Your 60 Second Elevator Speech – You’re On!

An elevator speech is a quick speech that you can give that explains what your business (or a product) is all about within about a half minute or so. It’s called an elevator speech because you should be able to give the speech in the amount of time it would take to travel in an elevator.

Another way to think of your elevator speech is as a short story that tells about you, what you do and why you do it. The more you can communicate why you love what you do with passion the more open others will be to you.

The elevator speech (your story) is usually about 150-200 words. It can be as little as 10 or 15 words. The elevator speech has to be effective in communicating what you’re all about and attracting any potential customers. 

100 – 150 words is the length of the average radio commercial. Be able to state your “commercial” at the spur of the moment without hesitation, in a friendly, warm, and confident manner. Remember to practice, practice then practice some more.

Most likely a lot of people ask you what you do. Many of these people probably have an interest in your service or know someone who would be interested. If not, most likely the person will at some point run across someone who is interested in your service.

If you have a great elevator speech, then you can reel in all of these potential customers. Elevator speeches are especially beneficial in helping people remember you when they (or someone they know) need your service in the future.  

Woman’s Handbook Tip

The importance of practicing your USP can’t be understated. When getting started telling everyone you know. Your friends and family are great place to start. Practice in front of a mirror. Say it a lot out loud until you feel comfortable saying it. If you’re uncomfortable saying it, others will be uncomfortable hearing it. It’s important to be professional at all times. Sharing what your business is and does is critical to a professional image.

You want to take the time to put together a great elevator speech. You’ll want your elevator speech to be built around your Unique Selling Proposition or otherwise know as USP.  

To create an elevator speech, you just have to list all the benefits you offer then decide what set’s you apart from other company's that represent the same product or service. Answer the question "Why should I do business with you and not someone else?" during your 60 second presentation. 

Then take the greatest benefits, what set’s you apart and try to work them into a 30 – 60 second series of statements. Be sure to concentrate on what’s best for customers.

Creating an elevator speech should be very easy for you since you already created a USP. In fact, your elevator speech could simply be your USP. Just make sure you clearly state what you do, why you’re the best at what you do, why they should pick you or what type of referral business you are looking for. It’s always good to ask for referrals.

Also make sure your elevator speech isn’t too long or boring. It should roll right off your tongue naturally and quickly. The elevator speech should have a hook that will pull in potential customers.

Woman's Handbook Tips 

A good elevator speech includes:

• Your name
• Your company / business name
• What you do there 
• What set’s you apart from the others 
• Why you love what you are doing  

Source: Self Marketing Handbook a Woman's Guide to Self Marketing Online and Offline by Cindy Cohen RN, entrepreneur, organizer for the Expo for Women, C2 Your Health LLC, owner and founder C2 Your Health Women's Initiative Inc. and Women's Entrepreneur Summit, South Bend, IN