How to Set up Your Elevator Pitch on LinkedIn

No matter what job or position you hold, there are times when you need to answer questions that frequently come up during first encounters. 

Your answer to these questions is your elevator pitch. 

An elevator pitch answers three questions: 

• Who are you?
• What do you do – and for whom do you do it?
• How does that help them?

Elevator pitches are short: 30 seconds at most and ideally shorter. The point is to deliver a quick summation of who you are and the value you bring.

You don’t have to wait until you meet someone in person to share your value proposition. Putting this information on LinkedIn shares your message with everyone you connect with online. 

So, how do you create an elevator pitch you’ll be proud to share?

How do you structure an elevator pitch?

LinkedIn has its own library of resources to help users make the most of their online profiles. One of their blogs lays out exactly how to structure your elevator pitch. We’ll sum it up here. 

1. Keep it short (less than 30 seconds) — Use only as many words as you need to sum up who you are, what you offer, and how you can help. 
2. Go for a confident vibe, without being arrogant — Avoid using weak or tentative expressions like “kind of” or “more or less.” Know your value, and state it clearly and plainly without either undermining or embellishing it. 
3. Be general rather than specific — For example, saying you “write a lot of code” is better than listing specific programming languages. Interested viewers will then have a reason to check out your profile for more detailed information.  
4. Be distinctive (not generic) —  Try to identify what makes you stand out among the masses on LinkedIn with similar skill sets. What makes you unique?
5. End your pitch with what you’re looking for — The last line should sum up why you’re here and what you’re after, whether that’s a new job, new clients, or new opportunities to connect with professionals in your field.

Make a video for your elevator pitch

Now that you know why you need an elevator pitch, let’s make it more powerful than ever. 

If you’re thinking, “Ugh! Do I really have to make a video of myself delivering this elevator pitch?” 

The quick answer is “Yes.” 

Creating a video for your elevator pitch forces you to thoughtfully consider the words you use to sell yourself or your services. And practicing the pitch helps you sound more confident when using it face to face. 

Where to begin? Start by answering the three questions posed above:

• Who are you? 
• What do you do – and for whom do you do it? 
• And how does that help the people you do it for (your value prop)?

Write out an answer and time yourself when you read it aloud as if you’re presenting yourself to another person. Make whatever changes you need to to create a pitch that feels natural and gets your messages across with just the right number of words. 

Then, pick up your smartphone, turn on the video, and hit that record button. Practice until you have a version you are ready to post!

Five steps to set up your elevator pitch on LinkedIn

Now that you have a video of your pitch, it’s time to get it on LinkedIn. 

Step #1: Open the LinkedIn app on your mobile phone. From there, either:

• click on the link to “Add Profile Video” on the dialogue box to “introduce yourself…” or
• tap on the plus sign at the bottom right of your profile picture and select “Add profile video.”

Step #2: Once you’re in the app’s recording booth, you have two options: 

• Upload an existing video from your gallery. If you’ve already recorded a video and saved it to your phone’s gallery, click on the gallery icon to select that and add it. If you have an iPhone, the Clips app will let you add burned-in captions to your video. 
• Tap on the record button to record your elevator pitch. Keep it under 30 seconds—or, better yet, around 25, since some mobile apps will cut you off at 26 seconds (rude). 

Take as many recordings as you need to until you’re content (or at least not horrified) with what you have, and save it to your profile. 

Your mobile profile should now show a ring around your profile image. Whenever you open or refresh the app on your phone, you’ll see a 3-second muted clip of your profile video in place of your profile picture. After the clip, your profile picture will reappear. 

Step #3: Test it by viewing your LinkedIn profile and clicking on your profile image. 

Step #4: View it on your desktop to see what profile visitors will see—the same three-second muted clip of your profile video followed by your static profile image. 

Step #5: When you’re ready for a new elevator pitch, or you just want to fine-tune your profile video— 

1. Tap on your profile pic
2. Select “View/edit profile video”
3. Click on “Replace” in the bottom right-hand corner
4. Record a new video or upload one you’ve already recorded and saved

You can also delete profile videos on desktop (as well as mobile). But if, after deleting your video, you want to add a new one, you’ll need the mobile app. 

In the app, if you want to delete your profile video—

1. Tap on your profile pic
2. Select “View/edit profile video”
3. Click on the the three dots in the upper right corner
4. Select “Delete”

Picture future LinkedIn connections opening your profile and seeing, at first, that three-second muted clip. Picture them clicking on your profile picture to watch the entire profile video. What do you want that video to say about you? 

How will you stand out?