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Persuasive Communication Training
Key Conversations. Critical Asks. Elevator Pitches. 

Stop getting “let me think about it.”
Start getting clear next steps.

Turn conversations into decisions: A one-time virtual workshop on persuasive communication that leads to lasting change in how people communicate. Available for teams and one-on-one. Used by more than 3,000 leaders across foundations, nonprofits, and corporations

Book Your Workshop Now Contact

Persuasive Communication Training
Key Conversations. Critical Asks. Elevator Pitches.  

Stop getting “let me think about it.”
Start getting clear next steps.

Turn conversations into decisions using a focused 90-minute virtual workshop built around a simple, practical framework for persuasive communication. Available for teams and one-on-one. Used by more than 3,000 leaders across foundations, nonprofits, and corporations.

Book a Workshop Contact

ABOUT

This workshop is designed for situations where decisions matter and skepticism is real. Many teams have strong ideas but struggle to move conversations to clear outcomes. This training enables clearer conversations, faster decisions, and less re-litigation across the organization.

Get the framework as a free booklet

This PDF distills the same methodology used in the workshop into a short, practical booklet you can use before any high-stakes conversation.

  • Covers the core framework: Curiosity → Trust → Clarity → Action

  • Designed to be used before the conversation—not after it stalls

  • Also available as a paperback on Amazon—but free here

Download as PDF Buy on Amazon

See the Persuasion Guide your team will keep on their phone

Before you book anything, preview the actual framework participants use and will keep in their pockets

Scan the QR code or visit www.persuasion.guide to see the four-step structure teams add to their phone’s home screen.

This isn’t course material you file away.

It’s a tool you pull up before an important meeting, pitch, or conversation.


To add the framework to your phone’s home screen: Scan the QR code -> Tap “Share” -> Tap “Add to Home Screen”

What Leaders Are Saying

Teams at organizations such as the Ford Foundation used the workshop and, after anonymous internal participant surveys, scheduled additional sessions.

Marielena Hincapie, past Exec. Dir. of the National Immigration Law Center

Sisi Wei, Editor in Chief, The Markup

Jon Fiume, Director & CEO, Akron Art Museum

Jim McHale, CEO & President, Woodward Hines Education Foundation

Meet Your Trainer

Marc Fest - Elevator Speech Training Founder

Marc Fest

Former VP of Communications, Knight Foundation & New World Symphony

Clients consistently praise Marc Fest's EST (formerly Elevator Speech Training) with comments such as "total game-changing work" and "seriously one of the best trainings I have ever received" (browse the over 500 similar testimonials). Marc helps professionals excel in fundraising, partnership building, idea pitching, and other goals.

He is the founder of EST, MessageHouse.org, and Elvay. He is a former vice president of communications for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the New World Symphony. Marc is the author of "Elevator Speech Training" and "The Message House Method".

Choose Your Training Format

Group Elevator Speech Training Workshop

Team Transformation Team Transformation

$2,400 / Up to 300 people / 90 minutes
Book Group Workshop
One-on-One Elevator Speech Training

Personal Breakthrough Personal Breakthrough

$450 / one-on-one / 60 minutes
Book 1-on-1 Workshop

Questions?

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