Today’s hot topic: the elevator pitch. The short of it is that you all need one no matter what you do for a living and the long of it? Well, let’s jump right into story time.
Simply put, your elevator pitch is an explanation of who you are and what you do. But don’t be fooled, this conversation can happen just about anywhere – dinner, a networking event, on your morning commute, a Pilates class (this happened to me recently), on a quick Target run…you get the idea. Being prepared to answer the question, “what do you do for a living?” without coming off as self-deprecating is an absolute necessity and for some of us, it’s a work in progress.
I noticed a shift after I was laid off from my job and it has everything to do with that deer in the headlights look you get when someone catches you off guard. When people ask me what it is I do, I no longer have my full-time job to fall back on, which didn’t look too shabby paired up next to the blog I was running in my free time. My side hustle has now taken center stage and the confidence I once had was replaced with feelings of inadequacy.
I recently had an epiphany of sorts and came to the realization that if I’m not confident in the things I’m working on, no matter what that looks like, I can’t expect anyone else to be confident in them either.
My current elevator pitch: Well, I was working in marketing before I was laid off from my job a few months ago. Right now I’m just working on my blog and a few side projects (this is usually followed by an awkward smile, darting eyes and a cross of the fingers that we move onto another topic).
*You will notice that pesky word “just” that seems to creep in at the most inopportune times.
My new and improved elevator pitch: I’ve been running my lifestyle blog, 26 and Not Counting, for close to two years now where I cover everything from fashion to fitness and a hefty dose of life happenings. I really enjoy creating and sharing my experiences with the people who follow my blog and I’m excited to continue to nurture my corner of the web.
See how much better that sounds?! Confidence is everything.
Quick tips:
- When in doubt, keep it shorter than you think it should be
- Dumb it down (I mean that in the nicest way possible) but if someone doesn’t come from the same industry as you, they might not be familiar with the terms used by you and your peers
- Be open to tailoring the verbiage depending on who you’re talking to. This ties in with the point above, but be aware of who you’re talking to and if you get a sense that the person you’re talking to wants you to dive a little deeper because they’re knowledgeable in the area, by all means
- Return the gesture and find out more about the person you’re talking to – you never know, you might have something in common that will develop into something more!
- Have your business cards on hand at all times (a gal actually asked me for one at that Pilates class and thankfully I had replenished the stockpile in my bag)
There is opportunity everywhere and being prepared can only lead to great things.
HAVE YOU PERFECTED YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH? IF SO, WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE?
Photo via The Everygirl by Erik Melvin
These are some great tips Jess! I’m forever changing my elevator pitch (I’m in college, after-all), but right now it includes me mentioning my summer internship in NYC, my blog and any side projects I have going on.
Hey, that’s great though! I think I got myself into a bit of a rut during my last job and my pitch became bland. That summer in NYC is a great addition 😉
Love these tips. I need to get one nailed down ASAP. 90% of the time, I say something extremely general because so many people are unfamiliar with blogging and social media as a career. I need to own it!!!
Annie
I agree, I think tailoring it to the person you are talking to will help! But it’s hard to know. For example, my mom’s mom has no clue how to use a computer and just got her first cell phone (for emergencies only) while my dad’s mom texts me almost every time I put up a new blog post, emojis included 😉
This is a great post! I really need to work on my elevator pitch. Totally agree that confidence is key!
xo Emily
http://www.fashioncolumntwins.com
I’ve been meaning to ask, will you guys be at the KC blogger meetup next week? I’m hoping to practice my new and improved pitch there 😉
When is it? Eliz and I need to get involved in that. Is there a website to get involved? That’s a great idea 🙂
It’s next Tuesday at Hotel Sorella, membership info is here: http://handmakerofthings.typepad.com/kcbloggermeetup/membership.html
Once you sign up you should start getting emails about upcoming events (and they should send the one for next week, too!)
Thanks for the info! I don’t think we can make it tomorrow, but I’ll definitely get us signed up! 🙂
Love this! It’s something I never really think about, but I’m so happy you’ve brought it up!
So glad that you liked it, Natalie! Hope you’re having a great week 🙂
That little change really did the trick!! I love it! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Girl, this post is the bees knees. Love it. I used to be an Event Coordinator for a local chocolate company and obviously when I would tell people that is what I did their eyes would light up, but I got burnt out and needed a change and now I work in the staffing agency and recruit accounting and finance professionals…So, as you can imagine the reaction I get now is much different than before. I too have thought about that question and sometimes realize the way I answer it is the way people react to it. I really connected to this post, thanks for writing it!
