Delivering the perfect elevator pitch

Objectives from this session

• Develop a 1-2 minute pitch to use anywhere anytime: Speaking events – introducing your work – in a media interview – in the lift!

• Identify approaches for developing core messages

• Practice tailoring communications for different audiences

• Test for clarity

Identify core information and messages

1. Agreed analysis of problem/questions and context ( & solution)

2. Summarise your role/position/identity/affiliation - establish credibility

3. What are you going to do about it?

4. What may happen as a result?

You need to know

• Why should they listen?

• Why should they take action?

• What actions do you want them to take?

Then tailor your core message

• What you say – ideas arguments

• How you say it – language, style, format

• Who says it – appropriate messengers

• When, where and how you deliver it

What might work best for your audience? Frame and contextualise

Who might you need to engage with?Academics from other disciplinesThe mediaMinistersCivil ServantsDonorsBureaucrats Community membersYoung people and childrenNGO practitionersTeachersCorporate executivesSocial workers

Content and Style• Think about what you are going to say and how you can say it in such a way that it

will resonate with your audience. • Prepare 3 or 4 things you want to say and say them.

• Avoid making abstract points.

• Make sure each of your key points are different.

• Be clear and concise.

• Frame your points for the audience you are speaking to.

• Think about the wider context – what is happening locally and globally and can you make any connections?

The “sticky” communicator: SUCCES

Simple – find the core of any idea

Unexpected – grab people's attention by surprising them

Concrete – make sure an idea can be grasped and remembered later

Credible – give an idea believability

Emotional – help people see the importance of an idea

Stories – empower people to use an idea through narrative

Chip and Dan Heath 2007, Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Jargon Buster