Let's get done to brass tacks. What 75 words would you use to sell you and your show to a potential client who is looking for entertainment?

Here is mine...


Nicholas J. Johnson is a comedian who uses sleight of hand, card sharking, pick pocketing and psychological influence to recreate the world of the professional con artist. He is also very, very funny.

Whether mingling with 20 guests at a private party or performing his comedy con show for 500 guests at a major corporate function, this con man will break the ice, have audiences in stitches and make your event remembered for years to come.

Hire me. I got debts!

OK, I'll bite on this one, here's mine

"Do you like to spend good money on a trade or consumer show booth and just watch the people walk by? If so I can't help you. But if you want to stop and draw in potential customers so your sales staff can work with them, I'm Peter "Professor Paddy" Lansing a top Trade show entertainer.

Nice one Paddy - 19 words to a spare as well!

Nicholas,

"Benefits! Benefits! Benefits!" THAT is what prospective buyers/listeners want to hear! You know my stance on this buddy; "How will YOU generate VALUE for the prospective buying relationship?"

Answer THAT, and you will have your real “Positioning Statement”.

Hope that helps brother.

I am at your service and in HIS Service,
Deano (did you get my email) in Reno
<><

I always thought an elevator pitch is in response to "What do you do?"

Mine is (more or less)
"I am a ventriloquist who specializes in family venues. That means no blue material or off colour jokes, just good clean fun for everyone. That means
if you hire me, you can breathe easy knowing you have hired a professional family entertainer."

YES, and 'what you do' is provide VALUE.

Remember, people buy SOLUTIONS, not "entertainment". Sure, sometimes 'entertainment' is a solution but generating VALUE and Benefits is our real job... we just "use" entertainment to deliver the value and benefits our buying relationships want need, desire and most importantly DESERVE and are willing to pay for! (Oh... work!)

I am at your service and in HIS Service,
Deano (understand my JOB, and that is why work is plentiful) in Reno
<><

I'd disagree ever so slightly with you Dean.

They buy entertainment AS a solution.

While we need to explain the benefits, we also need to explain the product and it's features.

For example, here is my pitch minus the product information


Nicholas J. Johnson...is very, very funny. He will break the ice, have audiences in stitches and make your event remembered for years to come.

Okey Dokey...

I'm with you Neal... That's what I also consider an elevator pitch. My response is:

"I make people laugh, make them think, and create memories that last most people an entire life-time."

Of course the object of that one simple sentence is designed to get people to ask the next logical question... "So how do you do that?"

That's an invitation to tell them more about what I have to offer and the benefits of it as well. Even if I have to get off on their floor and chat outside the elevator...


Lyndel

I still believe that any and every single piece of marketing you do needs to express what you do, the features and backs it up with powerful benefits that ultimately show the prospect the solutions you create. THIS is what effetcive marketing does for you.

Every single consumer goes out there to buy a product or service because there is a direct need or problem they are looking to find a solution for. If I just tell them the features, then I am not explaining enough to them how these features best solves their needs.

Now I certainly understand the need to tell people who you are and what you do. But part of what you do is also the solutions you directly provide to them that makes you different from everyone else.

Just my 2 cents.

Kyle

Thanks Lyndel. I saw mine as identifying what I do and how it benefits the customer, and sometimes it is a conversation starter to tell them more.

Hm. Kyle's got me rethinking this thread as an exercise:

<just thinking out loud here -- Mods, relocate if needed, huh?>

"I make everyday worries disappear...temporarily...using the Art of Magic to create wonder, amazement, and FUN!"

Maybe too many "I" statements. How about talking about "them."

Jim

That's not what an elevator speech is... It is a response to the question, "what do you do?"

I am sure however that the word "you" could be worked into your own E.S.


Lyndel

Right, but my point here is that "what I do" is provide solutions for my clients. If that is the case, then I need to define those soltions and benefits. Just my 2 cents is all.

Kyle

I think it's great to be able to tell others about what you do.

However, sometimes it's even better to spend much more time on them, and getting to know them. Become genuinely interested in them. Let them do most of the talking... you just ask questions.

- Donald

Oops... Hey Kyle,

You better stop using that common sense stuff. People don’t like it when you tell the truth. You are much better off tellin’ what they WANT to hear instead of what actually works to get improved results. (Hehehehehehe!)

Hehehe Thanks Dean. Forgive me for thinking too much. I guess I should go back and lay down on my couch of laziness. lol

Listening is indeed one of those things we all do not often times do enough of. If you really want to know how to best meet the needs of any prospect or client, spend more time listening to them then selling to them. You may be surprised.

Kyle

When I am at events or out and about when people ask me what I do for a living, I simply say with a boyish grin.... I get chained up ---
THIS WINS them over IMMEDIATELY....
They reply usually with:
what?
HU?
YOU DO? (and moves in closer for more details -

I reply back, Yes, I get chained up for a living. I am an escape artist and I perform show for corporate and social functions... Kinda like Houdini ......

THIS IS A WINNER for me every time....