How to Tell Your Story...After the Elevator Speech
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Transcript of How to Tell Your Story...After the Elevator Speech
How to Tell Your Story…After the
Elevator Speech
(Strategic Networking & One-on-Ones)
Rebekah L. PierceAuthor, Speaker & Entrepreneur
www.ThePierceAgencyLLC.com
www.RebekahlPierce.com
(804) 549-2884
Inspirational Quote
“History will be kind to me because
I intend to write it.”
~ Unknown
Definition 1: the exchange of ideas
and information in such a way that it
builds personal relationships
(www.law.emory.edu)
Definition 2: a complex system
of…people…that interconnect or
communicate (Oxford Dictionary)
What is Networking?
Key word is COMMUNICATION
(building relationships)
A connection between you and the listener
Clear, identifiable elements of the story (what
you want people to know about you and/or
your company)
Business, Social or Professional
Networking
Preparation (research/planning)
*Networking objective
*Networking goal
*Networking outcome
Participation (network/mingle)
Practice (30 second commercial)
Objectives for Telling Your Story
Sales
Clients/Contract
Exposure/Opportunity
Financing (i.e., business and marketing
plan, investors/bank loans)
Identify yourself as an expert in your field
(express this also in marketing materials)
Follow up meetings with lunch or
breakfast or tea just to chatSix (6) Key Components of Telling
Your Story
Who you are
What you do
Where you are from
When you started your business
Why you started the business
How you can be of service to them
Follow up Meeting continued
Share your story here if asked –
don’t go into a diatribe – keep
it short, sweet, simple and
too the point
Discuss your products/services
(don’t second guess their
response) – you are building
connections
3 Ways to Communicate Your Story
Verbal: public speaking, events/vendoring, interviews, 30 second commercials
Written: clear and concise mission statement and philosophy, press releases, flyers, media kits, CDs, websites, letters of inquiry, e-newsletters, blogs, writing a book, business plan & resume/CV
Non-verbal: marketing items such as business cards, promotional materials, body language
Follow up this
meeting with
frequent
communication via
email or phone
Note: you are
confirming
connections
Forging Business and
Community Alliances
Work with people who are doing what
you are doing but perhaps with a
different angle
Research these companies first before
preparing to establish an alliance
Make an appointment to speak with
key persons/decision makers
Services to offer may include: free
products, time, space, PR, etc.
Forging Alliances continued
Prepare an informal plan of action –
chance to tell your story here (have
a resume/CV ready)
Establish how you can be of service
to them and visa versa (ask
questions to establish this further)
Whatever you offer, do not let it
severely impact your bottom line
Forging Alliances continued
Host an event to introduce your company and your goals for the community (free PR)
Sponsor an event for a potential alliance to introduce their company, etc... – Ex. I used to host a tea party every Dec for Average Girl, but I always donated proceeds from the silent auction to a local woman’s charity or non-profit. I announced this on all flyers and marketing materials – message: not everything is about just my business
Once people know who you are and what
you are about, they will remember you
when they hear things “in the wind.”
One-on-ones are about building
relationships and establishing a legacy.
Networking and One-on-Ones
Require:
Work
Perseverance
Time
Patience AND
Having a sense of HUMOR
Resume Tips
• Functional or Chronological
• Your objective must be clear, clean
& concise
• Use action verbs in proper tense
(past or present)
• Make sure it has been
edited/proofread
• Keep it at 1-2 pages (excludes
Federal resumes)
• Use your network/social media
Five Tools You Need to Become
a Networking Guru
Belief in yourself & products/services you
offer
A Vision
A support team (i.e., Crying Angel
Network)
Tenacity (e.g., your will outweighs your
doubt)
A measure of Faith
Homework Assignment
During the last 15 minutes of your next networking event, find someone to whom you gave your business card to (must be someone you don’t know). Spend that time getting to know 3 key business needs of the person who has your card. At the end of 5 minutes, have a meeting or phone conference scheduled for the next month. Email me the outcome(s) of that meeting and receive a special 25% discount on editing/proofreading services from The Pierce Agency.
Want More Tips?
For more tips on how to make the most of your
networking one-on-ones or resume
consultation/coaching, register for a one (1) hour
private teleconference at a special rate $75. Email
me at [email protected] for
details.