How to Land New Business By Being Elevator-Ready

If you’re looking to land new business, it’s essential to have an elevator speech. This 30-second pitch allows you to explain to the target customer what that customer needs, the one key benefit that separates you and your competitor in the market, and why your unique business is exactly what your target customer is looking for. This short overview of your business, products, and services are one of the most powerful tools for business owners.  

You just read that the key investor in your field is eager to invest in companies like yours… and he just got in an elevator with you. He asks you, “What do you do?” but he’s getting off at the 10th floor. What will you say?

           

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A strong elevator speech is everything in today’s economy where 30 seconds can make a difference when it comes to building both your personal and professional brands. If you can’t articulate what makes you or your organization unique, your brand will suffer. Essential elements of a powerful elevator speech include being concise, using clear language, choosing powerful words, painting a visual, telling a story, and creating a hook.

To craft a strong business elevator speech you must identify your goal (to gain new business), target your audience, list what you do, and illustrate you and your company’s values.

• List what you do: Identify what it is you do that your customers truly appreciate demand, and are willing to pay top dollar for? (i.e. what did they endorse or recommend your business on LinkedIn for?)
• Illustrate your company’s value: SIR. The business speech to obtain clients or investors is through the use of Situation, Impact, and Resolution. Situation: cite the dilemma, pain, difficulties, or complications the prospect faces. Impact: quantify the impact that the situation is having on the bottom line. Resolution: How does your company solve the problem?

Example of a business speech our agency uses to obtain public relations clients or investors:

• Situation/Impact: Are your looking for a cost-effective way to promote your business and establish your credibility as a thought leader in your field in local, national, and worldwide well-respected print, TV, and radio media outlets such as the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, FOX, NPR, and online through social media outlets?
• Resolution: Our coverage for you through our long term media contacts in important publications or on TV or radio increases your company’s name recognition and credibility, attracts new clients, drives sales, provides social media content and makes people understand why it is worth paying your price for your product or services.

Example of an elevator speech we’ve used to bring in new business:

“I heard you mention you just started an all-in-one accounting firm for entrepreneurs and small businesses. If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to promote your business and establish your credibility as a thought leader in your field in print, radio, TV and through social media content, I can help you. I have a similar client that started his business in January 2006 without any clients and  is now the fastest growing CPA firm in Connecticut with over 300 new clients obtained in its first 16 months of business. This firm came us looking to further its media recognition, to reach consumers, and to build confidence in the uniqueness of its brand and comprehensive services. Would you be interested in hearing more?”

Now find out if you’re elevator-ready! Use the fill in the blank below to start creating your very own elevator speech so you can be ready for any opportunity.

Fill in the Blank Template:

“I heard you mention you _____________ (State the situation that your prospect is facing). If you’re looking for __________________ (What can your company bring to the table…how can you help them?) and _______________________________ (State a possible solution to the situation,) I can help you. We have ______________ (USP Resolution: example of how you helped a client or investor with a similar situation.) Here’s my business card. If you’d like to chat or if you’d like me to take you to lunch sometime, feel free to contact me.”

Ron and Jennifer are a husband and wife team who own MMC, a PR agency that combines the best of traditional PR with an online PR approach. They talk fast, and together wear many hats: PR strategist, professor, lawyer, writer, speaker, trainer, parent, and marathoner(s). Go ahead. Try and keep up with them if you can. www.magasmedia.com

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Is Your Elevator Speech Strong Enough to Land You a Job?

If you’re looking for a job, it’s essential to have an elevator speech. Not only just having one, but making sure it is intriguing and memorable is crucial, so that the person you are delivering it to will want to spend more time talking to you. If prepared for and delivered well,  this 30-second pitch will allow you to create a lasting impression with a person that may help you land a career. This short overview of who you are, what you do, and why you’d be a perfect job candidate is one of the most powerful tools to have in the business world. 

You just read that the key investor in your field is eager to hire people like you… and she just got in an elevator with you. She asks you,  “What do you do?” but she’s getting off at the 10th floor. What will you say?
                

A strong elevator speech is everything in today’s economy where 30 seconds can make a difference when it comes to building both your personal and professional brands. If you can’t articulate what makes you or your organization unique, your brand will suffer.

Essential elements of a powerful elevator speech include being concise, using clear language, choosing powerful words, painting a visual, telling a story, and reading a hook.

