How to Nail Your 45-Second Elevator Pitch at a Networking Event

Picture this: you’re at a networking event, maybe balancing a little plate of cheese cubes and crackers, casually chatting with someone new. Then it happens—they turn to you and ask, “So, what do you do?” It sounds like a simple question, but you’ve only got a short window, maybe 45 seconds tops, to say something memorable, something that sticks.

That’s where the elevator pitch comes in. But before you start reciting some robotic-sounding speech, let’s take a step back. The best elevator pitches don’t feel like a pitch at all. They feel like the start of a real, human conversation.

Start with clarity, not jargon

First off, get to the point, but make it clear. A lot of people try to sound impressive by packing in technical terms or fancy job titles, but that usually just ends up confusing the other person or making the moment feel stiff. Instead, aim for clarity. Say what you do in a way that anyone can understand.

A great pitch isn’t about cramming your entire résumé into half a minute. It’s about sparking interest. Think of it more like an opening line in a good conversation, not a sales pitch. Start by clearly stating who you are and what you do, but keep it human. “I help small businesses grow their brand online” sounds a lot more engaging than “I’m a digital marketing specialist focusing on SEO and content strategy.” Keep it simple and relatable.

Add a little spark of personality

Now that you’ve introduced what you do, it’s time to give your pitch a little flavor. This is the part most people skip, but it makes a huge difference. A quick story, a specific example, or even a lighthearted comment can help bring your pitch to life.

Say you’re a graphic designer. You could just say that and move on—but what if you added, “I recently rebranded a bakery, and it was so nice to see their new logo on their storefront for the first time.” That gives someone a picture in their mind, and more importantly, it makes your work feel real and relatable.

Don’t be afraid to let your enthusiasm show, either. When you talk about something you genuinely enjoy, people feel that energy—and energy is magnetic. You’re not just listing off what you do. You’re sharing a piece of yourself, and that connection is what sticks with people.

Don’t try to say everything

Remember, your goal isn’t to explain everything—it’s to get someone curious enough to want to know more. Think of your pitch as the trailer, not the full movie. Give them just enough to understand who you are and what you’re about, and then let the conversation naturally go from there.

You want to leave them with a clear picture of what you do, but also a reason to ask a follow-up. That’s where real networking happens. It’s not in the pitch itself, but in the conversation it sparks afterward.

End with connection, not a conclusion

So how do you wrap it up? Most people end their pitch by kind of awkwardly stopping or by saying something like, “That’s what I do,” which doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for more dialogue.

Instead, end on something that invites the other person in. You could say, “It’s been really fun working with creative brands that want to stand out—what kind of work are you in?” or even, “That’s a little about what I do. I’m always curious to hear what brought other people here—what’s your story?”

That small shift, framing the end of your pitch as the beginning of a conversation, turns the interaction from a monologue into a dialogue. And that’s the whole point of networking.

Final thoughts

Giving a great elevator pitch doesn’t mean memorizing a script or sounding ultra-polished. It means knowing how to talk about what you do in a way that’s clear, confident, and real. You want people to walk away with a sense of who you are—not just what you do.

So, next time you’re at a networking event and someone asks, “What do you do?” take a breath, smile, and just tell your story like you would to a friend. That’s what will make you memorable.