An elevator speech is a short, memorable introduction used to promote one's personal brand or services. The document provides tips for crafting an effective elevator speech, including focusing on the benefits for others rather than yourself, using concrete examples, and practicing delivery. It also offers examples of before-and-after elevator speeches to illustrate how to emphasize client outcomes over qualifications.

1. Personal Branding
Ref: 0049
The Elevator Pitch with Impact!
What Is It?
An elevator speech is a short (15-30 second grab, up to 150 word) sound bite that succinctly
and memorably introduces you. As a professional, how do you communicate the value of
your personal brand and / or corporate brand to attract support.
How ready are you to communicate your grab?
 It spotlights your uniqueness.
 It focuses on the benefits you provide.
 It is delivered effortlessly.
Elevator speeches are intended to prepare you for every brief, chance encounters in an
elevator. But elevator speeches are not just for elevators! You should use it whenever you
want to introduce yourself to a new contact. That could be in a networking function, the
supermarket or when you get your morning coffee.
So, who better than you to describe with passion, precision and persuasiveness what you
do? A great elevator speech makes a lasting first impression, showcases your
professionalism and allows you to position yourself.
And if you want to network successfully, you need an elevator speech!
How to Prepare an Elevator Speech or What's My Line?
Now for a short course in preparing your elevator speech, or unique selling proposition.
First, and most important, think in terms of the benefits your clients or customers derive from
your services. Trust me, no one is going to be riveted if you say:
"Hi, my name is Mary Smith, and I'm a media executive with twenty years of experience."
Or:
"Hi, I'm Billy Nohope, and I'm an executive in human resources. Two big yawns.
Page 1 of 7
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and coaching programs available please contact:
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T: (+61 3) 9820 4449
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E: info@imagegroup.com.au
©2011

2. What's In It for Me?
If you remember that people are always more interested in how you can help them, you're
on the right track. Keep that at the top of your mind when composing your speech.
Here's how to improve the two examples mentioned above:
"Hi, my name is Mary Smith, and I help inventors tell the world about their inventions."
"Hi, I'm *Billy Nohope. I partner with companies that need to find talented people to help
their business growth and become more profitable."
Now, you've got my attention!
Let's use the next elevator speech before and after as an example: Here's a client’s before
version (and they wondered why people looked at them with a frozen smile!):
"Hi, I'm James Strong, and I'm a career and executive coach. I hold a Master's Degree in
Career Counseling and have been trained by a master level coach. (Who cares!) I've been
an HR director for a multinational cosmetic company, run a PR agency and taught college-
level business courses. (So what!) I believe that coaching can be the catalyst to change
your life. (Are you asleep yet?)
See how that was all about then, them, them?
Now for the revised version:
"Hi, I'm James Strong, and I help people become more successful at their work. For
example, I've helped a client change jobs with a 40% salary increase, I've helped a client
develop the skills to deal with a difficult boss, and I've helped a manager devise new ways to
keep her staff motivated."
Here's a few more examples:
I know an image consultant who says:
"I help women look beautiful."
Or a business coach that says:
"I help you get more clients than you know what to do with."
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and coaching programs available please contact:
Image Group International
Asia Pacific Head Office
T: (+61 3) 9820 4449
www.imagegroup.com.au
E: info@imagegroup.com.au
©2011

3. *Billy Nohope may also consider “changing” his surname.
Action Steps
So, here's what you need to do to craft your elevator speech. Consider all the following
points as you create your 15-30 second grab.
1. WHY does the work matter?
2. WHO is the organistion / people?
3. WHO will benefit
4. WHAT is the proposal or program?
5. HOW will it happen and WHEN?
6. HOW MUCH will it cost?
A. First, write down the "deliverables" -- the services or features that you provide.
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B. Then, think in terms of the benefits that your clients, employer (or future employer)
could derive from these services. You could use several successful client outcomes,
as illustrated.
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C. Once you've got that written, create an opening sentence that will grab the listener's
attention, as our Image Consultant did above. The best openers leave the listener
wanting more information. And you do not have to include your title, especially if you
think it has a negative connotation (a Tax Auditor, for example).
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For further information on this handout and the consulting
and coaching programs available please contact:
Image Group International
Asia Pacific Head Office
T: (+61 3) 9820 4449
www.imagegroup.com.au
E: info@imagegroup.com.au
©2011

4. ___________________________________________________________________
D. Finally, your elevator speech must roll off your tongue with ease. Practice your
speech in front of the mirror and with friends.
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Record it on your answering machine, and listen to it. Do you sound confident?
Sincere? Is it engaging? Tweak accordingly. Then, take it on the road!
Note: Your personal coach will support you to formulate your final version together.
Elevator Speech Examples
Long Versions
1. I'm a powerful communicator with strong intuition and great creative vision. I've got a
solid background in business development. I’m friendly and approachable, yet also
organised, confident and assertive. So, I’m able to collaborate with colleagues at all
levels. I’m empathetic yet practical, so I can build a relationships based on trust and
mutual respect. My next career role will be a permanent position focused on
developing a vision and realistic strategic plan and then overseeing its
implementation.
2. I’m a high-level strategic planner who facilitates communication across departments.
This ensures projects achieve their maximum potential because there is no
ambiguity, only a clear vision with realistic action steps. It’s challenging, so my strong
intuition and creative streak are great assets. I’m friendly and approachable, yet also
organised, confident and assertive. So I’m able to collaborate with colleagues at all
Page 4 of 7
For further information on this handout and the consulting
and coaching programs available please contact:
Image Group International
Asia Pacific Head Office
T: (+61 3) 9820 4449
www.imagegroup.com.au
E: info@imagegroup.com.au
©2011

