The Pitch Episode 134: Elevator Pitch Delivers Elevator Answers

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As irony would have it, I walked right into an elevator with a prospective client. Learn how to be succinct, to the point and entertaining in 15 seconds or less.

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I was recently at a conference and having a difficult time coordinating schedules with an executive who wanted to meet with me about potentially doing a publicity campaign, and then as irony would have it I walked right into an elevator with him. He turned to me and said, “I’m sorry we are having such a hard time meeting up.” To which I replied, “That’s OK, I’ll just give you my elevator pitch now.” Before you pitch, make sure you have an elevator pitch prepared so you can be ready to “hit play” on your pitch if you finally catch someone in a time crunch. An elevator pitch is succinct and persuasive, and gets to the point quickly. By the time the elevator doors opened, I had delivered my pitch and the executive delivered a straight answer right back. He said, “We aren’t ready for you just yet, but when we are I’ll be calling you to get started.” I love elevator answers, more than I love elevator pitches. My elevator pitch and his elevator answer saved us both hours of tracking each other down and blind follow up on my end. Best of all, I didn’t have to sit down for an hour meeting just to be told that he’s interested but not ready. “The Pitch” challenge today: practice refining your elevator pitch in Instagram Stories. Daniel Hill Media has a flash briefing called Instagram Stories that I recommend you check out. He recently persuaded me to use this platform to promote “The Pitch” flash briefings on Instagram. I’m impressed with how many people are watching Instagram Stories – it’s a huge opportunity to get your message out but it’s also extremely challenging because you only have 15 seconds in each recording. You have to be succinct, to the point and entertaining. That’s a lot to do in 15 seconds, but it will really hone your elevator pitching skills. And whether your next pitch opportunity comes in a literal elevator or virtual elevator, you’ll be ready to hit play and confidently pitch away.

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