To craft a strong elevator speech you must identify your goal (to land the job), target your audience, identify your professional achievements, and illustrate your value as an employee.

Identify your professional achievements

• List any leaderships roles, internal processes or systems that you redesigned or improved, money you saved the company or the client, any special projects you worked on/led, any new programs, systems or processes you designed or implemented, any courses you’ve taken or certificates you’ve achieved, all awards and recognitions you won.
• Match your qualifications to requirements

Illustrate your value PAR: Project/Problem, Actin & Result:

• Project/Problem: Define the project/problem/challenge/situation
• Action: What was your action? What obstacles were you required to overcome? What skills did you use to solve the problem?
• Results: What was the result, how did it benefit the company? Express this by using numerical terms such as dollars, percentages, or hours saved.

Example on how to break the ice: How our intern Shaunna Cullen helped our public relations agency make a splash for a Special Olympics “Penguin Plunge” Charity Event:

• Problem: Assisted in executing and developing a localized media relations plan only two weeks prior to the event.
• Action: Adapted and re-wrote charity-generated announcements, correspondence,and press release information to earn sponsorship and attention from local media outlets and local civic groups and businesses.
• Results: Secured broadcast media placements on local radio, print and online publications resulting in increased donations over$10,000.

Example of a personal speech our former intern used to get the job:

“Are you looking for a writer with extensive experience in professional writing for radio, print, and public relations who has successfully raise over $10,000 in one day? My name is Shaunna Cullen, I am a student at SCSU, majoring in Journalism with a minor in English. I am confident I would be a great fit for your organization. I can work autonomously in a fast-paced environment which I demonstrated when I assisted in executing and developing a localized media relations plan for a charity only two weeks prior to the event. I can be an immediate benefit to your company because I am skilled at adapting and writing charity-generated announcements, correspondence, and press release information to earn sponsorship and attention from local media outlets and local civic groups and businesses.”

Now find out if you’re elevator-ready! Use the fill in the blank below to start creating your very own elevator speech so you can be ready fo any opportunity.

Fill in the Blank Template:

“I heard you mention you ____________ (State the situation that your prospect is facing) If you’re looking for _________________ (What can your company bring to the table…how can you help them?) and ______________________________ (State a possible solution to the situation,) I can help you. We have _____________ (USP Resolution: example of how you helped a client or investor with a similar situation. Here’s my business card. If you’d like to chat or if you’d like me to take you to lunch sometime, feel free to contact me.”

Ron and Jennifer are a husband and wife team who own MMC, a PR agency that combines the best of traditional PR with an online PR approach. They talk fast, and together wear many hats: PR strategist, professor, lawyer, writer, speaker, trainer, parent, and marathoner(s). Go ahead. Try and keep up with them if you can. www.magasmedia.com

MMC’s Gift to You: 12 Tips to Get the Most Out Of Your Media Coverage

Family. Friends. Football. Parades. Pumpkin Pie. Mashed Potatoes. Media Exposure? As the warm aroma of apple pie fills our kitchens this Thanksgiving, we all feel inspired to give. As a tribute to our professional relationship with you, the team at Magas Media Consultants, LLC (MMC) has prepared 12 tips to get the most out of your positive media coverage. While maybe not as tempting as turkey and gravy, these are ideas that work. Start using them now and improve your prospects for a happy holiday season and prosperous New Year. Enjoy these 12 holiday gifts to maximize your media coverage:

