This was an exercise we played with at last month’s 2•2•2 Class, but it really applies to everyone in any networking setting. The idea is to blend a powerful personal/ business affirmation with your “elevator” speech. You only have a few seconds to make your impression- make it count for you as well!
Here’s the deal, I’ll explain it in pieces and then put it together at the end in an example.
First you need your affirmation or mantra. It should incorporate some positive beliefs (both current and future) about your business, some feel-good adjectives that really inspire you when you say them out loud, and they need to be all stated in the present tense.
The second part is the “elevator speech”. Anyone that has been in a networking group knows all about the 20 to 30 second spot you get to tell the group about what you do and how to contact you. Some of us always have something to say. Some of us don’t. Then there is the all too crummy category of those of us who think about what we forgot to say and bludgeon ourselves with it throughout the drive home. So much fun. Not.
Really the “elevator speech” goes much farther than networking groups, small talk in any situation usually elicits the “what do you do for a living?” bomb. Using a Business Mantra we can come up with a great answer that not only satisfies the required response, but actually inspires and nourishes us at the same time.
So here we go…..
This would be my mantra concepts:
Creative, inspired, exciting, energizing, forward thinking, loving, helping, fun, original, adaptive, organized, professional, and intelligent.
And this is an example of my typical Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast 20 second spot:
Hi, I’m Julianne Black with BlackFire Studios! I am an independent designer focusing on creative marketing for small to medium sized businesses. I do print, web and social media design from logo to social media campaigns and specialize in creating immediate, short and long-term plans to get any business up and running with their best foot forward. Please call or email me for details, I can provide graphic solutions for all industries and all budgets. www.BlackFireStudios.com
So here we go blending them together. It is best to start with a short one-sentence mantra. Not only is it easy to remember, but it provides a base for any other points you want to add without being overwhelming.
Here is a good formula to follow if you are already sweating and drawing a complete blank:
I am a _______ who is a professional ________ that works to ___________.
So there is your template, get as fancy or basic as you want with it and feel free to mess about with the template if it suits your sentence.
Here are some things I can do, blending my mantra affirmation words with my business speech…..
I am a creative problem solving artist who is a professional graphic designer that works to promote business marketing that companies can be proud of.
I am a unique and inspired design visionary who is a professional graphics and web designer that works to beautify and simplify small to medium sized business marketing materials.
I am a forward thinking designer who is a professional problem solver that works to assist business owners with their graphic and marketing development.
I am an organized and accomplished designer who is a professional visual problem solver that works to explore and define marketing concepts custom to any company’s needs and budgets.
Just putting these together makes me feel confident, proud of myself and explains (in a very small nutshell) my business.
The little three blank format is a great way to get comfortable with the process, but don’t stop there. Your final statement should not only say what you do but who you are! If you have to answer the question, give yourself the positive emotional jolt that comes with combining an affirmation with a commercial spot! Your enthusiasm and pride will radiate and it will be hard for people not to notice your passion and dedication to your business and that you are doing what you truly love.
Feel free to forward this on, or add a comment with your own suggestions and findings!
Leave a Comment
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
