I’m a huge advocate for the business elevator speech. It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how often I ask a business owner to give me their pitch, in two sentences or less, and it’s a struggle. Why? Your business is probably like your baby. How can you talk about your baby in 30 seconds or less?
It is always a great idea to have an elevator speech handy because people don’t have a long attention span. If you’re interested in networking or meeting new people, you’ll be better off if you can have a quick blurb ready to go. This is especially helpful during chamber or networking events where you have a short amount of time to make a big impression. It will make you look and sound professional while leaving more time for a conversation and less time struggling for a way to describe your business.
Here are a few quick things to think about when building your elevator speech.
- Your business name and mission statement
- How large/small is your company
- What makes your business unique
- What do you offer your customers that sets you apart
- How can people learn more
Example 1: It’s so nice to meet you! My name is Diane and I own Diane’s Jewelry Emporium. I love creating beautiful, custom jewelry and started my own business after friends kept hounding me for unique pieces. It’s just me at the moment, but I hope to expand and eventually open a storefront. This is a link to my website if you’d like to view some of my work!
Example 2: Good afternoon! I’m Bill and I’m with Gator Flooring. I’ve worked there for 20 years and we’re one of the area’s largest flooring companies. It’s a great company to work for because they really care for their customers and employees and we’ve been fortunate to help in the renovation of many of the buildings in the downtown historic district. If you have time to check out a blog of our progress and current projects, visit our website or Facebook page.
Obviously, these elevator statements are a little longer than you might expect – however, they are examples of great ways to list your business and include something that sets you apart from your competition.
Remember – this isn’t something you have to memorize word for word. It’s a tool to help you feel comfortable discussing what you do and you can change it to fit any situation. You might have a different approach when talking to family as opposed to those in a more professional setting.
Need help with your messaging? Give us a call today and we’ll help you craft something that puts the spotlight on your company and your goals.
Mainspring Communications 