5 Tips to Win Over a Crowded Room with your Elevator Speech

I've been crafting a new business, which is really an amazing process. 

Going out and talking to people to find out what they like and don't like about the current products and services, and then working to resolve those issues is an incredible journey for my new company and my own self-discovery.

There's more to networking than business cards.

A wise person once told me, the best bosses don't command their staff to do their jobs, they ask them how they can help their staff do their jobs better.

But what happens when the uber boss -- mainly moi -- is looking for someone to assist me in doing my job better?

It's an interesting paradox, because part of being a good leader is to always -- always -- remain confident in your abilities to lead. 

I'm not saying when in doubt, make it up. When I don't know the answer, I say so -- but I always follow-up with: "I'll find out."

No one knows everything. 

Which brings us back full circle -- who's the boss go to for help?

For years, I've been a big fan of the whole meetup phenomenon. A handful of years ago, I stumbled upon meetup.com for a social group related to one of my many hobbies.

I was instantly impressed at finding people in my neighborhood, interested in the same things I was, and even more impressed that they were interested in getting together to swap stories and experiences.

I've made some great friends through meetup.com -- which really is amazing, because not to knock the fabric which this blog is written on, but most people online are crazy.

Well, okay -- not most. But there are a lot of whackos out there in the cyberworld.

A real elevator speech?

I've been looking for people to share my experiences with professionally. I've joined professional development organizations in the past -- great people, but the most dull and dreary events.

It's one thing to find someone you can spend hours talking shop with, it's another if the venue or the event you are at is so dull, you're about ready to roll up in the corner and go for a snooze.

So I was hesitant to join any meetup groups for professional purposes. I prefer to sleep in my own bed thank you very much comfy corner.

But I've since attended a handful of professional meetup events, and been quite impressed. They were well run, well managed, and definitely not dull.

I can talk shop, and even more interesting, by simply listening to others, often solve my own issues.

And I'm learning -- I'm always learning -- but from these meetups, when we're asked to give our 30-second elevator pitch, I am learning from others what works, what doesn't, and that there are still a few crazies on the net that make their way into the room.

Like the guy that began to chew out one of the presenters in front of everyone in the middle of his presentation, simply because he didn't agree with the perspective of the presenter.

Awkward.

But in honor of yesterday's iPhone 5S and 5C release, as Steve Jobs used to famously say, but wait, there's more . . . 

Here are 5 things I've learned so far about winning over a crowded room with your elevator speech:

1. Be Front and Centre
   We were in a packed room of about 250 people, and I was constantly cramping my neck trying to see who was speaking, as most just stood up wherever they were to speak. Then, this one guy got up, started giving his speech, and while talking, waked up the middle isle, and right to the front of the room. Then he began to go back, again down the middle isle, as he wrapped up his speech. BRILLIANT! All eyes followed his every move, and made him all the more memorable.
   
2. Wear Bright Bold Colors
   I'm no fashionista, but even I washed out in my black suit and colourful tie. I noticed I paid more attention to men and women in bright red, blue and yellow as they stood out from the rest of the group.
   
3. Be Bold and Brief
   Half the room appeared to be developers and SEO specialists at one event. Then this guy stood up and declared: "I'm the best developer in this room, want to know more, I'm here." Got my attention, and showed some moxie.
   
4. Be Generous
   Of all the speakers, aside from the organizers, only one stood up, and thanked everyone for coming, sharing their stories, and then he thanked the organizers for a wonderful event. Not all business is rough and tough conquer and divide, a lot can be said for leaders that show some humility and humanity.
   
5. Love Bacon
   A woman concluded her introduction with: ". . . and I love bacon." Everyone laughed. Actually, later at the start of another elevator speech, a guy said: "and I love women that love bacon." Humour goes a long way in winning over people, especially if you want to be the one with the long line of people awaiting to talk to you during a break or at the end of the schedule of events. No, you don't have to love bacon, but it certainly doesn't hurt.