Lesson 2: Elevator Speech You are your best seller!

1. Everyone has a story to tell! ~ Chris Westfall

2. An elevator speech is a 30
second introduction to YOUR
story.
It’s your golden opportunity to
make an impact and impress
someone important.
Recommendations for Elevator
Speech by Univ of CA- Davis

3.  Step One: Formulate Your Introduction
Greeting: Oh, hello, Mr. Smith.
Small Talk/Conversation Starter (optional): It's
been a busy week, hasn't it?
Name(Shaking hands): My name is Irena
Kadnikova.
Occupation: I am an Fine Arts student…
School/Company: …at Omsk University.
Tell about yourself, what
you have to offer, how you
can benefit your audience,
the importance of your
connection with
him/her/company- how
"they" fit into your vision,
and why you are unique.

4.  Step Two: Describe what you have to offer
Knowledge of the Business/Company/Person: I’m
familiar with your company and its success rate
for marketing new artists. Your company
contributes 25% of its profit to global outreach -
quite impressive.
Relevant Experience: In the last 2 years I’ve
completed 15 commissioned artworks.
This is your chance to offer
this person or company the
best things they need to know
about you.
How can you help them?
What are your qualifications?
What makes you unique?

5.  Step Three: Why should he/she choose you?
Unique Skills/Interests: Last year, I painted a
mural in my city for the Children’s Community
Play Garden which raised $25,000 toward the
Garden.
Project Future Success: Since then, I’ve received
requests from galleries, individuals, and
companies to display my artwork.
Hook: It looks like I’m going to be busy for some
time, and I believe that partnering with your
company will give both of us excellent
opportunities to impact the art world and the
community.
Clearly state that it would
be in their best interests to
bring you on board.
Remember: You only get
one chance to make a good
first impression!

6.  Finally: What do you hope to achieve from this
conversation?
Desired Outcome: Would you like to meet over
coffee to review my portfolio?
Clearly state your
objectives:
• Obtain a business card
• Schedule a future
appointment
• Apply for a
job/internship
• Interview successfully
• “Get your name out
there” – Market yourself
& your work

7.  Quality Assurance Checklist
Do I sound relaxed and natural?
Do I sound professional yet amicable?
Was I too formal? Too informal?
Did I include all the pertinent information?
Were my objectives and vision clearly
articulated?
How did it feel?
Was it successful?
• If so, how do you know
it was successful? (i.e.
clues? Body language?
Tone of voice?
Expressions? Clear
invitation?)

8. So What?!
i.e. Why is your
experience, your
story, different
and special?