It is well known that we all make a first judgement about someone within the first few seconds, which is why it is crucial to make an impression with your elevator pitch. When explaining to people what you do, it’s important that they understand what you actually DO. That’s how our brains process information and decide what is relevant and what isn’t.
Simon understands that delivering an effective elevator pitch can be a challenging and nerve-wracking process, especially if you are an introvert,. Here are a few tips he has learned along the way to help create an elevator pitch that delivers impact!
Don’t stumble at the first hurdle!
Introducing your name seems a simple task but when anxious It is very easy to get your words mixed up. We do not often say our names out loud, other people tend to introduce us on our behalf and it is not uncommon for our minds to go blank when we are at the centre of attention and the pressure is on. To solve this practice saying your name out loud before any networking event, this will help reduce the likelihood of an embarrassing introduction.
Prioritise FACTS
Be clear in what you want to say, prioritise facts over unnecessary fluff – ensure what you say is easy to grasp in order to capture the listener’s attention as quickly as possible. Being ambiguous when explaining what you do will just cause confusion. For example, if I told people I was a “Voice Unlocker”, I would often be on the receiving end of many blank confused faces. Instead I call myself a “Presentation and Public Speaking Coach” which is much easier to understand.
Focus on your niche
You need to let people know your USP, they need to know what makes you unique to everyone else. To achieve a successful elevator pitch you need to make others aware of what you specialise in. A niche can be an area of work, a particular skill, a group of people or even a location. For example, I specialise in working with introverted technical experts who sometimes struggle with communication. Keeping your pitch focused will help the listener establish how they could potentially form a relationship with you in the future.
Give a strong conclusion
Leaving a lasting impression with your conclusion will help the elevator pitch stay fresh in your listener’s mind. It does not need to be amazingly insightful or delivered in a special way. The point is to leave the pitch with others regarding you as a good decision maker so they believe you are proactive and someone they could potentially work with. Finishing with a statement about yourself is an effective way to conclude you pitch, it should be no longer than a handful of sentences, and an added bonus would be utilising a statement that encourages more questions.
Work the room
To make yourself feel more comfortable only approach groups of people you want to join. It would be too much to try and network with every person in the room, it is most effective to calmly walk up to someone as though they were a friend you have not seen for a while. Make sure to smile and only introduce yourself when someone has stopped speaking, it will likely give off a bad impression if you interrupt.
If you follow my networking tips you will deliver an elevator pitch that will help you grasp any opportunity that comes your way. It is tempting to think a good elevator pitch delivery is purely instinctive and that people who deliver successful elevator pitches are born with the gift of the gab, but with these tips, even the most introverted people can improve their performance at networking events, make valuable contacts and win new business.
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