5. levels and can build relationships based on trust and mutual respect. An inquisitive
mind fuels my curiosity about people, the world and business.
3. I’m a curious person, so my interests include other cultures, the arts, and a liberal
dose of psychology. I combine this knowledge with strong intuition and a solid
background in business development to create a shared vision. Then I work with the
relevant departments to develop and implement a high-level long-term strategic plan.
That reduces the stress of mis-communication and misunderstanding; and increases
job satisfaction and project effectiveness. I thrive on bringing people with different
business backgrounds together in a successful collaboration; it helps everyone grow
– and improves the bottom line as well.
4. I’m a communicator. Over the years, my curiosity has fuelled a passion for travel, life
experience, work experience and formal study. I’ve developed a strong intuition and
have a naturally creative mind. My communications aim to demystify the façades we
build around ourselves and others. I’m collating a book of my recent experiences in
Asia especially China that I hope will debunk the current myths. Work-wise I use my
understanding of people and my solid business development background to create
and implement high-level strategic communication plans across business areas.
5. I’m a creative and intuitive communicator and use these skills in the arts as well as
business. Artistically, I’m compiling a book of stories and photographs of my recent
experiences in Asia, with a special focus in China. My aim is to demystify the people
and foster greater understanding and tolerance. Business-wise, I develop high-level
strategic plans that facilitate communication across departments. This means there
are no mixed messages and project implementations become more realistic, more
efficient and ultimately, more effective.
6. I’m a curious person, so my interests include other cultures, the arts, and a liberal
dose of psychology. I combine this knowledge with strong intuition and a solid
background in business development to create a shared vision across different
departments. My next career role will be a permanent position focused on developing
a vision and realistic strategic plan and then overseeing its implementation. This
Page 5 of 7
For further information on this handout and the consulting
and coaching programs available please contact:
Image Group International
Asia Pacific Head Office
T: (+61 3) 9820 4449
www.imagegroup.com.au
E: info@imagegroup.com.au
©2011

6. means there are no mixed messages and project implementations become more
realistic, more efficient and ultimately, more effective.
7. I’m a creative and intuitive communicator who’s interested in demystifying the
facades we build around ourselves and others. My curiosity with the world generally,
has fuelled a passion for travel, life experience, work experience and formal study.
I’ve developed a strong intuition and have a naturally creative mind. I enjoy a mental
challenge and can develop a long-term vision backed by a comprehensive strategy
and realistic action plan. I thrive within a collaborative group striving for a common
purpose.
“Third Person” Version
1. Robert is a compassionate leader with over twenty-five years experience in crisis
management, employee relations, executive budgeting and community liaison. He
treasures family life and thrills at the self-discoveries and growing confidence of his
two daughters. Robert takes a long-term strategic view and works with people,
whatever their organisational standing, to achieve truly satisfying outcomes.
Robert derives real pleasure from empathetically supporting others to achieve. He
greets the dawn on the jogging track each morning and has been known to swing a
couple of clubs on weekends.
2. Robert is a master of understated achievement. He has over twenty-five years
experience in crisis management, employee relations, executive budgeting and
community liaison. He has enjoyed multiple promotions and won three state
awards for community work. His inclusive approach means empathy for all, yet he
is decisive, strategic and visionary. He strives to improve himself and his working
environment for the benefit of all.
3. Robert has a vision of achievement through honouring every individual and
encouraging them to become all they can be. He is empathetic and compassionate,
Page 6 of 7
For further information on this handout and the consulting
and coaching programs available please contact:
Image Group International
Asia Pacific Head Office
T: (+61 3) 9820 4449
www.imagegroup.com.au
E: info@imagegroup.com.au
©2011

7. yet also decisive, financially smart and strategically savvy. Roberts’s strong family
values reflect his workplace ethic of empathy and his passion for overall wellness.
And it’s this passion that leads him to a daily run at dawn, and strangely enough, to
the golf course on a Sunday.
4. Robert is multi-faceted. He shows empathy and understanding to all, yet calmly
and decisively manages resources and people during a crisis. His ability to
communicate with people at all levels is exceptional. Andrew is an excellent
networker engendering not only friendship and respect, but a willingness to
participate fully. Robert loves connecting with people.
5. (Insert Name) loves connecting with people. Whether he’s co-ordinating resources
in a crisis or mentoring individual team members, Robert engenders a respect that
creates and sustains a spirit of true collaboration. And he’s not afraid to really
challenge himself. Roberts’s fear of public speaking lead him to apply for a training
role where his job was giving group seminars! He is a long-term strategic planner, a
budget setter and overseer, a proactive manager who constantly seeks opinions on
how to improve operations.
Short Versions
1. Evolve! (insert name) call to action emits energy. It provokes diversity. It inspires
vision.
2. (Insert Name and Title) analyses business performance from marketing, financial
and organisational perspectives.
3. (Insert Name and Title) reaches businesses through lectures, in-house and external
workshops, publication, consultations and coaching.
Page 7 of 7
For further information on this handout and the consulting
and coaching programs available please contact:
Image Group International
Asia Pacific Head Office
T: (+61 3) 9820 4449
www.imagegroup.com.au
E: info@imagegroup.com.au
©2011

8. 4. In today's dynamic marketplace, standing still is not a winning option. Be fit. Be
adaptable. Be guided by experience and knowledge. Evolve! with (Insert Name and
Title).
Page 8 of 7
For further information on this handout and the consulting
and coaching programs available please contact:
Image Group International
Asia Pacific Head Office
T: (+61 3) 9820 4449
www.imagegroup.com.au
E: info@imagegroup.com.au
©2011