Recently I had the opportunity to go to a “Pitch Party” hosted by Count Me In, as part of their “Make Mine a Million $ Business” program. http://makemineamillion.org/events. I was so inspired I jumped up and (without any preparation) took a stab at my Two-Minute Pitch on Thriving Artist Alliance. It was a powerful experience and I got some great feedback from the generous ladies in attendance. Count Me In says “If you can’t tell it, you can’t sell it.” And I agree!
As Creatives we are sales people (like it or not). So I want to encourage you to develop your own “pitch” – often called your “elevator speech”. Here are the tips from the “Make Mine a Million $Business” event I attended:
Your elevator pitch is a quick, powerful exercise that will help you clarify where you want your business to go and the steps you’ll take to get there. With a commanding pitch, you tell the story of your business in a w ay that is concise, magnetic & highly effective!
ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR PITCH:
· Your name, business name, location(s), years in business
· Business mission and product or service
· Target market or customer
· Number and type of employees (full time, part-time, consultants)
· Current and projected revenues
· Plans for scaling your business
TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR PITCH:
· Let the judges and audience see your personality
· Remember, you are informing, entertaining, and marketing
· Show you passion (don’t just say you are passionate)
· If humor works for you and your business, use it
· Use confident language such as “We are,” “We do,” and “I will”
Write it out. Practice it. Get an accountability partner to practice with. And then next time someone asks you what you do you are going to know just want to say.
