Are You Doing Any of These 6 Things Wrong In Your Elevator Speech - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Are You Doing Any of These 6 Things Wrong In Your Elevator Speech - Introvert Whisperer Are You Doing Any of These 6 Things Wrong In Your Elevator Speech? These days we all know we need an elevator speech, especially if you’re a job seeker or a business owner. An elevator speech can be a great and memorable way to introduce yourself, if done right. When elevator speeches go wrong, they’re memorable for the wrong reasons mostly they’re boring or cringe-worthy. Don’t let that be you. Here are 6 of the more common issues you want to avoid in your elevator speech: 1. Waaaay Too Long I’ve heard elevator speeches that were longer than commercials. These people are attempting to put a full-length resume in an oral review. Don’t do that. Make your elevator speech one or two sentences as a maximum length. In the case of elevator speeches, less is more. (Click here to tweet this thought.) 2. Filled With Overused Terms Just as you need to avoid certain overused, trite terms in your resume and interview, that also applies to your elevator speech. Terms like “customer service-oriented, “people person” and “results oriented” need to be kept out of your elevator speech. Use more powerful, specific terminology instead. 3. Wimpy Words Instead, use powerful verbs. You need to think about your results and if you can toss in numbers or comparisons. They all add to your credibility. 4. Starting With “I Am” The fastest way to the snooze button is to start an elevator speech with “I am…” The primitive brain of your listener will go into autopilot. “I am” allows their brain to instantly categorize you and go to sleep. You will lose them. Your elevator speech should be interesting and compelling enough to make the listener want to ask more about you. They can’t get too engaged with you when they’ve checked out. 5. You’re Cringing Yourself I’ve heard some elevator speeches that simply made you cringe with embarrassment. The person saying it made up something, but it wasn’t something they were comfortable with. You do have to practice your elevator speech so you’re comfortable, but if you’ve fully memorized it and you feel like you have fleas in your shorts you need to toss it out and start over again. Apparently, it’s just not who you are authentically. Your elevator speech needs to be something you can feel comfortable with and even proud to say. 6. Not Compelling It’s kind of tough to think about ourselves in glowing, interesting terms. But you only have one opportunity to make a first impression on someone, and you need to hold their attention. I have yet to meet a person who didn’t have at least one seriously interesting thing to say about them or their business. That should be the thing you have in your elevator speech. If you can’t think of it, you haven’t thought hard enough. If you still can’t think of something, ask people you know to tell you what sorts of things they tell people about you those are usually very memorable. You don’t want to be on the receiving end of an elevator speech you want to run away from. More importantly you don’t want that elevator speech coming out of you. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll have an elevator speech that will make a great, lasting impression. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.   I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.   In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression.   Get your copy now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential. What’s your current elevator speech? Share your example with us in the comments! Image: Flickr