Pitch Perfect: Please Respond To The Following Watch

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Watch the following Lynda.com videos from the video series Giving Your Elevator Pitch with Todd Dewett: “Benefits to an Elevator Pitch,” “Making an Initial connection,” and “Structuring your Pitch.” Then, rank the following factors in order of importance when developing an elevator speech, and provide a rationale for your response:

  • Speech is confident, not arrogant
  • Use of positive and compelling words
  • Short in duration
  • General to the industry in question
  • Specific to the company’s mission and company’s values

Paper For Above instruction

Developing an effective elevator pitch is a critical skill in business communication, as it allows individuals to succinctly communicate their value proposition to potential investors, clients, or networking contacts. The videos by Todd Dewett emphasize the importance of clarity, confidence, and focus when crafting this brief but impactful message. When ranking the factors involved in creating a compelling elevator speech, confidence that strikes a balance—being confident without crossing into arrogance—stands out as most vital. Confidence demonstrates credibility, reassures the listener, and fosters trust, which are essential in establishing initial interest. However, arrogance can undermine these efforts; thus, maintaining humility while projecting confidence is paramount.

Next in importance is the use of positive and compelling words. Language choice shapes perception; persuasive and optimistic wording can create a memorable impression and motivate listeners to engage further. The brevity of the pitch also plays a significant role. Since elevator pitches are meant to be delivered within a short span—typically 30 seconds to two minutes—conciseness ensures that key messages do not get lost. A short, focused pitch respects the listener’s time and increases the likelihood of retention.

Additionally, tailoring the pitch to the industry in question adds relevance and demonstrates familiarity with the field. This localized focus makes the presentation more relatable and showcases industry-specific knowledge or understanding of trends, challenges, and opportunities. Finally, specifics related to the company's mission and values serve to differentiate the speaker and align the pitch with broader organizational goals, providing depth and establishing a sense of purpose.

In conclusion, an effective elevator pitch hinges on a combination of confidence, compelling language, brevity, industry relevance, and alignment with company mission and values. Prioritizing these factors allows the speaker to craft a message that is not only persuasive but also memorable, laying a strong foundation for future dialogue and relationship building.

References

  • DeWett, T. (n.d.). Giving Your Elevator Pitch. LinkedIn Learning. https://www.linkedin.com/learning
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