Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a job seeker or a consultant chances are that you have been given a window of opportunity when you least expected it. Often times that window of opportunity is so small that it passes you by. Perhaps it was when you were at a networking event and saw a person that you aspire to be. Yet you were unable to introduce yourself because it felt as if you had lost your tongue. Maybe it was the time when you went to a career fair and you were so eager to impress the recruiter of your favorite company with your CV that you forgot to prepare what you wanted to say to that person. Instead of impressing them you rambled on and left the booth feeling defeated.
An elevator pitch will help you take full advantage of an opportunity like these the next time around. It’s called an elevator pitch because it should be no longer than an elevator ride. If you had the chance to impress someone in 30 seconds or less what would you say? Here’s what:
1.Your name and what you do: Ex: “Hi I’m Dominique Jolicoeur. I’m currently a communications coordinator at a not-for-profit organization that promotes dental health to Canadians.”
2.What you do best: “I help organizations deliver key messages to their external audiences through social media and public relations.”
3. Impress them: “I’m a recent university graduate who has already had experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past two years I have managed the social media activities of various organizations. I’ve been told that I’m a young professional poised beyond my years.”
4. But don’t end it there. “I also write a blog called La Relationniste and I would love to share it with you.” This is your chance to extend the invitation to create a relationship with this person. Make sure to get their business card so you can follow up by email.
Once you have written your pitch don’t forget to practice it until you can recite it effortlessly.
Happy pitchin’!
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