Pestworld Magazine Focusing on the Business of Pest Management
I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage that time is money. This advice is often credited to Benjamin Franklin, and quite frankly, I agree with him. If time is money, then it is imperative to make every second count—whether it be in terms of company productivity or simply in making good and lasting impressions with customers. It is also said that time is precious. And, if you’ve managed to capture a potential new customer’s interest, how you handle that time is paramount to securing a positive end result.
Typically, you have one minute to leave an impactful impression—just 60 short but powerful seconds. That’s certainly not a lot of time. If you only have a brief window to make a positive impression or sell a service, how do you make sure that time is meaningful and lasting? Well, you need an air-tight elevator speech.
An elevator speech is a short, clear, concise, and yet highly comprehensive message that explains your business, your service offerings and what makes you unique. A good elevator speech is a conversation starter and will lead to a deeper dialogue about what you, your company and the pest management industry have to offer.
Here are some tips to help you develop your pitch:
Start Strong
Although you have up to 60 seconds to make a lasting impression, the first seven seconds are what matter most. This is how long you have before your audience’s first impression of you is made, meaning you have to come out of the gate strong if you want to be truly remembered. But, having a powerful lead is not enough; it is essential to keep the energy and excitement throughout your elevator speech to ensure you leave a lasting impression with whomever you come in contact with.
Be Memorable
What do you want your audience to remember about you? This should be the core message you express in your elevator speech. While you may want to develop one message to always use, in practice it is best to tailor your message in a way that will address the person you are speaking with. For example, if you are starting a conversation with a potential customer and you know the pest problem they are dealing with, use that information to share your experience and how you can provide a solution. Tailoring your message will also show your audience that you are listening, and in return, they may spend more time talking with you.
By Cindy Mannes
