Do You Have an Elevator Speech?

by BIG Mike McDaniel

Published on this site: September 23th, 2006 - See more articles from this month

It goes by many names but what it does is introduce what you do and who you do it for in an opening conversation (supposedly in an elevator on the way down). Imagine an introduction to a stranger and being asked "What do you do?"

Are you ready? Can you answer with aplomb and confidence in a manner designed (on purpose) to titillate the asker while explaining the benefits you
and your company can and do provide.

What is said in those opening 13 words can set the stage for future business relationships, or close the curtain completely. If the answer is all about you and not about them, the conversation will stop there.

Can you imagine a stranger listening to you say "I am the number one salesman in the number one Honda Deal in the southern district. I have sold more cars than anyone else, what do you drive?" and saying "Oh? Tell me more!" More what, me me me? It won't happen. That's not an elevator speech, it's a testimonial by and about you.

Here's an exercise:

Make a list of 10 people you know, not in your office or business Tell each of them you just read an article about Elevator Speeches and ask if they would share their elevator speech with you.

At least one will say "whaa?" Several will say they don't have one (and try to look like they know what your talking about).

A few more will make one up on the spot, with lots of hims and haws. No more than two will have a bona fide elevator speech memorized and ready for presentation, and probably only one will feature benefits.

If you make the sample bigger, the results will be the same. Only one in ten will know the value of an elevator and have a working/winning one ready to go.

When you get your elevator speech perfected and tested, you will be at least 90% ahead of the pack in terms of new acquaintances and new business development. And it makes no difference what your business.

To learn more about how to craft a winning elevator speech visit http://tinyurl.com/lzcyl

BIG Mike McDaniel, http://BIGIdeasGroup.com BIG Mike is a Business Consultant and Professional Speaker. His BIG Ideas Group helps business grow with promotions, special reports, mastermind groups, seminars and consulting. Subscribe to "BIG Ideas for Small Business" Newsletter MailTo:[email protected]