Your Elevator Speech

Have you ever heard of an elevator speech? It’s a marketing term, which basically says that if you step onto an elevator with someone, and they ask you what your company does, you should be able to explain it to them before the elevator doors open on your floor and you have to exit.

So, let me flip it a different way for you. If we were to get into an elevator together, and I was to ask you to tell me about yourself in about 30 seconds to a minute, what would you say? Would it be positive, or negative? Would it include who you want to be as a person? Would you tell me what you do for a living?

I want you to practice this. It’s like your own personal pep talk. If I only had just a few moments to learn the most important things about you, what would you want to tell me? Grab a pen and brainstorm for a few minutes, I’ll wait. Make a quick list of your best accomplishments, what you are proud of, what you live for, what is important to you, or who you want to be when you get to your “someday”.

After you’ve made the list, circle the most important things on it. The things you absolutely feel you must express to me to give you the best idea of who you are. Take those, and turn them into a little talk all about you. Remember, keep it positive. Practice it several times until you can do it in a short time frame, but cover what you want to say.

Now, not only can you use this if we ever meet on an elevator, you can use it for anyone who asks you more about yourself. Or, if you’re having a day when you need to re-group, and re-focus, this quick little positive inner dialogue should give you the boost you need.