Picture this…you’re a small business owner and you’re the only one waiting for an elevator in the lobby of a building, the door opens, you enter the elevator and then…Mr. Rufus shows up! Who’s Mr. Rufus? Well, he represents your biggest potential client. If Mr. Rufus buys what you’re selling, it could take your business to new heights. Mr. Rufus says, “Hello Small Business Owner, what do you do?” So…what do you say? What’s you’re “elevator pitch”?
If you’re a start-up or a relatively young company, before you even think about what your elevator pitch is, you better have a strong grasp of:
1. Your business model (how do you make money?)
2. The product or services you offer
3. Your competitive advantage – what makes you different from your competitors?
4. Who you are selling to
5. The benefit your product gives consumers
When you have nailed this, consider these 5-fantastic tips to a successful elevator pitch.
1. Keep It Concise
This is the most important. Remember you’re on an elevator in a residential building, NOT the elevator in the CN Tower!! If you have to take more than two breaths (including your first), then your pitch is too long! Keep it under 15 seconds, max.
2. Introduce Yourself and Your Company
I’ve encountered this many times when an entrepreneur tells me what they offer, but I have no idea what their name is or their company. It is important to get that out first, “Hello, my name is XXX and I own/founded [company name]…” If you make a good impression, they will remember your name and company and maybe, just maybe, pass it on to someone else.
3. What and Who
You need to mention what you offer and who you offer it to. Otherwise, there is no frame of reference for Mr. Rufus to make a connection of whether or not he needs your product or service.
4. Benefits
Sell the benefits, not service. If Mr. Rufus is going to think about doing business with you, he has to think of how are you going to solve a problem for him or someone he knows.
5. Call to action
Ask for something. Prompt a response from Mr. Rufus, that way you make him think of what you just said. For example, “Are you looking for someone who develops websites or do you know someone who is?”
Be an entrepreneur. Be real.
Reality Business Consulting (RBC) (www.realityconsulting.ca) is a Toronto-based Marketing and Website Design and Development company dedicated to helping small business grow. We do this by providing insightful marketing and sales knowledge, planning, execution and website design and development, on a small business budget. The foundation of our success lies in our strong business acumen and our ability to listen to and understand the needs of our clients, translating their ideas into a concrete plan of action; ultimately, delivering profitable results for them.
If you are searching for a professional and customer-focused marketing company with extensive work in website design and development located in Toronto, contact us for a “Reality Check; a no-obligation, no-charge consultation of your business.