a conquistador who liberates the
undiscovered, sets boundaries for safe play,
and builds fortresses where dreams can be
realized. I create, protect, and conquer the
future with extreme respect and reverence for
the past.

40. a Ag
ave r ain
s h l ou
ay el lan impo we se
lw
o ’t a s to t ancy n
n e a C guage rtanc e the
g
e d inut re N Desi a
W m He me onqu choi e of
te s all i ce
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f t I ne stado . “I’m
s e of gy g she ed r” te
lo to
t
uar Slideo to wh
o kno lls
D d n w
an pse i
glim I’m a conquistador who liberates the
undiscovered, sets boundaries for safe play,
and builds fortresses where dreams can be
realized. I create, protect, and conquer the
future with extreme respect and reverence for
the past.

41. a Ag
ave r ain
s h l ou
ay el lan impo we se
lw
o ’t a s to t ancy n
n e a C guage rtanc e the
g
e d inut re N Desi a
W m He me onqu choi e of
te s all i ce
ew ory. Duar ives u is.
f t I ne stado . “I’m
s e of gy g she ed r” te
lo to
t
uar Slideo to wh
o kno lls
D d n w
an pse i
glim I’m a conquistador who liberates the
undiscovered, sets boundaries for safe play,
and builds fortresses where dreams can be
realized. I create, protect, and conquer the
future with extreme respect and reverence for
the past.
Her short descriptio
n of
self leaves me wanti
ng
more. I want to kno
wa
company whose lea
der
has this philosophy.

42. I'm a former quot;salarymanquot; (Osaka), former Apple
employee (Cupertino), jazz musician, branding
enthusiast, communications specialist, and
design evangelist currently working in Japan as
a full-time marketing professor for a local private
university. I'm also director of a Japanese
design group and love living here in Japan.

43. orites
of our fav f
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I'm a former quot;salarymanquot; (Osaka), former Apple
employee (Cupertino), jazz musician, branding
enthusiast, communications specialist, and
design evangelist currently working in Japan as
a full-time marketing professor for a local private
university. I'm also director of a Japanese
design group and love living here in Japan.

44. Shor
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orites lis ee
of our fav f but a hes his c t. Garr
Another eynolds o t r
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Presentatio dime f
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nal.
I'm a former quot;salarymanquot; (Osaka), former Apple
employee (Cupertino), jazz musician, branding
enthusiast, communications specialist, and
design evangelist currently working in Japan as
a full-time marketing professor for a local private
university. I'm also director of a Japanese
design group and love living here in Japan.

45. Want to S E E some
elevator speeches?

46. Australia’s Tourism Queensland
has created a pretty cool
interview concept . . .

47. Applicants must post a 60 second
video presentation detailing why
they should be given an interview.
www.islandreefjob.com

48. M e et Be n

49. Ben on Ostrich: Unexpected
Traveling, Writing, Blogging, Tour Guide, Degree: Credible
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures: Creates Story and Emotional Appeal
His overall message: Simple and Clear
Overall, I find Ben’s Elevator Speech highly satisfying and I want
to know more

50. M e et Clar e

51. The use of the Chalkboard: Simple, Concrete and Visually
Interesting all at the same time
Presidential Puppets: Unexpected and funny creating an
Emotional Connection
Clare has never been to the Great Barrier Reef. Some might
see this as a downside, but Clare turns it into a strength
thereby increasing her Credibility

52. “I am starting to get the idea
of a great elevator speech...
but where do I start?”

53. Brainstorm YOU on paper.
Do not
evaluate,
judge, or
criticize
any idea.

54. Look at what you have.
Do you see any emerging
connections between ideas
or a possible story line?

55. Which ideas are sticky?

56. Now evaluate...what are
the best and most
important ideas to include?

57. Start plugging
these ideas into
the parts of the
elevator speech

58. Now brainstorm potential
audiences : client, co-worker,
potential employer, professional
in your field

59. Work on a 30 second, 60
second, and 120 second
version

60. Practice -- out loud --
your elevator speech for
different audiences and
different time constraints

61. Now -- Put your speech
to work for you! Try it
out today!

62. You can move UP in your
professional life! Take the
first step and develop your
elevator speech now.

63. You can move UP in your
professional life! Take the
first step and develop your
elevator speech now.
Wanna know more? Check
us out at www.bravocc.com