Elevator Pitch Made Easy

There are three reasons to come up with an elevator pitch:

1-You've been asked to give an elevator pitch...now what?

2-You're stuck in an elevator with a potential client and this is your make it or break it moment.

3-You're a planner and you hope to someday be stuck in an elevator with a potential client and you want to be prepared

Before you get too stressed out about it. Realize that an elevator pitch should take less than 60 seconds and ideally more like 45-50 seconds. Don't start planning yet....just humor me. Close your eyes and count to 50.

That didn't take long at all, did it?

Can you talk to someone for that same short period of time?

Of course you can!!!

Before we talk about WHAT you should say, let's talk about carrying yourself. Eyes up - look at the person you're talking to. Even the most confident people get shy on an elevator or while presenting - don't let that happen to you. You can be the most sincere person in the world, but your audience isn't going to 'get that' about you if they can't see your eyes.

Now wow them with the 3 E's of an Elevator pitch:

Educate
Engage
Entertain

In other words: Who are you and what do you do? What can what you do help me with what I do (use my name)? Let me know who you are so I remember you.

Hi Jeff. I'm Crystal Otto with Relax Consulting right here in Two Rivers. I've been meaning to give you a call. I specialize in social media and blogging for small businesses. Don't let the name Relax Consulting deceive you though - there's not foot soak included with the free consultation - but if you'd sit down with me I can definitely bring you a coffee. Jeff, what's the best number to reach you at for a follow up? 

Don't just hand someone your business card and expect them to remember what you do and who you are. In fact, the business card can be your worst enemy. They're looking at the card instead of looking at you. When they get off the elevator they'll toss the card on their desk. Your card won't have made an impression and neither will you. They won't know that you have a great smile, sparkly eyes, straight teeth, a funny personality, etc...if you let a small piece of recycled toilet paper tubes with some ink on them do you marketing, you won't be leaving the impression you meant to. Be prepared!

How you say things is far more important than what you say. Be yourself, be sincere, be genuine, and be engaging. And...if you're here in Two Rivers, Wisconsin - be quick...there's possibly two elevators in the entire town and I'm not sure we have any buildings with more than four floors. Your elevator pitch may need to be ten seconds or less in this town :)

~Crystal

What is Relax Consulting?

What is Relax Consulting?

I get asked this question a lot, and when I try to answer using a title or reference to another business, I feel like I'm trying to stick a square peg in a round hole. Administrative Consulting or Virtual Assisting is 'sort of' what I do...but more of some and less of other things that those type of companies provide. What Relax Consulting is, is an extension of me. We do the things that I'm good at and the things I enjoy - and we do them for the people I enjoy spending my time with. 

I am reading a book by Tim Ferriss called the Four Hour Work Week where he talks about controlling the W's in your life, which lets you control, WHAT you do, WHEN you do it, WHERE you do it, and with WHOM. And that's exactly what Relax Consulting is. I help companies and individuals with marketing, writing, team building, presentation creation/polishing, etc...and it do it on my terms to fit into my family schedule, I do it from my home (or remotely - gotta love technology - ie: from the beach), and I get to choose my clients which means I have the ability to work with only those people I want to work with.

So, to answer the initial question of what Relax Consulting is, it's a chance for someone who is frustrated by their limitations, to sit down and talk to someone who has insightful ideas, positive energy, and a passion for life. We can talk about plans, goals, and ideas, and see if we can help one another. This may mean I help you design a website and teach someone at your office how to maintain it and link together your social media, or it may mean you call me once in a while to write a blog or proof read a presentation. 

In the end - Relax Consulting is about building relationships, building up one another, and going back to the basics of life where one hand washes the other and ideas can be shared and created openly and honestly among people that respect one another.

That's the scoop - and as I learn more things, or hire additional teammates, Relax Consulting will become bigger, better, and we will expand into different business spaces. It's all about embracing diversity and individuality as well as driving change!

~Crystal

REALLY Relaxing

Today, the Relax Consulting office closed a smidge early. We did this so I could relax - no pun intended. I've been experiencing some neck strain, and earlier in the week I had such a headache that I swore the entire county was spinning (brought me immediately back to the summer between 2nd and 3rd grade and a bad experience of nachos coupled with the tilt o whirl at the county fair...it was ugly).

I visited a friend, Leah Strutz, from Take Time Therapeutic Massage (http://www.amtamembers.com/leahstrutz) and had the most relaxing and enjoyable hour. Leah is a true professional and I very much appreciate the time she spent with me today. Now I'm just trying to figure out how I can justify and hour long massage every week...hmmmm.....

Relax Consulting can help business owners find time to relax and Leah can help Relax Consulting find time to Relax - sounds like a great partnership in the making! Call Leah today and schedule some time for yourself: 920-901-3573 or complete the form on her website: http://www.amtamembers.com/leahstrutz/contact-me

~Crystal