Craft a Confident Elevator Pitch in 60 Seconds

Advanced Level | June 1, 2025

Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.

Have you ever had to explain what you do—but only had a few seconds to make it stick?

That’s what an elevator pitch in 60 seconds is all about: a short, clear, and confident introduction you can use at events, in meetings, or even online. For busy professionals, having a well-prepared elevator pitch can open doors to new clients, job offers, and great conversations.

Let’s break it down so you can craft a powerful elevator pitch in just 60 seconds.

Why You Need an Elevator Pitch in 60 Seconds

You never know when opportunity will strike. Someone might ask, “What do you do?” in a casual chat—and you want to sound ready, not scrambled. A polished pitch helps you:

Make a strong first impression
Communicate your value clearly
Start better, more focused conversations

For English learners at the advanced level, this is a great way to practice confident, high-impact speaking.

The 3-Part Formula

Here’s a simple formula to follow:

1. Who You Are
State your name, role, or background.

*Example: “I’m Daniel, a UX designer with a focus on user research.”

2. What You Do
Briefly describe what you do or offer. Keep it clear and simple.

*Example: “I help companies design apps that are easy and enjoyable to use.”

3. Why It Matters / What’s Next
Explain the value you bring or mention a current goal.

*Example: “Right now, I’m looking to collaborate with startups working on health tech.”

Sound Natural, Not Scripted

It’s tempting to memorize your pitch word for word—but don’t! Practice it enough so that it feels natural, like part of a real conversation.

Try using different versions depending on the situation. Keep it short—around 60 seconds or less—and always end with a question or a smile to keep the conversation going.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Being too vague: Say what you really do, not just your job title.
Using too much jargon: Make sure anyone—even outside your field—can understand you.
Talking too fast: Slow down so people can follow you.
Making it all about you: Mention how your work helps others.

Practice Makes Powerful

Try these questions with your tutor or practice partner:

Can you describe what you do in one sentence?
What kind of people or companies do you want to work with?
What’s one result you’re proud of?

Then, rehearse different versions of your elevator pitch in 60 seconds:

For a networking event
For a job interview
For meeting someone on a video call

Vocabulary List

Polished (adjective) — Refined, well-prepared
Example: She gave a polished presentation.
Jargon (noun) — Special words used in a specific job or group
Example: Try to avoid too much technical jargon.
Impression (noun) — The feeling or opinion someone forms about you
Example: His confidence made a strong impression.
Scrambled (adjective) — Confused or disorganized
Example: I scrambled to answer the question.
Collaboration (noun) — Working together with someone
Example: The app was built in collaboration with a local tech firm.
Startup (noun) — A small new business, often tech-focused
Example: She works at a health tech startup.
UX (User Experience) (noun) — How a user interacts with a product or service
Example: Good UX design makes apps easy to use.
High-impact (adjective) — Making a big difference or strong effect
Example: He gave a high-impact pitch.
Scripted (adjective) — Planned word-for-word like a script
Example: Her speech sounded too scripted.
Rehearse (verb) — To practice before performing or speaking
Example: I rehearse my pitch before every interview.

5 Questions About the Article

What is an elevator pitch?
Why should busy professionals prepare one?
What are the three parts of a good elevator pitch?
What’s one common mistake people make when giving a pitch?
How can you practice and improve your pitch?

5 Open-Ended Discussion Questions

Have you ever had to introduce yourself quickly in a professional setting?
What do you usually say when someone asks, “What do you do?”
How could a clear elevator pitch help in your current job or goals?
What would you include in your own 60-second pitch?
What do you find challenging about talking about yourself in English?

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