You want to hit all the key points, keep your audience engaged and leave them with a great representation of your business.
But, how can you do that?
Think About The Purpose
Your 60 second pitch is like an elevator pitch, but juiced up to the next level. It is your chance to let a room full of people know exactly what your business does and how you can help them.
Remember, that some will already be familiar with your business, but for some, it will be the first time they are hearing from you.
Think about what you are trying to achieve in just one minute. You want to share with your networking group what makes you special, the sorts of people you work with, the actions you want them to take, and who you would like referrals from.
The idea is to make people want to do business with you, to instantly think of someone they might refer to you, and to leave a lasting impression for future referrals.
So, how can you do that?
Have A Structure
While you don’t want to read word for word from a script, it is good to have an idea of what you will say and what order you will say it in. It allows you to maximise the full 60 seconds, not finishing too early and not running over time.
This is a simple, yet effective structure that you can follow…
Introduce: Give the group your name, your business name, what you do and the benefits of working with you. The golden nugget in this section is the benefits. Don’t simply tell people that you build websites, instead describe how a quality website can increase conversions and create great brand awareness. It makes people want what you are offering so that they too can receive the benefits.
Give An Example: Giving a practical example of how you helped a client allows people to easily understand what you do. A great story hooks people in and is far more interesting than how you describe your business. Feel free to bring relevant props for this section to give a visual aid or even a sample of your products.
Explain Who You Are Looking For: The people in the room might not be your ideal clients, but you can be certain that some of them will have the perfect referral for you. To get those quality referrals, you need to be clear on who you help in your business. Be as specific as you can so that you don’t waste anyone’s time.
Recap: Before you sit down, remind them of your name and your business name so they don’t forget!
Stand Out From The Rest
Don’t forget that there are other people doing their 60 second pitches at the same networking event. You want to make sure that you stand out and don’t blend in with the crowd. So, keep these things in mind…
Show Personality: The main reason that people will choose to work with a business is because they connect with the business owner. They won’t be able to connect with you unless you show some personality.
Inject Humour: If you have an appropriate joke that you can throw into your pitch, then don’t be afraid to do so. Making the audience laugh can break the tension and allow them to engage with what you are saying even more.
Keep To The Time Limit: Be courteous to your fellow networkers by ensuring you keep to your allotted 60 seconds. Droning on for two or three minutes will often turn people off your business, not draw them to you.
Adapt To The People In The Room: Try to relate your pitch to the theme of the meeting or update it if several people in the room have already heard it. That keeps your messaging fresh and interesting.
Practice Makes Perfect: Run over what you will say in your 60 second pitch before you get to the meeting. Practice a few times in the mirror at home or in the car before you head in. This stops you from stumbling over your words and ensures you get your key message across.
Have Fun: You are in the same boat as everyone else in the room. Don’t be afraid in the supportive TNG environment, simply get up there and enjoy it!
