The phrase “elevator pitch” in a freelancing or writing context comes from the idea of communicating what you do, who you serve and what makes you different in the time it takes to ride from floor to floor in an elevator.
An elevator pitch is a short, compelling sales pitch.
Do you want the worksheets that go with this training?
I’ve added the two elevator pitch templates from this post as a free download to my resource library. This is a freebie you’ll need a password to access the library itself. You can get the password by popping your email address into the form below.
Once you’re in the library, navigate to the “freelancing” section and look for “Elevator Pitch Templates.”
How to write an elevator pitch
We know how our writing can help others but our potential clients don’t. If they did they probably wouldn’t need a writer. It’s a classic conundrum.
We can get so wrapped up in our writing world we forget that those not in our world have no idea what we do or why it matters. It’s our job to educate them.
This is where the elevator pitch comes in.
- I know, how can you explain all the facets of your writing business in a way that both makes sense and persuades someone to hire you?
- How can you craft a pitch that not only positions you as an expert but convinces the listener you’re the right person to deliver the solution he or she wants?
- (Yes, this is the hard part.)
Telling people “I’m a writer,” is great but it’s vague. What do you write? How do you make money? Who reads what you write?
See what I mean?
- Think about what you do and then expand your definition to include someone who has no clue about your industry
- Think of your grandmother or someone in an unrelated field
- How would you describe the service you provide to them?
Break it down
Before we write the pitch let’s answer these questions:
- Who do you help (in an ideal world)
- What problem are you solving
- What is your solution?
Who do you help?
When I first went through this process I realized I couldn’t be a generalist and “help everyone with their writing stuff.”
I needed to zero in on an audience/group. It took some soul searching, but I recognized I had a passion for helping new/emerging writers learn how to make money from their writing and helping established writers market themselves.
Yeah, I know. Specific. Scary stuff, right?
Except it’s not scary. It doesn’t mean I can’t help non-writers with writing (I do it all the time), it just means I have an ideal client who I focus on the most.
In the end I found the easiest way to write an elevator pitch was by filling in the blank. Here are two formulas I found helpful.
Free elevator pitch templates
I’ve added the two elevator pitch templates from this post as a free download to my resource library. This is a freebie you’ll need a password to access the library itself. You can get the password by popping your email address into the form below.
Once you’re in the library, navigate to the “freelancing” section and download “Elevator Pitch Templates.”
How to write an elevator pitch example ONE
The biggest problem my audience has is _________________ and I can solve this problem by (showing them, giving them, etc.) ___________________, which will allow them to ________________ and that really speaks to their desire to ________________.
I found this over on Zach Spuckler’s site in a freebie called Your First Course Playbook. I have no idea if it’s still kicking around but I thought it was a good exercise.
How to write an elevator pitch example TWO
I help _________________ (target population) with/gain/develop _________________ (problem) by delivering _________________ (your solution).
This is from a six-week coaching program I did last summer called Simplify Your Social Media and Spark Your Sales. It isn’t offered anymore but if it ever is again I will let you know.
I LOVED every second of it and ran through it a few times after the initial course. I like how simple this sentence is. It helped me narrow my gaze enough to commit to an elevator pitch.
Do you want the worksheets that go with this training?
I’ve added the two elevator pitch templates from this post as a free download to my resource library. This is a freebie you’ll need a password to access the library itself. You can get the password by popping your email address into the form below.
Other Helpful Articles
- How to Market Yourself as a Writer
- Marketing Ideas for Writers who Hate Marketing
- Meeting Your Ideal Client in Person | Getting it Right
One more thing. You may be interested in my free resource library. This is where I keep my files, downloads, ebooks, worksheets and whatever else I manage to create. I love sharing what I learn and want to keep adding to this library so it becomes a wealth of helpful goodness.
This is a free resource but I do require a password to access the library itself. You can get access by popping your email address into the form below.
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