How to Record a 60-Second Elevator Pitch Video

An elevator pitch is a short introduction that tells someone who you are, what you do and why they should care, in the time it takes to ride an elevator. A recorded version is increasingly useful: on a LinkedIn profile, in a job application, at the top of a website, or attached to a cold email.

The challenge is not filming it. It is saying something clear and human in 60 seconds.

Use a four-line structure

1. Who you are, in one line.
2. The problem you solve or the work you do, for whom.
3. One proof point: a result, an example or a number.
4. What you want next: a call, a meeting, an introduction.

At around 140 words per minute, a 60-second pitch is about 140 words. Most good ones are shorter.

Example: job seeker

"Hi, I am Leah. I am a data analyst who helps operations teams find the leaks they did not know they had. In my last role I built a weekly dashboard that cut stock write-offs by 18 percent in six months. I am looking for an analytics role in retail or logistics, and I would love a 15-minute chat if you are hiring."

Example: founder

"I am Tom, and I run a two-person studio that builds booking systems for physiotherapy clinics. Most clinics lose hours a week to phone tag. Our clients typically cut no-shows by a third with automatic reminders. If you run a clinic, I would like to show you a five-minute demo."

Make the proof specific

The proof line is what makes a pitch memorable. "I am passionate about results" is forgettable. "Cut stock write-offs by 18 percent" is not. If you do not have a number, use a concrete example: a client, a project, a problem you solved.

End with a single ask

Vague endings like "let me know if you would like to connect" leave the viewer with nothing to do. A specific ask, such as a 15-minute call, a demo or a reply, gets a response. Our guide to video calls to action has more examples.

Sound like you, not a brochure

Elevator pitches go wrong when they are written like marketing copy. Read your script aloud. If you would not say a sentence to a person across a table, rewrite it. Contractions, short sentences and plain words help. For the job-seeking version specifically, see how to record a video job application.

Recording tips

• Frame yourself from mid-chest up, with the camera at eye level. See camera height and framing.
• Smile before you start talking. It sets the tone for the first line.
• Record three takes and choose the one that sounds most like a conversation.

A prompter placed close to the lens keeps your eyes on the viewer. In Cue, the text sits near the front camera and Voice Follow can move the script along as you speak, so you are not managing a scroll speed while trying to sound relaxed.