You step into the elevator and find yourself alone with your dream client. The doors slide closed. You have 30 seconds. Could you intrigue them enough in moments to make an impression that sparks interest? Mastering the elevator pitch can leverage chance encounters into game-changing opportunities.

In this article, you’ll learn proven techniques to craft and masterfully deliver a compelling elevator pitch.

Continue reading to learn:

An impactful yet concise elevator pitch doesn't happen by accident. It takes practice and preparation.

The SHORE Framework: 

 My proven technique for crafting an exceptional one is called the SHORE framework (yes, it's my last name!) SHORE provides an easy-to-remember blueprint tailored specifically to grabbing attention quickly and conveying your value in 30 seconds or less. The SHORE framework is valuable tool that can elevate your communication skills, pitching, sales, marketing, and social media content. 

As we explore how to craft an exceptional elevator pitch, keep SHORE top of mind:

S - Solution H - Helping O - Opportunity  R - Relatability E - Engage

What is an Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch is a brief, compelling introduction of who you are, what value you offer, and why that matters.

They are often referred to as "Elevator Pitches" because they should be short enough to be delivered within the time constraints of a single elevator ride. (typically 30 -60 seconds)

The elevator pitch is not to sell your product or service but to get someone interested in what you have to offer so they want to know more.

Keep in mind that the best pitches do not seem like “pitches” but natural conversation.

While elevator pitches are often associated with entrepreneurship and selling ideas or products, they are broadly useful. Whether you are networking, interviewing, meeting potential clients, introducing yourself at a conference — whenever you need to impress fast — having one locked and loaded gives you an advantage. Now that we've defined what an elevator pitch is and why it matters, let's delve deeper into the SHORE framework 

SOLUTION: Ask yourself, "What solution am I providing?"

When crafting your elevator pitch, clearly establishing the problem, challenge, or goal that you solve for your target audience is crucial. People pay attention to things that affect them. Concisely define which specific struggle or desire you help address.

HELPING : After establishing the solution you provide, the next step is specifying who you help and HOW you uniquely assist them. 

Clearly defining your target audience and ideal client avatar ensures your message directly resonates with who needs to hear it. You want to get as specific as possible

OPPORTUNITY. This represents clearly defining the core benefit you provide – the ultimate outcome and transformation that your product or service enables.
What will the customer/client's life look like if they work with you or but your product or service? 

Rather than listing features, focus on BENEFITS, bringing to life what the customer’s reality looks like after engaging with your offer. 

While features and benefits may seem interchangeable the feature is an essential function of the goods or services offered while the benefit is how their life can be improved by the feature. By conveying the benefits your offer enables, you resonate and motivate people to take action.

RELATABILITY: People buy from people they know, like and trust, and we tend to like people who are like us. People deeply connect with and more readily trust those perceived as similar to themselves. If we have similarities, we feel like we already know the. If we have similarities, we like them better.  If we have similarities, it is easier to trust them. Find that relatability factor;

Elements of relatability include, but are not limited to

The list can go on & on...

ENGAGE After grabbing interest, explicitly state next steps for continuing the conversation. People get so focused on selling themselves or their product that they neglect to explicitly say what they want the listener to do next.

How can they get in touch with you? 
How can you follow up with them? 
Where can they go to schedule a call, buy your product or service, sign up for your email?

Don't leave things open-ended regardless of perceived interest level. Tell them how to engage further. The elevator pitch sparks initial interest, but what you tell your audience to do next is what drives engagement. 

Practice and repetition are key to effectively delivering your pitch. While the SHORE framework provides necessary structure, true mastery requires practice until it flows naturally & authentically like a conversation with a friend. Stay dedicated to putting in the work and improve your skills pitch by pitch.