I’ve been saying a version of my elevator pitch for six + years now, and it’s evolved as my business has evolved. Back when I started, there was no AI to lean on though! I had to do the messy brainstorming on my own.

Now? I still do the messy brainstorming… but I also use AI to make the process faster and give my clients new language they might not have considered.

Here’s exactly how I guide clients through it:

Step 1: Answer three simple questions

Before we touch AI, we go old-school with pen and paper (because there’s something magical about getting thoughts out of your head and onto a page).

The three questions:

1. What’s the biggest challenge your ideal client faces? (The catch-all problem — not a laundry list.)
   
2. How do you solve that challenge? (The short version, not a service menu.)
   
3. What transformation or result will they experience after working with you?
   

For example, in my own business:

1. Problem: When you’re too close to your own work, it’s hard to find the words to articulate your value.
   
2. Service: I help experienced business owners clarify their message so they can communicate with confidence.
   
3. Result: They attract the right clients… the ones willing to pay what their expertise is worth.
   

Step 2: Let AI play with your answers

Once you’ve got those three answers, we feed them into ChatGPT (or Claude, or CoPilot — whichever tool you use). The prompt is simple:

“Here are three elements of my business: the problem I solve, how I solve it, and the transformation my clients get. Write 10 different conversational elevator pitch options that feel human, approachable, and in my tone of voice.”

AI will give you ideas. Most of them won’t be perfect. Some will be way off. But you’ll almost always find a few golden phrases you wouldn’t have thought of on your own.

Step 3: Shape it into your own voice

The mistake I see people make is taking AI’s first draft and using it word-for-word. Please don’t. You’ll sound like a robot, or worse, like someone else entirely.

Instead, treat AI’s output like a buffet; pick the bits you like, combine them with your own language, and test it out loud.

Step 4: Practise out loud (yes, really)

When I was first finding my elevator pitch, I used to practise while driving to networking events. I’d say it over and over until the words felt natural to say. You want to get to a point where you can adapt it depending on who you’re talking to without overthinking it.

AI doesn’t replace your voice. It just helps you find it faster.

And when your elevator pitch finally clicks you will stop second-guessing yourself and start making real connections, (instead of watching people’s eyes glaze over while you explain what you do).

REMEMBER: AI is a brainstorming partner, not a ghostwriter for your identity. Use it to expand your language, not replace your own words.

This article was inspired by my conversation with Erin Huckle on her PR with Purpose podcast. You can listen to the full episode, “Nailing Your Powerful Elevator Pitch,” here.