5th March 2020

What is your elevator pitch?

If a potential new client asked you what do you do, how well would you be able to sell your business and more importantly yourself? 

Communication is fundamental to the success of any business. How it showcases its experience, empathy, expertise and its history of problem solving is key. It needs to sell the value it adds and sometimes quickly.

Have you considered how well you do this? 

If so what tactics do you use? How powerful is your website, does social media come into your communications mix. Do you use testimonials and referrals to show clients all the help you have given people in the past? 

These are all excellent tactics but we should never underestimate the most powerful marketing technique on this planet and one we can all use, word of mouth.

How many of you have developed an elevator pitch to make sure people are aware of your business proposition and the value it adds?

What's an elevator pitch, and how can it help your business? 

Imagine an elevator door opens. And there stands a potential great client. It's the chance of a lifetime. But that opportunity only lasts as long as the elevator ride - you have less than a minute to make an impression. Hopefully, you've got a well-crafted elevator pitch ready to give. 

This speech is all about you: who you are, what you do, and what you want to do for clients

Your elevator pitch is a way to share your expertise and credentials quickly and effectively with people who don't know you or clients you may not have seen for a while. 

How to create your elevator pitch

The elevator pitch is not the hurried presentation of a full-blown business plan. It's an introduction, an overview and a pitch - and a short one at that - meant to capture the attention of a potential client. 

Here are 10 tips to keep in mind as you craft your elevator pitch:

1. Keep it short and highlight the value you add 

2. Have a hook to attract the client

3. Pitch your value and ideas

4. Don't forget to highlight what makes you different

5. Don't use technical or industry jargon

6. Practice on family and friends and even existing clients

7. Use the same tactics for print to ensure you have a consistent message especially on social media

8. Revise and adapt it as you gain confidence 

9. Be sure you believe in it

10. Listen to client’s reaction, do they value certain elements if so major on them next time.

If you get your elevator pitch right and you cascade this on to your clients they can pass this on to those they know using the power of the spoken word. 

You will also grow in confidence as you articulate the value you add and why you’re worth the price you charge. 

I would urge you all to have a go now and see how you get on. 

John Joe McGinley Glassagh Consulting February 2020

Business Development, John Joe McGinley, Glassagh Consulting