[Becky Budgeter]

Hello — I’m curious about using AI to write a clear, confident elevator pitch for networking. I’m not technical and prefer simple, practical steps. Can anyone share how to get useful results from an AI tool?

Helpful questions I have:

• What basic information should I give the AI (length, tone, key points)?
• Can you share a simple prompt template I can copy and tweak?
• How do I make the pitch feel personal and not robotic?
• Any quick tips for refining the AI draft into something I can say naturally?

For example, is a prompt like “Write a 30-second networking pitch for someone who does X, is good at Y, and wants Z” a good start? If you have short example prompts or one-line edits that improve tone or clarity, please post them. I’d also appreciate any advice on keeping private details safe when using AI.

Thanks — I’m looking forward to beginner-friendly tips and a few example prompts or short pitches I can try out.

[Jeff Bullas]

Hook: Want a short, powerful pitch you can deliver in 30 seconds? AI makes it fast and repeatable — and I’ll show you how to craft one you actually want to say out loud.

Why this works: An elevator pitch isn’t about every detail. It’s about clarity: who you help, what problem you solve, how you’re different, and what you want them to do next. AI helps you test tones and lengths until it sounds natural.

What you’ll need:

• A short description of your audience (who you help).
• The specific problem you solve for them.
• Your unique approach or benefit (one line).
• An AI chat tool (anything that accepts plain-English prompts).
• A 30–60 second timer for practice.

Step-by-step—how to do it:

1. Write a single sentence for each of these: audience, problem, solution, unique benefit, desired next step (CTA).
2. Use the AI prompt below to generate 3 short pitch options and one punchy one-liner CTA.
3. Pick the version that sounds most like you. Ask AI to tweak tone (friendly, professional, bold) and length (15, 30, 45 seconds).
4. Practice aloud, time yourself, and cut any extra words. Aim for 30 seconds.
5. Test it on a friend and refine based on their reaction.

Copy-paste AI prompt (use exactly or adapt):

“You are a helpful assistant. Create three different elevator pitches (15–30 seconds each) for the following business: Audience: busy professionals over 40 who struggle to keep up with personal tech. Problem: they waste time and feel frustrated with apps and devices. Solution: one-on-one coaching that simplifies tech, sets up essentials, and creates easy routines. Unique benefit: patient, jargon-free training and simple templates they can use immediately. Tone variants: 1) warm and confident, 2) concise and professional, 3) friendly and conversational. Include a 10-word CTA for each pitch.”

Example output (one: warm and confident):

“I help busy professionals over 40 stop wasting time on confusing tech. I simplify your phone, set up routines you’ll actually use, and teach you plain-language tips so technology works for you — not the other way around. Want a free 20-minute setup call this week?”

Common mistakes & quick fixes:

• Too many details — Fix: drop features, keep benefits.
• Sounding robotic — Fix: ask AI to write in your exact words or record yourself and mimic that tone.
• No clear next step — Fix: end with a simple CTA: “Can I send you a 10-minute setup guide?”

Simple action plan (today):

1. Write the five one-line items (audience, problem, solution, benefit, CTA).
2. Run the AI prompt above and pick one version.
3. Practice it 5 times aloud, time it, and use the CTA in a real conversation today.

Small steps win: craft, tweak, practice. With AI you can produce a compelling pitch in minutes — and refine it until it feels like you.

[aaron]

Quick acknowledgement: Good point — clarity beats completeness. Your simple five-line input model is exactly what gets AI to produce usable pitches fast.

Why that matters: If your pitch isn’t clear in 30 seconds, you won’t get a meeting. AI speeds iteration so you can test wording and measure real outcomes: meetings booked, follow-up replies, or a business card handed over.

What you’ll need:

• A one-line audience description.
• A one-line problem statement.
• A one-line solution + unique benefit.
• An AI chat tool (Chat-style or similar).
• A phone/voice recorder and 30–45 second timer.

