Elevator Pitch: One Sentence Can Change Your Life
Have you ever been in an elevator when a stranger asks what you do for a living? When this happens are you taken by surprise? If you are like most people the answer to both of these questions is YES. One sentence can change your life.
An elevator pitch, is the specific response that you reply with when someone asks you “What do you do?”, or “What business are you in?” When someone asks you one of these questions, their goal is to get an idea about who you are and what you might be able to do for them. It’s a perfect opportunity to turn a question into a sales lead or appointment.
Key Takeaways:
- You only have 10 seconds to make an impression
- Use a one line / one sentence elevator pitch
- Use the same pitch over and over at networking events
- Generate curiosity
- Let them ask you questions
- Get the business card
Having a compelling elevator pitch takes practice. Once you figure out what works best, and test it out a few times…making tweaks along the way, your pitch will be start to generate business out of thin air when used at the right time and in the right settings.
No matter what business you are in, it is essential to have an elevator pitch. Once you create the perfect elevator pitch, use it on as many people you can.
Below are some ideas on how to create your elevator pitch.
Step 1
List every single benefit you offer clients or customers. (If you have a product, focus on what the main benefit the product delivers to the customer). Make your answer one sentence.
Examples:
- I help people increase the size of their e-mail list
- I help people drive more traffic through their site
- I help people generate more leads and appointments for their business
- I help people write sales copy that generates 2.5%-5.6% open rates
- I help people increase their sales without increasing their marketing budget
- I help people optimize their online and offline marketing programs that increases sales
Step 2
Anticipate the questions someone might ask you they hear your one sentence pitch. Write the possible questions down and be ready to have answers for them.
Examples:
Q: How do you do this?
Q: Who are your customers?
Q: How much does it cost?
Q: Have you worked with…(lawyers, architects, federal employees etc)?
Q: What kind of results can you get?
Being prepared with your elevator pitch is half the battle.
The next half is getting the business card.
Step 3
Get the business card. If you think there might be some interest in what you have to offer, get the business card. There is not enough time in an elevator to qualify the prospect so just cut to the chase and get that business card. Don’t ask for an appointment. Just ask permission to get together at a later time to talk about what you have to offer. Here are examples of what you can say:
Examples:
- Would you like to get together for a coffee to talk about this?
- Should we get together next week to discuss what I do?
- Why don’t we get together next week?
After they answer “yes” to your question, ask for the business card. NEVER give them your card without also getting theirs. If they only have your card, there is a 99% chance you will never hear from them. So get that business card and call them a few days later to set up a meeting.
Don’t think for one minute that your elevator pitch is just some insignificant thing that you can throw together. Prepare your pitch and watch the results. One sentence can change your life.
Caine Ruckstuhl is the Marketing Coordinator at OnPath. Follow him on Twitter at @cainetastic