Tips for Creating an Elevator Pitch for Your Handmade Business

 

Do you have an elevator pitch for your handmade business?

You know what your brand sells. You know why customers need your product. But do your potential customers know? You, my friend, need an elevator pitch for your handmade business. And don't worry, creating one is quick and relatively painless. :)

Let's get started.

First, let's define elevator pitch: An elevator pitch is a short, simple summary of your product, service, or organization and what it can do for customers. The pitch should include the name of your business/organization and vivid verbs and descriptive adjectives that state what you do.

Tips for an Effective Elevator Pitch: 

1. Keep it short.
Can you state the pitch clearly in 30 seconds or less? A Tweetable (140 characters or fewer) elevator pitch is best, especially if you will be sharing it online. 

2. Keep it simple.
Don't use jargon or terms that only people in your niche understand. First-time visitors to your blog, website, or social media venue should be able to grasp the concept of your business (without needing a dictionary).

3. Keep it exciting.
Use verbs and adjectives that make your business sound exciting. Write a pitch that makes people want to learn more about you and your business.  

Places to Share your Elevator Pitch:

1. In Person
* in an elevator (obviously)
* at family gatherings when people ask "What do you do again?"
* at craft fairs where you sell your products
* at conventions
* in line at the post office when you're waiting to ship your packages

2. In Print
* on your business card
* on your letterhead
* on your shipping labels
* on the thank-you note you include with your products

3. Online
* in your email signature
* in your Etsy shop title
* in your Facebook fan page About box
* in your Twitter bio
* in your Etsy shop announcement and/or profile page
* on your blog

Today's assignment: Set aside 10 minutes of time today to write an elevator pitch or evaluate your current one. Share it with us in the comments, will you? (I've posted mine below.)

 

Top photo: I See the Light