What is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what your business does. An elevator pitch is so named because it should be short enough to present during a brief elevator ride of 30-60 seconds.
The goal of an elevator pitch is to get the attention of potential investors, partners, or customers. A successful elevator pitch efficiently summarizes who you are, what your business offers, and why the person should care.
Why have an elevator pitch for LinkedIn?
Having an elevator pitch ready to go is crucial for networking events and cold calls. But an elevator pitch is just as important for your LinkedIn profile.
An elevator pitch on your LinkedIn profile serves as a quick introduction when someone views your profile. It gives the reader a snapshot of who you are and what makes you unique. This helps establish credibility and makes you more memorable.
Some key reasons to have an elevator pitch on your LinkedIn profile include:
- Grabs attention of visitors to your profile
- Communicates who you are and what you offer
- Differentiates you from other users
- Introduces your personal brand
- Sparks interest to connect or start a conversation
In short, an elevator pitch is your chance to make a strong first impression on LinkedIn.
How to write your LinkedIn elevator pitch
Here are some tips for crafting an engaging elevator pitch for your LinkedIn profile:
Tailor it to your audience
Think about who will be viewing your profile – colleagues in your industry? Potential employers? Customers or investors? Identify their needs and interests and tailor your pitch accordingly.
For example, for potential employers or partners, focus on your experience, skills, and achievements. For customers, focus more on the value proposition of what you offer.
Highlight your unique strengths and differentiators
What makes you or your business stand out? Summarize your competitive advantage and strengths that would appeal to your target audience. This will make you more memorable.
Communicate your passion
Convey genuine excitement for what you do. Passion is contagious and will make people more interested in learning more about you.
Keep it concise
Aim for a length of 2-3 short sentences or 50-100 words. You want to intrigue people enough that they want to connect with you, not overwhelm them.
Incorporate keywords
Work in relevant keywords and phrases related to your industry, experience, skills, etc. This helps ensure you come up in relevant LinkedIn searches.
Have a clear call-to-action
End your pitch by motivating your audience to take action – connect with you, visit your website, contact you, etc. Give them direction on what you want them to do next.
Elevator pitch examples
Here are two elevator pitch examples for LinkedIn:
Product Marketing Manager
Results-driven marketing strategist with 5+ years experience leading go-to-market strategies for SaaS companies. Passionate about leveraging data to create targeted, multi-channel campaigns that expand market share. Currently spearheading marketing for BaseCRM, where products have gained 20,000+ users globally in just 2 years.
Financial Advisor
Financial advisor with 10+ years experience helping both individuals and businesses plan for financial freedom. Specialize in retirement planning, investing for growth, and leaving a legacy. Founder of SmartPath Wealth Partners, named a top RIA firm in California for client satisfaction 3 years running. Let’s connect to see how I can help you pursue your financial goals.
Best practices for an elevator pitch
Here are some additional tips for making your LinkedIn elevator pitch shine:
Be authentic
Reflect your true personality and what motivates you. Don’t just use buzzwords or generic claims. The more genuine you are, the more you will connect with your audience.
Use clear, simple language
Avoid overusing industry jargon. Keep your pitch clear and easy to understand.
Focus on value
Emphasize how you add value, not just what you do. Explain the outcomes and impact of your work.
Tell a story
Help people relate to you on a personal level by incorporating an anecdote or story that brings your background to life.
Review and refine
Practice your pitch and get feedback from colleagues. Refine over time as your career evolves.
Elevator pitch template
Here is an elevator pitch template you can follow:
Introduction – Who you are, your role/title, and company
Value proposition – What core problem(s) you solve
Differentiation – What makes you unique
Benefits statement – The outcomes and impact you deliver
Credentials – Key achievements, stats, testimonials
Call-to-action – What you want the person to do next
Following this template will help ensure you cover all the key components in a compelling and concise way. But remember to adjust it based on your specific goals and audience.
Where to add your elevator pitch on LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn elevator pitch should be front and center on your profile. Include it in these key sections:
- Headline – Use your elevator pitch as your profile headline
- About section – Feature it at the very top of your summary
- Experience descriptions – Open each position description with a 1-2 sentence pitch
Having a consistent elevator pitch across your profile will maximize visibility and impact.
Conclusion
A strong elevator pitch is essential for making connections and leaving a lasting impression on LinkedIn. Define your unique value, differentiators, and audience. Draft a compelling, concise pitch. And prominently feature it across key sections of your profile. With a polished pitch that sparks interest, you will be set up for success in growing your network and opportunities.