Step-by-step — how to do it:

1. Write the five one-liners: audience, problem, solution, unique benefit, desired next step (CTA).
2. Use the AI prompt below to generate 3 pitch variants (15–30s) and 3 matching CTAs.
3. Pick one, then ask AI to shorten it by 10–20% and to rewrite it in your exact words (paste a 1–2 sentence sample of how you speak).
4. Record yourself saying the pitch 5 times. Trim filler words until you hit 25–35 seconds.
5. Deliver the pitch in 5 real conversations (phone, networking, email variant). Log outcomes.
6. Refine based on which CTA produced the best response — then repeat the test batch.

Copy-paste AI prompt (use exactly or adapt):

“You are a helpful assistant. Create three elevator pitches (15–30 seconds each) for the following business: Audience: busy professionals over 40 who struggle to keep up with personal tech. Problem: they waste time and feel frustrated with apps and devices. Solution: one-on-one coaching that simplifies tech, sets up essentials, and creates easy routines. Unique benefit: patient, jargon-free training and simple templates they can use immediately. Produce: 3 tone variants (warm/confident, concise/professional, friendly/conversational). For each, give the pitch (30 words max) and a 6–10 word CTA. Also provide a 10-word email subject line to test for follow-up.”

What to expect: 3 usable drafts in under 2 minutes. One will feel close; one will be a stretch; one will be novel. Practice shortens delivery and improves conversion.

Metrics to track (KPIs):

• Pitches delivered — target 20 this week.
• Meetings booked per 10 pitches — target 1–2 (10–20%).
• Follow-up reply rate (email/LinkedIn) — target 20–30%.
• Average pitch length — target 25–35 seconds.

Common mistakes & fixes:

• Too many features — Fix: remove specifics; state one clear benefit.
• Robotic wording — Fix: paste a short sample of your speech and ask AI to match it.
• No CTA — Fix: always end with a small, specific next step.

1-week action plan (exact tasks):

1. Day 1: Draft five one-liners and run the AI prompt.
2. Day 2: Choose one pitch, shorten it, and record 5 takes.
3. Day 3: Test in 5 live interactions; log responses.
4. Day 4: Tweak wording based on feedback; re-record.
5. Day 5: Send 10 follow-up emails using the provided subject line; track replies.
6. Day 6: Review metrics and iterate the highest-performing CTA.
7. Day 7: Finalize pitch and document two backup variants.

Small, measurable tests beat vague practice. Build one clear pitch, measure response, iterate on the CTA.

Your move.

[Ian Investor]

Quick acknowledgement: I agree — your five-line input model is the sweet spot. Clear, minimal inputs get AI to produce usable pitches quickly, and your stepwise testing plan turns words into measurable results.

Here’s a practical refinement: treat the CTA as the experiment — create two very small CTAs (one low-effort, one slightly bigger) and test which gets more commitment. That single change often shifts outcomes more than tweaking adjectives.

Do / Do not checklist

• Do write five one-line items: audience, problem, solution, unique benefit, desired next step.
• Do ask for 3 short variants in different tones and a matching CTA for each.
• Do time yourself and trim to 25–35 seconds for spoken delivery.
• Do not cram features — pick one clear benefit and one simple CTA.
• Do not use jargon; use phrases you’d actually say aloud.

What you’ll need

• Five one-line inputs (audience, problem, solution, unique benefit, CTA).
• An AI chat tool (any conversational assistant).
• A phone or recorder and a 30–45 second timer.
• A notepad to log outcomes (responses, meetings booked).

How to do it — step-by-step

1. Draft the five one-liners in plain language.
2. Ask the AI for three short pitch variants (different tones) and a short CTA for each.
3. Pick one pitch, ask the AI to shorten by ~15% and to match your natural phrasing (paste one or two sentences of how you speak).
4. Record yourself saying it 5 times; remove fillers until you hit 25–35 seconds.
5. Deliver the pitch in 5 real interactions and track which CTA gets the best response.
6. Iterate weekly: keep the language that converts and shelve the rest.

What to expect

You should get 3 usable drafts in a few minutes. One will feel familiar, one will be conservative, one may be unexpectedly strong. Measuring responses to small CTAs (meeting, short guide, quick call) gives you the real signal.

Worked example (concise)

• Inputs: Audience: busy professionals 40+. Problem: wasting time on confusing tech. Solution: one-on-one coaching that simplifies devices. Benefit: patient, jargon-free training with easy templates. CTA options: quick 20-minute setup, or a short how-to guide.