1. Share your media clips and company happenings with your social media fans and followers. Facebook, LinkedIn (don’t forget LI Groups) and Twitter are natural venues for this activity. Copy the link to your coverage, drop it into a status update or tweet, make a brief comment and send it out.
2. If your coverage has strong visual elements, consider using picture-based social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram. Then share those updates through your other social media accounts.
3. Does your media coverage answer a question or solve a problem? It might be appropriate to share it through LinkedIn Answers or Quora.
4. Are you using email marketing tools such as Constant Contact or MailChimp? Make your media clip the topic of an email blast.
5. Do you have a blog? Use your clip as the springboard for one or more blog posts. Expand on the ideas or add commentary that your followers will appreciate.
6. Frame print stories and hang them in the president’s office, lobby or waiting room. Framed copies can also dress up conference rooms and employee interview spaces if you have them.
7. Turn your best coverage – or excerpts from your coverage – into printed sales materials. Consider article reprints, brochures, and other elements of your sales kits.
8. Send media clips to venture capitalists or your company’s banking institutions.
9. Distribute your coverage to your company or organization’s strategic partners.
10. Mail your media clips to trade associations representing your company’s industry. A well-written note explaining the significance of the media coverage could get you an introduction to speak at trade events or to write a piece for that entity’s media (e.g., website, guest blog, print).
11. Incorporate your coverage into your company’s website. Be sure to include links to the full article if it is available online.
12. Do you have prospects that have gone cold? Positive media exposure can be just the catalyst you need to move the prospect from cold to warm, hot and closed! A short email like this, including a link to your coverage can do it: “When we last spoke, we discussed my company’s ability to serve your needs. Maybe this coverage in the Wall Street Journal will help you in your decision making. Let’s talk soon!”

Strategically sharing your media coverage in important publications or on TV or radio is one step in the PR process to increase your company’s name recognition and credibility, attract new clients, drive sales, and make people understand why it is worth paying your price for your product or services. When you or your organization have been featured in online, print, television or radio media outlets, you can multiply the value of your coverage by planning and executing a consistent process that incorporates some or all of these tips. Give these ideas a chance, and let us know if you have questions. We look forward to celebrating your success and seeing you alongside our clients in FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Business Week, USA Today, Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, Bloomberg Radio, AP, and NPR!

Ron and Jennifer are a husband and wife team who own MMC, a PR agency that combines the best of traditional PR with an online PR approach. They talk fast, and together wear many hats: PR strategist, professor, lawyer, writer, speaker, trainer, parent, and marathoner(s). Go ahead. Try and keep up with them if you can. http://www.magasmedia.com

Public Relations: Know it and Use it

Every independent consultant and small business owner is personally challenged with finding the right mix of high-impact, low cost marketing programs. Mention the word “marketing” and traditional advertising venues such as print, radio, direct mail and cable TV, immediately come to mind. Yet, the most cost-effective way to reach your audience is through public relations.

Public relations (PR) is often misunderstood; you may consider it a “nice-to-have” luxury, or a big ticket business expense that can only be handled with the help of a high-priced PR firm. This is not the case! PR is all about visibility, credibility, image and reputation. The goal of PR: to earn understanding and support as well as influence opinion and behavior.

PR is a planned and sustained effort—more like a marathon, rather than a sprint – to establish and maintain goodwill and mutual understanding between you and your public. In simpler terms, PR is accurate, consistent, and timely communications that convey the  right message to the right audience.

The term “public relations” is often used interchangeably with “media relations.” In reality, “media relations” is one tactical element of PR – however, by far, it is the most  essential component of a public relations program. The media are a crucial and vitally important community through which you can reach your target audiences.

It takes a combination of focus, hard work, time, determination, and just a little dash of luck, to build and maintain a successful business image. As long as you are proactive about staying in front of your target audiences by working closely with us to keep your message consistently in the press, you will soon earn your audience’s respect and business. Once this happens, you will know firsthand how powerful good PR can be!

Turkey. Mashed Potatoes. Gravy. Pumpkin pie. Family. Friends. As the warm aroma of apple pie fills our kitchens this Thanksgiving, like many of you during this continued time of economic changes and challenges, I feel fortunate for so many things: my health, my loving family, and the continued success of MMC due to your patronage this past year. Many families and businesses were not so lucky. On this Thanksgiving I cannot help but think of my 6-year-old daughter’s concern for the families who lost their homes, their possessions, everything in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. “But Daddy, where will they go, what will they eat, where will they sleep?” In the days following the storm when we watched TV under a false sense of normalcy due to generator power, Mackenzie saw a young girl her age crying on the news; her family had lost their home. My little girl locked her tear-filled eyes with mine. “Daddy, I know you’ll help that family. I trust you.”

As any father would, I took my daughter’s trust in me seriously. The very next day both she and her younger brother helped me donate money to various organizations helping with relief efforts and we brought bottled water to a local Sandy donation drive. I wanted my children to see firsthand how trust and gratitude translate into living with integrity. This was my message on that day to my daughter and son. Yet every day I am fortunate enough to be the recipient of a powerful personal and professional message from you; you trust that MMC will take care of your friends and colleagues. As president of the company, I am committed to keeping this trust. And I thank you. I am honored by the client referrals we have received in the past year alone, and I am very grateful that you value and respect my company enough to recommend it to others. I know that all of our accomplishments would be impossible without the support, collaboration and professional relationships you provide MMC.

