English Speaking Skills: How to Write an Elevator Speech

The term “elevator speech” first became popular during the early days of the internet explosion, when companies that won cash from venture capitalists were often those with a simple pitch.  The best could explain a business proposition in the time it took occupants to arrive at their floor on an elevator.  Now, an elevator speech can be any short speech that sells or explains an idea, promotes your business, or markets you as an individual.

But how do you write such a speech?

The top tip is to know your audience.  Research your audience.  You’ll succeed in making a positive impression if  your elevator speech clearly targets the individuals you are talking to.

Also, know yourself.  Figure out your proposition.  Define exactly what you are offering, what problems you can solve, and what benefits you bring to a prospective contact or employer.

Here are some places to start.  Answer these preliminary questions to form a frame about you:

1. What are your core strengths?
2. What adjectives would you use to describe yourself?  How would others (your supervisor, you colleagues) describe you?
3. What are you trying to ‘sell’ or let others know about you?
4. Why are you interested in the organization the person represents?

Then outline your talk. You could use these questions to start your outline:

1. Who am I?
2. What do I offer?
3. What problem is solved?
4. What are key contributions I can make?
5. What should the listener do as a result of hearing this?

Now to finalize your speech.  The key to this is to expand on the notes in the outline and write out each section in full.

Here are some guidelines:

1. Take each note and write a sentence.
2. Connect those sentences with additional phrases to make them flow.
3. Change any long words or jargon into everyday language.
4. Cut out unnecessary words.
5. Finalize your speech by making sure it is no more than 90 words long.

The final tip is the same as the first tip: know your audience.  Adjust to the people you are talking to.

Next time: more tips on “elevator speech” and a sample!

 Click here: www.cleartalkmastery.com/scheduler to sign up for a Free Sample Lesson with us! 

 Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercise.

Part 2- Stand up and Use Visual Aids

The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania did a controlled study of a presentation in which they tried to persuade people to invest their money in a new business.

• Group A: told story sitting down, and  58% agreed to sign up for the business proposition.
• Group B: same facts, numbers,  BUT used visual aids.  79% said they will sign up for the business proposition.

Stand Up and Use Visual Aids!

People who stand up and use visual aids are perceived as:

-more professional

-more persuasive

-more credible

-more interesting

-and better prepared

English Speaking Skills: Elevator Speech–  Introduction

Have you developed your “elevator speech”?

Shi on Facebook asked about an “elevator speech”.  She had read several articles on the importance of having a couple of versions of an “elevator speech” to maximize your communication.  In her case, she was seeking advice on how to get the most out of a conference.

For openers, the term refers to a quick way to help you communicate who you are and the work you do.

It is called an “elevator speech” because its length is about the time you would have for a  brief encounter with a person, say, about the time of a ride up an elevator to your destination.  That could be one to three minutes. 

People see them as a kind of marketing tool since they are a way to let those you meet know where you’ve been and where you are hoping to go in the future.

In short, people who develop elevator speeches and memorize them are realizing the importance of every personal encounter.  They know that each personal encounter has the potential of helping them make advances in their career.  Perhaps these communications could help you get the ideal internship or job. Or it could help you build a connection for furthering the work you are already doing.

Shi found experts saying it was good to have a 30-second version, a one-minute one, a three-minute one, a five-minute one, and a ten-minute one.

The take-home message there is that you can stretch your communication about yourself or make it terrifically compact (down to 30 seconds).

Here’s a sample of a 30 second elevator speech.  When I was getting my Ph.D., people would ask me what I was doing my research on.  I would say:  “Do you ever talk to people who were born in another country and have trouble understanding them?  Well, I am doing research to find ways to teach international people how to speak English clearly, so it is easy for you to understand them.”

Next time:  More on how to write an elevator speech.

Click here: www.cleartalkmastery.com/scheduler to sign up for a Free Sample Lesson with us! 

 Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercise.

 Success (Over $250,000)

Primary Factors in Achieving Success (over  $250,000):

1.      Communication skills 71%

2.      Intelligence 64%

3.      Integrity 54%

4.      Experience 50%

5.      Enthusiasm, positive attitude 48%

6.      Self-esteem/confidence  37%

7.      Risk taking attitude 35%

8.      Formal education 29%

9.      Ambition 25%

10.   Emotional Maturity 16%

(Lamalle Report on Top Executives of the 1990s)