As a personal brand, one of the most important things you need in your tool belt to effectively help other people understand who you are, and how you can help them, is an effectively crafted elevator pitch.
While the thought of creating an elevator pitch for yourself may feel like a daunting task, here are three reasons why it is worth it for you to sit down and figure out right now how you will answer the question, “What Do You Do?”
Effective Value Proposition
When you are meeting new people in your daily life, whether you are attending local chamber of commerce mixers, or visiting a friend in another state, an elevator pitch is a great way to answer the question “What do you do?” from people you don’t initially know.
When crafted correctly, not only will it help these new people understand more about who you are, but the flow in conversation with them will be more natural and comfortable.
As you begin to share more about what you do, and why you like doing it, other conversations are able to spawn from your answers. The net result of these “spawned” conversations is that you are then able to effectively communicate your true value proposition without making it sound like you are trying to sell someone on the spot.
Everyone Has One, Why Don’t You?
If nothing else, you don’t want to be the only person in the room without an elevator pitch. It is understood that when you are in a new networking situation, it is expected of you that you will be able to clearly and concisely tell someone who you are and what you do, without having to go into a long drawn out presentation.
Don’t be left out looking like “That guy/gril” everyone is talking about at the next chamber mixer because every time someone asks the “What do you do?” question you go into a long drawn out pitch that annoys the other person. It is definitely not a good label to have as a professional personal brand.
Be Simple + Memorable = More Business and Referrals
The best part about having an effective elevator pitch is that when crafted right, you can be simple, clear and most importantly memorable. Every new interaction a person has with you is an opportunity for them to become a potential client, or refer someone in their network to you.
To ensure that you are able to take full advantage of your perfectly crafted elevator pitch, make sure that you keep it as short and sweet as possible, but as benefit-rich as possible.
For example: “I get paid to help entrepreneurs double their profits in 6 months or less.”
Time to Take Action!
Take 10 minutes right now to sit down and figure out how you will answer the “What do you do?” question to position yourself professionally, and generate new opportunities when networking!
