How to create an elevator pitch for yourself as a musician
Let's talk about how you can create an elevator pitch for yourself as a musician. There are five simple tips on how to create your elevator pitch as an independent musician. Subscribe to the ArtistHustle Youtube Channel for more great content to build a business around your music.
So, what exactly is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch simply is telling someone who you are and why someone should care. It's storytelling. When you go to gigs, events, when you talk to your fans, when people just randomly ask you what you do, you're telling them your story.
That's when you share your personal elevator pitch. The elevator pitch will change based on who you are talking to. The elevator pitch is one of the best ways to tell people who you are, what you do, and possibly connect for opportunities to connect in the future.
Have your pitch ready to go at any time. You never know who you might meet.
Tip 1: Don't be generic, be specific - what does your music sound like?
It's okay to use artists’ comparisons. You never want to just say I'm original, I'm nothing like anybody out there. It's okay to mention in your elevator pitch someone that most people have already heard of. Let's say your music is a mix of rock and roll and hip-hop.
For example, you can say in your elevator pitch "Our band sounds is a mashup of Outkast and the Beatles." The most important part is knowing who you sound similar to can help someone understand you and you can use that to your advantage.
Tip 2: Prepare different elevator pitches - based on who you are talking to
The famous saying is "stay ready so you don't have to get ready.". When you're talking to certain people (booking agent, manager, fans, community events, etc.) you want to customize your elevator pitch. If you're talking to someone, you're trying to get a gig, you want to talk about other gigs that you've done, why you're an asset to that club or that event. You want to target the elevator pitch to whomever you talk to. If you're at a networking event, you can talk to them about your upcoming projects or even the possibility of collaborations. If you met someone on the airplane, ask them about where they are from and connect the conversation to your personal story.
Depending on whom you're talking to, make sure you target that pitch towards that. So, get some more information about who that person is first before you start pitching them. Always have the mindset that this could be a potential supporter or this could be a potential business partner. You never know where your next opportunity can come from.
Tip 3: In your elevator pitch, highlight what makes you unique and memorable
When talking to someone, you want to shine a spotlight on whatever makes you unique and rememberable. You don't want to just be like, yeah, you know I do music and stuff. You know, it's, and it’s cool. And yeah, I've been doing it for a couple of years, that's not good enough.
Why should people care about you? Why should someone stop and listen to your stuff? Why should somebody go on your Facebook page? Why should somebody download your latest music project? You got to tell this person why you're unique. Is it your sound? Is it your story? Is it your impact on the community? Is it your appearance? You have to determine what this is.
A lot of independent musicians do not know what is unique about them. Why do people follow you? Listen to your music? Most musicians just make music and hope and pray that people will like it. You NEED to know who you are and why everybody should care about you and your music.
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Tip 4: Practice, Practice and practice the elevator pitch - by yourself and with others
An amazing elevator pitch is tight, concise, and you have to be confident. Here are some best practices to remember when talking about yourself and your elevator pitch
Have great eye contact - look people in the eye confidently
Watch your speed of talk - don't talk too fast or slow
Be yourself and really listen to the person and see where you can give value
Have a call to action you want someone to do (let's connect on social, come to my event, visit my website, let's go for lunch next week, etc.)
Time yourself saying the pitch out loud (30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds)
Practice in the mirror and watch your gestures
Have your contact information ready to share (phone, email, social, website)
Based on your career goals, Study 2-4 different elevator pitches based on your goals
As you practice your elevator pitch, it'll feel less rehearsed and more natural. Remember this is storytelling and connecting with other people. Every person you connect with today might not see an immediate result, but you never know where that connection can lead to.
Tip 5: Always be closing when sharing your elevator pitch - what do you want to happen next?
In sales, the famous ABCs is Always Be Closing. You have to sell yourself. You don't want to walk away from that interaction and have nothing - even if you just are getting comfortable talking to someone. Always be prepared to provide more information about yourself (e.g. sign up for an email list, a downloadable card for your EP, or a digital flyer for your next live performance. Never go somewhere or go to a gig and you're not prepared to let people know what you do and how they can connect with you.
Always ask the person what do they need help with? It's about giving value (even if it's not directly related to your music). Even if they're not interested in it right now, still take their contact information and stay in contact with that person. You never know where the connection could go. Having your elevator pitch ready to go is key to your success.
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