Sweet

My friend Heidi knew I was a Toastmaster and wanted to see if I could help her.  Her e-mail was a simple request.  “Hey I head up a group called Mompreneurs–about 15 women that have their own business and are also Moms.  They asked if I could bring in a speaking coach to help them refine their elevator speeches around their business and just gain some confidence around speaking about their business.”
Of course my reply was YES!  Yet how could I help them? 

I thought back to a District 26 Toastmasters Conference class conducted by Dana LaMon, the 1992 World Champion of Public Speaking.  Mr. LaMon’s,  “Hook, Hammer & Hinge” formula of attracting someone with a quote, statement or question, then transitioning to connecting by making a point and telling a story (from Bill Gove, CSP, CPAE), and then engaging by having a call to action,  could be shortened and used as a way to introduce yourself. After all an elevator pitch can be much like giving a Toastmasters 5-7 minute speech.  It requires writing, editing, practicing and perfecting until it comes out as a conversation.
We meet on the agreed upon day at a local community room in a fire station.   Being a sales and marketing professional for over thirty years I know how uninspired most “elevator pitches” can be.  I am sure you have had those same experiences at a networking event when you meet someone who says, Hi, I’m a Dentist.  Your first thought is RUN!  Yet if this person said something engaging like, Hi I’m Greg.  I help photographers get people to say, “Cheese” (pause)  “What’s that?” they say.  I fix people smiles with beautiful teeth, I’m your local dentist.  A smile appears on the person’s face and a conversation ensures.  Helping people smile is a better way to say you’re a Dentist than talking about flossing. 

After sharing this formula we worked on various ideas of giving value first, using humor to get people to open up and refining their message to a core idea.   I asked each Mompreneurs to get up in front of everyone and give their own pitch.  After each spoke, we did a round robin evaluation where I asked the Moms to share two positives aspects of each elevator speech for every one suggestion for improvement.

It was a fun ninety minutes.  I made some wonderful contacts and even received an assortment of candies in the mail to remind me of the gratitude of the Mompreneurs.    My friend even hired me to help her with some speech coaching.  I am grateful that District 26 conducts wonderful educational programs and brings in top talent to learn from.   I was grateful for the opportunity to help these Mompreneurs gain confidence in sharing their elevator pitches.  As in business and in Toastmasters, helping others achieve their goals can be sweet.