So glad that you enjoyed it! And thank you for always being so great about sharing 🙂 I think if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, that helps your pitch a ton. I probably should have dove a little deeper into that 😉
This is fantastic! I definitely need to work on mine!
Such a great tip!! Its so important to be confident in what you are doing!
-Kara
http://www.everydayk.com
These are great tips!!
Jess, this post is so spot on and honest. It is so exciting to see how your career is evolving.
Thank you, Lindsay. That means a lot 🙂 Glad I got to “see” you last night!
Your elevator pitch sounds so much better and more confident!! And you are 100% right that you have to practice it– I tried saying my work related one the other day to a co-worker and sounded horrible! Just hearing yourself say it out loud makes a huge difference! I’m so proud of what you are doing girlfriend!! 🙂
That’s another thing I struggle with, who to tell what to. I was always unsure if I should blend work/blog/hobbies, etc. p/s totally had a dream I went to SoulCycle last night and I showed up in jeans hahaha
I totally need to do this!! I recently changed jobs (ok, over a year ago) and I always have a hard time explaining it and try to relate it back to my old job. need to start fresh with what I’m doing now!
Some things are best left in the past. No one has to know about the big change if you have plenty to talk about where you’re at now!
These are such awesome tips – I need to get on this level! I have such a hard time trying to explain my blog, so this is pretty good advice in my book 😉 xx
I love these tips!! Also, I’m really glad I’m not the only one that gets that ‘deer in the headlights’ look you described when getting caught off guard- thankfully over time my pitch has gotten better but I still get tongue tied and nervous every once and a while! Right now I mention that I’m a freelance photographer and writer, lifestyle blogger and I mention my Everygirl work as well. (I usually sneak in the house flip into the lifestyle blogger conversation.)
Yay, so glad you like them! You’ve been doing such amazing things lately and you should be so proud to tell everyone what you’re doing! 🙂 We have a meetup for KC bloggers next week so I’m hoping to practice mine in a more natural setting opposed to talking to myself in the mirror 😉
Love this! I’ve definitely worked on my elevator speech and with practice, I’m much more confident now and I think that definitely comes across! xx
This is so true! I’m reading Dream Year and having a quarter life crisis at my current 9-5 but I’ve always felt awkward talking about my blog as a real endeavor rather than a fun hobby. Thanks for the inspiration!
Girl, Dream Year is one of the best books I’ve read when it comes to self help. I wrote a post on my quarter life crisis a few weeks ago, you aren’t alone 😉 I’m texting you!
Such a helpful post! I’ve really got to work on mine, blogging and working in advertising seem to go hand in hand but it’s hard to explain articulately that I have a law degree as well! People just don’t seem to get it. Thanks for the tips! x
Girl for Granted
Such a great post – I think I find myself doing the same thing – saying it’s just this and just that versus being proud of what I’ve accomplished and making people believe in my abilities!
This is a fantastic post and so important! I love your more confident pitch – you do such a great job with your blog and now that shines through when you tell people!
Thank you so much, Elana! Reading this lifted my spirits after a rather crappy morning 😉
Yay!
I definitely need some help perfecting my elevator pitch. Love these tips!
xo, Maddy
http://cassidylou.com/
These are great tips. I need to be better and practice my pitch.
Great post! Loving these tips!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
I’m writing a lot about employer branding & personal branding lately at work, and this is so true!
Love your elevator pitch! I used to have mine down to a cience, but since the rebrand I’ve yet to think about it….putting it on my to-do list!
Thank you so much! Sometimes it changes up when I’m put on the spot, but I’m really trying to remain positive and be proud of what I’m doing.
This is great- so so helpful! Thanks for sharing.
So glad you found it helpful, Valerie! Enjoy the rest of our week!
Such great advice, Jess! Love it. I had similar experiences – there’s something to owning your story 100% that is not only freeing- it’s really attractive to others. Put what’s great about you forward – you totally captured that, for sure.
I totally agree on the attraction part. I’m mortified that I ever talked so down about my own self! I’m so happy that you liked the post 🙂
I absolutely love this! I found myself thinking along these lines after I gave a few lame answers in conversation at the KC Bloggers event. Thanks for the tips!