‘So, what do you do?’ Never has such a simple question made many a networking newbie crumble. We all want networking to run smoothly, so when it comes to these sorts of questions–questions you know you’ll be answering at some point at a networking event–the trick is to come prepared. That’s why, in this blog post, we’ll be learning how to craft the perfect elevator pitch to sell yourself and your business to others.
1. Condense your gig
Only the succinct win in the battle for the prize-winning elevator pitches. This time-limit factor is where the elevator pitch gets its name from–so-called because it must be shorter than your average elevator ride. The point? To provide someone with all the relevant information they need in the shortest amount of time (somewhere between 30 seconds and a minute). But the perfect elevator pitch isn’t just short; it packs a punch, too.
The first step is to narrow down what you want to come across in your pitch. Need to show that you’re good with computers? Best include that bit about working in tech. Need to make people aware that you’re an experienced team leader? Make sure this comes across in the description of your current role. What you need is to paint a picture of yourself that sells; leave no skills or prospects unchecked. The hardest part will always be narrowing down your material.
2. Use storytelling
Meeting new people is part and parcel of business networking. That means a lot of new people introducing themselves to you, and you to them. The question becomes: how to make a pitch that sticks with them? A pitch that isn’t–like the other 50 they’ve heard this evening–washed from their memory after a good night’s sleep? The solution, as we see it, is storytelling.
People will remember your story long before they remember your sales pitch. Trust me. Stories naturally grab people’s attention in a way that blocks of information never will; so if your pitch sounds like a CV, scrap it.
Instead, why not tell the story of how your God-like business plan has transformed the lives of ordinary people. Use the classic ‘problem-solution’ framework and your story should reveal itself soon enough.
3. Tying up loose ends
Now it’s time to piece all the parts together. Just remember: Your aim is to deliver a pitch so compelling that your listener will want to hear more. But to achieve this aim, you’ll want to iron out any parts of your pitch that don’t flow. That means editing.
When it comes to editing your pitch, you can learn a lot from the world of copywriting. A copywriter, like you, has a time and a word limit. It’s their job to boil down all the essentials into a hard, dense core. Scrap anything that gets in the way of this goal.
4. Practice your pitch
Learning how to craft the perfect elevator pitch really boils down to two things: editing and practising. So, once you’ve smoothed out the edges, it’s time to get practising the delivery of your pitch. There are three things you need to bear in mind here: 1) Time. Is your pitch somewhere between 30 seconds and a minute? 2) The content. Does your pitch capture the listener’s attention? Practice in front of a friend to find out. And finally, 3) Are there any obscure or confusing parts in your pitch that would force someone to stop you mid-flow in order to ask what this or that means? Keep it simple. No jargon. Just good storytelling and a nice flow.
5. Deliver your pitch
Congratulations on making it this far. Now all that’s left to do is get out there and deliver your pitch in public. That means good old fashioned networking.
Much like a cold call, you won’t know how effective your pitch is until you deliver it for real. But don’t let this appear daunting. The best thing about an elevator pitch is that it grows with you, getting better over time. So wherever you are in your networking journey, simply get all your best material down on paper, practise it to a T and see where your efforts lead you. How to craft the perfect elevator pitch has never been easier.
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Here at Nexus Networking, we take managing and utilising business connections seriously. The benefits of professional networking are undeniable, and Nexus Networking makes every effort to ensure these benefits are had by all our members.
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If you’re in need of a network, join us for a free meeting by clicking here and applying as a visitor through our website. Or, if you would like more information on Nexus as a whole, visit our website on www.nexusnetworking.co.uk, email any questions you may have to info@nexusnetworking.co.uk, or give us a call on 01206 588 000.