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Health & Fitness

Know the Basic Business Rule: Be Prepared to Make Your Pitch

The more confidence you convey when talking about your business, the more confidence customers will have choosing your business.

I was recently at a huge party meeting people who were mingling and openly sharing business cards. Just imagine two hours where you’re talking about yourself and your ideas over and over again. It was quite an experience and a reminder of this basic business rule…

Be prepared with your 30-second pitch. What you say to someone, that first impression, sets the tone for all interactions.  

Sure, how you look is important and so is having your business card ready.  I’m talking about what you say.

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  • How do you explain your business?
  • Why should someone become your customer? 
  • Can you describe your company in 20 words or less?

As the event progressed, I realized that what I said changed the more I said it.  The first time I described my business, Startup Champions, was very different from the last.  As I met more people, I refined my “commercial” into smaller and smaller, more important bits of information.  I edited to fit the situation or interest of the person I was speaking with.

Practice makes perfect. It’s easy to say but it really is true.  I just did it 20 times and now it rolls off my tongue.

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What’s your pitch?  I challenge you to practice telling someone new about your business.  You could also record yourself and listen to it. Time it. Was it 30 seconds? Think of two major points and write them down in a promotional tone.  Record it again.  Edit some more to 10 words, max.

This may seem ridiculous if you’ve been in business for a while, but believe me, it’s important. Finding new customers is critical and being able to communicate your company’s benefits is one key to success.  

If you are a new entrepreneur, you are creating and building your reputation. You have to focus your enthusiasm and expertise in a very strategic direction. The more confident you are in how you promote your business, the more confident prospects (and customers) will be, too.

Here’s an opportunity to tell me (and all of our Patch neighborhood) your pitch.  What does your business do and why should I be your customer?  I’m looking forward to seeing your comments below! 

Kirsten Peck, Business Development Coach

StartupChampions.com – Training and Winning in Business

Email - Kirsten@startupchampions.com

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