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Sunday Brunch – Elevator Pitch

February 13, 2011 36 Comments
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Sunday Brunch with Danny BrownWelcome to a new episode of Sunday Brunch, where we talk about your questions on social media, marketing, business tips, entrepreneurship and more.

Today’s question is from Ari Herzog, who offers consulting and speaking services as a new media consultant and writer/editor over at AriHerzog.com. Ari asks:

“I’d enjoy learning how you introduce yourself to strangers — whether online or off — due to your multiple hats. Between your work with Bonsai, 12for12K, and other initiatives, let alone the multiple sites you write blog articles at, what’s your elevator pitch when introducing yourself? Is it always the same, or do you change it depending on the audience?”

Thanks for the question, Ari, and I hope the video helps.

If you have a question, you can send it in via the form below. There’s also a file upload option, if you want to send in a picture of your favourite Sunday Brunch place.

Cheers, and see you same time, same place next week for some more Sunday Brunch chats.



This post contains a video. If you can’t see it displayed properly in your feed, you can view it directly here.

Sunday Brunch Question Form

Got a question on marketing? Social media? Business? Strategy? Something similar? Cool - just send it in here, and it could be picked to be discussed on my Sunday Brunch question-and-answer series every Sunday.

Don't forget to include your web address and where people can find you online. And if you have a picture of your favourite brunch place, upload it and I'll post alongside your question.

Cheers, and look forward to hearing from you!

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About Danny

Danny Brown is Chief Technologist at ArCompany and an award-winning marketer and blogger. His blog is recognized as the #1 marketing blog in the world by HubSpot. Danny is also co-author of Influence Marketing: How to Create, Manage and Measure Brand Influencers in Social Media Marketing.

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Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion

Danny, this was cool, as I'm a big fan a video as it allows me to put a voice with your words as I'm reading your posts in the future.

Continued success with your many hats....

Marcus

Danny
Danny

Cheers, Marcus, I've been meaning to do more video posts, so this seemed the perfect format for the Q&A series.

Thanks for continuing to support, mate, appreciate it. :)

Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion

Danny, this was cool, as I'm a big fan a video as it allows me to put a voice with your words as I'm reading your posts in the future.

Continued success with your many hats....

Marcus

Danny
Danny

Cheers, Marcus, I've been meaning to do more video posts, so this seemed the perfect format for the Q&A series.

Thanks for continuing to support, mate, appreciate it. :)

Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion

Danny, this was cool, as I'm a big fan a video as it allows me to put a voice with your words as I'm reading your posts in the future. Continued success with your many hats.... Marcus

Danny
Danny

Cheers, Marcus, I've been meaning to do more video posts, so this seemed the perfect format for the Q&A series. Thanks for continuing to support, mate, appreciate it. :)

Howie at Sky Pulse Media
Howie at Sky Pulse Media

After I finally send a Vuvuzuela to Gini, I need to get you a Devo hat Danny. It would be the ultimate conversation starter at conferences and new client pitches.

Marketing/Advertising/Media are so segmented it has to be the toughest situation for anyone to explain exactly what they do. I can only reinforce how important it is to look at someone and decide if they were going to remember only one thing that you do, and they will only remember one, what is it you want them to remember.

Danny
Danny

I think the biggest problem with folks in that space, Howie, is that it has such a bad rep as being full of people just out for a quick buck. Some of that is deserved, but a lot isn't.

So it makes it more interesting when you have to basically try and convince you're not a money-grabbing asshat. ;-)

Howie at Sky Pulse Media
Howie at Sky Pulse Media

After I finally send a Vuvuzuela to Gini, I need to get you a Devo hat Danny. It would be the ultimate conversation starter at conferences and new client pitches. Marketing/Advertising/Media are so segmented it has to be the toughest situation for anyone to explain exactly what they do. I can only reinforce how important it is to look at someone and decide if they were going to remember only one thing that you do, and they will only remember one, what is it you want them to remember.

