The document discusses the art of the elevator pitch, which is a 1-2 sentence description of a business that can be delivered in less than 30 seconds. The goal of an elevator pitch is to intrigue, engage, and build a relationship with the listener. An effective pitch follows the formula of describing the customer, their problem, and the product or solution being offered. It should also include a hook to grab attention, differentiation from competitors, and a request or call to action. The document provides tips for crafting and practicing an elevator pitch, including creating multiple versions and getting feedback to improve.

1. The Art of the Elevator Pitch
Nicole Glaros
@nglaros
nicole@techstars.com

15. Elevator Pitch Defined
A 1-2 sentence
description of what
your business
does, described in
less than 30
seconds.

16. What’s the goal?

17. To Intrigue!
To Engage!
To build a
relationship.

18. For [customer]
with [problem]
we offer [product/solution]

19. An example:
For landlords who are overcome with the
burden of managing rental properties,
RentMonitor.com is a web service that
allows the automation of many
commonly occurring tasks such as rent
collection and maintenance requests.

20. For [customer]
with [problem]
we offer [product/solution]

21. For landlords who are overcome with the
burden of managing rental properties,
RentMonitor.com is a web service that
allows the automation of many
commonly occurring tasks such as rent
collection and maintenance requests.

22. Use a hook!
TechStars is the #1 Seed Accelerator in the
world. We inverse the success statistics for
startups, providing them with mentorship and
capital in a 13 week bootcamp.

23. Don’t be boring
Fred Wilson’s Minimum Viable Personality

24. Mega Technologies provides network
management tools that ensure network safety
and reliability no matter where the equipment is
installed. Using advanced software, our tools
allow network managers to remotely diagnose
and configure systems.

25. Be unique & credible
On Tuesday, May 14, 2010, eBay went down for
2 days. It was my job to get it back up. I spent
48 hours with no sleep and said "never again." I
started Mega Technologies to keep the world's
largest sites from ever crashing. eBay uses us
now, and so does CNN.

26. Don’t tell me what you
are.
Tell me what you do.

27. Generic language is
deadly
We maximize the email sales channel in non-
obtrusive ways.

28. Generic language is
deadly
Our sales intelligence tool helps customers close
more deals.

29. Generic language is
deadly
Our sales intelligence tool helps customers close
more deals.
vs.
Salesloft offers a news feed of information on the
people and companies in your CRM. This
allows sales professionals to spend less time
researching and more time closing deals.

30. 7 minutes
3 versions

31. Who wants to volunteer
their elevator pitch?

32. Tips

33. Tips
Remember you’re competing with every
pitch on the planet - so be interesting!

34. Tips
Remember you’re competing with every
pitch on the planet - so be interesting!
Create 10+ versions & incorporate
feedback

35. Tips
Remember you’re competing with every
pitch on the planet - so be interesting!
Create 10+ versions & incorporate
feedback
Iterate until solid

36. Tips
Remember you’re competing with every
pitch on the planet - so be interesting!
Create 10+ versions & incorporate
feedback
Iterate until solid
Practice until consistent

37. Tips
Remember you’re competing with every
pitch on the planet - so be interesting!
Create 10+ versions & incorporate
feedback
Iterate until solid
Practice until consistent
Practice your answers

38. For Friday - 2 min pitch

39. For Friday - 2 min pitch
For [customer]

40. For Friday - 2 min pitch
For [customer]
with [problem]

41. For Friday - 2 min pitch
For [customer]
with [problem]
we offer [product/solution]

42. For Friday - 2 min pitch
For [customer]
with [problem]
we offer [product/solution]
+ hook (credibility, traction)

43. For Friday - 2 min pitch
For [customer]
with [problem]
we offer [product/solution]
+ hook (credibility, traction)
+ differentiation

44. For Friday - 2 min pitch
For [customer]
with [problem]
we offer [product/solution]
+ hook (credibility, traction)
+ differentiation
+ ask

45. Startups are
about
relationships
Make small asks, like
feedback. Strive for
deep & meaningful
rather than spray &
pray.

46. The Art of the Elevator Pitch
Nicole Glaros
@nglaros
nicole@techstars.com