Pitching in everyday life: How to achieve your goals with an elevator pitch

 Everyday life offers so many challenges where you want to get people excited about you and your goals in the shortest possible time : How do you get the children to bed? How to get your partner to help out with the household chores or watch the series with you that you've had on your watchlist for weeks? And how can you shine in a presentation , job interview or one-on-one conversation with colleagues?

 

An option that comes from the business world and can easily be adopted into the household , your hobbies or everyday family life : the elevator pitch . Or in German: the elevator presentation .

 

In this story we'll tell you how you can use the art of pitching in every area of ​​life, how you can achieve your goals in a short time with little effort - and thus ensure more flow in your everyday life in a stress-free and efficient manner.

 

But before we show you how you can use the art of pitching in your circle of friends or family , we would like to tell you in more detail what an elevator pitch is, how you prepare it, set it up and carry it out - and why it is used in the business world and is so valuable and effective in an academic environment .

 

What is an elevator pitch?

 

The definition in one sentence: An elevator pitch is a self-presentation or introduction of a product or idea reduced to the essentials in a very short time. The elevator pitch was invented by salespeople in the USA who wanted to use the short time they spent in an elevator with potential customers to introduce themselves, their products or ideas. And because an elevator ride usually lasts no longer than 60 seconds , even today this one minute is considered the magic unit of time for every elevator pitch (some even say that a good pitch should last no longer than 30 seconds ).

 

But don't worry: If your elevator pitch lasts two or even three minutes, it's usually still completely within limits . Times are changing. But the goal always remains the same: to win people over. Fast, passionate and above all impressively precise.

 

What is the perfect structure for an elevator pitch?

 

So brevity is where the spice lies. But that is often easier said than done. Luckily, there is a formula that can help you build your elevator pitch so that it doesn't miss its target.

 

The AIDA formula for your elevator pitch

 

AIDA is a formula from advertising that can serve as the basis for every elevator pitch . AIDA stands for Attention , Interest , Desire and Action .

 

Attention With a crisp introductory sentence you will gain the attention of the person you are talking to. This can be a joke, a provocative introduction or a phrase that arouses curiosity. This first phase of your elevator pitch should be as short and concise as possible. Important: Before you can even attract attention, you should introduce yourself. Of course, the point doesn't apply when pitching to family or friends...

 

Interest Building on your introductory sentence, you now go into more depth to serve your aroused interest. Now you explain, now you name facts and USP (i.e. unique selling points of your idea, your product or your person). This second phase also serves to let the other person ask their first questions - for which you are of course well prepared.

 

Desire The third and decisive phase , because at the end this should be the desire of your counterpart to want to participate. Be it that he or she would like to get to know your product better or even buy it straight away, support your idea or hire you, promote you or invite you for a detailed conversation.

 

Action Now you're literally closing the bag. This fourth phase is used to make a second (longer) appointment, to mention ways to stay in touch, or to immediately establish business relationships - for example, for a customer to buy your product.

 

 Elevator pitch? No problem! With the right preparation.

Tips for your elevator pitch: the five rules of thumb

 

First rule: always prepare an elevator pitch ! Spontaneous pitching is an art full of pitfalls – one that very few people have mastered. This also includes knowing the person you are talking to, the location, the surroundings and more. Nobody wants to listen to what you have to say at a noisy intersection at 8 a.m. on a Monday. Elevator pitches fit perfectly into designated dates and opportunities (actually in the elevator, but also at trade fairs, feedback discussions with superiors, etc.). And even if it may sound irrelevant: Treat yourself in advance to a new haircut, the right wardrobe and other factors that can support your self-confidence on the day of the day.

 

Second rule: Structure the elevator pitch according to all the rules of the art. The AIDA formula mentioned above will help you with your pitch here. Important here: Pay attention to the time. How long do you need (no questions asked) for phases one to four? Also essential: Don’t just reel off your pitch. Give the other person time to ask questions and understand what you are telling him or her.

 

Third rule: practice! Preferably in front of people who criticize openly and honestly and make suggestions for improvement. When the big moment comes, you can shine with a perfectly prepared, ideally structured pitch that you can master inside out - and can easily adapt into action when the other person asks questions or shows certain reactions. Another advantage of practicing: You develop a good sense of the time an elevator pitch really takes. Feel free to ask those around you to ask a few too many questions - that way you'll be on the safe side later.

 

Fourth rule: Know your strengths and weaknesses. So: yourself. Mental training can help you build psychological strength – for example, more self-confidence. If you know the brainpull principle , you can do a lot for concentration and attention with the right food. Here our cubes and sticks , our school materials , delicious muesli bars and practical Dextro Energy* minis can ideally support you with fast carbohydrates.

 

Fifth rule: Know the problem, then you know the solution (or can find it more easily). Translated, this means: If you pitch past the topic or the interests of your counterpart, it won't work. You need to know what the goal of your pitch is. Then you can find out more easily which tools you want to use: Facts? Humor? Or maybe a few emotional anecdotes?

 

Your checklist for a successful elevator pitch

 

Now we have given you a lot of rules and know-how. But since every elevator pitch is different, this little checklist should help you pitch precisely, even with completely unique challenges. An elevator pitch always requires:

 

• good preparation
• lots of practice
• a strong start
• vivid images and good sound
• Passion for the topic
• a pinch of humor
• good time management
• a solution to a problem

 

How you can achieve your goals in everyday life with an elevator speech

 

You now know how to make an elevator pitch. But the big question remains: How can you apply what you have learned in your everyday life ? After all, life doesn't just consist of presentations , lectures or pitching business ideas , right? The good news: The elevator pitch is also perfect for all the challenges in everyday life .

 

Making a pitch when it means getting the kids to bed? No problem. Pitching for more family time together? That's okay. How? With our elevator pitch tips:

 

Example one: the elevator pitch for a family trip

In 60 seconds, get your family excited about going out and getting to know the surrounding area? Nothing easier than that. For example like this:

 

Attention Did you know that we haven't gone on a trip together for more than two months? There are so many beautiful places that we can discover. I picked out five really cool ones.

 

Interest We can visit a ghost castle, climb the highest tower in the area together, go for a walk with alpacas, conquer a medieval city or march through a dense jungle.

 

Desire Imagine it for a moment: we're on the move together, we have delicious things in our backpacks, we've created a playlist, and we're just having a good time together.

 

Action So: Where should we go, who will take care of the provisions, who will create the playlist? And when do we want to leave?

 

Example two: the elevator pitch at bedtime

 

Bedtime and nothing is going as it should? Try this:

 

Attention you, I think something is brewing. Do you feel that? The earth is about to shake! We should quickly retreat under our protective blankets!

 

Interest We build our safe caves in bed. I take light with me. And you your favorite book. Then we are protected from the earthquake and can make ourselves comfortable! And if the earthquake lasts longer, there will even be two stories.

 

Desire We're having a race to bed, whoever gets there first gets to choose the story. And maybe you can help me build a cave? You know it better than me!

 

Action We only have 60 seconds until the earthquake! Go to bed quickly, we're sure of it!

 

Once you have internalized the AIDA concept and the structure of an elevator pitch , you can achieve more in just a few moments. And at some point the principle will become so second nature to you that you won't even notice how you can use elevator pitches to get your favorite people excited about you and your ideas.

 

* contains carbohydrates

 

A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important.

Photo credit

iStock.com/Biserka Stojanovic

iStock.com/Jacob Ammentorp Lund