Make a Good First Impression

• With a good, well-rehearsed elevator speech, you can make a good impression in 60 seconds or less. Sometimes that's all the time you have, which is what makes being able to easily rattle off your speech so critical. Essentially your listener should know what you do and what you want to do after hearing your speech. Since the speech is meant to be so short, you need to use powerful words that will resonate with the listener even after you part ways.
  
  

Grabs the Listener's Attention

• When a networking opportunity presents itself, you want to make sure that you immediately grab your listener's attention so that he wants to know more about you and what you can do.
  
  The easiest way to lose your listener's attention is by speaking in generalities. Referring to yourself as a problem solver is overused. However, specifically explain how you demonstrated that skill for someone else by developing a more proficient work system that increased company productivity and reduced operating costs, and you'll have their undivided attention.
  
  

Tells Your Listener Why You're Unique

• To develop an elevator speech that demonstrates your uniqueness, you have to know your market value. If you are confident about your market value and what you have to offer, focus your speech on meeting your listener's needs. Don't make the focus all about you.
  
  

Reveals What You Can Do for Them

• Your elevator speech can answer your listener's most important question: "What's in it for me." Your message means nothing if your listener can't recognize right away that you are the solution to their problem.
  
  

A Stepping Stone

• At the end of your elevator speech, you should include a call to action by asking your listener something like, "May I give you a call sometime to talk more?" or simply ask for a business card so that you can follow up the next day. Your elevator speech can be just what you need to get your foot in the door.