June 2010 ~ Elements of an Effective 30-Second Introduction
View Youtube By Andrea Costantine
One of the greatest networking challenges I hear from professionals is knowing what constitutes an effective 30-second introduction. This is often called a 30-second commercial or elevator speech. Regardless of its name, when delivered effectively, a powerful 30-second introduction can open windows of opportunity for you and your business.
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One of the greatest networking challenges I hear from professionals is knowing what constitutes an effective 30-second introduction. This is often called a 30-second commercial or elevator speech. Regardless of its name, when delivered effectively, a powerful 30-second introduction can open windows of opportunity for you and your business.
The goal of the 30-second introduction is simply to catch the attention of contacts, power partners and fellow colleagues when you are asked “what do you do for a living?” It is not meant to be used to make a sale or close a deal, but rather to give just enough information causing others to become curious and interested in knowing more about what you do. You want to
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give just enough information to gain their interest without overwhelming them with the nitty-gritty details of your products/services. When you rattle off too much information, your listeners may become overwhelmed, shut down and you lose out on the opportunity to relate and share on a more personal level.
To ensure your 30-second introduction packs a powerful punch, here are some factors to keep in mind:
- Everyone gets nervous when delivering their introduction, especially when standing in front of a group. Take a deep breath and don’t rush through your words.
- Speak clearly, slowly, intentionally and project your voice through your entire introduction.
- Use concise and relevant points related to what you do and how you serve others.
- Make eye contact with each individual and don’t “skim” the room. Making eye contact helps you to connect with each person and give the feeling that you are speaking to an individual rather than a room full of people.
- Practice before you speak. Take time to think about what you are going to say, test it out on friends, your coach, or power partners and ask for their feedback. If you are nervous, it’s okay to read from a notecard. You can even let people know it’s a new introduction as they will empathize with your vulnerability and honesty.
- Know your audience and be prepared with a few different introductions. It’s important to be flexible depending upon who you are addressing.
- Since you only have 30 seconds, highlight one product/service versus sharing details on everything you offer. Trying to cover too many products/services forces you to be general and vague about each. Highlight a different product/service the next time you do your introduction, allowing people to learn more about you each time you deliver your introduction.
- Leave people wanting to know a little more so they are intrigued and want to talk with you further about what you offer. The best thing is to have someone come up after an event and ask questions about what you offer.
- Mention the target market you are able to or enjoy helping most (ie, realtor enjoys first-time home buyers, interior designer enjoys helping professionals arrange their office space for greatest efficiency).
- End with a catchy slogan or special you are offering.
- Above all, be respectful and do not go over any time limits set for your introduction.
(c) 2010 Andrea Costantine. All Rights Reserved.
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Andrea Costantine is BTM's Denver Event Host, on BTM's Power Panel of Advisors, but more importantly, she is the ConsciousPreneur Connection Specialist, helping conscious-minded business owners shift from selling to soulful service by integrating whole person and spiritual marketing strategies. Visit her website for your free ConsciousPreneur Kit today!www.andreacostantine.com.