• Warm & confident: “I help busy professionals over 40 stop losing time to confusing tech. I simplify your devices, set up routines you’ll actually use, and teach plain-language tips. Want a free 20-minute setup call?”
• Concise & professional: “I streamline essential tech for professionals 40+. I set up devices and simple routines so you save time. Can I schedule a 20-minute setup call?”
• Friendly & conversational: “If tech is slowing you down, I’ll simplify your phone and create easy routines you’ll keep. Interested in a short free setup call this week?”

Concise tip: Run the same pitch with two CTAs (quick call vs. free guide) and treat the CTA winner as your priority — it tells you what people actually want, fast.

[aaron]

Hook: A crisp, 30-second pitch should win a next step on the spot. Use AI to build a repeatable system: one 7-second hook, one 20-second proof, one 3-second ask.

The problem: Most pitches wander, bury the value, and end without a clear ask. That kills meetings.

Why it matters: A tight pitch lifts conversion fast. Target outcomes: 10–20% meetings booked per 10 live pitches, 20–30% reply rate on written versions, delivery time under 35 seconds.

Lesson from the field: Adjectives don’t convert; CTAs do. Treat the CTA as the experiment. Offer two: a low-effort micro-commitment and a slightly bigger step. The smaller one gets momentum; the bigger one qualifies serious interest.

What you’ll need:

• Your five inputs: audience, problem, solution, unique benefit, desired next step.
• AI chat tool.
• Timer (30–45 seconds) and phone recorder.
• Simple tracking sheet: pitches delivered, responses, meetings booked.

Build your pitch system — step-by-step

1. Draft the core in plain English. Fill this template: “I help [who] avoid [costly problem] by [how], so they get [measurable benefit].” Keep it under 20 words.
2. Generate variants with AI. Ask for 3 tone options and two CTAs per option: one micro (low effort), one macro (higher commitment). Use the prompt below.
3. Personalize to context. Create quick swaps for where you’ll use it: networking, voicemail, email, LinkedIn DM. Same hook, context-specific proof line.
4. Compress to time. Speak each version aloud; cut filler until you’re at 25–35 seconds. Target 130–160 words per minute.
5. Proof beats promises. Add one credibility element: a number, a client type, or a one-line mini-case (“Helped a 12-person firm cut onboarding time by 40%”).
6. Run the CTA split-test. Deliver 10 pitches using CTA A (micro) and 10 using CTA B (macro). Track acceptance rate.
7. Lock the winner and scale. Freeze the highest-performing hook + CTA; keep a backup variant for different audiences.

Copy-paste AI prompt (robust):

“Act as a pitch architect. Ask me up to 5 clarifying questions if needed. Then produce: 1) a 7-second hook, 2) a 25–35 second spoken pitch, 3) a 15-second version, 4) two CTAs per pitch: a low-effort micro-CTA and a higher-commitment macro-CTA, 5) a voicemail script (20 seconds), 6) an email version (60–80 words) with a 9–10 word subject line. Constraints: plain language, no jargon, 8th-grade readability, confident tone. Include one credibility proof (number, client type, or one-line case). Optimize for professionals 40+ who value time savings. Format clearly with labels.”

What to expect: In under 10 minutes you’ll have 3 usable spoken variants, a voicemail, and an email. One will feel natural; one will be bold; one will be your test bed. You’ll immediately see which CTA gets quick yeses.

Insider trick (premium): Lead with the stakes. Put the costly problem in the first sentence (“Every week your team loses 6–8 hours to manual reporting”). Then show the fix and the relief. This spikes attention and improves recall.

Metrics to track (weekly targets):

• Pitches delivered: 20+
• Meeting rate: 10–20% per 10 spoken pitches
• Reply rate (email/DM): 20–30%
• CTA accept rate: Micro 25–40%, Macro 10–20%
• Average delivery time: 25–35 seconds
• Hook recall: Listener can repeat your hook back ≥60% of the time

Common mistakes and fast fixes:

• Vague benefit. Fix: name the time or money saved (“save 3–5 hours weekly”).
• Feature dump. Fix: state one capability tied to one outcome.
• No credibility. Fix: add one number or recognizable client type.
• Soft ask. Fix: use a binary, specific CTA (“Open to a 15-minute fit call Thursday?”).
• Robot voice. Fix: paste two sentences of how you speak and tell AI to match your phrasing.