Danny
Danny

I think the biggest problem with folks in that space, Howie, is that it has such a bad rep as being full of people just out for a quick buck. Some of that is deserved, but a lot isn't. So it makes it more interesting when you have to basically try and convince you're not a money-grabbing asshat. ;-)

Ari Herzog
Ari Herzog

Thanks for answering my question in a video. That's wicked cool. I enjoyed that your eyes stared directly into the camera lens -- and into my eyes as well. But why did the camera seem to shake whenever you moved your head? What kind of camera did you use? Was it not stationary?

But a question still remains: If you entered a roomful of strangers, say a cocktail party or a podcamp, and everyone introduced themselves one at a time, what would you say as your all-inclusive pitch? The same stuff that's in your bio off to the right of this page?

P.S. Thanks for activating the ReplyMe plugin (or are you using something different?) and I'd suggest editing your "subscribe to comments" sentences below so commenters know this. See my blog as an example. I'm purposefully not checking the box to receive all follow-up comments, for instance, now. ;)

Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion

Ari, how do you add that sweet little checkbox? I'm using ReplyMe as well (which has been freaking awesome) and I want to make sure newbies know they have a choice.

Marcus

Ari Herzog
Ari Herzog

Ditto what Danny already replied, except I merely customize the optional checkbox line of the original Subscribe to Comments plugin.

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

Ha! Ari I was thinking the exact same thing as you in regards to the camera shaking and the ReplyMe plugin :).

Now that I know it was him holding the cam (I figured him or someone else), I"m actually impressed that it didn't shake more than that now. Not easy keeping your hand up for 2 minutes holding something.

Thanks for the new heads up on replies Danny. Very practical.

Cheers

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

Ha! Ari I was thinking the exact same thing as you in regards to the camera shaking and the ReplyMe plugin :).

Now that I know it was him holding the cam (I figured him or someone else), I"m actually impressed that it didn't shake more than that now. Not easy keeping your hand up for 2 minutes holding something.

Thanks for the new heads up on replies Danny. Very practical.

Cheers

Danny
Danny

Hey there Ari,

Cheers for the question, mate. Yep, normally I have the camera on a mini-tripod, but I was just holding it this morning - I'll keep the tripod approach, methinks. ;-)

As an all-inclusive pitch, I go with the one mentioned in the video: "I help you grow." It works with pretty much any event or topic you could mention, and is a great leader to continue with.

And cheers for the tip on the comment copy - done and done! :)

Ari Herzog
Ari Herzog

Thanks for answering my question in a video. That's wicked cool. I enjoyed that your eyes stared directly into the camera lens -- and into my eyes as well. But why did the camera seem to shake whenever you moved your head? What kind of camera did you use? Was it not stationary? But a question still remains: If you entered a roomful of strangers, say a cocktail party or a podcamp, and everyone introduced themselves one at a time, what would you say as your all-inclusive pitch? The same stuff that's in your bio off to the right of this page? P.S. Thanks for activating the ReplyMe plugin (or are you using something different?) and I'd suggest editing your "subscribe to comments" sentences below so commenters know this. See my blog as an example. I'm purposefully not checking the box to receive all follow-up comments, for instance, now. ;)

Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion

Ari, how do you add that sweet little checkbox? I'm using ReplyMe as well (which has been freaking awesome) and I want to make sure newbies know they have a choice. Marcus

Ari Herzog
Ari Herzog

Ditto what Danny already replied, except I merely customize the optional checkbox line of the original Subscribe to Comments plugin.

