What is an Elevator Pitch? If you were riding in an elevator with a stranger, and you had 30 seconds to sell your band to that person, what would you say? There’s a reason this section is limited to 300 characters: We want you to choose your words carefully, because this is your chance to grab the reader’s attention.

The most important thing to remember is that the pitch should describe the music, because music is what the reader is looking for. One good approach is to write it as if it was a recipe: “If you mix a cup of Lenny Kravitz with a spoonful of David Bowie…” Others just go for a straight-up description of the music: “Heavy, dirty synth mixed with Shirley Manson-style vocals.”

The second thing to remember is that triteness, arrogance, and vagueness don’t work well. Avoid saying things like:

• My band has the most unique sound you’ve ever heard!

• My singing defies genre and comparisons. I don’t sound like anyone but me!

• People should watch out because we’re going to be the biggest thing this year!

All these things might be true, but they don’t help the reader understand what your music is about. And that means your music – no matter how good it is – could go unheard.

That having been said, there’s nothing wrong with mixing in a little self-promotion. Here’s an example of a good Elevator Pitch that describes both the music and the band’s live presentation, all while acknowledging influences and creating a context for understanding their music, and all in under 300 characters:

“A guitar full of Lenny Kravitz mixed in with electronic drum and bass back beats that’s guaranteed to get any crowd moving with an intense live show. They’re a nonstop rock-and-groove fest with an unlimited amount of energy, guaranteed for every performance.”

If you have them, you might also include quotes from reviews, or major accomplishments. For example: “Toured with Bon Jovi 1999-2000, opened for Aerosmith 2002, and currently headlining the Vans Warped Tour.” This gives any promoter an idea of where this artist is in their career.

Greg Garing’s elevator pitch highlights the great press he’s received.

Graham Haynes did a fantastic job highlighting what makes him unique.

Keep in mind that the overall point of the Elevator Pitch is to generate interest in and excitement about you or your band. So make sure you sound professional and come across as serious about what you do — but don’t be afraid to have fun with it. And remember that what you might not have room to write in this section can go anywhere in your biography.

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