Time is limited and valuable for everyone but especially for successful entrepreneurs and C-Suite executives so it is important to appear confident and relaxed when engaging with them.
The 30 second pitch is essential to landing an account or developing valuable relationships in an effort to boost your personal brand and/or your business. Within the first few seconds of your conversation you should identify what your business is about and what products or services you provide. Make it interesting. What sets you apart from everyone else in the same industry or service? Why would you or your business be valuable to the listener and why is it relevant?
The listener will value a substantive and brief conversation so make it good. Write down your 30 second pitch and rehearse it. It is best to rehearse with someone so they can give you feedback. You may want to record yourself and time yourself to make changes. When you speak, people have to hear your confidence and decide if they are willing to entertain a proposal of sorts or work with you in the future.
When pitching, it is important to listen just as much as it is to speak. There is a chance that the listener may interject during your pitch but don’t let that sway you. Get right back on the horse and reiterate why your service is valuable and how you believe it will be beneficial to the listener.
Confidence is key in selling yourself, service, or product. Remember, if you are not excited about what you have to offer then why should anyone else be? Try tying in a compliment or some humor (run it by a few close friends/family first….it may be only funny to you) to lighten the conversation. This can get tricky so be cognizant of your audience and their demographics.
Ultimately I want you to think about your current approach and ask yourself, would you hire you? Why?
Mary V. Davids is the Founder and Managing Member of D&M Consulting Services, LLC. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management. Mary has over a decade of experience in cultivating employee engagement, enhancing employee motivation and workplace performance, leadership coaching and training & development. She also serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the South Florida Chapter of the National Association of African American’s in Human Resources. Book Mary to speak at your next event or hire Mary for leadership & professional development consultation today. Follow Mary on twitter @MVDavids.