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

Ha! Ari I was thinking the exact same thing as you in regards to the camera shaking and the ReplyMe plugin :). Now that I know it was him holding the cam (I figured him or someone else), I"m actually impressed that it didn't shake more than that now. Not easy keeping your hand up for 2 minutes holding something. Thanks for the new heads up on replies Danny. Very practical. Cheers

Danny
Danny

Hey there Ari, Cheers for the question, mate. Yep, normally I have the camera on a mini-tripod, but I was just holding it this morning - I'll keep the tripod approach, methinks. ;-) As an all-inclusive pitch, I go with the one mentioned in the video: "I help you grow." It works with pretty much any event or topic you could mention, and is a great leader to continue with. And cheers for the tip on the comment copy - done and done! :)

Patricia@lavender-oir
Patricia@lavender-oir

Hi Danny

Enjoyed the video. First time I have heard you speak and as I lived in Scotland for a couple of years; lovely to hear that Scottish accent again ;-)

Really great question and as I have just started out it is a question I get asked a lot. Some good suggestions in the comments too.

Patricia Perth Australia

Danny
Danny

Hey there Patricia,

Where about in Scotland were you? I haven't been there in a while, really need to visit soon.

That's what I love about blogging - the post is just the starting point, always enjoy seeing the shared ideas in the comments afterward.

Cheers!

Patricia@lavender-oil
Patricia@lavender-oil

You haven't lost the accent ;-) I was 2 years in Glasgow, training then working as a midwife.

Loved it there. The most generous people on earth :-) Some were so poor (first time I met children who played on the street cos they lived in the tenaments and had no backyard!). Yet they would put on a supper and invite me round to share what they had.

It sure was an education for this Perth gal lol And I stayed in the UK for many years working and loved it.

Patricia Perth Australia

Patricia@lavender-oil
Patricia@lavender-oil

You haven't lost the accent ;-) I was 2 years in Glasgow, training then working as a midwife.

Loved it there. The most generous people on earth :-) Some were so poor (first time I met children who played on the street cos they lived in the tenaments and had no backyard!). Yet they would put on a supper and invite me round to share what they had.

It sure was an education for this Perth gal lol And I stayed in the UK for many years working and loved it.

Patricia Perth Australia

Patricia@lavender-oir
Patricia@lavender-oir

Hi Danny

Enjoyed the video. First time I have heard you speak and as I lived in Scotland for a couple of years; lovely to hear that Scottish accent again ;-)

Really great question and as I have just started out it is a question I get asked a lot. Some good suggestions in the comments too.

Patricia Perth Australia

Patricia@lavender-oir
Patricia@lavender-oir

Hi Danny Enjoyed the video. First time I have heard you speak and as I lived in Scotland for a couple of years; lovely to hear that Scottish accent again ;-) Really great question and as I have just started out it is a question I get asked a lot. Some good suggestions in the comments too. Patricia Perth Australia

Danny
Danny

Hey there Patricia, Where about in Scotland were you? I haven't been there in a while, really need to visit soon. That's what I love about blogging - the post is just the starting point, always enjoy seeing the shared ideas in the comments afterward. Cheers!

Patricia@lavender-oil
Patricia@lavender-oil

You haven't lost the accent ;-) I was 2 years in Glasgow, training then working as a midwife. Loved it there. The most generous people on earth :-) Some were so poor (first time I met children who played on the street cos they lived in the tenaments and had no backyard!). Yet they would put on a supper and invite me round to share what they had. It sure was an education for this Perth gal lol And I stayed in the UK for many years working and loved it. Patricia Perth Australia

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

Thanks Danny - this little video was really helpful.

I think John Falchetto made an excellent point about listening and a great question by Mark as well.

What I've come to notice is that when I do mention my blog when asked "what I do in life" - people have been very responsive to that. On my side of the world, a lot of companies are still a bit behind when it comes to Social Media and tends to spark their interest.

That's why I recently incorporated that into my elevator pitch but like you and John said - the situation, the context and the person that is asking - should be taken into consideration. When a potential Bank or construction client asks (in a meeting or event) I may tend to skip that and stick to the MarCom and Copywriter pitch.

But in my case the two often come hand in hand as my blog is a way for certain clients to see ONE style of my writing - a kind of portfolio if you will.

Thanks for the interesting question Ari and again to you Bonsai Boy.

