Business Pitching & Networking

T: @eMotivator W: http://david.bozward.com E: [email protected]

PITCHING YOUR BENEFITS

@essatweeting


What is this all about?

Every time you meet someone you have to make a good impression

So you have to pitch yourself

Networking Pitch Follow Through


Networking


What is networking?

• Establishing & maintaining lines of communication with people

• About connecting with people in order to:– share information– resources– leads

• The emphasis is on relationship building– getting to know people– finding out how you can help them– what they can do for you


Benefits of networking

• Effective networkers use their networking skills throughout their life. The main benefits are:– Raising awareness about you– Sharing ideas and solving problems– Building strong relationships and rapport– Developing partnerships, leads and

referrals– Becoming more influential in your industry– Increasing efficiency and productivity


My Network


The Key Steps

• Determine your goal• Decide who to talk to / Know your audience• Figure out what the person knows / WIIFM• Practice the opening speech (pitch) &

request(ask) a meeting• Prepare to handle doubters• Prepare to show & have the meeting• Follow-up: Thank-you’s, nurture

connections and keep track of contacts


– You know the people you like– You know what you want out of them– You know what you like to do

– So lets play . . .

Blind Date


Networking Toolkit

• Business Cards• Style and Clothing• Event Research• Make a plan• What can you do for nothing• Opening Speech


Building your network

• Good networkers are always on the look out for opportunities to meet and interact with people.

• The more people you meet, the better your chances of finding the information you need or the leads you want.

• Even if the person you meet can’t help you, they may know someone who can.

• Where?– Networking Events– Trade Shows– Online


Online networking


My Online networking


Pitching


Going Up?

The elevator pitch

or

How to promote your business in 60 seconds


Perfecting the pitchAssume short buildingsPut a tag on itSolve a problemLay out the benefits Make it tangibleShow your passionConclude with a call to action Be prepared for questionsTake it on the road


Questions you must answer:What is my service, product, company or cause?What problem do I solve?Who is my market?Who is my competition?What is my competitive advantage?Why should you care?


Questions you might also answer:

• How do I make money?

• Who is behind the company?


Your ‘elevator pitch’ must contain:• A ‘hook’• About 150-225 words

What is my service, product, company or cause?What problem do I solve?Who is my market?Who is my competition?What is my competitive advantage?Why should you care?

• Passion• A request


You have 30 minutes . . .

• Go off in groups– Develop your pitch and write it down (20

mins)– Pair off and practice with someone else

(20 mins)– Practice as a group (20 mins) with 121

mentoring


Follow Through


Maintaining your network

• Following through• Re-establishing contact– This shows that you are dependable,

responsive, organised and courteous.

• Contact Management– Facebook, LinkedIn, ..etc–Outlook


Using your network

• There is no point building up your network if you are not going to use it.

• Introducing people• Making requests


And finally . . .

• Be prepared to deliver: any time, any where

• Start with contacts that are safe to build confidence

• Not a quick fix to your next sale – make it part of your life/work to build relationships

• Use thought, sensitivity and preparation


The End

Business Pitching & Networking

Technology

Transcript of Business Pitching & Networking