“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Robert Collier
Do you have an effective and powerful ice breaker that can grab someone’s attention? We used to call this an ‘elevator’ speech but really it’s not a speech at all. It’s to spark up a quick in passing conversation. It’s really about your ‘mission’ statement and your purpose for what you do.
An effective mission statement is a quick story that tells someone who you are, what your business is, why it’s special and really how is it that you make money doing what you’re passionate about and love.
Imagine being in an elevator with a potential contact with only 30 seconds to make a memorable impression, what’s a good way to get their attention?
You certainly don’t have to be in an elevator either to meet people. You could be at a Networking event, your child’s sports event, waiting at the airport, doctors office, dentist, the grocery store, post office, or making phone calls. It will benefit you to have a quick, engaging and attention getting mission statement that gives someone just enough information leaving them interested in a more in-depth conversation with you again at another time. This is just a foot in the door of a person’s life. It’s not an entire 30 minute presentation spilling all over someone until their eyes go gaga.
Haven’t you ever seen someone who’s stuck like a deer in the headlights when walking around in a networking event or being somewhere there are people and someone says “what do you do?”
Here are some ideas on perfecting an effective conversation starter when someone pops this question.
1. What’s unique about you, your product or service. A convo starter needs to intrigue someone like a good ole ice-breaker. First it’s important to realize what your purpose in life really is.. (I’m happy to help you with that too, just give me a shout).
2. Be exciting and have fun!
Use descriptive words that tell who you are and what motivates and excites you about what you love doing. Word pictures that create a visual image in the mind of the person you’re connecting with. In other words, connect with them. A truly caring person is interested in others and always draws them into the conversation. One of the best ways to have someone actually pop this question for us is for us to ask THEM “so, what do you do”? When you take an genuine interest in someone they usually respond well and will warm up to you. When all you do is focus on yourself and what you want it’s going to turn people off.
3. Keep your message short and simple. K.I.S.S. is always best because the entire time in their mind they are thinking can I ever do or say something like this too?
30 seconds is best. If using in a script, keep it at about 10 seconds. One sentence or two sentences max. It must spark a person’s attention in a short amount of time. (see below for examples). You can even use this 30 second mission statement when having to stand up in a networking group to let everyone know what it is that we are passionate about and making a living out of it!
4. Write your message or your mission statement down and practice it out loud because as they say practice makes perfect!
Record and listen to it or video yourself. Then practice again until saying it in your sleep. Go live on Facebook and share your passion!
Most of all realize that it’s not just what you say, but HOW you express yourself. Smile with energy and excitement! People usually always respond well to enthusiasm and will come from miles around to see your burning fire of passion because after all you do love what you do right?! Sure hope so because people can tell!
There are many benefits that can come from having an effective, exciting and motivating elevator speech that starts to become a very natural part of our everyday life repeated day in and day out!
An Ice Breaker can go something like this. Remember to be yourself, genuinely interested in others, what’s going on with them, what they are interested in and be genuine –
“We’re a leadership development company that creates passionate entrepreneurs who like looking younger, feeling their best, and making money while having a lot of fun helping others do the same!”
“We help people look younger, feel better, get healthier….whatever it is you do…make more money and have a lot of fun!”…
“We help people make more money and have a lot of fun!”….
OR….
“I’m in direct sells. I help people make extra money and have a lot of fun!”
“I’m in direct sells, I help people look younger, make extra money and have a lot of fun!”….
“Would you like to look younger, make some extra money and have fun?” Be quiet and wait for what they say next..
Here’s my mission statement from when we graduated from our Catalyst discipleship class at One Chapel in 2016 –
“My life mission and purpose is to minister to others by tending to their needs regarding health and healing to help them be better equipped spiritually, physically and financially.”
Be sure to exchange contact information if they express a genuine interest in speaking with you further. If they say no or show no interest, change the subject by turning the focus back on them. A no means nothing personal, someone just said no to what you just asked them. No could mean maybe some other time. Let them know you are happy to stay in touch to see how things may have changed for them at a later time. Ask them if they’d like for you to add them to one of your follow up list, information or help groups on Facebook, add them as a friend on Facebook, LinkedIn, and any other professional networks you are associated with, etc.
It doesn’t matter what company you represent. Network Marketing/Direct Selling companies have always been great leadership development companies that create entrepreneurs who are passionate about what they do. Just insert a product or service benefit that matches what you’re promoting and have some fun!
“Choose a career that you like and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Confucius
Living Life With Purpose!
