Summer is quickly approaching, and so is the opportunity to meet potential customers in a variety of informal settings. Whether you find yourself on the golf course, playing tennis or strolling along the boardwalk, it is essential to be prepared with a simple, relevant elevator pitch. The right elevator pitch has the potential to captivate your audience and win you a more in-depth sales conversation – after the golf game, of course.

A solid elevator pitch should be short, effective, and intriguing to your particular audience. When confronted with potential clients, it is important to understand which elevator pitch will be most appropriate. For example, the CFO of a company will require a different approach than a consultant or a hiring manager.

To keep your pitch simple and relevant, follow these tips:

1. Be concise. The goal of an elevator pitch is to be as succinct as possible – you have the elevator ride to explain who you are, and your value proposition. Be respectful of your potential clients’ time, especially during the summer months, as people are distracted by family, activities, and, of course, beautiful weather.
2. Emphasize your impact. It isn’t enough to simply tell people what you do, you must present a clear picture of how your particular approach or skills have impacted your clients. Keep your listener engaged and intrigued by giving them a glimpse of your successes.
3. End with a call to action. Make it easy for your potential client to get to the next step in the sales cycle. Ending with a call to action allows you and your new lead to continue the conversation long after the elevator doors have close.
4. Practice. Far too often, elevator pitches sound rehearsed and impersonal. When meeting people in informal settings, it is essential to be able to tailor your pitch in the moment. The most efficient and effective way to do this is to be familiar and comfortable with your specific pitch – so, practice, practice, practice.

Once you have your elevator pitch down, you’ll be ready for any setting. Happy pitching!

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Follow the link below to see 5 characteristics of an ultimate sales professional and even better, see where you stack up against others (who doesn’t love a little healthy competition?).

ARE YOU AN ULTIMATE SALES PROFESSIONAL

The post 4 Tips to Develop Your Best Elevator Pitch first appeared on Ryan James Miller.