By Fernando Berrocal

Have you ever had to define yourself in a single line of your Startup Idea only to struggle to come up with the right words to use? As if that weren't difficult enough, you also have to arrange clauses and adjectives into a grammatically correct phrase.

We want to prevent spirals when applying pressure and standards to your business concept elevator pitch. It's tough to come up with one of these for a concept that hasn't been fully fleshed out. As a startup entrepreneur, you'll have hundreds of opportunities to pitch your business to potential consumers, partners, team members, investors, and others. Given the number of times, your concept will be repeated, you'll want consistency and a powerful message. A startup elevator pitch is one of the first types of marketing you'll do, so you'll need to master it in the time it takes to ride in an elevator.

Essentials of an Elevator Pitch: 

When presenting your pitch, you must be efficient, concise, and able to hold the listener's attention. This may be done in a sentence and a 1–2-minute pitch. According to research, when individuals are overwhelmed with information, their attention spans are shortening. The Founder Institute suggests creating an elevator pitch using the basic one-sentence pitch style shown below to get people's attention.

The following is an example of an Elevator Pitch:

The Founder Institute published an informative blog article to assist people with pre-seed business ideas in creating an elevator pitch using a one-sentence template. Always remember that if you can't describe your business in a single line, you don't know enough about it. The good news is that a strong elevator pitch will undoubtedly assist you in laying the groundwork for your startup and centering your thoughts. The "one phrase" style also stops you from becoming dragged down in the "legend" of your concept, allowing you to focus on the offering itself.

The Startup Madlibs Format: 

A specified service, defined audience, the problem you're tackling, and the "secret sauce" are all key parts of an elevator pitch. These aspects clarify your startup concept while retaining the listener's interest.

1. The clearly stated offering is simple to comprehend and define your product. It might be a "website," "mobile application," or even a "community," among other things. If none of these phrases seem appropriate, consider how others would characterize your offering or how you can simplify it for your grandparents to comprehend.

2. The specified audience is the first group to whom you will promote your product or service. While this varies depending on whether your business is B2B or B2C, focus on the first category. Instead of expanding your organizational objectives beyond your first business concept, focus on who your initial product serves. Consider who your early adopters will be, and who is most likely to buy your product. If you're a B2B corporation, your target market may be "midsize company HR managers" or "big organization IT professionals." Consider the demographic you're targeting if you're a B2C organization. It demonstrates that you are aware of your target audience and how to appeal to them.

3. The issue you're trying to solve connects the stated solution to the identified target market. It's the motivation for someone to buy the goods and the "why" behind them. While the problem is particular to the audience, it must be understandable to people from all walks of life. "Save money on internet shopping" and "increase office productivity" are two instances of issues.

4. The secret sauce is your "unique value proposition" and differentiated approach to tackling the problem that sets you apart from existing and future consumers. “By sending automatic email notifications based on a study of highest response times,” for example, and “by merging subscription box products into one waste-free delivery,” to mention a few.

From a Single Sentence to a Minute:

While the pitch you offer is time-dependent, other variables enhance the value of your pitch. Aside from the main statement, you could wish to address questions like “Why Now?” and “Why You?”

• Why Now?  This data relates to the timeframe of your startup concept. What is the idea's potential and relation to market trends? Using anecdotes or data trends, your response should demonstrate how market conditions support your concept.

• Why You? This is a chance for you to discuss your startup idea's passion, expertise, and personal experience. Investors want to know that you have what it takes to establish a business, so a visible display of passion and dedication is crucial. After your progressives remark, you can respond with "why you," but keep in mind that people's attention spans are limited. Try to keep this part as simple as possible.

Here are some essential points to include in your elevator pitch if you just have 1 to 2 minutes to discuss your startup idea. The condition and growth of your business concept will affect these details. If you're pitching for comments and guidance, #3 and #4 should be obvious:

1. The worth of the market in which your startup operates.
2. Your competitors and how you set yourself apart from them.
3. Your business's or product's present status.
4. Your "request" (how the person or people you are pitching to can help you).

Finally, Follow This Three Rules:

1. Maintain a Clear Focus: Stay objective when pitching. You don't have to declare that your startup concept is breathtaking, has never been done before, showstopping, or amazing. Instead, concentrate on telling your audience about your concept. Their excitement will be organic if you give them a strong pitch.

2. Keep it Brief: The most crucial component of an elevator pitch is that it be brief. The objective of an elevator pitch is that it is brief, sharp, and memorable.  While it may be difficult to maintain restraint when discussing your concept, process, or passion, an elevator pitch must be efficient to be effective.

3. Adopt a Direct Approach:  Finally, as previously stated, keep it simple. Avoid using jargon or technical terms. Try not to seem clever if you don't want to lose the listener's interest. If you nail the pitch and start a discussion, you'll be able to show off your intelligence. The objective of an elevator pitch is to rapidly establish a shared understanding so that additional dialogue may take place. You won't be taken off guard the next time someone asks you about your concept if you have your elevator pitch ready.

Ready to bring your startup to the next level? Apply to MassLight’s next batch. MassLight supplies capital and a dedicated tech team. We take equity in return. Have questions? Refer to our FAQ page.

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