8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is an essential reading for entrepreneurs, September 18, 2010
This review is from: Elevator Pitch Essentials: How to Get Your Point Across in Two Minutes or Less (Perfect Paperback)
Elevator Pitch Essentials is a fantastic little book. Within it the author concisely explains how to create a flexible and adaptable elevator pitch that can be used to talk to potential investors, customers, or anyone you'd like to share your startup, project, or proposition with.
The basic premise is that we should put less emphasis on the "how" and the myriad of small details of what you're offering, and instead on the bigger picture (the what, why, and who).
The book starts by defining what an elevator pitch is and shows you three practical examples of elevator pitches and why they work (which are as follows):
1) SalesLogix, a company the author used to work for;
2) This book;
3) His own personal pitch.
It's important to have these three very different examples because the corresponding elevator pitches include or exclude certain elements accordingly. For example, the SalesLogix pitch delineated the core proposition to customers by comparing the company's product with those of two well known competitors. Worth noting is that neither the pitch for this book itself nor the personal pitch focused on competition because it's not relevant or useful to convey what's being sold in those instances.
The book then goes on to describe the Nine Cs that make or brake an elevator pitch:
- Concise
- Clear
- Compelling
- Conceptual
- Concrete
- Consistent
- Customized
- Conversational
In addition to the nine points above, there are further recommendations about common mistakes that can occur when making elevator pitches, plus examples of "before" and "after" case studies.
Every entrepreneur and consultant should consider reading this book. While it's only a hundred pages long - a number that may scare people into thinking that it's too short or not a real book - this really is not the case. This quick, pleasant read highlights the value of cutting out the fluff and getting to the point of the matter.
Overall I feel the author takes his own advice in this title, delivering a book that is definitely concise, clear and pragmatic.
>>> WARNING ABOUT THE 1 STAR REVIEW BELOW <<<
At the time of writing this review, I've NOT had any association whatsoever with the author of this book, but I must say that the 1 star review below really looks like a personal grudge against the author Chris O'Leary.
The review in question does not seem to be relevant at all to the content of the book, and I highly doubt the reviewer even read the book. Let's debunk that fake 1 star review.
CLAIM: "this book has one single theme"
FACT: The book focuses on one thing and one thing only. It's a positive quality.
CLAIM: "That is, make some noise in an attempt to get people to listen to you, and don't give any information in the process."
FACT: The book never talks about "making some noise". On the contrary, it tells you how to respect other people's time, and how not to waste the opportunity at your disposal. The book is also full of specific information, and even step by step instructions, on how to create a honest, convincing pitch.
CLAIM: "Worse, the theme is that of promoting used car salesmanship antics."
FACT: Patently false. There is nothing shady in this book. The quality of the prose and the techniques illustrated are absolutely respectful of everyone involved.
My suggestion is to ignore that review, and get this book if you are interested in mastering the topic at hand.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Drives home the need for focus on what you are selling, September 1, 2010
This review is from: Elevator Pitch Essentials: How to Get Your Point Across in Two Minutes or Less (Perfect Paperback)
Mark Twain once said "I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time."
A good product has an essentially simple quality to it. Entrepreneurs who fail to close a deal complain the "Customer doesn't get it". The bigger story about an elevator pitch is a good one represents a sound understanding of the essential value of a product to the customer. It may seem overly simplistic but it is anything but.....
Chris does a great job of honing the message. Its tough to do well. It takes a lot or rewrites and failed customer calls, but as Twain knew well it takes a lot of time to get the story right. Chris's book helps you get there with fewer mistakes.
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1 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Absolute worst book I've ever read., August 26, 2010
This review is from: Elevator Pitch Essentials: How to Get Your Point Across in Two Minutes or Less (Perfect Paperback)
In a nut shell, this book has one single theme. That is, make some noise in an attempt to get people to listen to you, and don't give any information in the process.
In my opinion the author took the concept to far. In this book they repeated the theme of making a lot of noise and not giving enough detail. The reader is left without anything concrete to use. Worse, the theme is that of promoting used car salesmanship antics.
I'm giving the book 1-star, but only because that is the minimum.
A complete waste of money and time - and I'm being extremely kind when I say that.
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