Cristina F
Helping mompreneurs reach their full potential before reaching their breaking point
Do you have a 30-second intro?
If so, please share. If not, why not?
Good Answers (5)
David C
Owner, Small Business Big Ideas
Best Answers in: Business Development (1), Communication and Public Speaking (1)
30 seconds? No way...that's far too long...how about something short and sweet and catchy so you don't drone on and on like everyone else at a networking event. Like, I help business owners grow their businesses by over 10 per cent...if this is a result you'd like in your business then let's talk...
30 seconds is way too long...if you catch me doing that shoot me!
David Cohen
Links:
Brad H
Social Media Evangelist, Speaker, Trainer, Consultant | LION | TopLinked.com | 17,000+ | ►Brad_Hanks@msn.com◄
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (5), Personal Real Estate (2), Viral Marketing (1)
Cristina;
I'd agree with one of your other respondents - 30 seconds might be too long. What we often refer to as "the elevator speech" needs to be succinct and to the point in 15 to 20 seconds. Having been a member of Toastmasters for many years, I can tell you that most people believe that to be a very short period of time. But believe me, depending upon the circumstances, 15 to 20 seconds can seem like an eternity. Best to keep your intro short and sweet, leaving them with just enough information as to become curious and ask for more.
I might recommend weaving your tag line into your introduction. When telling someone what you do, start with "I help businesses get clients now..." and expand on how you do that. I think that would be sufficient to pique someone's interest.
Hope that helped. Best of luck,
Brad Hanks
"Connecting People With Success" (which I do use in my intro)
Toby Y
I make incredible marketing credible.
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If you're fortunate, you'll get ten seconds. Here's what I do with it:
"Hello. I'm Toby Younis. I've spent 20 years makinging incredible marketing credible. What can I do for you?"
Mary F. M
Process Improvement, Integration, efficiency professional w/extensive experience in high tech, aero, auto, & mfg arenas.
Best Answers in: Quality Management and Standards (2), Manufacturing (1), Project Management (1), Supply Chain Management (1)
I'm a 5 secs kinda gal - I'll usually say,
I'm Mary McDonald and own a boutique consulting firm that helps you do what you do, only better.
If they're interested, and they ask a question in the very brief pause I insert, we chat. If not, I'll immediately follow up with "and tell me a bit about you!"
Its not about the time but the content.....Make that intro pop....Hit them with something unexpected....You want to make them forget about what they are having for lunch or what they are going to do that night....they need a humanistic shot of espresso...realate that shock to the outline planned ahead in a creative and cool way...if it takes 5 seconds great.... 30 okay...as long as it retains the attention of what ever group you speaking to.....
More Answers (13)
Karen E
Scholarship RESP representative, Consultant Isagenix detox,cleanse, revitalize your health
Since making the move to work from home, I now have 3 businesses. Scholarship, Isagenix cleansing and Angel therapy. So if you want to have freedom, fun, and financial success, contact me.
15 seconds max only if you have the experience to back it up. I think 10 seconds is the best intro. The 10 seconds will determine whether the listener wants to continue listening thus asking more questions.
as an example, mine goes like this:
Executive Summary: I have built teams, led teams and have created results. I have significant experience in the establishment of processes and procedures for the sake of efficiency and customer satisfaction. I believe solid measurements and statistics should guide Operational and Strategic thinking in tandem with Creativity and Foresight. I speak the language of CPA’s and can accept responsibility for the bottom-line. Lastly, I think it is all for naught if the right Culture is not established and maintained within an organization. Employees must see their leaders lead and they must feel they are truly appreciated by the company. That is when they become true advocates of the company and that is when they learn how to properly set and exceed their goals.
Clarification added June 24, 2008:
(did anyone time that one?)
Carol D
Netweaving/Networking Expert - NuOpen.com :: TopLinked.com Proud with 8,300+ connections!
Best Answers in: Sales Techniques (1)
Hi Cristina - thanks for the opportunity to share my intro!
My name is Carol Deckert and I am a Netweaving Coach! I help individuals and groups learn and understand how to build their business by developing professional relationships before looking for business referrals from one another. Netweaving is actually a two-step process; you could be a Connector or a Resource (the go-to person) and is based on the “Pay It Forward” theory. During your coaching sessions, I will guide you through the steps needed to build your business through pure word-of-mouth marketing. Coaching sessions can be done on an individual or a group basis and I am accepting new clients!
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/caroldeckert; Skype me at Deckert1116 or send me an email at carol@runlancaster.com. You may also telephone me at 717-394-6453!
Who are you looking for today? I would love to provide a referral for you!
Who have YOU helped today? What can I do for YOU?
