Can you say what you do in less time than it takes for an elevator to reach the ground floor?
Some call it an elevator pitch, but it goes by other names. Regardless of what you call on, being able to say what you do in a nutshell without saying “ah, um…” can make or break a new business relationship.
The elevator speech should be designed to capture and hold the listener’s interest, forcing the question “Oh?
Tell me more!”
For many names an elevator pitch goes by, there are also just as many interpretations of what it does and how to do it.
This short introduction should be no more than 13 words, but the 13 most important words you have said.
And once you figure them out, you need to memorize them and practice the way you spit them out so they sound effortless, conversational, and natural.
The 13 words should say enough to generate interest. If they don’t, either the words are wrong
or the listener is not close to being a potential business contact.
Here’s a test: Are these good elevator pitches?
“I’m the Local Sales Manager for the number one KIA Dealer in the district!”
“I am a funeral director.”
“I am vice president of engineering at Boston Scientific.”
“I’m a newspaper reporter!”
Unless you find funerals terribly interesting, you’re not likely to say “Oh? Tell me more!” to any of those elevator speeches. None of them have a hook. They are not speeches at all, but headline statements.
Who you are is not what was asked. What you do is the only answer, and to answer it well, it must be “what I can do for you”
Ease their pain and you will win…
What does your elevator speech say about you?