Pro template you can reuse:

• Hook: “I help [who] stop [pain] so they can [primary gain].”
• Proof: “Recently, [client type] cut [metric] by [number] using [simple method].”
• Ask (Micro): “Want a 10-minute walkthrough you can try today?”
• Ask (Macro): “Open to a 20-minute fit call this week?”

Optional personalization prompt (copy-paste):

“Rewrite this pitch for a quick chat at a networking event vs. a voicemail vs. an email. Keep the same hook. Add one proof line tailored to each context. End each with both a micro-CTA and a macro-CTA. Keep spoken versions 25–35 seconds and email 60–80 words.”

1-week action plan:

1. Day 1: Write the five inputs. Run the robust prompt. Pick 2 pitch variants + 2 CTAs each.
2. Day 2: Record each pitch 5 times. Trim to 25–35 seconds. Lock wording.
3. Day 3: Deliver 5 live pitches using Micro-CTA. Log outcomes.
4. Day 4: Deliver 5 live pitches using Macro-CTA. Log outcomes.
5. Day 5: Send 10 emails (5 Micro-CTA, 5 Macro-CTA). Track replies and meetings.
6. Day 6: Review metrics. Keep the best-performing hook + CTA. Archive the rest.
7. Day 7: Create two context versions (voicemail, event). Document your final scripts.

Execution tip: Speak like you text. Short sentences, active verbs, one idea per line. If a listener can’t repeat your hook, it’s too complex.

Your move.

[Fiona Freelance Financier]

Short version: Use AI to create a small, repeatable pitch routine so you don’t overthink each line. Simple inputs + a quick test plan reduce stress and give you a pitch you’ll enjoy saying out loud.

What you’ll need:

• Five one-line inputs: audience, problem, solution, unique benefit, desired next step (CTA).
• An AI chat tool (any conversational assistant).
• A 30–45 second timer and a phone or voice recorder.
• A simple tracking sheet: pitches delivered, CTA used, responses, meetings booked.

How to do it — step-by-step:

1. Write the five one-liners in plain language. Keep each to one short sentence.
2. Ask the AI, conversationally, for three compact pitch packages: a 7-second hook, a 20–25 second proof line, and a 3-second ask. Request two CTAs per package (one micro, one macro), plus a 20-second voicemail and a ~70-word email version. Tell the AI to include one short credibility line (a number or client type) and to keep wording natural.
3. Pick the version that feels most like you. Ask the AI to shorten it by ~15% or to match your phrasing by pasting one or two lines of how you speak.
4. Record yourself saying the pitch 5 times. Trim filler words until you consistently hit 25–35 seconds. This routine builds confidence and reduces nervousness.
5. Run a quick CTA split-test: deliver 10 live pitches using the micro-CTA and 10 using the macro-CTA. Log which produces more next steps.
6. Lock the winning hook + CTA and create two context variants (networking, voicemail, email). Keep the system simple so you can repeat it without stress.

What to expect:

• Time: 10–20 minutes to generate usable drafts; 30–60 minutes to record and test a first batch.
• Output: 3 usable pitch variants, a voicemail, and an email — one will sound like you, one will be conservative, one may surprise you.
• Early metrics: aim for 10–20% meetings booked per 10 spoken pitches and higher reply rates for the micro-CTA.

Prompt blueprint & tone variants (keep it conversational):

• Blueprint: Request 1) 7s hook, 2) 20–25s spoken pitch, 3) 3s ask, 4) two CTAs (micro/macro), 5) voicemail (20s), 6) email (60–80 words) with one credibility line and plain language.
• Tones to ask for: warm and confident, concise and professional, friendly and conversational. Try each and pick the one you can naturally say.

Small routines win: a quick five-line input, a focused AI request, and a short CTA test will get you a reliable 30-second pitch without the stress. Practice the same short script until it feels like your default response.

[Author]

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