Where to use your elevator pitch

It's true that your elevator pitch or networking commercial is your most important marketing tool; it's your first introduction to your business or organization...before they even see your marketing materials.

 

While an elevator pitch is commonly known as a 30-second verbal commercial, there are plenty of other places where you can use it.  Once you've developed an effective pitch that sums up who you are, what you do, and the problem you solve for others, you should put that message out there in as many places as possible.

 

Keep in mind, that a typical 30-second elevator pitch is between 50-75 words.  Consider that when you're deciding where to use your elevator pitch.  Make sure that it's appropriate to use that length of time.  Play around with it; use parts of it here and there - see what people respond to the most.

 

Here are a just a few places where you can use your elevator pitch:

 

Your e-mail signature line:   With every initial e-mail I sent to someone, I include my elevator pitch.  An initial e-mail may be the first time someone is being introduced to you, so why not introduce what you do?  Below my contact information, I put my introduction (here I've put it in italics for easy viewing, I don't normally have it in italics):

 

Everything in business STARTS with an introduction.  Brightfarm Productions helps business professionals introduce themselves with high impact.

 

We can start small, with a "Elevator Pitch" or "networking commercial" - your verbal commercial you use at networking events.  To learn how, visit:  www.TheElevatorPitchCoach.com 

 

Or, we can go big and make your commercial visual, with a Video Short that you can use in e-mail, your website, tradeshows and even television. To see samples and learn more, visit: www.brightfarm.com

 

Your website:  You can place your elevator pitch on your website's homepage, or your "about" page, anywhere you wish to quickly introduce yourself, or as a quick opening to a bio. 

 

The back side of your business card:  This is a great place to remind people of who you are and what you do.  When out networking, not only have you just told somone your elevator pitch in person, you're also sending them away WITH your elevator pitch.  

 

Your profile on on-line networking sites:  If you have an on-line presence, you can add your elevator pitch to your profile.  This is a great way to quickly introduce yourself.  While networking sites are great to get yourself "out there", one challenge is attracting attention to yourself and your services.  Attention spans are short on networking sites; so a quick introduction in your profile allows people a chance to understand who you are what you do, and you run a better chance of people clicking on your website to learn more (you don't want to tell them everything IN your profile, otherwise there's no reason to visit your website).

 

Marketing materials such as brochures, flyers, etc.:   We all know it's important to keep your information short and sweet in printed materials; your elevator pitch is perfect for just that.  Make your introduction, let them know what you have to offer, and attract them to want to know more.

 

Your outgoing voice-mail message:  Obviously you probably don't want to leave a long message that's going to irritate your callers, but you can slip in a part of your elevator pitch - the most important part might be what you do to solve problems that someone might be calling you to help with.  This will reassure callers that they've called the right place for help.

 

On the phone:   In the next few weeks I'll be doing an entire article on using your elevator pitch when introducing yourself on the phone.  Common ways to use it are when you're following up with new contacts (reminding them of what you do) and also when introducing yourself to someone new (possibly cold calling).  You can start doing it right away - using your elevator pitch right up front when making a call will help break the ice, and immediately establish the reason for your call.

 

As you can see, your elevator pitch is an important tool that you'll use in many areas of your business.  Knowing what to say, and being consistent takes the burden out of starting any sort of introduction.  Try one or more of these venues and see how they work for you - if you need suggestions on how to do any of these, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Copyright 2008 Brightfarm Introductions

Would you like to use this fresh tip for your newsletter or website?  You absolutely can, as long as you use this complete blurb along with it:  Barbara Lopez, "The Elevator Pitch Coach" with Brightfarm Introductions, helps business professionals introduce themselves with high impact.   Everything in business starts with an introduction.  If you're ready to learn how to introduce yourself and your business professionally and comfortably, visit Barbara at www.brightfarm.com.