Networking and the “Elevator Pitch” – Part 2
Networking and the “Elevator Pitch” – Part 2
After researching – yes, I said researching – how to create a “perfect elevator pitch” I think I have it down. What I have I think will do. The networking events I go to seriously only allow for a “30 second commercial” as the group leader calls it. He truly will cut you off if you haven’t finished after 30 seconds. Since I don’t have anything official prepared, I just list the stuff I do with a sort of “um, yeah, that’s it” moment (and no I don’t actually say those words out loud) at the end while everyone stares. Sometimes I will get questions like “do you do copywriting?” or “can you help with social media?” to which I respond “yes, I can.” Sometimes this results in some of them seeking me out, sometimes it results in continued stares and probable thoughts of what on earth is she doing here?
I really wish this didn’t happen. When my husband persuades me to going to these things, all I can think about is what do I say? He has the networking thing down and whenever I come across him talking to someone there, I think of how natural he sounds and how the other person seems to ask all the right questions to which my husband has all the right answers. Why can’t I do this? Because I’m the pen-and-paper type and I’ve spent so much time working for others that the networking stuff is still very new. So new that when it’s brought up I react as though it’s the disgusting vegetable my mother insists is good for me.
Last time I was, at least in my mind, completely unprepared. He’d gone to an event the day before and acted as me, which included handing out my business cards. After he got home, I snatched them and thought I put them back where I usually do, but apparently not. The next day, when I was roped in to going, I couldn’t find the cards. I immediately thought oh crap, but we were late and I didn’t have time to look. I did end up exchanging contact info with someone – on a piece of paper ripped from the notebook I brought with me. I was embarrassed beyond belief in my own head, but the man accepted the paper and put it in the stack of other cards he had. After that though, I sort of circled around my husband, waiting for him to finish so we could finally leave. So far, the pitch seems good on paper.
Everyone needs a writer or editor – they just don’t know it yet. Whatever your needs, from copywriting to social media to research, I can help.
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