QUICK TIPS FOR NETWORKING USE OF THE ELEVATOR PITCH
The elevator pitch is famously known as a nutshell description of who you are in career terms -- a summary that you could deliver to someone in the time span of an elevator ride. It is succinct and to the point.
A skillful elevator pitch can get an employer's attention or serve as the basis for a new relationship. A poor elevator pitch can leave a lasting bad impression.
Here are four tips to help you perfect your elevator pitch:
1) Make it sound natural and casual. Don't make it sound memorized. Just focus on key points to emphasize and allow a little room for improvising as appropriate for your audience. Even though it's a self-marketing tool, be careful not to come across as an overly-aggressive salesperson.
2) Keep it "Tweet" size, or in other words, keep it short. It should be considered an introductory summary. Any conversation you have after delivering it can be used for elaboration, but follow the interest of the audience.
3) Make it relevant. Relate it to your audience and use it as a foundational block on which to build the relationship.
4) Engage your audience by closing with a question. As appropriate ask for advice, an opinion, a contact, or other information as relevant to the situation. Do not ask for a job through an elevator pitch - it can come across as desperate. However, consider exchanging business cards or connecting on LinkedIn.
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