Great question! Yes, they are relevant as you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. I mentor startups and the Elevator Pitch is one of the first things we work on and optimize. An extension of the EP is to 'sound-byte' your value propositions. For example, we raise our own beef and want folks to know that we age our beef 21 days, like fine dining. Or, the natural grass fed beef we raise has more antioxidant vitamins and less fat vs. grocery store beef. For us, it's important to highlight why we are different that other folks that raise and market quality beef in addition to describing what we do. We try to practice these as much as possible.
To be honest, I am asked to describe my services over and over again when called to look at a Crawl Space partially of totally full of water. For instance: "What makes you an expert in water remediation? How do you stand going under so many houses? What do you do under there anyway? Do you do the same things under every house? I'm so claustrophobic so how do you do this?" so I have noticed that I have some of the same stories to tell about growing up playing and working under and around houses. Without my "stock" stories I wouldn't be able to set folks at ease before seeing me disappear under a house through a little portal at the bottom of the closet on the floor! I have inspected over 700 crawl spaces in the last 24 months alone so you bet I have stories to tell! We are all in the "people business" and if I am successful in setting folks at ease there's a stronger chance they will call me back in the future. Answering my phone as often as humanly possible, getting back to folks asap if an inquiry goes to voice mail, showing up when you say you will, and when hired (including all paper work) doing what you say you will do in a timely manner, cleaning up after yourself, and remembering that the "most important work" you will ever do is "after you have been paid!" We endeavor to visit everyone who calls the same day or next morning to inspect the crawl space they have called me to inspect. Then we send out our written reports and estimates for repairs the same day we inspect with rare delays. I call it "doing today's work today!" I have more, but, oh boy, I am getting carried away!
Absolutely, every-time someone inquires about you and your business you should be prepared to give them concise and pertinent information about your business essentially an elevator pitch. You don't want to overwhelm with too much information and give them time to ask questions. Once your pitch is over make the conversation about them and their needs.
I absolutely believe brevity is best! If you cannot succinctly explain your service and it’s vakue to your customer you will struggle in networking. If nothing else, the practice of creating the elevator pitch will help you hone in on your key points. If used well and regularly, it can become your calling card with an army of sales reps you have personally trained to talk about your business.
Certainly! You never get a second chance to make a first impression. It is best to prepare and practice a short but concise statement of who you are, what you do, what separates you from your competitors and who would be a could client for you. Never forget to listen and show an interest in their situation with suggestions on how you could help. Most peoples attention span usually only lasts about 60-seconds.
Yes! Being able to share quickly with someone (or a group) what you and your company do can help generate interest and establish a framework for a conversation. Stumbling and stammering when someone asks what you do - or just giving a one-word answer - leave the other person grasping at straws or moving on to the next person quickly. I can give a 30 second version but a few sentences is usually more than adequate.
Business from Enderby, BC
Answered on Jun 1st, 2018
Yes they are... you just have to be careful how you use them. Mostly I just like listening to people tell their story. You would never be denied if they ask for an opinion or suggestion.
My experience has been that it's helpful to have a 2-3 sentence description of your business, product, or mission that is concise and effective in describing what you do or are offering-but we practice thought leadership at the national office of Bridge of Hope and so it's more effective to tailor your response to people you are talking with in the context of how it helps them or their business/mission. It's more about listening to what they are looking for or need and then sharing how your services/product, etc. could help them accomplish their goal.
Answers (31-40)
Great question! Yes, they are relevant as you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. I mentor startups and the Elevator Pitch is one of the first things we work on and optimize. An extension of the EP is to 'sound-byte' your value propositions. For example, we raise our own beef and want folks to know that we age our beef 21 days, like fine dining. Or, the natural grass fed beef we raise has more antioxidant vitamins and less fat vs. grocery store beef. For us, it's important to highlight why we are different that other folks that raise and market quality beef in addition to describing what we do. We try to practice these as much as possible.
To be honest, I am asked to describe my services over and over again when called to look at a Crawl Space partially of totally full of water. For instance: "What makes you an expert in water remediation? How do you stand going under so many houses? What do you do under there anyway? Do you do the same things under every house? I'm so claustrophobic so how do you do this?" so I have noticed that I have some of the same stories to tell about growing up playing and working under and around houses. Without my "stock" stories I wouldn't be able to set folks at ease before seeing me disappear under a house through a little portal at the bottom of the closet on the floor! I have inspected over 700 crawl spaces in the last 24 months alone so you bet I have stories to tell! We are all in the "people business" and if I am successful in setting folks at ease there's a stronger chance they will call me back in the future. Answering my phone as often as humanly possible, getting back to folks asap if an inquiry goes to voice mail, showing up when you say you will, and when hired (including all paper work) doing what you say you will do in a timely manner, cleaning up after yourself, and remembering that the "most important work" you will ever do is "after you have been paid!" We endeavor to visit everyone who calls the same day or next morning to inspect the crawl space they have called me to inspect. Then we send out our written reports and estimates for repairs the same day we inspect with rare delays. I call it "doing today's work today!" I have more, but, oh boy, I am getting carried away!
Absolutely, every-time someone inquires about you and your business you should be prepared to give them concise and pertinent information about your business essentially an elevator pitch. You don't want to overwhelm with too much information and give them time to ask questions. Once your pitch is over make the conversation about them and their needs.
Hi Andreas,
I absolutely believe brevity is best! If you cannot succinctly explain your service and it’s vakue to your customer you will struggle in networking. If nothing else, the practice of creating the elevator pitch will help you hone in on your key points. If used well and regularly, it can become your calling card with an army of sales reps you have personally trained to talk about your business.
Certainly! You never get a second chance to make a first impression. It is best to prepare and practice a short but concise statement of who you are, what you do, what separates you from your competitors and who would be a could client for you. Never forget to listen and show an interest in their situation with suggestions on how you could help. Most peoples attention span usually only lasts about 60-seconds.
Yes! Being able to share quickly with someone (or a group) what you and your company do can help generate interest and establish a framework for a conversation. Stumbling and stammering when someone asks what you do - or just giving a one-word answer - leave the other person grasping at straws or moving on to the next person quickly. I can give a 30 second version but a few sentences is usually more than adequate.
Yes they are... you just have to be careful how you use them. Mostly I just like listening to people tell their story. You would never be denied if they ask for an opinion or suggestion.
My experience has been that it's helpful to have a 2-3 sentence description of your business, product, or mission that is concise and effective in describing what you do or are offering-but we practice thought leadership at the national office of Bridge of Hope and so it's more effective to tailor your response to people you are talking with in the context of how it helps them or their business/mission. It's more about listening to what they are looking for or need and then sharing how your services/product, etc. could help them accomplish their goal.
I say that’s a big fat noooo! :)
Most of us started our businesses because we saw a problem that needed to be fixed.
The key is to listen to the person you’re talking to and present your company in a way that SOLVES a problem they’re having.
If I’m talking to a sales mgr who’s frustrated with his numbers... instead of just telling him “I have a foodie tour in Huntington Beach”
I say “I can revamp, revitalize and rejuvenate your sales staff through one of my team-building events”.