Elevator Speech – what is it?
An elevator speech is essentially a short description of who you are and what you do, presented to a key person and takes about 30 seconds or the time it takes an elevator to go up a few floors. Used for years in the sales and marketing world to “make a pitch”, it is also an essential to job seekers and those who are seeking a promotion. In those cases, you are the “product”.
The elevator speech is a sound byte to create attention and interest from the listener so you can share more information later in the form of a resume or conversation.
Warning
An effective elevator speech takes time and effort to develop in order to succinctly share the information you want to in such a short amount of time.
- Who am I? You are a “solution-provider” of xxxxxxx
- What do I do?
Why should I care?
- You are answering the listener’s question of “why should I be interested in you?”
- Make an emotional connection within 30 seconds. Use your Emotional Intelligence to determine response; look for keys to their receptivity, mood and curiosity
Within the short time to share your elevator speech, you need to create curiosity and provide an answer.
Research
- Know your audience
- Relate to their world & speak their language
Think Marketing 101
- What do you offer to the listener? (cost savings, revenue producing, quality improvements?)
- What contributions can you make?
- What benefits do you bring to the organization?
- What sets you apart? How are you different from others who do the same thing as you?
The Ultimate Question – Answered!
Why should I listen more, hire or promote you?
Once you finalize your Elevator Speech, practice
Once you finalize your Elevator Speech, practice on others. Ask them if you are:
ü Convincing
ü Compelling
ü Creating interest
Practice, Practice, Practice
Finally, practice until you feel like you can present in any networking or interview situation and do so smoothly. Last thoughts:
- Don’t memorize to the point that you sound like a robot. Aim to sound natural and genuine
- Adjust your volume to emphasize key words and phrases
- Don’t talk too fast. Pause to separate thoughts and avoid running sentences together
- End each sentence with a downward inflection vs upward inflection. You aren’t asking a question. You are providing a very valuable solution, product and service – YOU.
What a timely blog-post! I am interviewing with a company that calls on Dr.’s offices. I am wondering how I am going to use my “elevator speech” to capture their attention, create an interest and make it convincing (I am NOT a doctor–although sometimes I play one on t.v.). All great questions and guidance points! Thank you for the wonderful advice!