Article: When you're giving your pitch, don't stare at the floor or the ceiling or your listener's shoulder. Look them in the eye while you're speaking to them. This can make your listener feel more connected and you seem more professional. Introducing yourself to a complete stranger and then listing your accomplishments and goals can make you feel very vulnerable. However, acting confident even if you don't necessarily feel that way can make a big difference in how your listener perceives you. If you sound like you believe you are qualified for a new position or can accomplish the goals you lay out, your listener is more likely to believe it, too. The best way to keep your listener engaged is to use words that grab their attention. One of the reasons some people sound as if they speak with low energy if because of their word choice. Some examples of attention-grabbing and descriptive words include "immediately," "guaranteed," "instantly," "explosive," "exclusive, "amazing," "eye-opening," and "fearless." You want to make sure that you seem friendly, open, and inviting as you give your pitch, and the best way to do this is through body language. Face your listener straight on, keep your hands out of your pockets, and stand up straight. The most engaging elevator pitches are those made by people who make you care about what they are saying. A good way to get your listener to care is to share your motivation for meeting certain objectives. For example, your motivation for increasing your company's sales numbers might be that you believe that the services your company provides will truly improve your clients' quality of life. This is an excellent motivation beyond wanting more clients or to make more money. You can say something like "I spent a few weeks on a study abroad trip in India, where I learned just how important clean drinking water is to a family's overall health. I believe that getting our water filters into as many homes as possible will truly help to improve our clients' and clients' families' quality of life." The quickest way to lose someone's attention during an elevator pitch is to use field- or company-specific jargon. If your listener doesn't understand what you're saying, they won't stay engaged for long. The simpler and more direct your language, the better. When you're giving your pitch, don't just drone on to the end of it and then walk away. Ask your listener questions what do they do for a living? Where did they go to school? Showing interest in your listener makes your pitch part of a conversation and not just a monologue.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Make eye contact. Be confident. Use attention-grabbing and descriptive words. Pay attention to body language. Share your motivation. Avoid jargon specific to your field or company. Show interest in your listener.