| When you meet someone new and they ask what do | | | | you have the opportunity to talk about your business |
| you do for a living or what type of business are you in | | | | to those who have an interest. |
| (and this is a question that is asked often) do you have | | | | Let's say, for another example, if you were a |
| an answer ready. Or are you unprepared and stumble | | | | computer technician like Dave of You wouldn't want to |
| and stammer and leave them confused about your | | | | use the statement; "I fix computers," as a reply about |
| business. Or is your answer so short that they can not | | | | what it is that you do. You want to add in a short |
| form a picture. | | | | description and catch the listener's attention. For |
| You have only one shot at a social networking offline | | | | instance, you might say, |
| pitch and sharing the highlights of your business to | | | | I'm one of a handful of people in the US who is |
| peaking the listeners' interest. A great offline pitch | | | | capable of repairing your computer without coming to |
| makes a good first impression that can lead to future | | | | your house - I fix 'em via your Internet connection. I |
| business. Even though that person you are talking to | | | | also provide customized mentoring on a wide variety |
| may not make a purchase from you, leaving them with | | | | of computer subjects also using your Internet |
| a good impression of your business will encourage | | | | connection. You never want to be caught off guard |
| them to share your information with others because | | | | when someone asks about you and your business. |
| you did have a great pitch that was short, informative | | | | Always have that (offline landing page) business card |
| and held their interest. | | | | close to your reach. After you have presented your |
| A good social networking business pitch has to be | | | | pitch, offer a business card and ask them to please |
| summarized in one or two short paragraphs describing | | | | take a look at your Web Site. Remember the more |
| the business concept. | | | | business cards out there floating around the more |
| My offline pitch is, when asked, "What line of business | | | | traffic and business you are going to receive. |
| are you in": | | | | Make sure you have a free download form on your |
| "I teach an Internet Online Business class at the Tampa | | | | web site on a free "How To" book or a free report on |
| Bay Computer Society where I provide all the needed | | | | the benefits of your product) so your new visitor will |
| information to start and maintain an online business on | | | | opt-in and become a future customer if they do not |
| any imaginable topic, with no product, with no financial | | | | take any action on the first visit. This way you have a |
| investment and with little or no technical skills no matter | | | | second chance in the future to give them further |
| how new you are to the Internet. More and more | | | | information on your product. |
| people are entering the world of online marketing and | | | | The next time someone ask about your business, |
| for good reason, because there is money to be | | | | share your pitch with him or her. Refine you pitch to be |
| made." Prior to my association with the Club, I used a | | | | short but as descriptive as possible. In time your words |
| similar pitch on the President of the Tampa Bay | | | | will become a well-crafted summary that will hold the |
| Computer Society and he very politely smiled and said | | | | interest of everyone. |
| under his breath "Yeh Right" (not fully understanding | | | | Word of mouth is viral marketing and one of the |
| the "no financial investment" part) but it still peaked his | | | | easiest and best ways to build your online business |
| interest enough to ask more questions and to check it | | | | and with a great pitch it will get others talking. (Note) |
| out further.... and the rest is history. | | | | Your business card is your offline-landing page that will |
| Keeping your pitch simple and giving a picture of the | | | | lead to many visitors to your online business. So |
| business will usually lead to more questions about your | | | | everywhere you go present your well crafted pitch |
| online business, which is exactly what you want. Now | | | | and pass those business card out. |