My Pitch on "The NEW Elevator Pitch" by Chris Westfall
Have you ever had to introduce yourself but didn't know what to say? How many chances have you had to ask out the person of your dreams but all you did was stutter? Have you ever had to pitch an idea to a possible investor but didn't know how? Would you want some step by step guidelines on how to pitch anything?
If you could relate to any of those questions, then The NEW Elevator Pitch by Chris Westfall is the book for you!
Everyone has to make a sales pitch. It won't always be about money or business talk.
The book states its focus is on you: "Getting a job, raise or date, expanding your network, communicating with your coworkers, creating social change, inspiring movement and gaining an investor."
I'm sure you do at least one of those on a daily basis.
Chris Westfall shows his readers how anyone can pitch anything. He starts off by describing C.L.A.R.I.T.Y. which is what I think is the most important part of the book. It's an acronym that shows a step by step process in making a successful pitch. CLARITY stands for:
- Captivate- Instead of “Hi, I’m John and I work for…” you need to frame the conversation. Sales pitches need to have the proper setting or frame of reference so the audience knows right away where this is going. Like for me, since I sell solar panels, after a greeting, I say something like, "Have you ever noticed how electricity bills been going up the past few years?" Instead of them thinking about getting me out of their doorway, it makes them think about how high their bills ARE getting.
The book even has a powerful quote by Jerry Seinfeld:
"There is no such thing as an attention span. People have infinite attention if you are entertaining them."
- Language- Details are nice and all but too many details can be overbearing and not have any meaning within context. You need to apply these things to the listener. What paints a better picture between these two phrases? "Our shop is getting a new sign out front that is 30x40 feet long." or "Our shop is getting a huge new sign that will be seen by anyone who goes on our street."
- Authenticity- Who would believe in someone who doesn't believe in themselves?
- Relevance- Everyone has a reason for doing something. Why would your product or service help them?
- Inspiration- Find out what they need to be changed and go for it.
- Tact- Focus on listener’s situation.
- YES!- Pitch does not end when you get a yes. That’s the start.
As a reader and someone new to making really good pitches, I have just a couple complaints about the book. I think on some ideas, he over explains it. I think the time he uses to explain certain words or his ideas could be better use to give more examples of everyday things we need to pitch. The book is great, don't get me wrong. This book also goes through a few scenarios with you on how to pitch a tv show, yourself in a job interview, asking for a raise and so much more. It'll really help out anyone who wants to pitch ideas. I just think it'll be more helpful with more examples of pitches of everyday scenarios.
By reading this book, you can make one of the best elevator pitches which, as the book states is "authentic, compelling and relevant (it makes someone say, "Tell Me More...")
Click this quiz if you want to see what you learned. If you want to buy it, click here.