Links:
Diana R
Internet Marketing, Local Search, & Relationship Marketing Expert
Best Answers in: Lead Generation (5), Small Business (4), Direct Marketing (3), Advertising (2), Business Development (2), Sales Techniques (2), Staffing and Recruiting (1), Public Relations (1)
It IS difficult to come up with a brief introduction that catches people's attention - and I agree that the purpose is to intrigue people enough to encourage a longer talk.
An idea-starter for some of you might be my list of humorous taglines for business cards, available at the web resource listed below.
The one I'm testing now is merely:
"I help business people make friends."
And when they ask how - as they almost inevitably do - I can mention Send Out Cards, the powerful relationship-building system that I train people to use.
Links:
Ok, this one is my latest:
What's a wife and mother of 5 do all day? Well besides cooking, cleaning and washing HUGE loads of laundry, she creates a multi-billion dollar corporation and calls it MOMpowered, helping women get out and stay out of the 9 to 5 to pursue their dreams and passions. It's the next women's revolution and Kareen Aristide is here to help you and your company get in on it. MOMpowered, changing the world one dream at a time.
What do you think??
Grace L
Owner, Virtual Assistant, Coach, Trainer, Speaker at Live Assistant Business Solutions & VA Extraordinaire.com
My 30 second intro/elevator pitch:
I am Grace Long from Live Assistant Business Solutions. What I do for small business owners, entrepreneurs or corporate executives is to handle their administrative, technical or creative tasks from my own office which enables them to focus on what they do best. Delegating tasks to my team saves their business the operational costs of hiring, training, office space, equipment, PAYE, sick and holiday benefits and still claim it as a tax deductible expense. Let us help you gain valuable time and increase your business productivity.
Links:
Tracey T
Chief Get-It-Done Officer™ at TCT Business Solutions
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I have a short one that I can expand on depending upon the networking function and whether they want 10, 30 or 60 second intros.
My name is Tracey Tarrant and I am Your Virtual Round To-it. I work with small business owners and solopreneurs providing them with the administrative support they need.
From there I can expand if needed.
Mike M
Director of Business Development at The Coraggio Group
Best Answers in: Advertising (1), Business Development (1), Branding (1)
In my business development role, I find that focusing too much on myself or my company is dangerous. I have a lot of "talking points" that I can draw from based on the person I'm introducing myself to. Mostly I find that asking a question or offering a piece of information to them that is relevant and meaningful to their business will engage them. Start a discussion and you will get the chance to tell them more about yourself and your company as the conversation continues.
Chris J
Owner At Flat Rate Web Jobs. Helping REAL businesses get clients on the web.
30 seconds...too long.
That said, I have a 30 second interview, it's done in AP style. I want to keep it to 4-7 seconds, and ask questions. So basically, I say, I've assembled a team of loan officers tha are training together to be the best that they can be...in the present market. Do you know of any loan officers that have lower production than in the past boom?
Links:
Kimberley J
Director of Programs at Greater Fort Worth Builders Association
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Nope, I am all about conversational marketing. It depends on the person that I am talking to, what position they hold and if I am trying to sell to them or network.
I just wait and feel them out before I go spouting off a "canned" introduction.
Dan O
Speaker, Trainer, Energy Vampire Slayer
Best Answers in: Communication and Public Speaking (1)
"Do you deal with office energy vampires? Well I'm an energy vampire slayer. I help companies and organizations deal with negative attitudes and behaviors so they can instead focus on productivity and creativity."
I like to start with a closed-ended question that tends to get a yes in their heads, and then explain what I do in a colorful way, and end with the benefit to them
Is that the kind of intro you're talking about, or do you mean in a public conference setting? If it's a conference, I like to start by choosing someone who looks fun on the way in, and calling them out by name with a question such as, "CHARLIE! Why are you here?"
Then everyone thinks, "Holy cow, I might be next" and they seem to pay attention right away.
I hope this helps, and if you have a suggestion for me I'd love to hear it!
Dan
Marie-Dolores A
Assistant Comptroller at HCDC
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EXCELLENT question!
30 seconds is too long. Nail it in five.
Right now, here it is:
"I'm MD Anderson and I'm looking for work with a small business development firm."
If they can't help, they'll say, 'that's nice'. If they can, they'll ask, 'what do you do', or, 'what are you looking for', and the conversation has begun. By a large margin, people have the conversation, and I get a referral or a request for my resume. Hopefully, by the time I graduate in December, I'll have a job!
Once I'm hired or begin my own company, I'll say this:
"I'm MD Anderson, and I develop and launch small businesses."
If they want more, they'll ask. If not, no time wasted.
If I'm someplace networking, I don't do elevator pitches unless I'm trying to find people to work on or fund my projects.
Otherwise, I ask people one question:
What do you want to do with your business this year?
Then, I listen. Their response determines what I say next.
That's it.
Best wishes!
MD
