I’ve run into a lot of people networking lately, and the icebreaker and #1 question on everybody’s mind is “What do you do?“. How I answer that question usually determines where the conversation will go.
I have lots of proven ideas and techniques for HOW to deliver the message — it’s the message that everybody seems to struggle with. At a business networking event the other night, our 30 minutes allotted to The Pitch turned into a 2+ hour marathon as we all critiqued and brainstormed ways to make our pitches better. Everyone agreed — it’s hard to get it right. While it’s easy to say what’s wrong with a pitch, it’s harder to figure out what a good one sounds like.
Let’s set the parameters:
- It has to be a maximum of two (2) sentences. Aim for 8 seconds, tops.
- It has to clearly convey what you do and how that relates to the listener.
- It has to be something they can repeat — or at least the idea of it.
- Bonus points if it’s cute, pithy, and makes them go “Wow!“
What are the techniques or principles you use to garner interest in your Pitch? Shoot me a comment or drop a line and I’ll summarize and break them down in a later post.
Know and practice your Pitch.
