If you met your dream client on an elevator, would you be able to provide a 30-second business pitch that would leave him wanting to know more? Here are some tips to help you make a memorable and lasting first impression.
* Make an impression in 30 seconds. An "elevator pitch" is a concise, concrete, exciting snapshot of your business that leaves a potential client with a good understanding of the services or product you provide and a desire to learn more.
* Define your product or service in a unique way. In one or two sentences, describe what you sell or provide. Convey one to three aspects or specialties of your business that you are passionate about; point out how you rise above you competitors; and define how you add value to your customers' businesses.
* Define your customer. Is your typical client in the finance industry? Does your product help senior citizens? Do you provide accounting services to mid-size businesses? In one sentence, summarize your typical customer, or the type of customer you hope to serve.
* Write it until you get it right. Write your "elevator pitch" down. Work on it until it feels right and gets your point across quickly. If your business occupies more than one niche, try to combine them or craft a few pitches that you can use with different prospects. If you are having trouble, ask your current associates and clients what they value most about your services – chances are, someone else will, too!
* Practice, practice, practice. Practice it out loud – in front of a mirror. The more you practice your pitch, the easier it will be to deliver, whether you're talking to a friend at a party, a prospect on an elevator or potential clients at a networking group.
* Keep it fresh. Although you want your delivery to roll off your tongue, remember that over time you will need to adjust your pitch as your business goals and services change. If you are trying to attract a different type of clientele, you need to be able to tell them how your services or product can add value to their business.
Going Up? Make Sure Your Elevator Pitch Isn't Going Down - To learn more about this author, visit Tom Long's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
|
|
Tom Long
(Visit Tom's Website)
Tom Long is the President of Solid Oak
Consulting, LLC.
www.SolidOakConsulting.com
He is a seasoned executive with 30 years
of experience in starting, managing and
turning around business groups both
domestically and internationally.
He has started groups at Procter & Gamble,
Nastec Corporation, Ernst & Young and R.R.
Donnelley & Sons. And has worked to
turnaround groups at Cincom Systems,
Nastec Corporation, Oracle, KPMG, Andersen
Consulting and Computer Associates.
His involvement as an executive in a
Venture Capital backed startup, Nastec
Corporation, is where he first had the
opportunity to work in a turnaround
situation. But since then, he has
consistently sought out opportunities to
work in growing businesses, start-ups and
turnarounds.
|
|
|
|
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
