Blogging Your Elevator Speech
July 7, 2008 by Liz Fuller
Filed under Social Media
(www.businessandblogging.com) Your elevator speech is a great way for new acquantances to get to know you and understand what you do for a living.
In fact, I’ve long believed that the process of writing an elevator speech helps you better understand who you are and what you do for a living!
But once you’ve written (and rehearsed) your 30 second intro of who you are and what you do – you need to find an opportunity to share it, or the effort is wasted.
This weekend, I was reading the blog of one of our readers, Stephen Smith, who writes Productivity in Context.
On the front page of his blog (upper right corner, above the fold) he has a link to his elevator speech.
When I clicked on it, I was able to listen to a 30 second audio clip of Stephen describing what he and his business are all about.
Of course, Stephen could have simply written his elevator speech in his “about page” or put a note at the end of his articles – but attaching an audio clip was unique and made him stand out in the sea of bloggers.
It was also a concrete example of efficiency and productivity – a subtle endorsement for Stephen’s skills as a productivity advisor.
Check out Stephen’s elevator speech and let me (and him!) know what you think.
Is this a good idea? Would you add an elevator speech to your blog? How else could you use audio clips to stand out and to connect?
Also, if you’ve done something interesting in your business blog, please let me know – I’d love to share it here.
photo credit: bogenfruend
That’s really interesting – not an idea I’d come across before, and I like it. I wonder whether including contact instructions at the end would be a step too far?
I also wonder whether there are a couple of steps too many in being able to access this content? I had to click on the link, click to start download, click to open the file, click on the software I wanted to use, click to play. Perhaps thats just my setup? How about using video in the same space … that is usually just click to play.
I like the idea though, since I’ve been thinking about how a business could/should convey it’s purpose
Wow Liz, thank you for the link and the mention. I originally recorded that elevator pitch as a way to learn some of the basics of podcasting. I am glad that you were inspired by the practice.
For your readers who are interested, I have some fun innovations with Utterz planned. Stay tuned.
Hi Lucy, I see that you were here just before I was. On my computer I only have to do one click, and Quicktime takes care of the rest. Thank you for the heads-up. I will fix it and make it into a easier format today.
Hi Stephen – guess its my setup causing me the problem then … I did think it must be easier than that!
Yes, this a good idea in terms of doing something to stand out among others. My wife and I are co-owners of our company and have pretty much the same elevator speech. What do you suggest in that regard? Have two seperate ones on our “About us” page, having one of us be the spokesperson and using the company name instead of our personal greeting or instead of labeling it “elevator speech” just have a “personal greeting” from each of us?
I know why it is called an elevator speech and it’s an industry term but I’m curious about how many people have actually used elevator speeches in elevators. Every elevator I have been in has pretty much been a no talk zone or at least talking stops when strangers walk in. Also in my “neck of the woods” one rarely is on an elevator for more 15 seconds or so. (not a large # of highrises in Greenville,SC – a couple but I’m rarely there)
More often than not I used elevator speeches at networking events, being introduced to someone new.
A blog definitely seems like a better place to use an elevator speech and heck, I don’t even have to be there in person.
I hear about elevator speeches constantly but never do I hear about how to engage strangers in places like elevators, checkout lines and similar places.
I will say that I have found microblogging services like Twitter, plurk, etc. good for practicing keeping things short and to the point. Unlike this comment I just wrote!
Hi Lucy
When I clicked on Stephen’s elevator speech it actually loaded it into my itunes library – which was a little odd. I now have it for replay at any time – which was fine for me in writing this article – but is probably a little more than the average blog reader would need! :)
Hi Stephen!
Glad you liked the article – I’m interested in what you’re planning with utterz – keep me posted!!
Liz
Hi Patrick!
You’re right – I haven’t heard of too many people who have actually used an elevator speech in an elevator – although I do know one woman who ran into the CEO of the F500 company in which she works on the elevator – and then announced to him that she was “now going to deliver her elevator speech”. I think it was probably charmed.
But the elevator ride does give a nice feel to the length of the speech – 30 second speech just isn’t quite so colorful and memorable.
As for your own website, I’d enjoy a brief message from each of you – you and your wife. It’s an opportunity to work in a slight bit more of information about your business as well as a way for potential customers to connect. They’ll feel more like they know you.
And lastly, (to match the length of your comment!!) I think the best way to connect with people in check-out, etc. is to be friendly and engaging – and work the elevator speech in as casually and naturally as possible.
Liz
I enjoyed your post on writing an elevator speech. It was well-written and quite informative. Congratulations on a job well done!
I just made a post on crafting an elevator speech. I use a three-step process that follows a problem/solution/referral method that works for virtually any situation. Perhaps you can give a a try and let me know how it works for you.
I appreciate your feedback.
Best regards,
Glenn Andrew
http://glennandrew.com/crafting-an-elevator-speech/