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The art of the elevator pitch – how to sell yourself without sounding self-centered

So, get started by checking out the following helpful tips.

Keep Your Pitch Brief

You can use an elevator pitch during job interviews to answer the ‘tell me about yourself’ question, and in other settings, to sell yourself to a potential employer. But you need to make your pitch brief.

Even though you probably will not ever actually deliver your pitch in an elevator, you should ensure your pitch does not last longer than the average elevator ride. That means giving your pitch in under a minute. You should aim for your pitch to be between thirty and sixty seconds.

You do not need to talk about your whole work history and career objectives. Instead, your pitch should be a quick summary of who you are and what you do.

If you talk for too long, you are in danger of sounding too self-centered and not understanding the expected dynamics of delivering an elevator pitch.

Be Persuasive

Even though the pitch needs to be short, you need your pitch to be persuasive.

That means making your pitch compelling and engaging and tailoring it to the person or organization that you are pitching to.

But be persuasive in a natural manner that shows you have gusto, rather than trying to be a persuasive salesperson, if you do not want to come across as self-centered.

Explain Your Skills

A key part of an elevator pitch is explaining the skills, qualifications, and experience you have as concisely as possible.

So, focus on your assets that add value to the person or organization you are pitching to.

Demonstrate that you have confidence and know-how, but do not be overly boastful. The key thing you need to demonstrate is the skills you can bring to the table.

Consider the Vocabulary You Use

One of the most important things to consider when developing your pitch is the audience you are addressing. You should tailor your pitch according to the individual or organization you are pitching to. That includes using the right kind of vocabulary.

While it can be useful to use business jargon for some sectors to demonstrate your industry knowledge, it is usually best to avoid complex words.

If your pitch is full of jargon, you could come across as too self-centered and egotistic.

Practice Your Pitch Again and Again

Speaking with confidence to sell yourself without bragging can be a fine line to tread, so it is important that, once you have come up with a compelling speech, you practice saying it aloud again and again and again.

After all, practice makes perfect.

You not only need to get your words right. You also need to deliver your words in the right way and sound natural. Even though an elevator pitch needs to be short, you should not rush your words. You need to sound comfortable during your speech.

In addition to practicing your pitch by yourself, you should practice in front of a friend. It is also a good idea to record your pitch and play it back to ensure you keep within the time limit and give a coherent message in the right tone.

At the end of the day, the more time you spend preparing your elevator pitch, the better your pitch will be when it comes to delivering it.

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