“You have to stay as advanced as possible to keep yourself in the game,” says righty Lance McCullers.
Technology has started making pitchers in baseball excellent, and perfect their pitches simply by using this form of technology. My brother was a pitcher when he was younger and this new technology really would have helped him improve his pitching skills.
Rapsodo Baseball Pitch Training Solution Takes New Features For A Spin and helps provide coaches and players actionable data insights.
Pitch training using the iPad, this is so cool. My brother growing up was a pitcher and would throw hundreds of pitches daily to perfect them. It would have been so cool to use this app while he was training. I cannot wait to see how much better pitchers in the future become.
Weather you’re an entrepreneur, marketer or sales person, you’ll be challenged with getting your elevator pitch down to a T!
The concept is simple: communicate what you do in the time it takes to ride an elevator from ground level until the door opens and you have to leave (depending on the city you're living in, this could be a rather short 30 second ride or up to 2 min). Basically, you have about 1--2 minutes to leave an impression powerful enough to get someone to continue the conversation after exiting the elevator. Read more
Here's a basic 3 step structure that can help you craft your elevator pitch:
Step 1--Connect with Empathy
Create a specific pain statement for the customers you’re targeting. You really only want to talk to people who are willing to pay for the problem you solve. Otherwise you are wasting your time and effort. For example:
You know how growing companies with revenue over $5,000,000 struggle with getting sales people to say the same thing, let alone the right thing? Often they grow on the sales ability of the entrepreneur, never putting efficient marketing systems in place; then they hit a plateau and can't scale.
If the people hearing this don't get it or know someone who would, they can answer no and you can move on, having wasted less than 20 seconds. But if their company is suffering from the issue you've outlined, you'll be able to quickly assess if they identify the with painfully in the scenario. You’ve now started to build empathy as they affirm that the picture you painted is a frustrating challenge for them. Now you’ve got their attention!
Step 2--Offer an Objective Solution
So now they are listening, but don’t go for the close just yet. Continue by quickly and concisely presenting an objective solution to their challenge. Begin with the entrepreneurial mantra: Wouldn't it be great...? For example:
Wouldn't it be great if there were a company that could design and implement comprehensive marketing that makes your sales process efficient and lets your salespeople close more deals?
If people don't respond positively to this statement then they weren't really connecting in Step 1 and you can dump the conversation having only wasted 30 seconds total. Those who connect should be nodding their heads, thankful that someone finally gets their frustration.
Step 3 - Provide Differentiation
Now they are 90% there. The best way to close is by explaining why only you are the best to provide the solution they need. You have to be ready with a couple of points that truly differentiate you from your competition. Note that "Experience" or "Great Customer Service" won't make you stand out since all of your competitors claim the same even if it's not true. A true differentiator is something your competitor can't do or won't do without great effort or expense. Here's the finish:
My company uses proven project management and storytelling techniques honed from our background in theater. Additionally we use proprietary processes outlined in my #1 bestselling marketing books and my national column on Inc.
Perhaps I could send you a link to my column or a couple of chapters from my books?
If they say no, you only wasted 1 minute. If they say yes, you have succeeded in starting a conversation that may lead to business. The last line is incredibly important because it gives you permission to get their email and pursue a relationship. Even if you aren't a writer, have compelling content like white papers, videos or blog posts ready to email and support your pitch as promised. That way you won't have to carry a ton of collateral into every elevator!
Remember: an elevator pitch is not a hard sell; rather see it as a conversation to build empathy with your ‘right’ customers. Most importantly, use the opportunity to demonstrate that you get their 'pain points' and that you have a compelling value proposition that can help them solve their challenge.
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Norm Miller comes out of the shadows to express himself about baseball. The modern game, new coaching, and the "up and comers" who have no clue what is going on. If you want to hear the truth about baseball, Norm is your man.
