The 2 Minute Elevator Pitch That Works Anywhere
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
The Elevator Pitch
The Elevator Pitch – When you meet someone new for the first time whether it be in an elevator or just out and about doing your daily errands you have about two minutes to make them a new friend. When you’re running your own business every stranger can not only be a friend but a potential customer or business partner. You should make good use of every chance you’re given to make a new friend and practice your elevator pitch.
The Elevator Pitch – The Opening
There are a couple of things to keep in mind anytime you approach someone you don’t just want to launch into a practiced script about your company. Every person you approach will be different the situation, their interests how you relate to them. Keep a couple of good conversation starters in mind but never work off a script. One fantastic way to introduce yourself and start the conversation of your elevator pitch is to open with a compliment and a question. This keeps the conversation flowing rather than them just saying “Thanks,” and off they go. An example of this technique would be, “Wow you have fantastic tone in your arms, what did you do to get them?” It gives them a chance to tell you some of their story and you do not sound like a sales person from the start.
Making eye contact, smiling and truly being involved in the conversation is key to developing a relationship and making that great first impression during your elevator pitch. No one wants to feel like you’re just giving them the generic first words that come to mind. Also no one wants to feel like you started the conversation just to talk about your company … let the relationship develop before you go into all of that. Do not be so worried about getting the email or getting the contact. Sometimes you’re just not going to get it, but you know what, that’s okay. Think of it like this, the more darts you throw at the bulls eye, the better chance you have of hitting it. Starting these conversations and tailoring them on the fly takes practice, the more conversations you start the better you get at it and the more results you will see.
Developing an elevator pitch for your company, like anything else in your own business, can be trial and error. However if you stay with it, be sure to give people your undivided attention and make them feel important. Ignore that cell phone when it rings during these elevator pitches and you will start to see results.
The Elevator Pitch – For the Shy Person
Ok let’s face it, sometimes talking to random people talking about your business can be mortifying for some of you. No matter what you do or what you say, you feel icky about “selling” to them. Right? Well don’t sweat it! There are techniques where you can reach out to people and you never have to make a single phone call or face-to-face meeting.
Wondering what that is? Well, Watch This Video and you may end up not needing an elevator pitch! What do you have to lose?!
Work Well to Live Well
~Mel
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