Have your 'verbal business card' ready to present at all times!

When you're at a meeting, convention, or business gathering, you're bound to be asked what you do. But many people who are good at their jobs don't know how to explain them in a few words. Too bad. According to the Advantage Edge Newsletter, unless you have a verbal business card ready, you could miss an important connection, a future sale, or more.

Be ready with an answer you can give in 30 seconds or less because your listener has a very limited attention span, especially in the midst of a group. He or she may not even care what you do and may be just trying to make a little conversation.

Some marketers call this the 'elevator message'. If you had 15-30 seconds and were trapped on an elevator with the CEO of a company who you were about to approach to invest a million dollars in your company...what would you say to sell that CEO on your business?

That's where your advance preparation will allow you to grab his or her attention.

Don't just give your job title, tell about your business briefly using verbs, numbers, and PR techniques, say the experts at Nightingale Conant.

You may have spent a great deal of time designing your paper business card, but your verbal business card will be given far more often. That means designing it and rehearsing it can pay off by capturing and holding the listener's attention.

Added hint: Crazy as it may sound...practice in front of a mirror giving your verbal business card! Your facial and body language will communicate as much, or even more, than your actual words.

Some tips:
1. Make your VBC natural...not a 'canned speech' but a message that is confident, comfortable, as if you were simply talking to a friend.

2. Begin by writing down 2-3 sentences about what your job is and your company. Use active (action) words. Make it interesting.

3. Memorize the VBC so you know it backwards and forward! This helps as many people experience the fear of public speaking when asked what they do in meetings or publically. If you've given this same speech over and over, it will feel more natural every time you say it.

If you are having difficulty, you might:
1. Brainstorm with friends for ideas to help you develop your message.

2. Discuss your message with other professionals at networking
meetings and ask them to share their 'vbc' with you. From that information, adapt your message and test several to see which generates the most positive response. Don't be afraid to ask for feedback!

3. Check out our Strategic Partners for some great (discounted!) professionals who will help you develop this message or email us for some professional's names to assist!