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What Is an "Elevator Pitch"?

An "elevator pitch" is an ultra-short presentation (30 to 60 seconds) of your company or product, brief enough to fit an elevator ride with an investor.

, 1 min read, Sales English

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A person presenting to colleagues in front of a large screen in a dim room
Photo Teemu Paananen, Unsplash

Key takeaways

  • An "elevator pitch" lasts 30 to 60 seconds, short enough to be delivered during an elevator ride, hence the name.
  • It answers three questions in order: who you help, what problem you solve, and what result you produce.
  • It's used both for a company product and for introducing yourself professionally, in a networking context.

An "elevator pitch" is an ultra-short presentation, generally 30 to 60 seconds, of your company, your product, or yourself professionally. The name comes from the idea that it should fit within an elevator ride with someone important.

The typical structure

An elevator pitch answers three questions, in this order:

  1. Who you help: the type of customer or audience targeted.
  2. What problem: what difficulty that person experiences.
  3. What result: what your solution concretely changes.

"I help small business owners who struggle with late payments. Our app sends automatic reminders and gets them paid faster."

Where to use it

The elevator pitch is used in several contexts: a networking event, a job interview, a chance meeting with a potential investor, or even as the opening of a longer sales call.

The length constraint

30 to 60 seconds equals roughly 65 to 150 words spoken at a natural pace. It's deliberately short: the goal isn't to explain everything, but to earn interest in learning more.

What a good elevator pitch avoids

It avoids technical jargon, detailed company history, and feature lists. It focuses on one clear idea, memorable enough to be repeated by the person who heard it.

Going further

For a full template with examples filled in by industry, see our guide on the elevator pitch in English.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the term 'elevator pitch' come from?
From the idea that you should be able to present your idea or company during an elevator ride with an investor or an influential person, roughly 30 to 60 seconds.
Is an elevator pitch only for investors?
No, it's used in any networking context, job interview, or first contact with a potential customer, any time you need to quickly explain what you do.
What's the difference between an elevator pitch and a regular pitch?
An elevator pitch is the shortest possible version of a pitch, specifically calibrated for 30 to 60 seconds. A pitch can run longer depending on context.

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