Personal Elevator Pitch
PREPARE A SHORT INTRODUCTION OF YOURSELF
Almost all presentations start with a personal introduction. But what should you say to make the right impression, leaving the audience trusting you both professionally and personally?
Know your six elements - to mix and match
Here is a recipe for a “Personal Elevator Pitch” with six elements. Formulate the six elements. Think of them as lego-bricks, and be ready to choose a few and mix and match.
THE RECIPE
NAME, TITLE and NUMBER of years in the business.
WHY: Formulate a short sentence describing your WHY, meaning the difference you are striving to make in your work.
Example: I strive to help my clients think more strategically and long-term in their decision-making.HOW: Formulate a short sentence describing your most important ability/competency in your quest to realise your WHY.
Example: I do that by… keeping up to date with long term trends.WHAT: Give a concrete example of a result you’ve just achieved on behalf of a prominent client (name-dropping welcomed).
Example: I recently counselled [Customer] who faced a challenge with A, which resulted in B.ILLUSTRATION OR METAPHOR: Draw an illustration on a piece of paper (or show a drawing) that explains how you approach things. For example: draw how you bridge the gaps or how you make a shortcut…. OR: Present your way of thinking with a metahor: Example: I think of my role as the client’s GPS, suggesting the fastest route to a return on their investment.
TAGLINE: Your personal value statement – it should say something about your way of working or thinking.
Example:Work smarter, not harder" - that’s what I want people to do. Or:
Be Bold and Stay Calm - is what I belive in.
EXAMPLE of Putting it all together:
My name is Ian. I’m an investment advisor with 20 years of experience. I strive to help my clients think more strategically and long-term in their decision-making. So I always keep up to date with long-term trends. Last month I advised xx to do yy, which resulted in … I make my clients “zoom out” – like Google Maps – so that they can see their investment path in a larger context. My motto is: “Whatever you’re thinking, think bigger”.
The 15-second Elevator Pitch
Select WHO + two elements and put them together to create a 15 second elevator pitch.
Example with WHO + 2 elements :
WHO: I am an investment advisor with 20 years of experience. WHY: I strive to make my clients think bigger and long-term in their decision-making. TAGLINE: “Whatever you’re thinking, think bigger”- that’s my guiding principle.
Another Example of WHO + 2 elements
WHO: My name is Ian. I’m an investment advisor with 20 years of experience. WHY: I strive to help my clients think more strategically and long-term in their decision-making.METAPHOR: I make my clients “zoom out” a little – like Google Maps – so that they can see their investment path in a larger context.
