Monday, May 25, 2009

Do you have a 30 second elevator pitch?

Most business people don't yet it's very important to have when you are meeting someone for the first time.

Close your eyes and imagine that you are standing in line at the grocery store. The person behind you strikes up a conversation with you then asks "What do you do?" It's the perfect opportunity to promote your business. What comes out of your mouth is an ordinary, non-exciting response like "I work for a company that sales USB drives". They respond with a dull, "Oh, ok." and because there is nothing extraordinary there the conversation moves on to something else.

You never know where you'll meet a new client and everyone from the receptionist to the owner needs to promote the business. Especially in today's economy.

You need to have a 30 second elevator pitch that entices the listener to want to know more about what you do. If you include the following 3 phrases into your elevator pitch you will have a 90% higher chance of being remembered.

#1-"I work with___________."
#2-"Who have the challenge of ____________."
#3-"Who receives ___________ "(what end result(s).

For example for the person who works for the USB drive company. The elevator pitch can be:

"I work with businesses who have the challenge of keeping their data secure both online and offline. By using our innovative USB drives they receive complete piece of mind that their computers are safe from hacking, viruses, lost passwords and that their files are protected saving them thousands in lost revenue."

The key is to make it into your own words so it rolls off your tongue, creates interest and you are comfortable with it.

Introduce the law of reciprocity along with your pitch and hand them a useful promotional product such as a pen, a game, a business card case (of course with your business card inside), a deck of cards, a game card that they can scratch off and win a prize, discount on their first order, etc. Add a memory hook that relates to your business and the item you are giving and you won't be forgotten.

I was in a class a few weeks ago and sat next to a lady who asked me what I do. I gave her my 30 second pitch and immediately she was drawn in and started asking me questions. The funny part was that after we talked for a few minutes she said, "I met a lady last week who did the same thing you do except you made it sound so fun and interesting." She then gave me her number and asked me to call her because she needed to order some promotional apparel.

Come up with your own today. Memorize it and start using it! You never know who you will meet!

To your success,
Shana Anderson
Complete Workplace, Inc.

T:408.586.9464
F:408.212.9601
E-mail: shana@completeworkplace.com
http://www.completeworkplace.com/

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