Elevator Pitch Tips to Stand Out

Vanessa Van Edwards introduces the Science of People channel and announces an elevator pitch review with Cameron, a senior at the University of Alabama.

• Majoring in Management Information Systems with a minor in Computing Technology and Applications • Specialty in Business Administration • Started own business since young age

Analyzes business processes to improve them by making them faster, cheaper, and better, then works with customers to implement solutions that save them money and make their lives easier.

Loves working with people and gets satisfaction from helping them solve problems.

Cameron showed the palms of his hands at the beginning, which demonstrates honesty and credibility from an evolutionary perspective and triggers trust signals in viewers.

Cameron used a heartfelt gesture by placing his hand on his heart when saying his name, which is a universal gesture that shows the message comes from the heart and creates personal connection.

• Used hand gestures to explain personal story and major focus • Demonstrated concept of bringing ideas together and simplifying them • Added just the right amount of hand movement without overdoing it

The balanced use of gestures kept the viewer's brain engaged and provided additional explanations beyond the verbal content.

Cameron clasped his hands together and rubbed them at the beginning of his pitch, which are self-soothing gestures people use when nervous.

These gestures signal anxiety to the listener, whereas you want to convey confidence and assurance in your pitch.

It's natural to be nervous when filming a video, but Vanessa wants Cameron to be aware of these gestures so he can avoid them during in-person networking situations.

Work to eliminate rubbing and self-soothing hand movements to project more confidence and self-assurance when delivering your pitch.

• Cameron's pitch lacks variation in tone, which is a classic mistake when delivering memorized pitches • Monotone delivery requires the listener's brain to work harder to stay engaged • Vocal variation keeps the other person's brain engaged and interested

Try saying your pitch at least 50 different ways by adding different emphasis on different words, such as emphasizing 'my' versus 'name' versus 'Cameron.'

Cameron's major and specialties are complex and difficult to remember, making the pitch hard to follow for those unfamiliar with the program.

• Acknowledge that it's a mouthful by saying 'I know that's a mouthful' to give the listener's brain a break • Follow with a simplified explanation like 'basically what I do is...' • Add light humor to help listeners who aren't in your major, especially at networking events with recruiters

The feedback given to Cameron about body language, avoiding self-soothing gestures, vocal variation, and simplification should be applied to viewers' own elevator pitches.

Cameron demonstrated excellent use of intentional hand gestures and personal connection in his pitch, which are key elements of a strong elevator pitch.

• Reduce self-soothing gestures • Add vocal variation and emphasis to maintain engagement • Simplify and add humor when explaining complex topics

Viewers can submit their own elevator pitches to science of people.com for feedback and improvement.