The Art of the Elevator Pitch

Six questions your Elevator Pitch must answer:

1. What is your product or service?
Briefly describe what it is you sell. Do not go into excruciating detail.

2. Who is your market?
Briefly discuss who you are selling the product or service to. What industry is it? How large of a market do they represent?

3. What is your revenue model?
More simply, how do you expect to make money?

4. Who is behind the company?
“Bet on the jockey, not the horse” is a familiar saying among Investors. Tell them a little about you and your team’s background and achievements. If you have a strong advisory board, tell them who they are and what they have accomplished.

5. Who is your competition?
Don’t have any? Think again. Briefly discuss who they are and what they have accomplished. Successful competition can be an advantage-they are proof your business model and/or concept will work.

6. What is your competitive advantage?
Now that you’ve identified your competition, you need to effectively communicate how your company is different and why you have an advantage over them. A better distribution channel? Key partners? Proprietary technology?

What your Elevator Pitch must contain:

1. A “hook”
Open your pitch by getting the Investor’s attention with a “hook.” A statement or question that piques their interest to want to hear more.

2. About 150-225 words
Your pitch should go no longer than 60 seconds.

3. Passion
Investors expect energy and dedication from entrepreneurs.

4. A request
At the end of your pitch, you must ask for something. Do you want their business card, to schedule a full presentation, to ask for a referral?

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-art-of-the-elevator-pitch.html#ixzz1ttZYZMid