10 Second First Impression
By Dr. Iris Fanning
Whether you are currently in a corporate position, entrepreneur or business owner your FIRST introduction can make a lasting impression...or fade you into the woodwork. It's your choice. Typically you have 10-30 seconds to introduce yourself in a way so that your listener/audience knows exactly what you do & why they would want to work with you.
DEVELOPING YOUR 10 SECOND FIRST IMPRESSION
What you want to do is develop & practice a 10-30 second “speech” or introduction that describes the benefits of your business to others. It’s often referred to as an elevator speech because when you’re in an elevator you have about 10-30 seconds to chat with the other person on the elevator and then one of you leaves.
Why create this introduction? – Because you're in BUSINESS and business succeeds when you have customers. Others are interested, but they’ll never know what you do unless you create something interesting.
You will want to write down several versions of this introduction. Here are the key points:
• Compelling, people want to listen
• Solves a problem
• Makes you the expert
So, let’s look at some examples of what NOT to do.
• I am a VP at Eagle Credit Union.
• I own a construction company.
• I do counseling
I think you can see immediately that these greetings are NOT compelling! Let’s take those ideas and add YOUR mission, vision & answers to THEIR problems. Here are a few EXAMPLES. Be sure you tailor your speech to fit what you really believe in.
1. Instead of – I'm a VP at Eagle Credit Union…Say for example: I am a VP at Eagle Credit Union in charge of Marketing and Product Development. Under my watch our marketing efforts have increased our membership by 35% in a year and we've developed 3 products to improve the quality of our members' financial lives.
2. Instead of – I own a construction company… Say for example: I own Big T construction. We recently completed the overpass exchange on budget and under time. The other project you may have seen is the Natural History museum. We came in both on time and on budget.
3. Instead of – I do counseling…Say for example: I am so enthusiastic about working with families to help them create a happy, healthy loving home… whether they are married or divorced. I am a specialist in families and I find that my clients reconnect with each other, learn to communicate & discover their home to be a nurturing place to be after working with me.
IT’S YOUR TURN
Now, write your speech. Come on. It’s that important. Try tweaking it with several different words. Once you have one or two versions, practice in front of the mirror. Watch your eyes, smile and demeanor. If you don’t really believe what you’re saying, it won’t work. You’ll either need to write what you really believe or become confident enough to say what you believe. OK, do this NOW!!!