Strategy for Elevator Pitches: The Giveaway

00:01 Every elevator pitch is a little bit different.

00:03 There are times when you already kind of know the person.

00:07 It's not just a random 10 seconds bumping into them in the elevator, but they haven't granted you 30 minutes on their calendar either.

00:16 But you can perhaps go into a little more detail and let them know, hey, I'm sending you the business plan.

00:23 Perhaps we can discuss it later.

00:25 There may be times like that when it's appropriate, but there are other times when you may have just met someone there in a hurry.

00:32 You've given your elevator pitch.

00:37 There's some interest, but they're not exactly stopping and pulling out their calendar saying, Can you meet for a whole hour next Thursday? What do you do? That doesn't seem pushy.

00:48 Now, if you're in Hollywood, I wouldn't recommend saying, here's my entire script.

00:52 People hate that.

00:54 I wouldn't give someone a whole book either.

00:56 People don't really want to lug around a whole bunch of stuff.

01:00 But I do think a business card shows your professional, whether you're a job seeker or whether you have a startup and you're looking for investment capital.

01:10 But sometimes it helps to give a little bit extra.

01:12 So if I met, for example, a public relations conference and I'm having a quick chat with someone who has clients who go on TV all the time, I can say, Hey, how would you like a quick top ten list of things to do right before you go on a TV interview to prepare yourself and your clients? Something to keep in the wallet, to really help right before that interview.

01:34 Sure. Who's going to say no to that? Boom. I've got a business card that's got ten tips on things to do right before you go on TV to prepare to come across your very best. It just so happens to be my business card with my name and all the usual stuff.

01:53 So rather than just giving someone a business card which benefits me, I've given them some information that can benefit them. And when I combine that with something else I might have said, it just increases the chances that a they remember me b If I do connect with them through a phone call or an email that there's a sense of already provided value.

02:19 So sure, it's worth spending a little more time with this person.

02:22 Now, the business card with extra information on the back is just one tip.

02:27 I'm not suggesting that's the only way to go.

02:30 And for certain audiences, you might actually be able to give them some.

02:34 Maybe it's a thumbnail with a website already on it.

02:38 You decide, but don't make it too big and bulky.

02:42 No one wants to carry around stuff, especially if they're at a conference and they're traveling and no one wants to carry back more stuff.

02:49 But think about something you can give away to the person that demonstrates your expertise and that gives value.

02:57 And that's why I wouldn't suggest a resume.

03:00 Now, we've all been to business networking events and you meet some bright young student who just graduated.

03:07 They have their resume. It's not the end of the world.

03:10 But if you're leaving that networking event and going out to dinner or other places, who wants to really carry around extra sheets of paper? I would suggest providing something that is smaller and provides value.

03:23 So think about what you can give to the person if and only if they do seem interested in what you're saying and would like more information or a taste of something before they actually agree to a meeting.

03:36 So think of what you can actually give them that's small and light.