Crafting the perfect “Elevator Pitch” for networking

How do you tell a small story to get across your BIG idea? 💥

Mar 13, 2025

Delivering an elevator pitch in 60 seconds or less is an essential skill when networking.

And if you’ve recently listened to my Raise Your Profyle podcast and found yourself booked into one of London’s top networking events - having your elevator pitch ready will help you feel more confident, network like a pro and ultimately get the most out of the event.

And whilst you might not be in an elevator (the term comes from when office workers would strategically corner an executive in the lift and only have the time between floors to sell an idea), it shouldn’t necessarily be the first thing that comes out of your month when meeting someone.

Some people may wish to cut straight to the chase if time is of the essence (and they may say “OK, what’s your pitch”), but usually you’ll have a little time to build rapport before diving directly into your sales pitch.

But what should be in your 60 second intro? Let's dive into the key elements of the killer pitch...

What’s in an elevator pitch?

#1 The Hook 🎣

Start strong! Grab your audiences attention immediately. Think of a problem you solve, a unique value proposition, or a question that sparks curiosity.

Example from Dropbox:

It’s 2007 and it’s still hard to work on multiple computers and share files across teams

Or, the one we use at Profyle Card…

Did you know that 27 million single-use business cards are printed every single day?

#2 The Problem/Solution 🤔

Briefly explain the pain point your audience experiences and how you address it. Keep it concise and relatable.

Example from Tinder:

Matt spots a girl he likes at a party. But like most of us, Matt won’t go over and say hello. He’s got the same problem as all of us… fear of rejection.

#3 The Value Proposition ✨

What makes you different? Highlight your unique strengths and the specific benefits you offer. Focus on what's in it for them.

Example from Airbnb:

Airbnb exists to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere, providing healthy travel that is local, authentic, diverse, inclusive and sustainable.

#4 The Call to Action or the “Ask” ➡️

Make it clear what you want them to do next. Example: "If this something you are struggling with, perhaps we could arrange a further discussion” or if you’re looking for investment.

An Example:

We are seeking £2.5m to scale our operations in Europe, with £1.8m committed so far”.

#5 Practice, practice, practice 💪

Rehearse your pitch until it sounds natural and conversational. Time yourself – aim for under 60 seconds. The more you practice, the more confident you'll be.

After your pitch

One of the first things you may want to follow up with (and is often the first question), is what validation or expertise you have. Your previous experience, track-record, traction or growth of the business can add validity or proof to your statements or claims. Examples of this might be your company revenue, number of deals you’ve done, how many countries you operate in or number of Fortune 500 companies you work with. Pick something you know your audience will relate to... another reason to find out more about who you're talking to before jumping into your pitch!

And after the event, check out my article From Handshake to Deal: Mastering the Art of the Post-Event Follow-Up for tips on making your networking effects go even further.

Conclusion

Like many things, perfection comes with practice. These tips will help you craft a great pitch - but it’s you that will need to deliver it! Get to some networking events and give it a trial run.

Any other tips for a great elevator pitch? Let me know in the comments.