Career Reinvention &
Personal Brand Strategist

Keep Your Elevator Speech from Falling Flat

January 17, 2007
By: Randi Bussin-Career Coach, Personal Branding Specialist
 

Ever hear the expression "Everything that goes up, must come down?" Well, that doesn't have to apply to your elevator speech.

 

While real elevators should go up and down, your speech can keep ascending through preparation, practice, and performance. Here are five don'ts to ensure that your elevator speech doesn't come crashing down with a thud.

 

1. Don't sound like an infomercial. Don't brag, don't be arrogant, and don't come off sounding as if you know everything. Use warmth, intelligence, and sincerity to be yourself while making your elevator speech.

2. Don't go off the deep end. Don't drift off in your speech, using long sentences that lose your point and lose the interest of your interviewer/subject. Be brief, be concise, and be direct.

3. Don't bog down in the details. Don't use just the facts, use passion and warmth. You might have the greatest resume and list of accomplishments, but describing too many personal details will sound as if you're reading from an annual report.

4. Don't hesitate, stammer, or stagger. Practice, practice, practice. That way you are less likely to stumble and stop in midsentence. Too many ahs and ums in a 30- or 60-second pitch equals and express ride to the bottom.

5. Don't rush through your pitch. If you've prepared enough, you won't feel the need to speed through your speech. It's not a race to see who has the fastest time. It's more important to have an even pace, and reach your ultimate goal.

©2012, Randi Bussin, Aspire!

Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess/weblog/25

View the Aspire! Media Kit

Like this Post? Sign up to receive future blog posts. Click here.
 

Related Articles Career Coach Articles > Networking