Elevator Speech Tips - How Many Different Versions Do You Need?

An elevator speech is important - you have a short window to grab attention and maybe engage further with a prospect. When you have 30 seconds (or less) to introduce yourself and your business, it is essential you don't waste that time stumbling over what to say.

The obvious way to ensure that doesn't happen is to practice of course. When you have put together an elevator speech, rehearse it in front of the mirror or record yourself saying it and play it back. Ask your friends and family for feedback and check their reaction. Make sure that it sounds like something you would actually say - the written word can sound different!

However here is a question that sometimes comes up at this point:

"How do I avoid sounding like a tape recording? In other words I don't want to say exactly the same thing each time - how do I sound natural?"

In many cases your audience will only hear your elevator speech once, so that isn't a major concern, but when you network regularly, or use your elevator speech on a voicemail greeting for example, you may indeed want to have more than one set of words.

This is relatively easy to achieve and will help you sound more natural.

1.Change some words, not the meaning - come up with some different phrases that mean the same. This can be right at the start of your introduction when you give your name, or in the body of your elevator speech itself.

for example: "my name is Jerry" versus "I am Jerry"

"I work with...." versus "Am am focused on helping"

2.Keep your message consistent - you don't need to change the meaning or have different versions to cover specific services you may offer. Stick to the fundamentals of your elevator speech, but come up with ways to say it slightly differently

3. Change the order - there is no rule that states you MUST lead with your name. Sometimes you can lead with an attention grabbing message first. For example: "Hi, I'm passionate about helping people lose weight, especially when they feel they have tried every diet known to man. I'm Jerry with..."

4.Practice several versions - there is nothing that says you can only have one!

5.Ask a question - sometimes an elevator speech can ask a question rather than make a statement. It sounds something like: "Are you frustrated that diets never seem to be the long term solution when it comes to losing weight? Have you tried every apparent diet known to mankind and still struggle?"

Having several elevator speeches may seem like a lot of work! However the overall message is key. Once you have that down, coming up with several versions will actually take pressure off you when you become comfortable with them. As you gauge feedback you will likely favor one or two, but also recognize when each version is more appropriate.

Jerry Smith is the co-founder of the Marketing Action Club and Get More Great Clients marketing program , dedicated to helping small business owners frustrated that they are not getting enough quality clients into their business consistently.

Article Source: http://www.marketingarticlelibrary.com

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