The Artist’s Elevator Pitch: How To Describe Your Music In 30 Seconds

Attention is scarce. If you can’t explain your sound in one breath, you lose the room. This guide gives you a simple system to write, practise, and deliver an elevator pitch that lands with fans, music execs, collaborators, and venues.

What a great pitch does

• Names your lane so people know where to file you in their head

• Signals why you are credible without sounding thirsty

• Creates a picture they can feel, not just facts

• Offers a next step in the conversation, not a hard sell

The 5-part “A-MAPS” framework

Keep it tight. Aim for 15 to 30 seconds.

1. AudienceWho it is for. Use a tribe or moment.

2. ModeWhat it sounds like. Use micro-genres and “RIYL” comparisons.

3. Anchor proofOne concrete receipt.

4. PromiseWhat someone gets when they press play or book you.

5. Story sparkOne unique detail that invites a question.

Template

“I make [Mode] for [Audience]. Think [Artist 1] meets [Artist 2] with [distinct twist]. Recent wins include [Anchor proof]. Press play if you want [Promise]. I built it after [Story spark].”

Example

“I make nostalgic R&B for late-night city drives. Think Brent Faiyaz meets Daniel Caesar with Toronto soul. My last single hit 120K streams and a Campus radio add. Press play if you want clean vocals over warm live bass lines. I wrote it while commuting on the King streetcar.”

Build your word bank

Micro-genres and modes

Alt R&B, melodic drill, indie pop, Afro-fusion, lofi house, cinematic trap, bedroom soul, alt-rock with shoegaze textures, roots dancehall, hyperpop with guitar leads.

Mood and scenes

Late-night study, pre-game energy, sunrise run, date night, rainy window, cottage weekend, gym push, road trip.

Sensory language

Velvety vocals, dusty drums, glassy pads, punchy 808s, crunchy guitars, syrupy harmonies, airy falsetto, saturated tape feel.

Useful data

BPM ranges, vocal range, live setup size, hometown scene, languages, markets you have traction in.

Scripts for different rooms

1) Fans at a show or on social

Keep it visual and emotional.“Dreamy indie R&B for rainy window days. If you like SZA and Men I Trust, you’ll probably save this. Clean vocals, live bass, diary-style lyrics.”

2) Music executives and gatekeepers

Lead with positioning and proof.“Alt R&B artist from Toronto focused on mood-driven records for late-night playlists. Think Caesar x Faiyaz, 85–95 BPM. Last release did 120K streams with 38 percent save rate and campus radio adds in Vancouver and Montreal. Writing to briefs and staging a 3-single arc this quarter.”

3) Collaborators and producers

Make it technical and efficient.“Baritone R&B with soul chords and modern drums. 85–95 BPM, keys in F minor and A minor. I topline fast, write from concepts, and keep stems clean. Looking for producers who love live bass and tape warmth.”

4) Talent buyers and venues

Focus on the live promise and draw.“Four-piece R&B band with tight 40-minute sets. Energetic but smooth. Average draw 80 to 120. We bring our own backline sheet and video content. Ideal for late slots that want sing-along moments without chaos.”

5) Sync and brand conversations

Be universal and scene-driven.“Cinematic R&B with clean lyrics and clear hooks. Think ‘night drive confidence.’ Alt mixes, instrumentals, and stems on deck. Works under dialogue at 85 BPM with minimal low-end clutter.”

30-second, 15-second, and 1-liner versions

• 30s“I make soulful R&B for late-night city drives. Think Brent Faiyaz meets Daniel Caesar with live bass and diary-style lyrics. Last single did 120K streams and a campus radio add. Clean vocals, 90 BPM, and I always deliver radio, TV, and performance mixes. If you want something warm and modern for your late-night playlists, this is it.”

• 15s“Nostalgic R&B for night drives. Faiyaz meets Caesar, clean vocals, warm bass lines. Last track passed 100K and keeps climbing.”

• 1-liner“Night-drive R&B with live bass and diary-style lyrics.”

Tactics that make your pitch hit

1. Use two clean comparisons: Pick one mainstream and one scene-credible. “Sabrina Claudio meets local favourite” travels well.

2. Tie sound to a moment: “Pre-game energy” or “Sunday clean-up music” sticks better than “versatile artist.”

3. Lead with one stat: Save rate, playlist add, show draw, repeat listeners. One number beats a paragraph.

4. Print your alt mixes: Saying “I have clean, TV, and performance mixes” signals you are pro and saves time later.

5. Keep a living doc: Maintain a short Notion or Google Doc with versions for fans, execs, collaborators, and venues. Update your proof every month.

6. Film a 20-second video: Deliver it like a trailer. Face camera, crisp audio, captions, and one cover photo. Pin it.

7. Practise with timers: Record 10 takes on voice memos. Do 30s, then 15s, then a one-liner. Listen for filler words and speed.

8. Run a punch test: Ask three friends to repeat your pitch from memory after hearing it once. If they stumble, simplify.

9. Make it native to the platform: On TikTok, open with the comparison first. On email, open with the proof.

10. Prepare a “why now” line: One current hook. “I am dropping a three-song winter pack focused on late-night city drives.”

Common mistakes to avoid

• Listing every influence

• Saying “I am versatile”

• Over-promising with no receipt

• Speaking in genres only insiders use

• Rushing through your name and city

• Using jargon with fans or fluffy language with execs

Quick worksheet

Fill these in, then plug into the template.

• My audience: __________________________

• My mode and comparisons: ______________

• One anchor proof: ______________________

• The promise: __________________________

• Story spark: ___________________________

• Live setup details: _____________________

• Stats worth sharing: ____________________

• The 1-liner: ___________________________

Practice drills

• The Uber ride drill: Explain your sound to a driver in 20 seconds without naming a single plugin. If they get the vibe, you nailed it.

• The mic check drill: Before rehearsal, everyone gives a 10-second one-liner into the talkback. Keep the best one.

• The stranger test: Ask someone outside your scene to listen to your 15-second version. If they can name a mood or moment it fits, you are clear.

Final polish checklist

• You can say it without breathing hard

• You can swap one proof stat in seconds

• You have versions for fans, execs, collaborators, venues

• Your socials and EPK match the words you use

• You can deliver it on camera with captions

Use this guide to write three versions today. Record them. Share with two trusted peers for feedback. Update your living doc and keep it current. When the moment comes, you will be ready.