by Laura Camacho
The Covid Lockdown changed so many things. More people than you think are feeling awkward with social situations, especially those related to work. It’s like falling off a bicycle, you just have to get back on. Social anxiety is like a mindset. OK, I realize some people have a psychological diagnosis related to social anxiety, but for most of us, it’s a mindset. It’s time to lose that. Just be your iconic self.
If you want more social capital, more fun, and less social anxiety in your life, it’s time to fine-tune your elevator pitch. Here’s help with that. To be clear, I don’t even like the term “elevator pitch” because here in where live in Charleston, South Carolina, elevators are scarce. There’s not that much you can say between the 1st and the 4th floor. But you know what I mean: introducing yourself in an interesting way.
You can feel comfortable introducing yourself in a way that’s interesting and attracts people to you. Share the message of what you do in a way that’s intimate, quirky, and premium. These words make me think of you.
The goal of this conversation is NOT to sell yourself or any product. That’s exactly what not to do. The purpose of a winning elevator pitch is to generate the next conversation that’s more in depth. You need to build your ARSENAL OF ALLIES, aka your internal and external networks.
After you greet the person with a friendly “hi!”, here’s your template to explain what you do:
1. It’s hugely helpful to indicate which industry you work in: retail purses, insurance, finance, technology, bakery, communication expertise, etc.
You say, I work in _________________.
2. Then share your title and then explain what you really do – as if to a 9-year old. What you really do is the bottom line, how you help people and who is it that you help.
You say, My job is ___________, but what I really do is __________.
Example:
Hi, I’m Laura Camacho. I work in communication. I’m a communication coach but what I really do is help highly conscientious high performers speak up confidently so they get the recognition they have earned.
Boom!
Your turn.
Laura Camacho, MBA, PhD, PMP, is an executive coach, trainer and speaker who opened Mixonian Institute in 2009 to rid the world of boring business communication. She has created innovative training programs for local and international companies, related to leadership effectiveness, excellent feedback, growth mindset and emotional intelligence. Multilingual, Dr. Camacho’s career highlights include facilitating The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (in Spanish,) being editor of the leading management newsletter in Venezuela. For 10 years she taught communication classes at ECU and College of Charleston. www.mixonian.com
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