[04.23.10]

48 great comments!

6 Easy Steps To A Great Elevator Pitch

Many months back I wrote a post to help you deliver a great elevator pitch to your local networking group. Because when your elevator pitch has a pitch problem, you won’t have the impact. And no one will rush the stage to meet you when it is over.

And I think that one of the most important results of a good elevator pitch is that people want to come find you. Introduce themselves. And network with you.

A great concept, right?

So since you’ve already read the post above about how to deliver a great elevator pitch, here’s my advice on how to create the pitch that everyone will love.

Six easy steps. From a presentation I gave this week in Irvine, CA.

First I’ll tell you how to create one and then I’ll give you my own example. Sound good?

Step 1 – Tell us your name . . . .

Step 2 – Tell us your positioning statement (4-6 words that uniquely define you in the market)

Step 3 – Tell us your brief career summary (last position, industry, a key accomplishment or two)

Step 4 – Tell us your work philosophy (how you work, what reinforces your true value)

Step 5 – Tell us your specific job search objectives (target title, function, industry, geography, companies)

Step 6 – Tell us how you can help others (i.e. us)!

And that’s it! About 45 seconds. You can add or delete words to get down to 30 or up to 60 depending on the guidelines provided by your networking group.

Know you know how to create one. Think you can do it? I’ll bet you can.

Send me a note and I’ll send you a one-pager with my pitch as an easy to print out example . . .

How about the elevator pitch you are not prepared to give?

Ask any question in the comments below and I’ll get back to each and every one of you!

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http://www.thomsinger.blogspot.com thom singer

Tim-

Great advice. The one thing people have to remember, however, is never “lead” with your elevator pitch. So much time is spent telling people to craft a concise explanation about who they are and what they do well… that they end up dumping it on everyone as soon as they meet them. When networking always let the other person talk first. Memorize 3-5 open ended questions that get people to share their story. At a first meeting most people are only mildly interested in YOU, but very interested in THEM.

thom

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Thom – You are absolutely right! This was intended for a group presentation where you have an opportunity to introduce yourself to a large amount of people. When in a one-on-one discussion, it makes total sense to let the other person shine!

http://www.thomsinger.blogspot.com thom singer

Tim-

Great advice. The one thing people have to remember, however, is never “lead” with your elevator pitch. So much time is spent telling people to craft a concise explanation about who they are and what they do well… that they end up dumping it on everyone as soon as they meet them. When networking always let the other person talk first. Memorize 3-5 open ended questions that get people to share their story. At a first meeting most people are only mildly interested in YOU, but very interested in THEM.

thom

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Thom – You are absolutely right! This was intended for a group presentation where you have an opportunity to introduce yourself to a large amount of people. When in a one-on-one discussion, it makes total sense to let the other person shine!

http://www.thomsinger.blogspot.com thom singer

Yep, there is a time and a place for the perfect elevator pitch. But if you dump it on people one on one the first moment you meet them they will feel like it is just memorized verbal vomit. Do not barf your elevator pitch on unsuspecting people!!!

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Agree Thom. And I promise. No barfing.

http://www.thomsinger.blogspot.com thom singer

Yep, there is a time and a place for the perfect elevator pitch. But if you dump it on people one on one the first moment you meet them they will feel like it is just memorized verbal vomit. Do not barf your elevator pitch on unsuspecting people!!!

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Agree Thom. And I promise. No barfing.

http://philgerbyshak.com Phil Gerbyshak

I like what you’ve shared here. Very easy to follow and use.

I’ve seen some put this on the back of their business card, or on their about section of their website/LinkedIn profile. What are your thoughts on that as an intro?

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hey Phil – Glad this helped. I do recommend certain aspects of your elevator pitch to be added to your networking card. To see my networking card format, click here: Flashcard Download. That will take you to the downloads page. You can also read the original blog post that introduces the Flashcard: FlashCard™. Introducing A New Business Card for Networking.

http://philgerbyshak.com Phil Gerbyshak

I like what you’ve shared here. Very easy to follow and use.

I’ve seen some put this on the back of their business card, or on their about section of their website/LinkedIn profile. What are your thoughts on that as an intro?

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hey Phil – Glad this helped. I do recommend certain aspects of your elevator pitch to be added to your networking card. To see my networking card format, click here: Flashcard Download. That will take you to the downloads page. You can also read the original blog post that introduces the Flashcard: FlashCard™. Introducing A New Business Card for Networking.

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http://woodydavis.wordpress.com/ Woody Davis

Tim,

I have become a strong follower of your tweets and blogs and have found them to among the best for job search and networking tips. I try to re-tweet good tips wherever I find them and I find myself re-tweeting yours frequently. I referenced this blog in a recent blog of mine, http://wp.me/pR4jP-11. Thanks for the continued excellence.

Woody Davis

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Woody – Really appreciate your support! Glad to hear you like what you are reading. And hope to keep you happy.

http://woodydavis.wordpress.com/ Woody Davis

Tim,

I have become a strong follower of your tweets and blogs and have found them to among the best for job search and networking tips. I try to re-tweet good tips wherever I find them and I find myself re-tweeting yours frequently. I referenced this blog in a recent blog of mine, http://wp.me/pR4jP-11. Thanks for the continued excellence.

Woody Davis

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Woody – Really appreciate your support! Glad to hear you like what you are reading. And hope to keep you happy.

John Buller

Tim,

That by far is the best illustration I’ve seen yet by someone showing a six step – 30 second elevator speech. Bravo!

John Buller

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hey John – Really appreciate that feedback on the elevator pitch. I find that my best posts are the ones when I take the time to explain the basics and provide really good examples. Thanks for your comment and hope to see you back here soon . . .

John Buller

Tim,

That by far is the best illustration I’ve seen yet by someone showing a six step – 30 second elevator speech. Bravo!

John Buller

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hey John – Really appreciate that feedback on the elevator pitch. I find that my best posts are the ones when I take the time to explain the basics and provide really good examples. Thanks for your comment and hope to see you back here soon . . .

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Steve Russ

Tim, I looked around for some help on my elevator speech but came back here, your format and content is the best! Your blog has helped me immeasurably. I look forward to meeting you when you speak in Huntington Beach later in the month.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hey Steve – Glad to have you back! Hey, great to hear you’ll be there in HB – look forward to seeing you in person!

Steve Russ

Tim, I looked around for some help on my elevator speech but came back here, your format and content is the best! Your blog has helped me immeasurably. I look forward to meeting you when you speak in Huntington Beach later in the month.

http://www.timsstrategy.com Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hey Steve – Glad to have you back! Hey, great to hear you’ll be there in HB – look forward to seeing you in person!

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6 Easy Steps To A Great Elevator Pitch

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