Improving your elevator pitch seems to be a very popular topic at networking meetings (see my previous post, A better elevator pitch? You be the judge) – I guess because it's an important of what we do while we're there.
At the December SOHO Women International meeting, Mark Bowden of Truth Plane shared this template for creating a great elevator pitch:
FACT – CARE – DO
First, share a FACT about life that affects the person you're speaking to, and has something to do with your business and what you do. For example, as a presentation trainer, Mark would share the fact that most people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death.
Next, tell them you CARE about them and how this fact affects them. For example, Mark would share that he doesn't want that panic and fear happening to them when they're in front of a crowd.
Finally, tell them what you can DO about it. Don't give them your title or job description, paint a picture of how much better their life will be once they've purchased your product or service.
Another important DO is to tell them what to DO next – whether it's call you, visit your website, sign-up for your newsletter or hire you then and there!
Writing Prompt: Craft a simple fact-care-do version of your elevator pitch and try it out the next time someone asks, "So, what do you do?"