The Giveaway

Every elevator pitch is a little bit different.

There are times when you already kind of know the person.

It’s not just a random 10 seconds bumping into them in the elevator but they haven’t granted you 30 minutes on their calendar either.

But you can perhaps go into a little more detail and let them know hey I’m sending you the business plan.

Perhaps we can discuss it later.

There may be times like that when it’s appropriate but there are other times when you may have just met someone there in a hurry.

You’ve given your elevator pitch there’s some interest but they’re not exactly stopping and pulling out their calendars saying Can you meet for a whole hour next Thursday.

What do you do that doesn’t seem pushy now if you’re in Hollywood I wouldn’t recommend say here’s my entire script.

People hate that.

I wouldn’t give someone a whole book either that people don’t really want to lug around a whole bunch of stuff but I do think a business card shows your professional whether you’re a job seeker or whether you have a startup and you’re looking for investment capital.

But sometimes it helps to give a little bit extra.

So if I met for example a public relations conference and having a quick chat with someone who has clients who go on TV all the time I could say hey how would you like a quick top 10 list of things to do right before you go on a TV interview to prepare yourself and your clients something to keep in the wallet to really help.

Right before that interview.

Sure.

Who’s gonna say no to that.

Boom.

I’ve got a business card that’s got 10 tips on things to do right before you go on TV to prepare to come across your very best.

It just so happens to be my business card with my name and address.

Know all the usual stuff.

So rather than just giving someone a business card which benefits me I’ve given them some information that can benefit them.

And when I combine that with something else I might have said it just increases the chances that a they remember me b if I do connect with them through a phone call or an email that there’s a sense of I’ve already provided value so sure it’s worth spending a little more time with this person.

Now the business card with extra information on the bag is just one tip.

I’m not suggesting that’s the only way to go and for certain audiences you might actually be able to give them some.

Maybe it’s a thumbnail with a Web site already on it.

You decide.

But don’t make it too big and bulky.

No one wants to carry around stuff especially if they’re at a conference and they’re traveling and no one wants to carry back more stuff.

But think about something you can give away to the person that demonstrates your expertise and that gives value and that’s why I wouldn’t suggest a resumé.

Now we’ve all been the business networking events and you meet some bright young student who just graduated.

They have the resume.

It’s not the end of the world but if you’re leaving that networking event and going out to dinner or other places who wants to really carry around extra sheets of paper I would suggest providing something that is smaller and provides value.

So think about what you can give to the person if and only if they do seem interested in what you’re saying and we’d like more information or a taste of something before they actually agree to a meeting.

So think of what you can actually give them that small and light.