By Don Tharpe, Senior VP of the Lexington & Central Kentucky Market, and Heather Hise, VP of Marketing & Communications

While no one knows the exact origins of the term “elevator speech,” some rumors allege it sprang from aspiring Hollywood screenwriters pitching movie ideas to producers as they rode the elevator together.

Regardless of how the term was coined, an elevator speech (or “pitch,” depending on what you want to accomplish!) is a handy thing to have in your back pocket – or, more appropriately, on the tip of your tongue.

Here are five things to consider about your elevator speech, whether you find yourself actually in an elevator, at an event, on a plane – or anywhere you have a chance to talk with someone you don’t know.

1. You are more than your job title.

It’s so easy to get caught off guard with that question, “So what do you do?”  There might be a million stories or images that flash through your mind, and yet…you wouldn’t be the first person to simply utter your job title and organization. But that’s an oversimplification of what you do, isn’t it? Don’t sell yourself short!

We get it: Some work is simply more complex or difficult to explain than others. Other times, you might be able to give a simple answer (i.e. “I’m a teacher,” “I’m a lawyer”) but there’s nuance that might tell a more important story (i.e. maybe you teach something specific at a community center, or you’re an attorney that focuses on expungement). Take the time to think critically about what you do, write it down, and ask yourself why it matters. Consider framing it in this format:

“I do [THIS] for [WHO] so that [IMPACT].”

2. First impressions matter.

Being able to explain your work confidently and concisely is a great way to position yourself as a subject matter expert. Plus, you’re more likely to receive follow-up questions and have higher quality conversations! Just remember it should be a back-and-forth – make sure to ask your companion about themselves as well (see our last tip).

Sometimes, you don’t even have an elevator’s ride worth of time to speak, such as when people are introducing themselves around a table. Think about how you could abbreviate your elevator speech to make yourself memorable and inspire curiosity for deeper conversations later.

3. Get aligned and be consistent.

How would someone else from your organization describe the mission or purpose? Does their description align with yours? While there are differences in how people contribute individually to make the magic happen, it’s a good idea to make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of describing the organization itself. (This is especially important if you’ll be speaking with funders!) Everyone at an organization should be able to explain what you do for the people or cause you serve, why it matters, and what you’re ultimately trying to accomplish as an organization. For nonprofits, an easy way to think about this is, “What are we doing to address an issue so our organization may, one day, no longer be needed?”

4. Practice makes perfect.

That age-old wisdom from childhood holds true in this case. Practice out loud, standing up, and to the mirror — but also with people you trust and who know your work and your organization. Do your words ring true for your family, friends, co-workers? Does it sound authentic and accurate? Ask if it clearly articulates who you are and what you do, and whether they can suggest improvements. Be open to feedback, and always be willing to edit yourself! Your elevator speech should be fluid and updated as necessary.

Don’t forget that simulation can help! Team up with a friend or co-worker and pretend you don’t know each other. Then practice your speech in an actual elevator or during happy hour. This may help you realize whether your elevator speech is conversational and genuine or sounds too rehearsed.

5. Make a friend.

Once you’ve shared the things important to you, find a way to keep the conversation going. Most people can agree that “What do you do?” is a boring question, even when you’ve practiced answering it. Instead, consider asking, “What brings you here today?” or “What are you looking forward to about this event?” If you’re talking with someone you’ve met before but don’t know well, you might ask, “What’s something exciting happening in your world?” or “What have you been working on recently?” to start forging a deeper connection.

Ultimately, we believe the real purpose of an elevator speech is to leave your companion wanting more. By the end of that elevator ride, or before that cocktail is finished, the goal is to have them asking for a way to stay in touch. Happy chatting!

Need help crafting your elevator speech? Feel free to reach out anytime.