Paula Clifford, executive director for Americans for Medical Progress (AMP), shares step-by-step advice to craft an elevator pitch. This will enable you to proactively and effectively communicate about your work with animals to various audiences.
Clifford leads AMP’s advocacy efforts and educational program by providing accurate information and elevating the public’s understanding and support for the humane, necessary, and valuable roles of animals in medicine. AMP recently launched Come See Our World to share stories demonstrating why animal research is important.
In the video, Clifford suggests that every scientist who works with animals needs an elevator speech, and she explains the three key elements. One, bring your audience into your story. Two, tell them who you are and what you do. Three, give your audience hope.
Clifford also emphasizes how you deliver your pitch can make a difference.
She suggests removing scientific words and phrases. “Once you get to a word where somebody doesn't know what it is, their mind goes on a little vacation, and they're not going to hear the rest of the words you're speaking,” she continues.
Careful word choice overall is critical. “If you use words that don't objectify the animals, and you use words like ’study’ instead of ’experiment,’ that's going to help you have more effective communication,” she shares.
Ultimately, “It's important the public hears and understands your story, because without it, funding is not going to be available. It's going to be harder to do your research because you won't have public support for your research,” Clifford explains.
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