Two weeks ago I had the privilege of teaching 260 juniors and seniors at UCONN as part of their business career center development course. (don’t you wish you had such a class requirement when you were going to college!).

The students asked me specifically HOW to construct an elevator pitch. I had been assuming that everyone had one and the need was just to polish and perfect it.

So, as gift to the students of UCONN and a gift from those students to all of you, below are three ideas on how you could construct (or re-construct) your networking introduction, which is also known as your elevator pitch or 30-second commercial.

(above image courtesy of Flickr.com – http://www.flickr.com/photos/therefore/18542525/)

Constructing Your Pitch

Below are three different ways in which you could construct your elevator pitch. (Note: they may be many other ways.) You’ll need to have a short version and a longer version, depending upon the situation. Remember to “book end” your name, so that people can remember you. There is an example after each to help you understand how it might work (with permission fromLinda Pulford of Farmington Valley Organizing)

The 10-Second Elevator Pitch (focus on your value proposition)

My name is…

And I help people …

(State your value proposition: What value you create for people? What kinds of problems do you help solve for them? Chunk it up to highest level)

Example:

I help busy professionals like you to save time and money by creating organizing systems that work for you. Linda Pulford, Professional Organizer.

30-second Elevator Pitch (the straight forward style)

My name is …
(book end #1)
And I’m …
(consider sharing your company name, your personal brand, role or specialty)

I help …
(who/what kind of clients do you like to work with?)

to …

(State Your value proposition: What value you create for people? What kinds of problems do you help solve for them?)

I do this by …
(if time permits, a little bit about HOW you help them)

I’m looking to meet…
(Specifically who would you like to connect with)

(re-state your name)…
(book end #2)

Example:

My name is Linda Pulford and I’m a professional organizer. I help busy professionals like you to save time and money in your home and in your business. I do this by creating organizing systems that work for you, leveraging your natural organizing style. I’m looking to connect with professional business women in the legal, CPA or financial service industries – women whose productivity depends upon the efficient use of their time and energy. Linda Pulford, Farmington Valley Organizing.

30-Second Elevator Pitch – Alternative #2 (Establish relevance first by asking a question before giving your name)

(Ask a question to establish relevance – see options below)

• Have you ever had the experience where_____________________ ?
• When was the last time you _______________________________ ?
• How many of you _______________________________________?

Well, my name is …
(book end #1)

And I’m …
(consider sharing your company name, your personal brand, role or specialty)

I help …
(who/what kind of clients do you like to work with?)

to …
(State your value proposition: What value you create for people?)

I do this by …
(if time permits, a little bit about HOW you help them)

I’m looking to meet…
(Specifically who would you like to connect with)

(re-state your name) …

Example:

Have you ever felt the frustration on not being able to put your hands on the right files quickly enough? And at that moment, did the thought cross your mind that you really should be more organized…if only you had the time? Well, my name is Linda Pulford and I’m a professional organizer. I help busy professionals like you to save time and money in your home and in your business. I do this by creating organizing systems that work for you, leveraging your natural organizing style. I’m looking to connect with professional business women in the legal, CPA or financial service industries – women whose productivity depends upon their efficient use of time and energy. Linda Pulford, Farmington Valley Organizing.

What should you do next?

• Practice. Get comfortable saying your elevator pitch by speaking it outloud while you are driving a car, taking a shower, or even looking at yourself in the mirror. Practice until you are comfortable saying it and it feels natural.
• Experiment. Your elevator pitch is not set in stone. You can change it, adapt it to the specific situation and play with new ideas. Get your main point across (your M factor), but don’t be a boring or broken record.
• Get Feedback. Ask people what they remember about what you said. What was compelling to them? What could they relate to? When did they “tune out”?
• Relax. Have some fun with your elevator pitch and enjoy the networking experience. Remember it’s really all about people coming together to get to know each other and to help each other out. Focus on the conversation (not the sales pitch); Build the relationship (suspend the urge to immediately transact!)

For more networking  ideas and tips on how you can better position yourself and get more from your networking, check out our Perfect Your Pitch networking skills training program. Perfect Your Pitch is now available as a digital download.Get it now.

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