The Respectable Elevator Pitch (in 30 Seconds)

entrepreneurship personal develeopment

Do you ever freeze up when someone asks you to stand up and introduce yourself at a networking event?

Well, kiss the awkwardness goodbye when you utilize this XYZ+ elevator pitch formula.

Download the XYZ+ Worksheet

When it comes to ‘Elevator Pitches’...

What comes to your mind?

Anxious
Clownish
Awkward
Vulnerable
Under-prepared

Everybody feels this way...

(Unless they’re a complete narcissist.)

What Does ‘Respectable’ Look Like?

Respecting time constraints (30 sec)
Respecting audience brain space
Respecting the honey badger

What’s An ‘XYZ+’ Statement?

I help ‘X’ (person/organization)
Accomplish ‘Y’ (solve problem)
Using ‘Z’ (system/method)
‘+’ A great introduction for me is...

XYZ+ Examples:

Marketing Agency:

Hey I’m Chuck with Roundhouse Marketing...
(X) Right now, I’m helping chiropractors,
(Y) Attract more qualified patients,
(Z)Using a simple dopamine drip marketing quiz.
(+) This month, a great introduction for me is your chiropractor/ofc mgr/marketing director.
Let’s connect and chat after the meeting...

Management Consultant:

Hey I’m Elizabeth with The Intentionals...
(X) This quarter, I’m help non-profit leaders,
(Y) Revitalize their organizational culture,
(Z) Using our ‘Flip The Script’ Coaching System.
(+) Right now, a great introduction for me is the director of a non-profit you’re currently supporting/working with.
Let’s connect for a 1:1 after today’s meeting.

Non-Profit Director:

Hey, I’m Lori with Next Step Ministries...
(X) I help parents with adult special needs children,
(Y) Regain balance in their lives,
(Z) Using our award winning day programs.
(+) This month, a great introduction for me is the parent of an adult special needs child who needs some support and encouragement.
Let’s connect via 3-way email sometime today.

Cremation Director:

Hey, I’m James with Neptune Cremation Society...
(X) I help busy adult kids of aging parents,
(Y) Not get toasted by unplanned funeral expenses,
(Z) Using our Spicy Neptune Salad Stack.
(+) A great introduction for me this week is your financial advisor, bc proactive funeral planning IS estate planning.
Let’s chat about who you have in mind after the mtg...

Some 'Writer Downers'

Resist the overwhelming temptation to use: ‘anyone, everyone, someone’..or other generalizations.
Be bold. Be Narrow. Be specific.
It’s okay to have an X,Y,Z+ Statement for each one of your ideal client profiles...
"You increase your credibility when you lead with clarity..."
"If you confuse, you lose..." - Donald Miller

Let’s talk about the Honey Badger... (i.e. Your Audience)

Honey Badger Is Thinking...

What is this?
Is this for me?
Does it solve my problem?
Who can I connect them with?

Honey Badger DON’T Care About... (In This 30-Second Context)

My title
My accolades
My experience
My qualifications

Honey Badger DO Care About...

My ability to:

Articulate who I help
Articulate the problem I solve
Be clear about who I want to meet

‘XYZ+’ Statements DOs

Be super specific (think of a current client)
Economy of words is always appreciated
Ideate/Role Play in your 1:1s
Practice with a timer
Have fun with it
Buy me coffee

‘XYZ+’ Mistakes To Avoid

Using ‘corporate-speak word salad’
Not rehearsing (with a timer)
Adding ‘random thoughts’
Going ‘off-script’
Winging it

A few more ‘writer downers’...

Emulate before you iterate...
Your X,Y,Z+ Statement is repurpose-able across ALL of your marketing channels (and offers).
Respect your audience and your audience will respect you...

Ready To Write ‘XYZ+’ Statement?

I help ‘X’ (person/organization)
Accomplish ‘Y’ (solve problem)
Using ‘Z’ (system/method)
‘+’ A great introduction for me is...