The Elevator Speech

Handout: The Elevator Speech  [Developed by NAKESEC] The elevator speech is your personal pitch introducing you and describing your work. It should be a one minute speech that: 1. Draws and sustains the attention of the audience 2. Motivates the audience to act or support your work 3. Leaves an indelible impression of your work What separates the pitches that are interesting from the pitches that are typical & bland? • • •

Stick within the pitch frame. (See below.) Avoid numbers, names, or policy jargon. Stick to terms and examples that the larger audience (not just someone from your community) can identify with.

Elements of the Elevator Speech 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Who you are The problem What you are doing The result Restating who you are The Ask

Elevator Speech Template: Keep it Short 1. Hi, my name is ____________________ and I work with ____________________.

2. Isn’t it wrong that/Did you know that/Have you heard about/Did you hear in the news that ____________________________________________________________________?

3. Well, what we are doing is ______________________________________________. 4. So that … ___________________________________________________________. 5. We’re kind of like the… (insert a metaphor) ______________________________. In restating who you are, use a metaphor that re-emphasizes in a colorful & vivid way who you are and makes something possibly unfamiliar, familiar. Try picking metaphors that are positive, funny, quick to grasp to most listeners because they are popular/contemporary, and are easily repeatable. For example: superheroes, animals, athlete, cooking, weather, etc. 6. Can you ____________________________________________________________?

Slogan (Six Words): _____________________________________________ Sample Elevator Speeches Example A. 1. Hi my name is Junghee Lee, I work at the Korean Resource Center, a non profit community based organization working for the Korean American community in Los Angeles. 2. Do you know there are more than 1 million Korean Americans in the United States and at least half a million in Southern California. At least 75% are recent immigrants and close to 78% are Limited English Proficient. Many are unfamiliar with the political process, at least 50% are uninsured and a significant percentage are living in poverty. 3. Well, we maintain a number of programs from social service and education to advocacy and organizing. 4. So that more than six thousand people per year are served, better integrated into American society and fully informed of their rights. 5. We’re kind of like the Asian Pacific American Community Center in Los Angeles but we focus on Korean Americans. 6. So, it would be great if you could support us with a donation. Example B. 1. Hi, my name is JungHee and I work at the Korean Resource Center, a community center promoting the healthy well being of all children. 2. Do you know that that every day there are children who go to sleep sick, unable to visit a doctor? 3. Well, what we’re doing is mounting an art exhibit in Washington DC during Inauguration week featuring children’s artwork. The theme is “I want to be healthy too.” 4. So that legislators get the message and that no parents has to feel that they did not do the best for their children. 5. We’re kind of like a doctor that diagnoses the problem and prescribe quality solutions. 6. Can you help us collect children’s art work / donate $5 to help cover expenses / cover this story in your next column? Example C. 1. Hi my name is JungHee and I work at the Korean Resource Center, a Koreatown based community center helping children achieve their educational dreams. 2. Isn’t it wrong that there are still schools in California that deny immigrant students admissions? 3. Well, what we’re doing is accompanying the students to talk to the public school administrators and remind them that they are violating federal laws by denying education to any child in the United States. 4. So, that all children, whether they are immigrants or not, receive quality education and contribute their best to this country. 5. We’re kind of like the Third Parent for families who are unable to defend the educational rights of children on their own. 6. Can you support our continued ability to help all children get a chance to go to school by donating?