Last week the 10 essential principles wereposted on the 30SecondsGo! Blog. This week we’ll share principle #1 Elevator Speech in more detail.
1. describe yourself – elevator speech
Commonly called an ‘elevator speech’ or ‘elevator pitch’- as if you were to meet a potentially important contact for the first time in an elevator and he/she asks: “What do you do?” You have no more than 20 seconds – perhaps just 10-15 seconds – between floors to explain, and to make such an impressive impact that the person asks for your contact details.
If you talk too much, the listener will become bored and you will literally see a glazed look overcome their expression.
Be clear, concise, and confident. You will demonstrate consideration and expertise by conveying your message in as short a time as possible.
Here are the main points for creating your elevator speech:
1. your name | Look the other person in the eye. Smile. Shoulders back. Speak with clarity and confidence. Sincerity and passion are crucial in making a strong early impression.
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2. your business name | Loud clear proud again. Do not ask “Have you heard of us?” or wait for recognition.
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4. your purpose | Be different and special and better in some way from your competitors. Be meaningful for the event or situation or group, and as far as you can guess, be meaningful for the contact. Express what you offer in terms of positive outcomes for those you help or supply, rather than focusing on technical details from your own viewpoint. Load your statements here with special benefits or qualities. Be positive, proud and ambitious in your thinking and expression of what you do. |
Depending on the situation, aim to complete your explanation in less than 20 seconds. Less is more: lots of powerful points in very few words make a much bigger impact than a lengthy statement. It is a sign of a good mind if you can convey a lot of relevant impressive information in a very short time. Conversely, a long rambling statement shows a lack of preparation, professionalism and experience.
While you are speaking look the other person in the eyes, and be aware of his/her body language to gauge for interest and reaction to you personally, and to help your assessment of the other person’s character and mood.
After your ‘elevator speech’ end in a firm, positive, constructive way. Ending with a question enables more to happen than letting the discussion tail off nowhere or into polite small-talk. Depending on the situation and visible reaction (again see body language for clues of interest) you can end in various ways, for example:
“What’s your interest here/at this event?”
“What are you most wanting to get out of this event/your visit here?”
Or obviously if you’ve not already asked: “What do you do?”
If you already know the other person’s interests and motives, for example ask:
“How would you like to improve/change/grow… (various options, for example – your own network, your own business activities, etc.)?”
After giving your elevator speech avoid the temptation to force your business card onto the other person (unless this is the tone and expectation of the event), and certainly do not launch a full-blooded sales pitch. Instead try to develop the discussion around what the other person wants to do, achieve, change, grow, etc.
Be on your guard for interruptions and sudden opportunities, many highly competent business people have a habit of interrupting and cutting short discussions when they see an opportunity. This means you may not always finish your elevator speech, in which case allow the discussion to progress, rather than try to complete what you planned to say. Be prepared at any time to respond effectively to an interruption like, “Okay, I get the picture – how do you do that?”.
Many of you know the formula we teach clients at 30 Second Success. We work closely with clients to create a clear, concise message that is shared with confidence. The ability to convert contacts into clients through your messaging is powerful. We help you take those opportunities to share your elevator speech and turn them into one on one meetings where the real magic happens. Call today for more information 215.801.6750
