Ah yes, the elevator pitch. Or for many, the dreaded elevator pitch.
There’s so much riding in that 30-second window. Where do you even begin?!
To help you draft a solid pitch for your association, here are a few tips:
Do…
- Use language everyone can understand. You might be an expert in your industry, but not everyone listening to your pitch will be. That said, use simple language that everyone can understand and provide examples people can relate to.
- Pitch the problem you’re solving. It’s easy to get caught up in the “what” of your organization. But instead of that, focus on the “why” – pitch the problem your organization solves. This is often much more compelling.
- Practice! The last thing you want is to sound robotic, or worse, forget your words altogether. To prevent that from happening, practice, practice, practice!
Don’t…
- Lead with a request. This is a big elevator pitch “no-no.” At the very least, you’re trying to build a relationship, so make your elevator pitch as conversational as possible.
- Ramble. This goes back to the importance of practicing. The more concise you can make your elevator pitch, the better.
- Hesitate to develop different versions. You’ll be talking to different people in different situations, so feel free to create different versions of your association’s pitch.
A few examples…
Whether you’re talking to potential members or potential donors and/or sponsors, here are a few examples to get you started:
Potential members
Hi! I’m (your name) with (your association’s name). We’re a (quick description of your association – and don’t forget the why!) We’re getting together (time, date, and location of your next event) and would love for you to join. Here’s my information. Feel free to get in touch!
Potential donors and/or sponsors
It’s great to meet you! I’m (your name) with (your association’s name). We’re a (quick description of your association – and don’t forget the why!) What does your company do?
(*Remember, you don’t want to lead with a request, so based on their response, then say…)
Oh cool! I’d love to chat with you sometime about how we can work together. Do you mind if I contact you to continue this conversation? Here’s my card.
Now sure, you’ll have to tweak these some depending on your association and the situation you’re in, but at the very least, they should help you get a start.
Want more tips for managing your organization, including best practices for membership recruitment and non-dues revenue? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Membership Management below! (It’s free!)
