The dreaded elevator pitch.

It’s the quickie of marketing, the one-liner that you can whip out anywhere and knock someone’s socks off. It’s the perfect answer to “What do you do?”, the ultimate networking How YOU doin?

Meh.

It’s things like elevator pitches that make practitioners dread marketing their practice. And rightly so – elevator pitches really are quickies. They don’t give you enough time to get the job done.

Something More Meaningful

Sure it’s important to be able to describe succinctly what makes your practice special. But if you’re spending all your time in elevators, you’re missing out on something nicer and longer.

Does that mean it’s time to work on your candlelight dinner speech? No, because here’s the wonderful thing that happens when you get out of the elevator and into something more comfortable: you don’t need a speech.

Instead of struggling to master – or even like – networking, why not spend your time looking for opportunities to have longer, more meaningful encounters?

Stop Speed Dating

If you’re a shy or introverted practitioner, it’s a fair assumption that networking events and cocktail parties exhaust you. Right now, give yourself permission to not do that stuff. To stop the elevator groping and ease into something more satisfying. Skip anything that comes with a name tag. Forgo the shrimp cocktail orgy and spend your time and money in one-on-one intimacy.

Give yourself permission to market your practice your way. Yes, you need to get out there and grow your practice – you can’t hide inside forever. But do it in a way that fits you and you’ll have more energy, more success and a lot more fun.

If quickies with strangers are really what make you tick, then go for it. But if not, then cut yourself some slack and do it your way. It’s usually better than not doing it at all.