Can you describe what you do in 30 seconds or less? Can you do it in a way that tells people exactly who you are, what you do, and what you can give them that changes their life?
Coming up with a great elevator pitch is something that most people struggle with all the time. Even I squirm when I’m put on the spot.
But how you craft your pitch can make or break your business. It’s all about your unique selling proposition, and it can set you apart from your competitors.
My recent guest post on Freelance Folder helps even the worst of wordsmiths figure out what attracts some attention – in 100 words or less. Have a read, and take a look at some easy ways to build an elevator pitch that makes a home run for your success.
It’s really a great exercise to practice. I’ve been put on the spot more times than I’d like and it takes a while to get to a point where you’re really prepared to deal with it.
Definitely. Those interview tips where they say to practice out loud as if it were the real deal? That applies here. Then try it out on friends. Then at the next gathering. How about when someone says, “How’re things with you?”
This reminds me of a scene from the comedy “Reno 911″. A guy’s novel was left in his burning apartment and he asked the Reno cops to go in and get it for him. After explaining to half a dozen people what the novel was about, the guy was tired and disgusted.
Finally, he asked one of the firemen to run in to get the manuscript. Of course, the fireman wanted to know what the book was about too. The distraught author just threw up his hands in resignation and gave a lame summary of the plot.
The fireman said to him, “Well, if you can’t get excited about your own work, how do you expect anyone else to?”
I get businesses more traffic online, and help them increase their bottom line profit through SESA marketing (search, email, social and advertising).
Hmmm… tricky, tricky…
I think you need to add some more power and convincing feelings to this. Also, switch it around to have the benefits last and thus be the words that stick most in your client’s mind.
I provide strategic web marketing services to help businesses achieve higher rates of website traffic and increase their bottom-line profits.
What do you think? Do I need more coffee?
I have to confess I’m struggling with this one since the day I started working from home. Describing my business in 30 seconds or less…
I think it’s because what I do is so uncommon and still fairly new. Or I simply suck when it comes to proper descriptions…
~Marcus
@ Marcus – Take a shot at it. We’ll work on it together.
We have been scouring tirelessly for information in developing our elevator pitch.
I would love to hear your take on our work in progress right now.
I have a feeling it might not be specific enough.
“I have a phd… In creative medicine!
We revive graphic design that has fallen ill to bad ideas or old and outdated techniques and keep new business original in their industry.
We are a small studio that is perceptive of our clients needs and practiced in the techniques to put them(our clients) where they need to be be, at the top.
First impression is so important. We give our clients a look that not only stands out from their competitors but will stand the test of time.
We like to think of us as web educators. We show our clients the benefits of acquiring web real estate for themselves and how it can directly affect the success of their business. ”
We really want to include our strengths in illustration as a medium that helps strengthen a companies presence and look. But I’ve been struggling to include this without it being too long and wordy.
That’s it for now, and I look forward to hearing what you think!
@ David – Make it short and sweet – you’ve got about 10 sentences too many there – oh, and be clear about the ‘what’s in it for me’, because that’s all clients want to know.
How about this?
We like to think of ourselves as doctors in creative medicine.
We specialize in helping companies establish a solid & memorable
first impression and to develop web real estate that is easy to manage.
We provide our clients with competitive prices on perceptive & practiced techniques that meet your style & vision and help you get there easily.
Here’s my card, give us a call.
@ David – Nope. It’s too much “we” and not enough “you”. If I’m the guy standing there, I’m all about me me me and that’s really all I care about. So you need to tell me how you’ll change my life for the better, quickly and easily.
“Hi. I’m David. My job is to make your company the one that people always remember so they come back to it – and keep bringing you sales.”
Or something like that.
How about this?
“Hi. I’m David, I am part of a local graphic design studio that specializes in making your “company specifics” the one that people remember and come back to.â€
@ David – How about…
“I work with businesses like yours who want to look so good, their customers remember them and keep coming back for more.”