How do you craft a memorable elevator pitch that effectively communicates your personal brand? We asked seven business leaders for their best advice, and here’s what they shared.
- State Your Unique Value Proposition
- Focus on Outcomes, Not Services
- Share Your Mission and DNA
- Highlight Emotional and Tangible Transformation
- Tailor Your Pitch to Your Audience
- Make Your Pitch Authentically Yours
- Be Authentic and Honest in Your Pitch
How to Craft Your Elevator Pitch
State Your Unique Value Proposition
An effective elevator pitch that conveys your personal brand should have four key components:
- State your unique value proposition. What do you stand for? What do you bring to the table that sets you apart? What do you believe? For example: “I believe that communication is the currency of life and that with inspired coaching you can discover your natural abilities to speak with impact in any language.”
- Focus on problem-solution. How do you help “scratch the itch?” How does your expertise address the needs of the people you are talking to? For example: my approach helps people overcome their fear of speaking in public without compromising their personalities.
- Tell a story. Yes, you can tell a one-line story or an anecdote in an elevator pitch. Show how your work brought about a transformation. For example: last year, I helped a dozen terrified CEOs ace high-stakes presentations and discover their natural speaking styles.
- Close with a call to action. End with an invitation to find out more and explore how you can be of service. The pitch is just the start of a longer conversation. For example: “Let me help you optimize your communication techniques and enhance your impact every time you speak.”
Rosemary Ravinal
Bilingual Speaker Coach, Tedx Speaker, Author, RMR Communications Consulting
Focus on Outcomes, Not Services
The most powerful elevator pitches focus on outcomes, not services.
Instead of listing what you do, show the gap between where your clients are and where they want to be. For example, don’t say, “I’m a business consultant who helps with strategy.”
Say, “I help companies bridge the gap between stalled growth and market leadership.”
When you focus on outcomes, people instantly understand the value and want to know more.
Deborrah Ashley
LinkedIn Marketing & Personal Branding, Level Up Executive Branding
Share Your Mission and DNA
I call this exercise an “invitation pitch.” When I pitch my studio and newsletters, what truly matters is conveying the DNA of what I’m building. That DNA is rooted in a mission I strive to fulfill. To demonstrate that I’m on the path toward this worthy ideal, I share relevant projects that highlight progress and traction.
In just a few words, you aim to set the scene (your brand) in a way that allows your listener or viewer to project themselves into it (resonance).
Start with an entry point—a warm, intriguing introduction. Then, explain why your listener caught your attention (why them).
Next, share what you do and why it matters (your mission and DNA). Once that foundation is laid, transition into a discussion about collaboration and process, always grounding the conversation in your product and how it works.
Finally, extend an invitation to a follow-up and let the magic happen.
Keva Epale
Founder, Brand Strategist, Keva Epale Studio
Highlight Emotional and Tangible Transformation
Think of your elevator pitch as your unique promise of value. In other words, focus on what a specific subset of people will gain after working with you.
For me, it’s important to dig deeper than the surface level elevator pitch about your product or service. So, my #1 tip is to focus on the emotional journey that highlights their profound transformation.
For example, a decent elevator pitch could be, “I help job seekers write unique resumes to help them stand out and make more money.”
This is a great start. Who doesn’t want to make more money?
But, to make it more tangible and compelling, you could say, “I help ambitious professionals break free from being overlooked and position themselves as the top choice. My clients typically land higher-level roles with salary increases from $15 to $50K.”
The key is to focus on the emotional and tangible transformation (from overlooked to top choice—with a $50K salary boost).
Basically, show them that your work isn’t just transactional; it’s transformative.
Melanie L. Denny
Personal Branding Consultant – Self-Marketing Expert, Resume-Evolution
Tailor Your Pitch to Your Audience
I think crafting a memorable elevator pitch comes to three main components.
1. Your audience
The first thing to consider is who you’re speaking to. Every audience is different, so I try to tailor my pitch based on what matters most to them. When you know your audience, it helps you highlight what they care about most, which makes the message more relevant and engaging. For example, if I’m giving a speech, I focus on my expertise and the achievements of my business that prove it. But if I’m talking to a potential partner, I emphasize shared goals and how we could collaborate.
2. What you want people to remember about you
In a pitch, you only have a few seconds to make an impression, so it’s essential to be clear on the one or two key things you want people to take away. For me, it’s about identifying my unique value—whether it’s tested methods, an exceptional team, or a strong vision for the future. This is what sets my agency apart from the rest, and I want it to stick in their minds after our conversation ends.
3. The tone you use
Finally, the tone of voice makes a huge difference. A pitch can be technically sound, but if it feels too stiff or too casual, it won’t resonate. I aim for a confident yet approachable tone, showing I believe in what I’m saying but also that I’m open and genuine. People respond to enthusiasm and authenticity, so I try to let my passion come through without being overbearing. The right tone helps me connect and makes people more likely to remember what I shared.
Nikola Baldikov
Founder, InBound Blogging
Make Your Pitch Authentically Yours
To craft a memorable elevator pitch, make it authentically yours rather than mimic someone else’s style. Start by clearly identifying your unique value and the problem you solve, then connect it to the impact you create. Include who you are, what you do, and why it matters in a natural way that aligns with your personal brand. A genuine, specific pitch will resonate far more than a generic or overly polished one.
Jodi Brandstetter
Strategic HR Consultant & Brand Positioning Expert, Lean Effective Talent Strategies
Be Authentic and Honest in Your Pitch
Crafting a memorable elevator pitch can be a little confusing and for some, intimidating.
To develop an elevator pitch that communicates your personal brand, remember that your personal brand is just that. Personal. It’s not about where you work or the business you lead, what you do in that space, or what you’ve done in that space. Your personal brand is who you are, what you do, and the value you bring with you in any space you enter, regardless of who you speak to.
The key: be authentic and honest in your pitch so it’s much easier to remember and say. When you know what drives you, what you do about it, and the value in that it’ll be easier for you to craft, remember, and say.
Komita C. Liggans
Acc, Certified Executive Coach and Development Strategist, GK Liggans