Happy Sunday
Cheers

Mark Harai
Mark Harai

Ah, thanks for that nice mention @Ingrid

And thank you @Danny for tolerating my ADD... It doesnt affect my ability to think, however, as you've probably noticed by now, I usually take a sharp left turn right off topic with my thoughts and contribtions haha - seriously!

Danny
Danny

It's these turns that make a blog's comments more interesting, mate. :)

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

My pleasure Mark. It was a very interesting question :). I'm glad you brought it up.

Danny
Danny

Hey there Ingrid,

I always smile when I get an alert that you've left a comment, since I know you'll always share a personal example, and it's a nice way to get to know you better. :)

Since Lebanon is "behind" when it comes to social media, do you find that helps or hinders you when it comes to selling your services?

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

Oh no! Now I'm thinking that my comments here are a bit self-centered - yikes lol ;).

Well I'm glad you're smiling and not taking them that way cause I certainly don't mean to be - I just try to relate.

I'm not much of a seller Danny - it's a small country and word of mouth is golden here. Either that or I'm selling without sounding like someone's who's simply trying to sell ;).

We're not behind in using Social Media - I think we excel in that actually lol. But companies are a bit behind in realizing it's potential when used properly. More and more, I see companies creating FB groups (much less for Twitter though) but I see only a handful that go about it well.

So to answer your question - yes and no!

Yes, telling some that I blog about Social Media tends to interest them. And going back to what John said - they try to think how it (or I) could help them. But again, if it's an elevator pitch - it will depend on who I'm talking to.

And no - there are still those who don't believe how it could help them or what they could gain from being "social" online. Besides the static website of course.

Howie at Sky Pulse Media
Howie at Sky Pulse Media

Don't you normally just say first floor twitter, second floor facebook, third floor blogs, fourth floor woman's fashion, fifth floor woman's accessories. sixth floor woman's shoes Ingrid?

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

Haha I know I was just kidding with you :). Not your bad at all! I took it as a compliment - always nice to know that people are interested in you.

Thanks Danny

Danny
Danny

Hey there miss,

Oh, no no no - definitely NOT self-centred, and that wasn't what I meant at all, so my bad! :)

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

Oh no! Now I'm thinking that my comments here are a bit self-centered - yikes lol ;).

Well I'm glad you're smiling and not taking them that way cause I certainly don't mean to be - I just try to relate.

I'm not much of a seller Danny - it's a small country and word of mouth is golden here. Either that or I'm selling without sounding like someone's who's simply trying to sell ;).

We're not behind in using Social Media - I think we excel in that actually lol. But companies are a bit behind in realizing it's potential when used properly. More and more, I see companies creating FB groups (much less for Twitter though) but I see only a handful that go about it well.

So to answer your question - yes and no!

Yes, telling some that I blog about Social Media tends to interest them. And going back to what John said - they try to think how it (or I) could help them. But again, if it's an elevator pitch - it will depend on who I'm talking to.

And no - there are still those who don't believe how it could help them or what they could gain from being "social" online. Besides the static website of course.

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

Thanks Danny - this little video was really helpful.

I think John Falchetto made an excellent point about listening and a great question by Mark as well.

What I've come to notice is that when I do mention my blog when asked "what I do in life" - people have been very responsive to that. On my side of the world, a lot of companies are still a bit behind when it comes to Social Media and tends to spark their interest.

That's why I recently incorporated that into my elevator pitch but like you and John said - the situation, the context and the person that is asking - should be taken into consideration. When a potential Bank or construction client asks (in a meeting or event) I may tend to skip that and stick to the MarCom and Copywriter pitch.

But in my case the two often come hand in hand as my blog is a way for certain clients to see ONE style of my writing - a kind of portfolio if you will.

Thanks for the interesting question Ari and again to you Bonsai Boy.

