60-Second Elevator Pitch
Write a 60-second pitch for a NYC networking event, recruiter cold-call, or LinkedIn DM opener. The pacing meter targets 150 words per minute — the ear-tested rate for confident, non-rushed delivery.
Why 150 wpm?
Most people pitch at 170-190 wpm when nervous. At that speed the listener can transcribe your words but not absorb them. The sweet spot for a confident, professional pitch is 140-160 wpm — slow enough to land a key phrase, fast enough not to sound rehearsed.
For a 60-second pitch, that's 140-160 words. Below 120 words and you'll finish early (recruiter suspects you have nothing to say); above 180 words and you'll be cut off mid-sentence (recruiter mentally checks out).
Read your pitch out loud once a day for a week. Time yourself. The first time you'll hit 80 seconds; by day seven you should land in the green zone.