I left a post on the digital painters forum today about elevator speeches. I thought this post was already on my art marketing buzz blog but it was not. I wrote it on another blog. So here you go.

Basically the elevator speech or pitch is the first volley from the standpoint of self promotion. It really isnt a “speech” per-say it is basically an introduction. It is a short description of what you do or the point you want to make given in 30+60 seconds and is the first impression of your business. Thought out, planned, and practiced.We all have heard the ol’ “You dont have a second chance for the first impression” saying eh? Trite perhaps but true. The purpose can vary but here we will look at introduction. As entrepreneurs or infopreneurs we need to be diligent about marketing and self promotion. So here is the target, to write a clear, concise Elevator Speech so people say “Wow! You do that?! I want that! When do we get started?”

Your Elevator Speech tells (1) who you are and who your clients are, (2) what you do for people — the results you get, and (3) the value you provide — what’s in it for your clients.

Here is a short blurb I use when I am prospecting for Portrait clients. When someone introduces themselves and i am responding, “Hi I’m Tim. I help VIP families retain there visual heritage by providing heirloom commissioned portraits in timeless mediums.” Not extremely compelling and needs some tweaks but it works because usually they say, “what?” That is an open door for me to say, “I am an artist that specializes in blending cutting edge techniques with the masters proven quality control processes specific to heirloom portraits.” It is a way to start a conversation and they ask questions. It is far better than saying, “Hi I am Tim…I am a photographer or I am an artist”

Here is what I use in the investment world. “Hi I’m Tim. I help people make smart decisions about money, I facilitate the creation of strategic financial plans for lifestyle.”

Here is an another example of an Pitch from my day job. This is from Robert Pagliarini he is the CEO of SeekingCapital.com. You will get the idea, it is 60 seconds and really what we want is more in the neighborhood of 15-30 for a quick intro. So this is too long for my tastes but will work for some specific things.

“Here is what I’d use to “pitch” SeekingCapital.com:

SeekingCapital.com is changing the future of private equity investing.

Private equity is a $100 billion a year market, with over 400,000 entrepreneurs aggressively seeking capital at any given time.

SeekingCapital.com offers entrepreneurs and investors an efficient and uniquely interactive method for obtaining or investing capital in pre-IPO companies.

SeekingCapital.com is not an “Internet only” company, but supports its online community with local franchises in the United States and internationally.

Our team has decades of experience in the securities industry, investment banking, private equity, and executive management. My partner and I have worked together side by side for several years co-managing and running the entire Internet operations of a publicly traded brokerage firm.

Our competitors such as XYZ Corp. and ABC Capital have had much success-ABC Capital was recently valued at $550 million . . . despite several limitations.

SeekingCapital.com isn’t just a listing or matching service, we offer a community that breeds interaction, education, and discussion. We work with companies globally, through all stages of funding, and across all industries.

We are anticipating $XXX million this round to be used for employee building, increased office space, and marketing.

We have a compelling two page executive summary that I would like to send you. Can I get your address?”

About the Author:
Robert Pagliarini is the CEO of SeekingCapital.com-an online and offline community that offers entrepreneurs a cost-effective, efficient, and uniquely interactive method for obtaining capital while offering qualified investors access to select pre-screened, pre-IPO investment opportunities.

Okay, so again for me to long and to salesy but…it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. For an intro something short may be more appropriate. The big thing is do something.