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Need to Perfect Your Elevator Pitch? Use our A.I.D.E.!

Last week, we talked about some strategies you can use to improve your small talk at business and networking events. While being able to make conversation is essential to connecting with colleagues and clients, there always comes a time when you’re asked about your job or business. This is a great opportunity to let prospective clients and contacts know what you have to offer, but in order to be effective, you need to keep it short, engaging, and memorable. For just these moments, every professional should have an “elevator pitch” prepared: a 30-second to one-minute introduction to what you and your business have to offer. To make sure that you make the best impression possible in that short amount of time, Corporate Speech Solutions has created a guide to crafting the perfect elevator pitch. Check out our A.I.D.E.!

Attention: Grab your listener’s attention by starting out in a unique way. Try beginning with a question, quote or anecdote that applies to what you do. For example, as a speech and communication professional, I might say: “Have you ever received a voicemail message that you needed to replay once, twice, maybe three times just to get the person’s name that called?”

Introduction: Once you have your listener’s attention, introduce yourself and your company. Make sure to speak particularly clearly and slowly during your introduction, pausing between your first and last name as well as your company name to ensure your listener hears each word and has time to absorb the information.

Description: Describe what you do or what you have to offer your listener. Try to include aspects of your work that make you stand out from the crowd. Keep your description short: an elevator pitch should only last about 30 seconds to one minute total. This is not a time to list all of your services. Know your listener, and share what is most relevant to them.

Ending: Follow your description with an invitation to contact you for more information, and restate your name and company. Again, speak slowly and clearly: if your listener doesn’t understand or recall who you are, there’s no way they can become a future connection!

Want to learn more? Give me a call at 212-308-7725 or send me an e-mail at info@corporatespeechsolutions.com. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have!

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