Happy Sunday
Cheers

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

Thanks Danny - this little video was really helpful. I think John Falchetto made an excellent point about listening and a great question by Mark as well. What I've come to notice is that when I do mention my blog when asked "what I do in life" - people have been very responsive to that. On my side of the world, a lot of companies are still a bit behind when it comes to Social Media and tends to spark their interest. That's why I recently incorporated that into my elevator pitch but like you and John said - the situation, the context and the person that is asking - should be taken into consideration. When a potential Bank or construction client asks (in a meeting or event) I may tend to skip that and stick to the MarCom and Copywriter pitch. But in my case the two often come hand in hand as my blog is a way for certain clients to see ONE style of my writing - a kind of portfolio if you will. Thanks for the interesting question Ari and again to you Bonsai Boy. Happy Sunday Cheers

Mark Harai
Mark Harai

Ah, thanks for that nice mention @Ingrid And thank you @Danny for tolerating my ADD... It doesnt affect my ability to think, however, as you've probably noticed by now, I usually take a sharp left turn right off topic with my thoughts and contribtions haha - seriously!

Danny
Danny

It's these turns that make a blog's comments more interesting, mate. :)

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

My pleasure Mark. It was a very interesting question :). I'm glad you brought it up.

Danny
Danny

Hey there Ingrid, I always smile when I get an alert that you've left a comment, since I know you'll always share a personal example, and it's a nice way to get to know you better. :) Since Lebanon is "behind" when it comes to social media, do you find that helps or hinders you when it comes to selling your services?

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

Oh no! Now I'm thinking that my comments here are a bit self-centered - yikes lol ;). Well I'm glad you're smiling and not taking them that way cause I certainly don't mean to be - I just try to relate. I'm not much of a seller Danny - it's a small country and word of mouth is golden here. Either that or I'm selling without sounding like someone's who's simply trying to sell ;). We're not behind in using Social Media - I think we excel in that actually lol. But companies are a bit behind in realizing it's potential when used properly. More and more, I see companies creating FB groups (much less for Twitter though) but I see only a handful that go about it well. So to answer your question - yes and no! Yes, telling some that I blog about Social Media tends to interest them. And going back to what John said - they try to think how it (or I) could help them. But again, if it's an elevator pitch - it will depend on who I'm talking to. And no - there are still those who don't believe how it could help them or what they could gain from being "social" online. Besides the static website of course.

Howie at Sky Pulse Media
Howie at Sky Pulse Media

Don't you normally just say first floor twitter, second floor facebook, third floor blogs, fourth floor woman's fashion, fifth floor woman's accessories. sixth floor woman's shoes Ingrid?

Ingrid Abboud
Ingrid Abboud

Haha I know I was just kidding with you :). Not your bad at all! I took it as a compliment - always nice to know that people are interested in you. Thanks Danny

Danny
Danny

Hey there miss, Oh, no no no - definitely NOT self-centred, and that wasn't what I meant at all, so my bad! :)

Trackbacks

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    February 13, 2011 at 11:37 am

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AllThingsM, Nate's Links and Cumulus Marketing, Blog Manana. Blog Manana said: New @DannyBrown Sunday Brunch – Elevator Pitch http://bit.ly/hKpa8e [...]

  2. Sunday Brunch – Elevator Pitch | 香港新媒體協會 says:
    February 13, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    [...] Sunday Brunch – Elevator Pitch originally appeared on Danny Brown – The Human Side of Media and the Social Side of Marketing under a Creative Commons license.   If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it! [...]

  3. A Question of Love | Above The Static says:
    February 14, 2011 at 11:56 am

    [...] bloggers have recently introduced great weekly Q&A features, such as Danny Brown’s Sunday Brunch, which got me thinking on the concepts of sharing knowledge and developing [...]

  4. Marketing 101: The Essentials | Davina K. Brewer | 3Hats Communications | Public Relations & Social Media says:
    May 26, 2011 at 9:37 am

    [...] to your customers, talk with your employees, your vendors; hone your elevator pitch. You want that great website, that “free” double-page spread in the local living [...]


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