‘Write an Elevator Pitch’ #31DBBBDay1 with @problogger

So, here we are, slightly later in the day than planned, but starting to engage with Darren Rowse’s 31 Days to a Better Blog. For those others of you who are going to follow it too, note the hashtag at the top (Darren offers a hashtag for each day, so we can see what others using the plan are doing). See the day’s challenge on the @problogger site.

So: What is an elevator pitch?

• An ‘elevator pitch’ should be 100-150 words.
• Have a short/sharp explanation to give to people when they ask what your site is about.
• Used: to communicate what you do
• Used: to encourage the listener to want to know more

Why would you bother with an elevator pitch?

• Forces clarity of thinking about what your site does.
• If we, as owners of the blog, are clear about what the site does
  • We can focus the content appropriately
  • Readers know what to expect, and are more likely to return
  • Search Engines will move us up the rankings
  • The pitch can be used in a range of places
    • Blog Tagline. We have: “Big Bible: Bigger Bible Conversations”
    • At the start of your ‘About’ page. Like many people I quite often look at an ‘About’ page early on in reading, as I want to know who is writing, and what their credibility for writing is – and also what they are likely to be focusing on. For The Big Bible Project, I am currently working on a new version of the ‘About’ page that sounds less like a funding bid, and more a statement of values (unless with this process I have to do this today).
    • Conversations, conferences, pitching to busy journalists/potential guest bloggers
    • Business cards/email tags/social media bios – gives people a REASON to visit.

Possibilities of what to include in a great elevator pitch

• The problem you are trying to solve/the solution to it
• Define your audience
• Use crystal clear English – avoid jargon
• Keep it short & punchy
• Use powerful words/imagery/story to attract attention
• Be intriguing – draw people in to want to know more
• Convey your passion for the blog but don’t overhype it.
• Ask a question (rhetorical is OK)
• See your elevator pitch as a ‘conversation opener’ and have more to say.

Consider having a short tag-line (around 6 words), and then a 1 minute pitch which gives an idea of the main topics covered.

Getting Started:

• Define audience
• Their need/problem
• Your solution

Develop 100-150 words, and think how you would debate this with another blogger. Print off and keep next to your computer for when you are writing your blog – always come back to the purpose.

Need some help?

• Brainstorm words related to your blog
• Ask friends/family for a sentence or 2 to summarise your blog
• Darren refers us to EC-101 as a good example – with a tag line in the title page, and then a Mission Statement (and a much longer ‘About’ page: why this blog developed, insights into the audience, background on person/people behind).

See also:

• Copyblogger: USP
• Jade Craven: Elevator Pitches for Landing Pages
• Darren Rowse: Develop a Twitter Landing Page

So, expect something in the comment field shortly with my attempt at a fuller ‘elevator pitch’.

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