Secrets for Branding Yourself with the Best Elevator Pitch, Seattle Biz Coach Terry Corbell

Oct. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- Whether you’re looking for a job or trying to land more customers for your business, one skill you definitely need is a great elevator pitch, according to Seattle Biz Coach Terry Corbell.

“You need to prepare for any opportunities that come your way after diligent research and prospecting,” advises the business performance consultant on his business-coaching portal, The Biz Coach.

Mr. Corbell recommends creating an introduction describing the value you provide, be concise, customize it for your target audience, and really know it – so you can deliver a flawless elevator pitch.

“You have to be prepared to quickly answer the basic marketing 101 ‘so what’ question – that all prospects subconsciously ask themselves,” says the management consultant.  

“That’s the purpose of an elevator pitch – whether you’re seated for a formal appointment in an office or actually riding an elevator when you suddenly have an opportunity with a key decision-maker,” he explains.

Mr. Corbell’s 11 tips:

1. Know your talents. Take an hour or two to analyze and write down your strengths.

2. Forge a benefit statement or value proposition for each of you or your company’s strengths – a minimum of five reasons to buy from you. Then develop a succinct overall summary – less than 10 seconds – of the value you provide. Set the table so you get another 60 seconds of dialogue – you’ll want a green light that shows the prospect wants to hear more.

3. Avoid trite, over-used buzz words. For more, he advises surfing the Internet for this headline:  “The Best and Worst Business Buzzwords, Jargon, and Cliches.”

4. If you mention data or statistics, keep it simple. Very simple.

5. Rehearse your pitch but don’t appear robotic or wooded, as we broadcasters used to say. You want to have a natural, smooth presentation. How you introduce yourself is just as important as what you say.

6. Keep your branding fresh and up-to-date for the changing marketplace.

7. Be flexible. Be prepared to switch gears if you prospect divulges valuable information regarding a need you think you can fill. It’s all about problems and solutions.

8. Don’t focus on giving your ideas to the prospect. Focus on your value.

9. Do your best to have a presence in the room before your pitch. In other words, develop a strong online image and in the community. That will enhance your chances in making your pitch.

10. Watch for cues to listen. The most persuasive people talk 10 percent of the time and listen 90 percent. If the prospect says something, treat like it’s an event for you and listen intently.

11. If you get an objection, be sure to respond effectively.

He explains the three steps to overcoming objections at http://www.bizcoachinfo.com/archives/8372.

As a business performance consultant, Mr. Corbell provides a myriad of management services: http://www.bizcoachinfo.com/managemen-services.

His portal, http://www.bizcoachinfo.com, provides countless business-coaching strategies: Planning, Operations, Marketing/Sales, Finance, Tech, Public Policy, HR, and Wall Street.

Plus, it has informative news videos: World, U.S. Business, Economy, Markets, Health and Sports.

All columns and videos are free.

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Seattle Biz Coach Terry Corbell is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. As a columnist, he authors performance-enhancing strategies at The Biz Coach: http://www.bizcoachinfo.com – Proven Solutions for Maximum Profits.