An elevator pitch is a crucial part of building your business through networking. This 15-to-30 second spiel should explain who you are and what defines your business in a succinct, understandable manner. But a pitch performed poorly can leave your contact bewildered or even annoyed.
- Be knowledgeable about your company so you can answer any questions people may ask you.
- Stay on top of your game and keep up on your industry’s developments.
- Don’t use jargon. It often confuses and distracts people. You’ll likely stress others by throwing too many technical details their way.
- Be mindful of the time. Your speech should be 30-60 seconds. If it’s too short, it won’t effectively describe who you are and what you offer. If it’s too long, you risk losing their attention.
- End with a call to action. This final tip is of the utmost importance, because it tells your business contact what you would like them to do. Don’t assume they will figure that out unless you spell it out for them.
A well-formed and well-executed elevator speech makes a positive impression. It is the first step to making a valuable connection and expanding your network.