An elevator pitch is a brief $($think $30$ seconds!$)$ way of introducing yourself, getting across a key point or two,

and making a connection with someone. It$$s called an elevator pitch because it takes roughly the amount of

time you$$d spend riding an elevator with someone. If you happen to bump into someone you$$ve been dying to

meet in an elevator, how will you introduce yourself, get your point across, and ask to stay connected$$all before

that person gets off the elevator!

Watch this clip from "The Devil Wears Prada." The main character is trying to get hired, and she comes in with the usual lines "I won a National Award," "I was editor$-$in$-$chief for my College Newspaper," but the person hiring isn't listening. Once the main character stops trying so hard and tells the truth, "You're right, I don't fit in here, I$\text{'}$m not thin, I don't know about fashion...." she gets the attention of the interviewer and she gets the job.

In life, you need this type of elevator pitch! Write an elevator pitch for yourself, using the instructions from the video I posted in Canvas, the model elevator pitches and the advanced organizer for the elevator pitch. It can be written out in the discussion board, however, if you film yourself doing it$,$ and post it$,$ it is worth $10$ points of extra of credit $($to be put towards your lowest grade.

DO NOT START THE PITCH with $"$Hi$,$ my name is$...."$ You need a VERBAL SLAP $($something dramatic to get the attention of the person you are speaking to$.$

Planning Your Elevator Pitch:

$($plan for $20+$ seconds$)$

Verbal Slap: Say something to get their attention; something different that is authentically YOU! Verbally shake them awake to make them see and hear you.

Ask a Problem Question: Pose a problem that they can identify with $($connected to the field$).$

Follow up with a noddable $($an inspirational or wise quote that will make them nod$)$:

Finish with a curiosity statement $($a statement that kind$-$of addresses what you do$)$: This is where you attempt to get the person to ask more questions:

Follow the formula

$$I help$/$teach $\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_($ideal client$)$ to $\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_($feature$)$ so they can $\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_($benefit$).$

$*$Don$$t forget

$-$the whole pitch should be about $20$ seconds

$-$your enthusiasm for what you do should be evident from your body language, your eye contact, your facial expressions and gestures $($you should really practice in front of a mirror$)$

$-$you should only be doing $15$ to $20\%$ of the talking $($listening is so important$)$

$-$this should be a two$-$way conversation not an advertisement on your part

$-$the most important thing is to be authentic and BE YOU!