How to Give an Amazing "Elevator Pitch" in Thirty Seconds

There have been a few times in my life where I have found myself in the same room as someone famous or wealthy who I felt was uniquely positioned to help get one of my ideas off the ground-when things like this happen, you need to act quickly, and pitch the person with a short and enticing "teaser" of information.

Generally, if the executive or celebrity is interested, he or she will provide you with their contact info or have an assistant contact you to set up a more thorough meeting. In these so-called "elevator pitches" you need to realize that: a) the person you are approaching is probably approached with ideas quite often and b) most of the time, this person is forced to turn down ideas, rather than accept them.

The key to a successful 30-second elevator pitch, then, is to show the executive something he or she has never seen before. Don't talk figures or statistics-in thirty seconds, the only way to pique someone's curiosity is to engage their emotions.

Ask them how they would feel about financing a company that did a, b, and c. Where a, b, and c are the goals your company or organization has in mind. Better yet, don't use the word "financing" at all-you don't want to seem like yet another money grubbing entrepreneur in search of a wealthy angel investor.

Instead, ask them how it would feel to "get involved" with such an ambitious project. Speak in a visual way-tell them exactly how you envision your company running, how you see employees working happily under you and turning huge profits for the company, customers writing positive reviews online and spreading the word about you to all of their friends and colleagues.

In thirty seconds, you should never discuss prices or expectations. You are an idea man, not a petty door-to-door salesman. The whole point of the "elevator pitch" is to get an executive, talent agent, or celebrity to ask for more of your time.

It is in a private meeting, not during the initial elevator pitch, when you can get into gritty details and hash out the specifics of any arrangement.

Although it is now harder to cold-pitch someone than it was in, say, the 1950's... it is still definitely possible to land major business in this way. Also, most people are bombarded with emails and faxes, so when you make a point to meet someone face-to-face you are creating more of an impression-it shows confidence, and it makes it more difficult for the other person to "forget" about you before you have had a chance to fully pitch.

Good luck, and pitch well!