How To Pitch Yourself & Your Business - Ep 6

Teachable LIFE Moments With Keeler Bryson

If you're looking for a new job, career change, new clients or business sponsors, pitching yourself or your business is a great way to do so. When it's done right, it should leave recruiters, employers and potential clients wanting to know more. Today's episode provides the dos and don'ts of developing the perfect elevator pitch.

What To Include When Pitching?

Your elevator speech should be brief. Restrict the speech to 30-60 seconds — that's the time it takes to ride an elevator, hence the name. You don't need to include your entire work history and career objectives. Your pitch should be a short recap of who you are and what you do.

You need to be persuasive. Even though it's a short pitch, your elevator speech should be compelling enough to spark the listener's interest in your idea, organization or background.

Share your skills. Your elevator pitch should explain who you are and what qualifications and skills you have. Try to focus on assets that add value in many situations. This is your chance to brag a bit — avoid sounding boastful but do share what you bring to the table.

Practice, practice, practice. The best way to feel comfortable about giving an elevator speech is to practice it until the speed and “pitch” come naturally, without sounding robotic. The more you practice, the easier it will be to deliver it when you’re at a career networking event or job interview.

Try saying your speech out loud to a friend or record it. This will help you know whether you're keeping within the time limit and giving a coherent message.

Mention your goals. You don't need to get too specific. An overly targeted goal isn't helpful since your pitch will be used in many circumstances and with many different types of people. But do remember to say what you're looking for. For instance, you might say, "a role in accounting" or "an opportunity to help you grow achieve your DEI initiatives.”

Know your audience and speak to them. In some cases, using jargon can be a powerful move — it demonstrates your industry knowledge. But be wary of using jargon during an elevator pitch, particularly if you're speaking to recruiters, who may find the terms unfamiliar and off-putting. Keep it simple and focused.

Have a business card ready. If you have a business card, offer it at the end of the conversation as a way to continue the dialog. If you don’t, you could offer to use your smartphone to share your contact information. A copy of your resume, if you're at a job fair or a professional networking event, will also demonstrate your enthusiasm and preparedness

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*https://open.spotify.com/show/5iJ7UU0kgGgDqB8UDv6YKZ

Links and Resources:

How to Create an Elevator Pitch https://www.thebalancecareers.com/elevator-speech-examples-and-writing-tips-2061976

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