Marketing: Effective Elevator Speeches that Leave a Lasting Impression
March 26, 2009
An elevator speech is a short introduction of who you are and what your company does in about 200 words or less. It should highlight your uniqueness and focus on the benefits that you provide. It is delivered in an enthusiastic upbeat way, introducing yourself, shaking hands, having eye contact, engaging the potential client and handing out a business card.
A good elevator speech would include:
1. The services or features that you provide.
2. The benefits that your clients will receive from these services.
3. Include successful client outcomes.
4. Create an opening sentence that will grab the listeners attention, the best opening lines leave the listener wanting more information.
5. Finally your elevator speech has to sound sincere, engaging and delivered with passion.
6. Always introduce yourself, shake hands and have a business card to hand out
This essential networking tool will allow you to grab the attention of anyone you wish to do business with.
This would be an example of mine:
Hi, my name is Julie Brander and I am a SCORE counselor with 20 years of business experience, I have my MBA and Real Estate License. I help people start and expand their businesses. I’ve helped clients get business loans who have been turned down. I’ve helped clients with their marketing plans in which they have increased their business and helped with business plans in order to get bank financing. SCORE counselors are available free of charge to help you with all your business needs. Please contact us at www.newhavenscore.com or call 203-865-7645 for an appointment.
Elevator speeches are intended for very brief encounters in an elevator. But elevator speeches are not just for elevators! You can use it whenever you introduce yourself to anyone who asks you what you do. It could be in the supermarket, waiting in line, at any networking event or where ever you are.
So, who can describe with passion, precision and persuasiveness what you do better than you? A great elevator speech makes a lasting first impression, showcases your professionalism and allows you to position yourself. And if you want to network successfully, you need an elevator speech!
Entry Filed under: Leadership, Marketing. Tags: elevator speech, Marketing, networking, pitch, self-promotion.
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Julie Brander
Peg Corwin
Peggy Duncan
Vernita Naylor
Betty Otte
Christine Banning
Rieva Lesonsky
1.
Christine Banning | April 1, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Julie: Nice job. I really like the tangible example. It makes it easy to follow your format for a quick intro pitch. Thanks.
2.
Julie Brander | April 1, 2009 at 3:06 PM
thank you for your kind words
3.
Joanna Lindsey | April 3, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Julie,
This has been an area that I constantly struggle with. Your example was very helpful! Thank you for the suggestion.
Warm regards,
Joanna Lindsey
President, Residential Staging & Consulting
4.
julie brander | April 3, 2009 at 6:11 PM
thank you I am so happy that it was helpful
5.
julie brander | April 4, 2009 at 11:49 PM
You are so welcome
6.
Shamina | June 10, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Julie,
Thanks so much for the example.
7.
Seh | June 28, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Yes this a great example. I’ve always loved the quick elevator speeches. When creating video to post online, I keep this principle in mind. I like to create short videos that let you know what I do, but motivates viewers to ask questions. Then I post these videos on several uploading sites.
8.
Julie | June 29, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Posting videos online is a great idea
I like it
Thank you for sharing that great advice
Julie
9.
Elise Parker | July 19, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Thank you for this article. I realize that you posted it a little while ago now, however through some clicks from twitter and myMKassistant.com I stumbled upon these great tips.
I honestly had never heard of it being called an Elevator Speech before so this intrigued me. Once I began reading I then understood what you meant!
I too have struggled with this. Trying to find the appropriate words and gaurding myself from not seeming “too pushy” however I’ve just learned that when done correctly it will be fine! I will be working on this tomorrow!
Thanks Julie!
Elise Parker
Ind. Beauty Consultant
Mary Kay Cosmetics
10.
Julie | July 20, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Good luck and thank you for your comments
11.
brindes | July 22, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Very interesting example.
“I honestly had never heard of it being called an Elevator Speech before so this intrigued me.” – me too!
12.
Julie Brander | July 23, 2009 at 4:27 PM
An elevator speech or an elevator pitch comes from the Entrepreneurship textbooks.
I am glad you found this article helpful
13.
memory brindes | August 5, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Julie, I loved this blog. Simple, direct and with innovative ideas…Congratulations for your work!
14.
Jocelyn Mathis | August 7, 2009 at 7:30 AM
Thank you
For a God Answer on How To Do An Elevator Speech. All I know is that I need your help, and guidance to make my pitch to my future angel investors. Help!!!!!!
15.
Robert Chean | August 7, 2009 at 12:49 PM
I think a good speech demonstrating good knowledge, passion and credibility is a major foundation.
I also believe that listening to the customer and understand their needs is also vital. It is extremely important to know what the customer needs, many forget this.
Great post.
16.
A.T. Lynne | August 7, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Yes, Julie, this is such a valuable concept. I was recently invited as a guest to a Business Network International breakfast where each member gave a timed 30-second intro. I was provided a template for introducing myself with the following criteria:
1. State Your Name, Company Name, Location (area, not address)
2. Concisely state Your Services/how they differ from competitors’ and Your Products
3. Who is your ideal client/customer?
4. Repeat Your Name and Company Name
Nearly all of the members had developed very engaging introductions that ensured their product/service stayed in my head, which has already led me to sending customers their way.
Among the projects I’m working on is setting up a website called Log Line Life wherein contributors can post their own “elevator pitches” created to introduce themselves to anyone. Wikipedia defines “Log line” as “a brief summary of a television program or movie, often providing both a synopsis of the program’s plot, and an emotional “hook” to stimulate interest.” My vision for this is similar to Smith Magazine’s wildly popular Six-Word Memoir site: http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/
For example: “Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first woman she meets, then teams up with three complete strangers to kill again.” — Log Line for The Wizard of Oz, attributed to Richard Polito of the Marin Independent Journal.
This fall I’m teaching a course entitled, “WRITING YOUR OWN EPITAPH…before Your Ex Does!” wherein I’m inviting the students to create a “haiku-length summary of their century-long life.”
Thanks for sharing a great idea.
Cheerfully, A.T. Lynne
17.
Linda Robinson | August 8, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Excellent article, I am often asked to explain my business in just a few minutes, in the past I have focused on what we offer rather than specifics on how our business can help people. This is a much more persuasive way to explain our business.
18.
Essay Writing | August 14, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Well, that’s a bit controversial information. To make a long lasting impression one needs to grab an attention of the listener. that’s your words… However, to grab an attention and to make an impression, one needs to attract person somehow … or just show how he/she can be interesting to the listener
19.
Samantha Smith | August 21, 2009 at 8:04 PM
I found this to be very true. A wise professor I once had taught us the same principle, an ‘elevator’ speech. Learning and knowing how to introduce yourself, along with giving a few specifics is a wonderful and much needed trait, especially in the job market today. A good one can help set you apart from others and make you be remembered long after.
20.
Hospedagem | September 18, 2009 at 10:42 PM
It makes it easy to follow your format for a quick intro pitch. Thanks