Three Keys to the Perfect Elevator Speech

I was at a networking group and each person had an opportunity to give a 30 second commercial or an elevator speech. They confused the purpose of an elevator speech with humor. Each tries to be funnier than the last. I laughed a lot but was not closer to understanding what they did.

I was listening to Dave Sherman on www.ilearningglobal.biz/ronf conduct a short training video on Three Keys to the Perfect Elevator Speech.

He defines the perfect elevator speech as one that engages the other person in a conversation that contains the perfect answer about what you do. Here are three outcomes you can expect with the perfect elevator speech:

1. Meet more people
2. Do more business
3. Make more money

Sherman breaks the elevator speech down in three components:
1. Grab the attention of the listener – look for a positive reaction from the listener (smile, tell me more, interesting). If you do not get a positive reaction, do not use that particular speech again.
2. Engage them in conversation about your product or service by focusing on what they will experience when they use your product or service.
3. Encourage them to want to know more doing business with you. The intent is to create a connection with the person you are speaking with.

His suggested action step is to think about your elevator speech as you are driving home from work. What I suggest to my clients is this: call and ask your existing customer why they buy from you. Your elevator speech should include their answers as to why they buy, not why you think they buy.

To Your Continues Success,

Ron Finklestein
AKRIS INC
330-990-0788
ron@akris.net