When I look in my own children’s’ eyes during the holiday season I can’t help but ask myself: am I doing enough to give back, to show my gratitude for all my blessings? This time of year, to me, is about the children. And that’s why MMC is partnering again with the Monroe Police Department and Special Olympics Connecticut in promoting its third annual “Plunge at the Park” charity event. The “Penguin Plunge” will be held on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at Great Hollow Lake in Wolfe Park in Monroe. We expect to have local businesses, professionals, students, civic groups, law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, town officials, and several of our athletes donning costumes, team jerseys and bathing suits to “take the plunge” to support Monroe and our surrounding communities’ athletes! If you are interested in joining us in donating – or even taking the plunge! – you can contact us or follow us on our Facebook “Monroe Plunge Connecticut” page. Your generosity would greatly help make this day memorable and meaningful for our local athletes.

I would also like to congratulate all of our clients on their positive media coverage this past year. I am delighted that our clients continue to be regularly featured in such notable local, regional, national and worldwide online, print, television and radio media outlets. Such outlets include, but are not limited to: FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Business Week, USA Today, Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, Bloomberg Radio, AP, and NPR. I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank each of our clients for allowing MMC to guide and help them achieve their public relations initiatives and personal goals.

Once again, on behalf of all of us at MMC, I thank you for your ongoing support and continuous feedback on our efforts. We wish you and your family a warm, healthy and happy holiday season.

Warm Regards,
Ron

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Monroe-Plunge-Connecticut/107727765959947

Magas Media Consultants, LLC Congratulates the 2nd Annual “Plunge at the Park” on its’ Success!

2nd Annual Plunge at the Park

Magas Media Consultants, LLC wishes to congratulate the Monroe Police Department and Special Olympics, Connecticut on making its 2nd Annual “Plunge at the Park” at Great Hollow Lake in Wolfe Park on Sunday, December 11th a success! We are proud to have volunteered our time to produce media coverage for the event, including Facebook coverage, articles and videos on Channel 17, Monroe.Patch.com, the Monroe Courier, the Connecticut Post (online and print editions) and radio coverage on News Radio 88, 1010 WINS, and WEBE108. Below you will find links to some articles, videos, and photos from the “Plunge at the Park” event:

Article/Video on Monroe.patch.com: The Plunge in the Park Keeps Growing [VIDEO]

Sixty-eight people ran into Great Hollow Lake for the Special Olympics’ fundraiser Sunday. (Make sure to click on photo to see video!).

http://monroe.patch.com/articles/plunge#photo-8678913

Photos on Facebook: 2nd Annual “Plunge at the Park” for Special Olympics, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011

Thank you, Monroe. We are so grateful for all of you who came out to show your support for those who plunged for the Monroe Police Department’s 2nd Annual “Plunge at the Park” charity event benefiting Special Olympics Connecticut. Because members of the Monroe community and the EMS, fire, and police departments have such caring, warm hearts, over 68 enthusiastic “penguins” plunged into the chilly water at Great Hollow Lake in Wolfe Park on Sunday, December 11, 2011 to demonstrate support for our family, friends, and neighbors with intellectual disabilities. (To see more, click on link below).

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.238056469593742.52637.107727765959947&type=1&l=40a9e63001

Magas Media Consultants, LLC Promotional Video for 2nd Annual Plunge at the Park:

The Monroe Police Department, Special Olympics Connecticut, and Magas Media Consultants, LLC would like to invite you to run, jump, or dive into Great Hollow Lake on Dec 11th and make this year’s 2nd Annual “Plunge at the Park” a great success! Check out our video from last year’s event!

We also wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to those of you who came out to support us during the plunge – yes, both Jennifer, Mackenzie (only 5 years old!), and RJ (only 3 years old!) Magas braved the icy cold waters of Great Hollow Lake! Special thanks to our family, friends, and colleagues who donated their time or who contributed online donations to this worthwhile cause. Our “Magas Family Plunge” was in honor of Cousin Ryan O’Malley whose spirit was with us when we plunged into the icy waters; his enthusiasm and passion for fundraising kept us warm on that cold day!

