Your personal commercial

So, I teased you last week. I know. But, it's worth waiting for.

Seriously.

An elevator speech is your personal commercial. That's right. It's your commercial, and you are director/producer/writer of this commercial called "How do I remember you? What's in it for me?"

In 30 seconds or less, your elevator speech will tell me the highlights of your career, your accomplishments, your professional successes, and why do I want to know you? And, with the Networking Tips class just around the corner, you will all have a chance to pitch them pretty soon.

There'll be some time during the 1.5 hour workshop to work on the elevator speech, but it couldn't hurt to have a head start, right?

So how can you get going? I found this information on google, written by Kip Piper and published at http://ezinearticles.com/?Craft-an-Effective-Elevator-Speech&id=1784355.

For your convenience, I have pasted the information below.

Step 1: Map it out
• Who am I and what do I have to offer?
• What am I looking for and why?
• What can I contribute?
• What would I like?

Step 2: Ask yourself the following questions to help round out your preparations and give depth to your message.
• What is my purpose? What am I trying to accomplish?
• What would be a successful outcome?
• How do I want people to feel?
• What do I want people to remember?

Keep in mind the basic elements of an effective elevator speech:
• Concise: An effective elevator speech is succinct, containing as few words as possible, but no fewer.
• Clear: Rather than being filled with acronyms, jargon, and ten-dollar words, an effective elevator speech can be understood by your grandparents, parents, and the kid next door. Make sure the audience understands what you are talking about and what's in it for them.
• Informative: As much as is possible, an effective elevator speech is specific and tangible. Talk about demonstrable accomplishments and goals.
• Engaging: Your elevator speech is a conversation starter, not a monologue. You want to spark the interest of your audience, not bore them.
• Finish with a Request: At the end of your pitch, you must ask for something. Do you want their business card, to schedule a full presentation, to ask for a referral?Put your plan into action:
• Write out a script.
• Practice in front of the mirror, and with friends, family, or CES. Record it, and listen to it. Do you sound confident? Sincere? Is it engaging?
• Ask for feedback.

Once you get a chance to try out the speech, think about how it worked for you:
• How did you feel?
• How did your audience react?
• Was there something you wish you had said?
• Was there something you wish you had not said?
• Update your speech and get ready for the next time!

Sample Elevator Speech
"I am Kip Piper of MTC Interactive. I work with independent professionals and small business owners to get more customers, get them to spend more and get them to spend more frequently by implementing a systematic marketing strategy that utilizes both printed materials and the Internet."(End with a request, such as for a business card, appointment, or a referral, depending on your audience. For example, "May I have your business card to send you some information?")

Elevator Speech Template
I am _________________ of__________________________. I work with _________________________ to __________________________________ by_________________________.Try it out as often as you can. If the other person immediately responds, you have a winner. If their eyes seem to glaze over, they give you a confused look or if they bob their head with a fake smile on their face, you may consider tweaking it a bit.