Everyone in the business world should have a crystal clear elevator pitch – a description of what you and your company offer that can be explained fully during an elevator ride. It's not always easy to sell yourself in such a brief amount of time; that brevity forces you to determine your most vital assets.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you craft your pitch:
- Know your business. What are the key offerings of your company? Who are your clients? Remember to include only the most important takeaways that you want a potential new customer or business partner to hear. Keep it succinct.
- Know yourself. What is your role in the company? Be able to explain how you will be able to help and the service you provide. Give your listener a personal detail by which to remember you.
- Be adaptable. Understand to whom you're speaking and adapt your pitch to fit his or her needs. If you're speaking to a potential client in the consumer space, he most likely will not be interested in the details of your B2B capabilities. Be ready for multiple questions or reactions.
- Have a hook. Just like a pitch to a journalist, your first sentence for a prospect should grab the listener's attention right away. Give her a reason to listen to you.
- End with a call to action. Close your pitch with explicit directions for a next step. Whether that is scheduling a future meeting or promising to follow up in a week, make sure your listener knows what to expect.
Finally, keep your elevator pitch current, and remember to use it.
What's your elevator pitch?