Because of your generosity last year’s event raised $3500, and by the end of last Sunday’s event we have already doubled that total (final count pending as donations are still coming in). Please enjoy the photos and videos of the sunny and brisk day where you can see the enthusiasm and joy on the faces of those who plunged and those who came to support them. During this holiday season of giving, we gratefully thank you. We also look forward to seeing you at the lake again next year for another wild and crazy….and meaningful plunge! Happy Holidays to you and your family!

MMC Wishes You a Healthy, Happy, and Prosperous 2011 Holiday Season

Turkey. Mashed Potatoes. Gravy. Pumpkin pie. Family. Friends. As the warm aroma of apple pie fills our kitchens this Thanksgiving, I am transported back to my childhood, watching my mother in her kitchen, which she ran like her travel business — with a lot of love, emotion, and good conversation. Her business thrived for more than 30 years because her clients trusted her. As a little boy she used to say to me, “Life is all about trust, Ron. It’s what you do with other people’s trust that will determine what kind of man you are. It will determine who you were meant to be.” My mother impressed upon me that the continued support from my family, friends and colleagues, both personally and professionally, sends a powerful message; all of you trust that MMC will take care of your friends and colleagues. As Bea’s son and president of the company, I am committed to keeping this trust. And I thank you.

Of course, Bea was not the only one to impress upon me an important business – and life – lesson that I am thankful for. As a young boy I watched my father, an oil company CEO, greet the oil truck drivers at dawn, chat with them about their day, and hand them an apple before working a long, hard day in the office and still finding time to come home and play catch with his son; this sent a powerful message to me about loyalty, commitment, and giving to others. When I look in my own son’s eyes, I think about my father. And this drives me. This past year I ran my first 5K (at the urging of my running-obsessed spouse). While this was a personal effort to improve my own health, it also allowed me to give back to the community by providing pro bono PR services to the Sprint for Monroe on June 5th, 2011, whose proceeds benefited many local charities. And yes, my father was there, holding my son’s and daughter’s hands, to watch me cross the finish line. For that, I am also thankful.

When I look in my own childrens’ eyes during the holiday season I can’t help but ask myself: am I doing enough to give back, to thank my parents for providing me with such amazing love, warmth, and opportunity? This time of year, to me, is about the children. And that’s why MMC is partnering again with the Monroe Police Department and Special Olympics Connecticut in promoting its second annual “Plunge at the Park” charity event. The “Penguin Plunge” will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at Great Hollow Lake in Wolfe Park in Monroe. We expect to have local businesses, professionals, students, civic groups, law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, town officials, and several of our athletes donning costumes, team jerseys and bathing suits to “take the plunge” to support Monroe and our surrounding communities’ athletes! If you are interested in joining us in donating – or even taking the plunge! – you can contact us or follow us on our Facebook “Monroe Plunge Connecticut” page. Your generosity would greatly help make this day memorable and meaningful for our local athletes.

MMC continues to grow, and I am so thankful to you for our continued success. I am honored by the client referrals we have received in the past year alone, and I am very grateful that you value and respect my company enough to recommend it to others. I know that all of our accomplishments would be impossible without the support, collaboration and professional relationships you provide MMC.

I would also like to congratulate all of our clients on their positive media coverage this past year. I am delighted that our clients continue to be regularly featured in such notable local, regional, national and worldwide media outlets. Such outlets include, but are not limited to: FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Business Week, USA Today, Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, Bloomberg Radio, AP, and NPR. I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank each of our clients for allowing MMC to guide and help them achieve their public relations initiatives and personal goals.

Once again, on behalf of all of us at MMC, I thank you for your ongoing support and continuous feedback on our efforts. We wish you and your family a warm, healthy and happy holiday season.

Warm Regards,
Ron

Welcome!

The goal of public relations is simple – to build a connection. How you choose to construct and present your message, whether through the media, printed materials, Internet, or other channels of communication is important, but all of these depend upon whether or not you reach and influence your intended audience.

MAKE THE CONNECTION

Magas Media Consultants, LLC (MMC) develops public relations programs that connect our clients to the audiences they need to reach. If your organization is looking to sell a product or service, excite investors, highlight an important social issue or communicate during a crisis, our media relations consultants have the experience, creativity, and resources to establish your company as the best amongst your competition.