Hold the Elevator!

The Elevator.

 

There is that "moment of truth" when the doors open up and you secretly pray...

 

"I hope it is empty".

 

Be honest...would you rather be squished up against the back wall, testing the weight limit that's posted prominently on the side panel with 20 people...

 

or be alone with a stranger for 35 floors?

 

That's a long 3 minutes.

 

You look down at the floor...pretend to look at your phone (which isn't working anyway!)...anything not to engage a conversation.

 

Did you just waste a perfectly good opportunity?

 

Perhaps...but in any event, you should always be ready with an elevator speech.  The summary of who you are and what you do...in 3 minutes or less.

 

You should have an elevator speech that outlines your industry, your role, and your mission.

  

"Hey Brandon, what do you do for a living?"

 

"I help people achieve success in their lives".

  

"How?" (I am glad you asked!)

 

"I am an author, inspirational speaker and coach. I utilize these gifts to help people break self-imposed limitations and live a life of passion and purpose. My mission is to help millions achieve success...one at a time.  What do you do?"

 

Be proud of what you do!

 

Do not hesitate to sow the seeds of opportunity - eventually, you will "happen" into someone who needs what you do, or can help you. Tell your story in short form everywhere...then expound when the opportunity warrants.

 

Most people, even sales people, shy away from the stage of self-promotion - which is really only another name for branding.

 

I know people that pass out business cards to everyone they meet. Yes, that could be overbearing or obnoxious, at times, but there is is a law of large numbers value to that exercise. 

 

Sure, most people view it as intrusive and throw the card away, but some will engage a conversation and open the door to an elevator speech - an opportunity.

 

What if you used the dozens of "small talk" conversations you have each week, to engage the person in a two-way street of "What's My Line"?  Sharing a brief opportunity to network...to connect.

 

Many of these conversations will not be very fruitful, professionally (albeit cordial, personally), but every so often - magic happens!

 

Beyond your elevator speech, there are places where your brand should be evident - your email signature, your business card, and your website. Anywhere you are, the brand should shine through!

 

What image do you want to convey?

 

In the 30 seconds of a business card, or the 3 minutes of an elevator ride you have to let people know who you are and what you do and why you are different.  You have to cut from the clutter of ordinary and create a USP - Unique Selling Proposition.

 

The companies you work for or represent spend a lot of money on positioning and branding...their USP.

 

What about you?

 

What is the brand within the brand?

 

Define it, refine it, and then promote it!

 

Each contact with a potential client and current clients should reflect a piece of your brand. The next time you are by yourself and see someone running, you will push the button that opens the doors to let them in...yes, you will...

 

Hold the Elevator!

 

Until tomorrow, I wish you Money, Power, Success!

 

Next Time: The Message and The Messenger!