1. Tips on Introducing Yourself to a Group and Preparing an Elevator Speech

2. “Elevator Speech” Does anyone know or want to guess what is meant by the term?

3. Elevator Speech
The name reflects the fact that an elevator speech can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride.
Examples:
30 seconds (or)
100 – 150 words

4. Point of Interest
It is said that many of the most important decisions made on the floor of the United States’ House of Representatives or Senate are made “within the span of an elevator ride” as a staff aide whispers into a Congressman or Senator’s ear while they head to the floor to cast their vote.

5. Effective Elevator Speeches
Come in handy when you attend an event, a conference, a convention, or some other type of meeting with networking opportunities.

6. Questions to Consider when Mapping Out Your Elevator Speech
Who am I and what do I have to offer?
What can I contribute?
What would be a successful outcome?
How do I want people to feel?
What do I want people to remember?

7. Basic Elements of an Effective Elevator Speech
Concise:
contains as few words as possible, but no fewer.
Clear:
Make sure your audience understands what you are talking about.
Don’t fill it with acronyms, jargon, slang, or $10 words.
Can be understood by your grandparents, parents, and the kid next door.

8. Basic Elements of an Effective Elevator Speech (continued)
Informative:
Make it specific and tangible, talk about accomplishments and goals.
Engaging:
Your elevator speech is a conversation starter, not a monologue.
You want to spark the interest of your audience, not bore them.
Open a window to your personality.

9. Put your plan into action.
Write out a script.
Practice it.
Do you sound confident?
Do you sound sincere?
Is it engaging, and not boring?

10. Evaluate the Results How did your audience react?
Was there something you wish you had said?
Was there something you wish you had NOT said?
Update your speech and get ready for the next time?

11. 3 Rules about Introducing Yourself
Be ready:
Sometimes you won’t have time to prepare.
Customize “elevator speech”:
Tailor your introduction to the situation you’re facing in order to make a good impression.
Consider the audience or individual.
Be concise:
If your audience or individual doesn’t hear your main point in the first 30 to 40 seconds--they’ll tune you out.

12. Why you may need to introduce yourself:
Meeting someone new
Someone refers you to someone else
Phoning someone

13. Edit your Elevator Speech Introduction
Get in the habit of:
Polishing and perfecting your work
Cross out the less important details
Making it memorable and sincere
Open a window to your personality
Practicing your speech before you use it
Taking it slowly, don’t rush through it and do pause briefly between sentences. Breathe.

14. Delivering your Elevator Introduction
Speak clearly
Speak naturally. Don’t let it sound “canned.”
Be conversational.
Use positive body language
Stand up straight
Make eye contact with your audience
Avoid an elevator speech that will leave the listener mentally asking, “So what?”