Win Big - Written by SUCCESS on Monday, January 21, 2013 9:55 - 112 Comments
Start Small Win Big: Your Week 1 Action Plan
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Editor’s note: This is the first of eight installments for SUCCESS’s 2nd annual Start Small Win Big entrepreneur challenge.
Welcome to the best eight weeks of your small business and welcome to Week 1! Let’s get started with Step 1: Refine your elevator pitch.
This week’s assignment is to prepare five pitches– one that fills 20 seconds, one minute, five minutes, 20 minutes and one hour. Grab the notebook you’ll use to collect your thoughts and assignments for this entrepreneurial challenge, and start writing with our tips below. Comment below with your core outline. Then, we encourage you to record your one minute pitch for the SUCCESS YouTube channel, where you’ll meet your fellow Start Small Win Big contestants.
“I’ve never written a pitch. What do I say?”
Jeffrey Hayzlett, author and former Chief Marketing Officer at Kodak, says a great pitch should: Convey who you are. Describe what your business offers. Explain the promises you will deliver on. “Message is key, and knowing how to deliver your company’s message and value quickly is essential,” Hayzlett tells SUCCESS. (Read The ’118′: The Modern Elevator Pitch on SUCCESS.com.)
Terri Sjodin, author of Small Message Big Impact: How to Put the Power of the Elevator Effect to Work for You, says a great elevator pitch isn’t about closing the sale; it’s about opening the door. (Read 1-on-1: Targeted Talking Points.) She gives these 10 essential tips for crafting your elevator pitch:
- Define your intention. What do you want to happen as a result of your three-minute elevator speech? Remember, your goal is to “advance the ball,” not score a touchdown.
- Examine your scenario. Is this talk for a planned or a spontaneous situation? Preparing accordingly can help you earn the right to be heard.
- Draft your core outline. Think about your message, your goals, your creative ideas and your persuasive arguments. Structure must be paired with progression. Your listeners want to know that you’re heading somewhere as you build up to your conclusion and close.
- Build your case. Explain to listeners why they need you, your product or service; why they need to join your effort; and why now. Provide valid reasons and proof so your arguments pass the “So what?” test.
- Don’t forget to close. Present your prospect with a clear directive and a respectful call to action. Ask for that next appointment, follow-up call or meeting. Make it easy and painless for the listener to take the next step with you.
- Get creative. Do your homework on your audience or prospects, crafting an approach that speaks directly to their needs. Ramp up your creative nature and customize your talk to dazzle your prospects; give them a reason to want to meet with you again.
- Speak in your own voice. Try a conversational approach that allows you to be comfortable and true to yourself and your personality. Communicate your experience, vision and excitement directly—in a way that only you can.
- Write it out. Write out the long version and recite it. Then transfer your core outline and key points and phrases to an index card.
- Practice, practice, practice. Review your elevator speech again and again until it feels like a natural part of your everyday communication.
- Use it! Any elevator speech is only effective if you use it!
Now, are you ready for your close-up?
First, draft your core outline by commenting below. Nothing fancy–just who you are, what your business does and how your product/service will help others.
Next–if you have the equipment to do so, grab your camera or smartphone and record your one minute elevator pitch. Upload it to YouTube and share the link here with us. (1/28 Note: This is a change from previous instructions that stated to upload directly to YouTube. Replying here with the link is the easiest way to ensure your video is added to the YouTube SUCCESS channel.)
This is your Start Small Win Big community, start sharing today!
If you’re not signed up for Start Small Win Big, it’s not too late. Visit SUCCESS.com/winbig to sign up and receive instructions.
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112 Responses to “Start Small Win Big: Your Week 1 Action Plan”
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I never thought of having different length pitches especially those lengthy 20 minute and 1 hour pitches. I guess those would only apply if we are pitching at a seminar or webinar right?
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I never thought of having different length pitches especially those lengthy 20 minute and 1 hour pitches. I guess those would only apply if we are pitching at a seminar or webinar right?
Most people have so many things going on that we don't take time to focus on the things that will make us money. This brief tutorial is a great action plan for getting us moving that right direction.
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Hi Everyone! this site is very informative and i really enjoy every post here
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You have touched some fastidious things here. Any way keep up writing.
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Hey there, You will have completed a fantastic job. I am going to undoubtedly delicious the idea in addition to for me personally advise to my local freinds. More than likely they’ll be taken advantage of this website.
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I'm very glad to read your article an I am indeed a fan of your site bro, thanks a lot,
mehdi
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Very cool tips!
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Practicing pitches are important as a salesman
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I really like the idea about preparing five pitches of different lengths.
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Well thank you for deleting my submission, what a joke from a company who promotes success and business ideas.
there goes your success like button on my profile and i am no longer interested to buy a magazine subscription.
Keep up the customer friendly work!!
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Mark Reply:
April 8th, 2013 at 5:39 am
Really? What was your submission?
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Mark Reply:
April 8th, 2013 at 5:39 am
Really? What was your submission?
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A little late in the game, but I'm sure it's worth it.
First Rate Home Services does electric, plumbing, heating and air conditioning services for your home. My dad worked as an electrician & plumber & I was working for a heating and air conditioning company. Whenever I did a great job I would get questions about a good electrician or plumber & whenever my dad would do a great job he would get questions about a good heating and air conditioning guy. It wasn't long before we talked and figured out people just want one company they can trust to take care of their home. That's what we do. We're out every day having fun working together to build the one company you can trust to take care of your home.
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Shelby Skrhak Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:51 pm
Never too late David! Welcome to the contest!
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Shelby Skrhak Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:51 pm
Never too late David! Welcome to the contest!
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Hi my name is Alfredo Carrera and I work for a group of real estate investors under the name "My DFW Investor" in the Dallas Fort Worth Metro in Texas.
I'm are the liaison between people in need to sell their house fast due to unfortunate circumstances (Relocation, inherited properties, double mortgage payments, job loss and or financial trouble) and match them with someone that can help them solve their needs.
Our company goal is to solve the pressures that come when someone is in distress to sell their houses fast and efficiently. I'm looking to expand my network. Please send me a connect on twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. http://www.dfwsellquickforcash.com
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Hi I am Denise Webb, I am the owner of Pacific Sentinel a company that specializes in pre-employment and tenant back ground screenings. It is imparative that we as employers and/or property manager screen our prospective employees or tenant applicants, to protect our investments, our families, and our reputations. We work hard to build our business and one bad hire can wipe out all that work. Most employers are victums of theft, but only about 10% ever discover that. That is just one staggering statistic that I can give to drive home how important it is that you screen all employees and/or propspective tenants. Pacific Sentinel will customize a package based on your industries particular needs, be it day care, medical, retail, transportation, manufacturing etc. Our quality and service are second to none. We offer free set up, training, and continuing service after the sale. Your need to know is our #1 priority! Email or call now – pacificsentinel@live.com
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My name is Lee-Roy Vers. I am a financial advisor who does financial planning with people.
My products:
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2. Provides compounded interest on money invested for 5 to 25 years (wealth creation)
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[...] Start Small Win Big: Your Week 1 Action Plan Start Small Win Big: Your Week 1 Action Plan January 21, 2013 Editor’s note:… [...]
Here is my under a minute pitch. What do you think? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro6orWcVCvg&f…
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20 sec pitch:
My name is Joshua Crossman with PTL Hardwoods. We install, sand and finish hardwood flooring. If your looking to have your current wood floors refinished or need new flooring installed call me at 253-732-4298. In the meantime I'm at PTL Hardwoods on Facebook.
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Good luck to all with their success!
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