How to Fix Your Elevator Pitch

How To Fix Your Elevator Pitch

Think about someone you know, even if just a little, who seems boring. Who comes to mind?

Now ask yourself why you feel that way.

It is your opinion, right?

Maybe they always talk about sports. Or maybe when you bring up sports, they switch the topic to weather.

They may not be boring at all. You might just not share common interests.

The same thing could be happening in your business. If people are not engaging with you, maybe you are talking about the wrong things. Maybe your message does not match what your ideal customer wants to hear.

That can be fixed.

Why Basic Marketing Often Fails

Many businesses struggle not because they are boring. They struggle because their message is too plain or too general.

To catch your audience’s attention, you need to know who they are. Then you can talk about something they care about. And you must explain how you can help in a way they believe.

Here is where most businesses go wrong. They use vague words like:

  • “I help people follow their dreams.”
  • “We sell cookies.”

These messages do not connect. They feel empty and forgettable.

Why Vague Words Don’t Work

Think about the phrase “follow your dreams.” When was the last time you searched that on Google?

Probably never.

Your message does not need to be long or fancy. But it should make your ideal customer think, “That’s what I need.”

Let’s break it down into five simple steps.

  1. Know Who You’re Talking To
    Be clear. Are they moms, teachers, retirees, or students? Pick one.
  2. Solve a Real Problem
    Talk about something your customer already knows they need. That makes your job easier.
  3. Use Their Words
    Speak the way your customer speaks. Think about what they would type into a search bar.
  4. Explain How You Help
    Make it clear how your product or service gives them something they want or need.
  5. Use the Right Testimonials
    Use quotes from customers that support your message and show real change.

Now let’s put that into action.

Fixing a Boring Message: An Example

A life coach says, “I help people follow their dreams.” That is too general.

Let’s walk through the steps:

Step 1: Pick a clear audience
She works best with women in their 40s who feel stuck in their jobs.

Step 2: Name the real problem
These women feel burned out and unsure how to switch careers without starting over.

Step 3: Use real words
Her clients search for things like “career change at 40” or “how to find meaningful work.”

Step 4: Show the results
These women want clarity and confidence. They want a plan to move into work they enjoy, without losing their income.

Step 5: Match the message with proof
A strong testimonial might say: “I went from dreading Mondays to starting a consulting business I love. She helped me believe I could do it.”

Want to get great testimonials like that? Ask your clients, “What changed after working with me? Where were you before and where are you now?”

The Final Message

Here’s the new, improved version:

“I help professional women in their 40s who feel stuck in unfulfilling careers gain the clarity and confidence to pivot into work they love without sacrificing income or starting from scratch.”

See the difference?

Now we know who she helps. We know what problem she solves. It speaks directly to the right person.

A clear message like that makes it easy for someone to say, “Yes, that’s me,” or “I know someone who needs this.”

And that is how you go from boring to bold.