How to Use My Elevator Pitch Template Workbook + Birthday Flash Sale!

Today is my birthday, and I love sharing it with my community. Whether you’ve been reading my blog for a while or this is your first time giving it a look, welcome! I’m excited about today’s post because I’m walking you through my Elevator Pitch Template Workbook, which you can buy from my Etsy Shop. 

I created this workbook because as writers, one of the most nerve-wracking questions we get asked all the time after telling someone we’re writing a book is, “What is your book about?” 

Did your entire body clench after reading that? Chances are, if you’re a writer, you’ve been asked this question on multiple occasions. And I bet you did your best to answer it without going off into a rambling tizzy. 

I know! I’ve been there, and that’s why I made this workbook. Let’s take a closer look.

What’s inside the Elevator Pitch Template Workbook?

This workbook takes the guesswork out of answering that dreaded question by breaking your book into bite-sized pieces. If you know anything about me and my love of planning, you know I’m ALL about breaking things down into manageable tasks. 

The first thing you’ll be asked to do in the workbook is to gather the most important information. This includes the key points of your book, like:

• Your main character(s)

• Traits or quirks about that character

• Their goals or dreams

• The inciting incident of the story

• The conflicts your character faces, both internal and external

You will need all of those elements to create your “elevator pitch.” This industry term is used in a variety of businesses. It’s the concept that if you were in an elevator with someone who could turn your idea into a reality, would your pitch interest them enough? 

And since elevator rides tend to be short, you have anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute to convey your idea in an interesting way.

This is where writers get tripped up because how the hell are you supposed to condense your 80,000+ word novel into a one to two-sentence pitch? And make it compelling without telling people about the important subplot and overarching message?

You’ve got to be kidding?! 

This is where the Elevator Pitch Template Workbook comes into play

Once you’ve gathered all your information, you’re going to create your “It’s a story about someone who…” statement. I learned this method from Mark Boutros’s Domestika course “Creative Writing Foundations: Develop Compelling Characters.” 

By figuring out this statement, you’re essentially building a pitch that provides all the necessary information in a way that makes it intriguing to whoever you’re sharing it with.

Inside my Elevator Pitch Template Workbook, you’ll get two fillable templates that include different ways to word that exact statement. Think of it like Mad Libs. It’s a simple practice that helps you get comfortable by adding the right information in a concise manner. 

You then get three blank pages to practice some more. Once you get a feel for writing the “It’s a story about someone who…” statement, you’ll figure out new ways to word it. The more options you have, the more you can test on friends, fellow writers, and random strangers. This is how you know if your pitch is working. 

Finally, you get a few examples of elevator pitches using popular stories like The Hunger Games and Breaking Bad. This way you can see it in action. 

This isn’t in the workbook, but another great way to practice elevator pitches is to take your favorite books, movies, or TV shows and turn them into pitches. See if you can creatively share the most vital and juicy information in one to two sentences.

Why get this template?

If you want a career in writing, especially in publishing books, learning to create short and compelling pitches is a must in the industry. This is true whether you want to be traditionally published or if you’re going to indie or self-publish.

Why? Because ‌our attention spans are growing smaller by the minute. You have seconds to capture someone’s attention and this is way more important if you’re looking for them to buy something you’re selling. 

Learning to write a short, concise, and intriguing pitch will help you capture the attention of readers, publishers, sponsors, and pretty much any other gatekeeper who can help you market your book. 

Trust me, it’s a skill that once practiced over time, becomes easier. Just like writing. The act of writing isn’t hard. It’s coming up with stories that are hard. You know how to write. You know how to string sentences together. What you need to learn now is taking that story and turn it into a pitch, which you can totally do.

So if you’re looking for a way to master the art of the elevator pitch, look no further than my Elevator Pitch Template Workbook. It’s the perfect companion to help you take your incredible novel and transform it into an interesting pitch that will make anyone you tell want to read it.

To celebrate my birthday, I’m running a 4-day sale over on my Etsy Shop. All printables, mugs, and notebooks are 17% off starting today! The sale ends on Thursday, 4/20, so head to the page and shop to your heart’s content. And thank you for celebrating my birthday with me.