We’ve all been there. The awkward networking event. The high-pressure recruiting mixer. The sudden opportunity to introduce yourself to a decision maker on a Zoom call or at a conference. You have 30 seconds—maybe less—to speak up, be memorable, and make your value known.
That moment? It’s your elevator pitch, and for most people, it’s either a total blank or a rushed ramble. Here’s the truth: If you can’t talk about yourself clearly, you’re not just missing the opportunity, you’re sending the message that you don’t know your own worth.
The perfect elevator pitch isn’t about being slick; it’s about aligning with who you are, what makes you different, and what you bring to the table. And your personal brand? That’s the foundation.
Redefining your elevator pitch to be unforgettable
Most people think an elevator pitch is just a summary of what you do, but if your intro sounds like a LinkedIn headline or reads like your resume, then you’re doing it wrong. Your elevator pitch should answer, what do I want people to remember about me?
The biggest reason executives, business owners, and emerging leaders struggle to pitch themselves is simple: They haven’t done the brand work yet.
The only way to answer that is by knowing who you are and what makes you stand out. That’s your personal brand. It’s not just your title or job function, it’s your perspective, your energy, your purpose, and the impact you create.
What makes a strong personal brand?
A solid personal brand is not about perfection, it’s about clarity. And clarity comes from asking the right questions.
- What are your core skills? What do people always come to you for?
- What makes you different from others in your field?
- Who do you serve—and why?
- What drives you? What lights you up?
Once you can answer these, you’re not just prepared for a pitch, you’re grounded in your identity. That’s what fosters confidence and makes your message resonate.
A proven framework for building your personal brand
To own your story, stand out authentically, and lead with purpose, you need only remember this acronym: WERK.
W – Witness your strengths
Identify the core skills, talents, and lived experiences that make you powerful. These are your superpowers, the reasons why people consistently recognize and rely on you.
E – Embrace your edge
What sets you apart? Own your unique perspective, style, and differentiators.
R – Recognize your audience
Who connects with your message? Get clear on who you serve and who needs to hear your voice. Your lived experience, cultural lens, and industry background give you a unique point of view. Own it.
K – Know your purpose
Ground your brand in passion and purpose—the “why” that drives your impact. Who are you speaking to? What problems do they care about that you can solve? What gives you energy? What impact do you want to make?
Once you’ve WERKed through the above to craft a clear, compelling pitch—one that sounds like you and not a corporate script—you’re in a position to deliver it. For that, I have a few additional tips to keep in mind.
Lead with what makes you different, not just what you do
Most people start with the obvious: “I’m a VP of Sales at X” or “I work in marketing at Y.” That’s fine, but it’s not memorable. Titles are generic. Roles are everywhere. What’s different is you—your perspective, your lived experiences, your style of leadership, your way of solving problems.
Think about it like this: What would someone feel if they worked with you? What would they learn? What would they say after the meeting? That’s your real value.
Your differentiation isn’t just in your resume, it’s in the way you lead, communicate, and make people feel. That’s the part you want front and center.
If you’re a brand strategist, don’t just say, “I do brand strategy”. Talk about (for example) how you bring both agency-level creativity and corporate discipline to help teams unlock the voice behind the brand, and that that’s what makes you stand out.
Keep it conversational, you’re not giving a TED Talk
The biggest mistake I see professionals make when pitching themselves? They perform. It sounds rehearsed. Stiff. Like they’re reading from a teleprompter. And that immediately puts people on edge. Here’s your permission slip: You don’t need to sound impressive, you need to sound real.
Speak like you would to a smart friend. Be warm, be clear, be human. Your elevator pitch isn’t a keynote—it’s a conversation starter. And the more natural you sound, the more confident and trustworthy you’ll come across. Even if I’m on a stage, I don’t try to sound “perfect.” I want people to feel me because that’s what lands. Your energy sells you long before your words do.
Focus on clarity, not cleverness
You don’t need a catchy slogan or some overly polished one-liner. You need a message that makes people get you immediately. That’s clarity. Ask yourself whether someone would be able to repeat what you do after hearing it once. If the answer is no, then you’ve overcomplicated it. Skip the fancy phrases, avoid jargon, and just get to the point.
Clear beats clever, every time. I’ve seen it over and over again: The professionals who stand out are the ones who communicate with precision. Not the ones trying to be poetic or impressive. Make it easy to understand, and it’ll be easy to remember.
Practice until it feels natural
You don’t need to memorize a script, but you do need to get comfortable saying your pitch out loud. It should roll off your tongue like it’s second nature. Because when the moment comes—and it will—you won’t have time to think. You’ll need to own it immediately. Say it in the mirror. Record yourself. Practice with a friend or mentor. Not to sound robotic, but so you can show up with presence and flow when it matters.
This is one of the most transformational parts. You’ll go from “I think I kind of do this…” to confidently stating your value in seconds. That shift changes everything.
Adjust based on who you’re talking to
There’s no one-size-fits-all elevator pitch. Your message should shift depending on your audience. Speaking to a recruiter? Focus on your impact and career story. Talking to a potential client? Emphasize the value you deliver and your unique process. Meeting another leader in your space? Speak to your point of view and what drives you.
Don’t just introduce yourself, position yourself
Tailoring your message to the audience you’re speaking to doesn’t make you inauthentic, it makes you strategic. This is exactly what great marketing does; it adapts to context and speaks to a target audience. You’re not changing who you are. You’re meeting people where they are, so that your message better connects.
Whether you’re interviewing for a new role, pitching a client, or building a personal brand online, your elevator pitch is the first impression that makes it stick. If you’re still defaulting to a title, a resume rundown, or a vague “I do a little bit of everything”, then it’s time to do the WERK. People can’t advocate for you if they don’t understand you, and you can’t grow into your next opportunity if you’re hiding in your current one.
So, make your voice clear. Make your message count. And never be caught off guard again when someone says, “So, what do you do?”
Cover image: Fotograf