With everyone working on branding, you likely have plenty of material for a great elevator pitch.
Here are my top twelve “do’s” for a successful elevator pitch, based on years of working as a lobbyist, fundraiser, business person and job seeker.
- DO be interested in what you offer. If you’re not interested, chances are no one else will be.
- DO know your audience. The more you know what’s interesting to the person and place you’re pitching, the more you’ll be able to pick relevant, juicy material for your pitch.
- DO have a hook that gets someone’s attention. Work on a provocative question that gets others thinking about the issue you’re tackling.
- DO show that you get results. Yes, it’s important to talk about what you do and your skills, but we all want to know the benefits and impact of your great works. Make sure you can communicate the results we can all look forward to if we work with or invest in you.
- DO be specific. Make sure we know the specific area you work in, your ideal client, the name of a company where you want to work, etc. If you’re vague we will have nothing and no one to refer you to.
- DO have a call to action. Know what you want the person you’re pitching to do – and make sure you tell them what you are after. If you want a lead, say so. If you want a job in a certain field, tell them what you’re after. It shouldn’t be a mystery!
- DO speak in simple English. Don’t use technical jargon.
- DO have balanced content. Okay, here’s what I mean. Some of us can be very technical and others more touchy-feely and qualitative. Make sure you’ve got a mix.
- DO remember you are speaking to another person. Make sure you’re making contact, looking at them, breathing and listening and taking cues that they’re engaged. Don’t talk at them!
- DO pause after you make important points and at the end of your pitch. Give the other person time to absorb what you’ve said. And, take your time when you speak.
- DO remember that what you are doing matters. It’s important. It has value. People will be lucky to get your service, product, time, wisdom, etc.
- DO be confident. Let that confidence show in your body language, your tone of voice and your energy. Hold yourself with dignity and grace. Keep your head high. You have a lot to offer. Know you have value.
As always, make sure you practice your pitch out loud in front of others if possible. The more you exercise your speaking out loud voice, the more pitching will come easily and naturally and the more likely you are to have a genuine tone. Remember you can work on your pitch and all your self-promotion skills by working with Paradise Coaching or coming to the next Interview Club hosted by Laura Paradise. lauraparadisecoaching.com