What We Misunderstand About Crafting an Elevator Pitch
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Elevator Pitch
Many skilled writers excel in weaving narratives but often find it challenging to develop the ideal elevator pitch. This isn't merely a brief synopsis designed to entice audiences into engaging with a book, film, or product. Instead, it’s a compelling presentation aimed at persuading publishers, producers, and agents to invest in your story.
The stakes are high with this pitch; securing the chance to present your work is itself a significant hurdle. When the moment arrives, it can feel like this is your only opportunity. No pressure, right?
Given the weight of this situation, finding the right balance between brevity and detail can be daunting. Let's take a moment to alleviate some of that tension.
Section 1.1: The Reality of Opportunity
Having the chance to pitch doesn't guarantee success. The realms of publishing and filmmaking are inherently subjective, influenced by fluctuating tastes, budget constraints, and personal opinions. Often, a rejection from a publisher or production house has little to do with the quality of your pitch or your work.
It's vital to do your best and remember not to take rejection personally, even though that can be easier said than done.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Importance of Spoilers
Your elevator pitch is not designed to entice individuals to read or watch your work; it aims to persuade companies to invest. To do this effectively, they must be assured that audiences will engage with your content, meaning they need confidence in a return on investment.
For instance, consider the succinct opening line from Wikipedia about "Romeo and Juliet":
"Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about two young Italian star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families."
What a way to give away the plot! Even those unfamiliar with Shakespeare can grasp its appeal as a potential blockbuster.
Section 1.2: The Need for Multiple Pitches
Just like a skilled pitcher in baseball, you should have more than one approach. A single pitch won't resonate with every audience. While including spoilers can be effective, sometimes you need to retain an element of intrigue to capture attention.
Be sure to research your audience and tailor your pitch accordingly. For instance, the classic "Romeo and Juliet" synopsis might not entice younger audiences. Instead, I could say, "It's about two teens who get into serious trouble." Adding something like "Rated M for mature audiences" could heighten interest as well.
To master the art of pitching, practice by pitching various books or films, even those you didn't create. You could even try to pitch your weekend plans to colleagues on a Monday morning. Experiment with how engaging you can make your narrative.
Rather than striving for a singular perfect pitch, aim to have a few solid options. Practice these and tweak the wording until it feels natural. You might start with a structure like:
"[Title] is a [genre] about [main character details] whose [journey and conclusion]."
Keep your pitch concise, ideally one to two sentences, and definitely no more than four. You want to deliver your pitch quickly before the "elevator doors" close, allowing the listener time to respond. The longer you speak, the more likely they are to say, "Sounds great, good luck," and walk away.
Do you have any questions about writing or publishing? Feel free to share them in the comments!