They always say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That is why it is important to be prepared. With so many people at the Summit, you might only have a minute or two to talk to someone before they get pulled away or you get interrupted. This is where the importance of the Elevator Pitch comes in. What is the elevator pitch? It is your way of quickly describing yourself, business or skills to someone in the time span it would take to ride an elevator, about 30-60 seconds. It is taking all the high points, cramming them into a compact, easy to remember speech that you can regurgitate at any given moment. It should be simple enough that even your grandma could understand it.
- Stay away from any corporate buzzwords. We hear this stuff enough in the office.
- Keep it short and to the point; Who are you, what do you do…
- Incorporate humor, quick story or a ‘win’ you had
- Write it down on paper
- practice, practice, practice it!!!
The goal of the elevator pitch is to leave the person interested. This is why I try to encourage people to end a pitch with something funny, memorable or exciting. It helps to keep someones attention and usually sinks the hook into them. Leave them with a business card, a firm handshake and always wanting more…