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How’s Your Elevator Pitch?
September 21st, 2008 | Posted in Marketing.
The other day my neighbor was asking me what I did for a living. Being an elderly gentleman and not computer savvy, I began to try to explain to him what I did. I immediately began to understand that he and everyone else that I talked to had no clue what I did for a living.
Imagine for a moment that you are in an elevator that is close to reaching your destination. Also imagine that before you get to your floor you get into a conversation with someone regarding what you do for a living. You only have a few seconds to tell this non-technical person how you make the internet better the simplest way you can. This is called an elevator pitch.
Remember the KISS ideology? Keep It Simple Stupid. Don’t assume that every person you are talking to knows what the internet is and what a website is. Stay simple, yet complicated. Simply saying that you make web pages isn’t exactly interesting. But if you say that help your clients make more money by creating professional and marketable websites, then you will have their full attention. Mentioning results and how you provide solutions to problems is a whole lot more exciting to your audience.
During my conversation with my neighbor I caught myself before I made the discussion stale. After explaining why businesses need websites and how they use them efficiently, I had his attention. When our chat ended, he told me that he would tell people he knew about me and how I could solve their problems. Show solutions, get results.
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SBA
September 28th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Well put! I try to do that when writing notes to potential clients (referrals) to provide non-technical background and ‘what’s in it for them’(solution oriented). We do need to stop ourselves before their eyes glaze over!
You can also take clues from your clients’ testimonials where they explain why they worked with you and what they got out of it.
Allan
October 1st, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Thanks for the comment.
Mike Smith
October 11th, 2008 at 12:25 am
I sat down the other day and wrote a couple potential 10-20 word elevator pitches out. It was harder than I thought because I notice I get really involved in the conversation and try to pinpoint every minute aspect of web design to the person I’m talking to. People aren’t interested in valid xhtml/css and php codes. They just want to know WHAT you do, not HOW you do it
surveillance cameras
October 12th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I have this very problem with my own parents. They still have no clue what I really do for a living.
I have tried many times to explain this so I assume I am not good at an elevator pitch.
Money making ideas
October 16th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
This is something I face in my day to day life.In my country ( Sri Lanka) 2/3 of the population have never heard of even Google. So I always have to come up with something new, depending on who asks the question…