My speech was not structured well. That was the general feedback I received. When one is standing in front of a roomful of people, one needs to entice, and grip the audience’s attention. I should have started my speech with a story, a story of my failed attempt at speaking about my expertise. Below, you will find the content of my speech, I am sure it will benefit someone who needs some updated info on the elevator pitch.
But first, here’s the speech guidelines:
Deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting about your communication style and its impact on your professional and/or personal relationships. If you are uncomfortable discussing your communication style, you may speak about the communication styles you have encountered and how they impact you.
I usually write my speeches in short paragraphs and memorize the main points. This is my speech draft which I did not deliver verbatim:
Expressing Powerfully
I work with written language day in and day out, and yet when I was at a recent Women’s networking event, I stumbled over my own words. The question: ‘What do you do?’ stumped me. I was unable to share a clear concise summary of what I was all about.
Imagine the networking event, it was an after-work drinks, at an exclusive club. Many of the ladies were in stillettoes, branded handbags, perfectly manicured nails and wearing jackets. These were confident savvy women, eloquently sharing their ‘wow’ career path and smoothly handing out their namecard. It was like a dance that was perfectly choreographed. I felt clunky and odd in my flats and rather fusion informal look. In that ambience, I too wanted to make an impression. I am a successful entrepreneur, an author of 11 books, over 25 years of writing experience, and more recently a book coach.
However, I didn’t know how to say all of that and hold the interest of my audience. Instead, when I was asked the question: ‘What do you do?’ I mumbled: ‘I am an author and life coach’, and spent stressful seconds rummaging through my handbag for a namecard, which I managed to produce, but the lady who had shown some interest in me, had already moved on to the next person…
I came home that day feeling really awful – my inner critic in full volume telling me that I should be ashamed of myself. I am a woman who uses words for a living, why is it that I could not even articulate the right words to express my self! It was an angry internal dialogue, eventually I asked my inner critic to shut up. I reflected on my situation and realised something important about myself.
As speakers, most of you are well aware that 93% of communication is non-verbal. And the rest 7% are the words that we speak. My focus was on the 7%. Why? Because if I get that 7 % right I knew in my heart of hearts, I would succeed at a100%
I went straight for my laptop and began searching for a knowledgeable personality who would help me develop a power- packed summary of myself, and what I am all about.
Communication, in essence, is building connections, it is forging a rapport, invoking curiosity, so that the person is enticed and says those three magic words – tell me more!
I wanted the words to spill out, with emotion and power, to convey my purpose, all that in 30 seconds or less.
After much deep diving and research, I came across three important points that’s relevant:
- When someone asks what do you do, don’t tell them who you are, tell them what you do.
- People don’t really care about your process, what they are interested in is the impact and outcome you create, how you change or improve someone’s life.
- End the pitch with a question
All of this delivered in a clear concise powerful way. My sincerest thank you goes to Lisa Nichols. I have watched her video many times, I am in awe of her style and ability to express herself powerfully. Do watch if you want to get savvy in delivering a speech and how to pitch.
After learning from her I drafted a short snappy pitch about myself:
Instead of saying I am an author and a life coach. I say:
As a result of my 25 years experience as a writer, and author of 11 books, I have helped aspiring writers, busy individuals, and professionals, write their stories to inspire and spread their wisdom. In fact, one of my clients, a CEO, received glowing book reviews and the book is being used as a resource for MBA students. Who do you know who has a dream of writing a book?
The above pitch template is flexible, easily repurposed depending on my audience. It covers the main points, just enough to arouse curiosity.
That 7% of words, when delivered with the 93% of body language resonates with the listener, becomes powerful, and creates a connection with the listener.
People may understand you through your body language, but they will remember you through your words.
Shobha Nihalani: Meanderings 
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