“So, what do you do?”

This is probably the most encountered question when you’re attending networking events. Do you fumble each time or do you pique the other party’s interest?

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I’m not going to give you the done-to-death pointers about unique selling points and benefits, taglines and call-to-actions. There are already tons of articles that cover the tips very well.

The real secret to a great elevator pitch is to be authentic.

We all get nervous in social situations, especially if made to stand up in front of a group – that’s  completely okay. But if you often forget what you want to say, even in a one-on-one situation, maybe you’ve been reading off a script or something you haven’t had full ownership of.

You must set aside the time to craft an elevator pitch that you believe in; one that comes naturally to you without being gimmicky or ‘salesy’. Here are some tips:

1. Lay off the lingo. Don’t use technical terms and jargon. It’s more likely to confuse than to impress. Speak in layman terms and keep it short and sweet.
2. It’s a conversation. Stop worrying and psyching yourself out. At the end of the day, your elevator pitch is just a conversation, whether it’s one-on-one or a group. Come from the place of wanting to help other businesses succeed, rather than focusing on making the sale.
3. Let your personality shine. Have some fun with your pitch! People do business with people, not companies and organisations. Your personality can be expressed in your tagline or memory hook.
4. Be okay with the silence. People tend to start blabbering to fill the silence when they encounter pregnant pauses. Silence is golden; keep cool and don’t let it throw you off.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so ask for feedback from your peers. Keep fine-tuning your pitch. The idea is not to regurgitate your pitch word for word, but to have clarity in the key message and points. This clarity gives you the confidence and flexibility to play around with the pitch according to the situation and people you are interacting with.

We look forward to hearing your elevator pitches!

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