Comments on: My take on elevator pitches http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-take-on-elevator-pitches/ The daily journal of a puppeteer and SF author. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:21:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mary Robinette Kowal http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-take-on-elevator-pitches/comment-page-1/#comment-29440 Mary Robinette Kowal Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:14:09 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/?p=2350#comment-29440 You're welcome! You’re welcome!

]]> By: Mary Robinette Kowal http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-take-on-elevator-pitches/comment-page-1/#comment-29439 Mary Robinette Kowal Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:13:49 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/?p=2350#comment-29439 <blockquote>We exist in a world where Andy Warhol cross-pollinated with Moore’s Law, and 15 minutes has now condensed to 15 seconds. </blockquote> True and scary.

We exist in a world where Andy Warhol cross-pollinated with Moore’s Law, and 15 minutes has now condensed to 15 seconds.

True and scary.

]]> By: Todd http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-take-on-elevator-pitches/comment-page-1/#comment-29411 Todd Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:24:24 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/?p=2350#comment-29411 I really like how you outlined this from the writer's perspective. Having lived in tech since someone slapped a sheepskin in my palm over two decades ago, I've fully grasped the notion of the elevator pitch. Most marks in our halls are harried executives you generally need something from: budget, heads, permission, forgiveness, etc. My summary of the elevator pitch to those trying to learn is: "25 words or less of key context followed by the teaser hook." The best hooks are personal ones, something sure-fire to resonate with the mark, if that's possible; otherwise, go for the high shock factor to snag attention. We exist in a world where Andy Warhol cross-pollinated with Moore's Law, and 15 minutes has now condensed to 15 seconds. Gotta exploit it to the fullest before you revert back to chopped liver. I really like how you outlined this from the writer’s perspective. Having lived in tech since someone slapped a sheepskin in my palm over two decades ago, I’ve fully grasped the notion of the elevator pitch. Most marks in our halls are harried executives you generally need something from: budget, heads, permission, forgiveness, etc. My summary of the elevator pitch to those trying to learn is: “25 words or less of key context followed by the teaser hook.” The best hooks are personal ones, something sure-fire to resonate with the mark, if that’s possible; otherwise, go for the high shock factor to snag attention.

We exist in a world where Andy Warhol cross-pollinated with Moore’s Law, and 15 minutes has now condensed to 15 seconds. Gotta exploit it to the fullest before you revert back to chopped liver.

]]> By: Krista http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-take-on-elevator-pitches/comment-page-1/#comment-29377 Krista Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:11:36 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/?p=2350#comment-29377 Wow! That was masterful. Better watch out though, people are going to have you teaching yet more seminars at cons if you keep this up! ;) Thanks for the terrific post. Wow! That was masterful.
Better watch out though, people are going to have you teaching yet more seminars at cons if you keep this up! ;)

Thanks for the terrific post.

]]> By: Mary Robinette Kowal http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-take-on-elevator-pitches/comment-page-1/#comment-29372 Mary Robinette Kowal Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:32:29 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/?p=2350#comment-29372 Ha! Yes, I'd never thought about it, but conversations with kids are exactly like that. The funny thing is that when I first saw, "trailers and conversation with kids drawing pictures," I immediately thought of teaching workshops in trailers with kids. Clearly, I put in too much time on school tours. Ha! Yes, I’d never thought about it, but conversations with kids are exactly like that.

The funny thing is that when I first saw, “trailers and conversation with kids drawing pictures,” I immediately thought of teaching workshops in trailers with kids. Clearly, I put in too much time on school tours.

]]> By: Mary Robinette Kowal http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-take-on-elevator-pitches/comment-page-1/#comment-29371 Mary Robinette Kowal Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:30:42 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/?p=2350#comment-29371 When I get into rewrites for it, I'll let you know. When I get into rewrites for it, I’ll let you know.

]]> By: Kelvin Kao http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-take-on-elevator-pitches/comment-page-1/#comment-29363 Kelvin Kao Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:58:31 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/?p=2350#comment-29363 Ah, very nice analysis of elevator pitch. This actually reminds me of two things: trailers and conversation with kids drawing pictures. Let me explain. The bigger paragraph is like those two-minute trailers you see before movies. It introduces you to main characters, plot, major conflict, the stakes, but doesn't give you the answer. The opening elevator pitch is like those 30-second teasers that's just aiming to get you hooked without telling you a little bit, but not too much. The expanding ideas part reminds me of watching kids draw. Me: Hey Dylan, what are you drawing? Kid: It's a robot fighting a monster. The robot's got the best weapon. Me: Why's that the best weapon? Kid: Because it shoots meatballs! Me: Oh wow, why does it shoot meatballs? Is it from Planet Spaghetti? Kid: No! Because... You get the idea. Kids do this naturally for some reason. Ah, very nice analysis of elevator pitch.

This actually reminds me of two things: trailers and conversation with kids drawing pictures. Let me explain.

The bigger paragraph is like those two-minute trailers you see before movies. It introduces you to main characters, plot, major conflict, the stakes, but doesn’t give you the answer. The opening elevator pitch is like those 30-second teasers that’s just aiming to get you hooked without telling you a little bit, but not too much.

The expanding ideas part reminds me of watching kids draw.
Me: Hey Dylan, what are you drawing?
Kid: It’s a robot fighting a monster. The robot’s got the best weapon.
Me: Why’s that the best weapon?
Kid: Because it shoots meatballs!
Me: Oh wow, why does it shoot meatballs? Is it from Planet Spaghetti?
Kid: No! Because…

You get the idea. Kids do this naturally for some reason.

]]> By: Julia http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-take-on-elevator-pitches/comment-page-1/#comment-29350 Julia Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:32:07 +0000 http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/?p=2350#comment-29350 Ooooooh don't tease us with upcoming books of yours! I want to read Virus Attached, simply because it sounds so very like the Turing Hopper series by Donna Andrews, which I just ADORE. (You might wish to check the series out, because it sells nicely and having yours favourably compared with hers may draw her readers in! http://www.amazon.com/Turing-Hopper-Mysteries-Order/lm/39ZROFXN9VA5G) Ooooooh don’t tease us with upcoming books of yours! I want to read Virus Attached, simply because it sounds so very like the Turing Hopper series by Donna Andrews, which I just ADORE. (You might wish to check the series out, because it sells nicely and having yours favourably compared with hers may draw her readers in! http://www.amazon.com/Turing-Hopper-Mysteries-Order/lm/39ZROFXN9VA5G)

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