13
May
You have a great idea, but how can you make others believe in it too? The answer is simple: an elevator pitch — a short, persuasive speech that grabs the listener’s attention and opens the door to new opportunities. Discover how boards can help you prepare one!
What is an Elevator Pitch and How to Use It Effectively?
An elevator pitch (also known as an elevator speech) is a concise presentation of your idea, product, or yourself — one that can be delivered during the short time it takes for a lift ride, usually 30 to 60 seconds. If you’re wondering how long should an elevator pitch be, that’s your answer. This technique works especially well when first impressions matter, such as during business meetings, networking events, or investor conversations. A strong elevator pitch example will immediately capture attention and highlight key benefits. Simply thinking through your speech is often not enough. What else can you do?
Start by deciding exactly what you want to communicate. The aim of an elevator pitch is to present the most important information in a clear and coherent way. You should define what makes your offer unique — whether it’s an innovative product, a creative solution, or your experience in the field. Think about what may interest your audience and what questions may arise. Tailor your words to the context: a business pitch in IT will differ from one in the fashion industry.
Your elevator pitch structure should also be flexible. Depending on the situation and your audience, you may need to adjust it slightly for better relevance. Sometimes it’s worth including a specific use case to illustrate your product or service’s value. Always try to create a connection with your audience and align your message with their expectations, while ensuring consistency. Writing your plan on a board can help you stay organised and prioritise your key points. A visual layout makes it easier to identify what’s essential and what can be trimmed. Such preparation can make your pitch one of your most powerful tools for attracting new clients or investors. This is your chance to stand out and explain why people should reach out to you.
Using Boards to Prepare a Successful Elevator Pitch
A brilliant idea often brings plenty of thoughts with it. It’s time to organise them! Think of your elevator pitch as a puzzle — each piece needs to fit perfectly. Boards are a fantastic tool to help you structure your speech. Among them, the following deserve special attention:
Magnetic whiteboard for wall— An excellent space for experimenting with ideas. Write down and edit your notes until you’re satisfied. Visualise your main points and create a logical narrative. If something doesn’t work, simply wipe and start again. You can also attach printouts or sticky notes with magnets to further support your presentation preparation.
Magnetic board — Magnets allow you to move key parts of your business pitch examples around, helping you test different orders. Easily check whether your strongest argument works better at the start or the end. This flexibility lets you find the most compelling structure.
Chalkboard— A classic space for creative thinking! Draw diagrams, highlight key points, and play around with content layout. Chalk makes it easy to mark important elements — from headlines to conclusions. If necessary, just wipe and start again. This board is ideal whether you’re crafting a sales pitch or want to showcase your skills. Its retro look also adds a touch of character to your notes.
Cork board— Perfect for creating an inspiration wall! Pin up motivational quotes, keywords, or images. This helps capture the essence of your message and explore what resonates best. Visual stimuli can make it easier to prepare a memorable elevator pitch example.
How to Create an Elevator Pitch on a Board — Keep It Clear!
- Define the core idea – list key elements on a dry-erase board: problem, solution, benefits. Experiment with presenting them in different ways to find the most persuasive approach.
- Practise short and punchy phrases – avoid long sentences. Instead, create catchy slogans that capture your idea’s essence. Use chalkboards or whiteboards to freely refine your wording.
- Test various versions – display different elevator pitch examples for business on your board to compare them visually. Mark which parts are most effective and which need improvement.
- Record and evaluate your pitch – take notes on your board from your trial recordings. Analyse body language, tone of voice, and speech clarity to ensure your delivery is convincing.
What might this look like in practice? Example template:
- Main idea:
- Problem — What do you want to solve? (e.g. Traditional boards wear out quickly and are difficult to clean.)
- Solution — what is your remedy? (e.g. New dry-wipe boards with an ultra-durable coating.)
- Benefits — what does the target audience gain? (e.g. “Smooth surface for years, no smudges, great design.”)
You can experiment with different layouts — is a linear arrangement more persuasive, or does a mind map work better?
2. Short phrases:
Create catchy slogans that clearly express your pitch, such as “Ultra-durable boards”, “A new standard for boards”, and so on.
3. Variants:
Use your board to compare versions of your business pitch examples. Use coloured markers or magnets to highlight which sections work best — a strong opening, user benefits, and a memorable tagline.
4. Record and refine:
- Body language – is your attitude confident?
- Tone of voice – do you sound convincing?
- Speech flow – is the message clear?
You can write all your conclusions on the board. This will give your elevator pitch structure, clarity and energy, helping you prepare for every client meeting, job interview with a recruiter, or important business appointment. It is like rehearsing for a major performance — the more you practise, the more confident you will be when the decisive moment arrives and you need to hit the mark. Remember — it’s not just the content that matters, but also your confidence and delivery. A well-prepared plan on the board is the first step towards success!
Keep Your Timing in Check — Create a Stopwatch on Your Board
You can also draw a diagram of a 60-second speech on the surface of the selected board, highlighting elements such as:
- 10 seconds — introduce the problem
- 20 seconds — present the solution
- 20 seconds — highlight the benefits
- 10 seconds — wrap up effectively
Consider using accessories! Colourful whiteboards magnets and whiteboard markers can help mark critical parts and control your timing. This way, every element of your speech will be polished.
Board Exercises — Elevator Speech in Simple Steps
Regardless of which board you use, you can apply it in many ways to perfect your pitch. Here are some exercises to help you turn your idea into a compelling presentation:
- Mind map — lay out your main idea and supporting arguments to see what is central to your message.
- Shortening content — write down the full version of your speech, and then you can shorten it by removing unnecessary words and simplifying sentences until you reach the most effective form.
- Keywords — write down on the board the most important slogans that should appear in the speech and check whether their order builds tension and follows a logical flow of statements.
- Rearranging arguments — if you use a magnetic or cork board, write down individual points on pieces of paper and check different arrangements. Perhaps saving the strongest argument for last is most effective?
- Gesture practice — draw symbols or arrows on the board that will tell you when to add a gesture, pause or change the tone of voice.
With a board, you can easily adapt your pitch to your current audience and find the best way to grab their attention.
Final Tips — Start Today!
When creating your plan, invite friends or colleagues to interact and offer feedback. This live feedback will help you discover which parts of your presentation are effective and which need work. Structure and clarity are key, so consider using the Cornell method to organise your notes into main points, details, and a summary.
If you’re still wondering what’s an elevator pitch, or need elevator pitch examples for students, remember: this short speech could decide the success of your idea. Using boards to plan, test, and practise different versions makes perfect sense. Whether it’s a whiteboard, corkboard, magnetic board, or chalkboard — these are your allies in creating a memorable and persuasive presentation. Use them to make sure you are ready to impress at every opportunity!
