The old, boring pre-planned 30-second-to-two-minute elevator speech is dead. Finally. Use these four tips to create a pitch that doesn’t sound like an outdated sales speech. Start your business relationships off on the right foot with a conversation, not a sales pitch!
- Start with a HOOK… It should not include any details about how you do what you do. So a car dealer may say, “I get you were you need to go.” A realtor may start with “I make sure you have a warm place by the fire.”
- STOP Talking… Don’t just do something, stand there. You need to give the listener time to contemplate what you just said, get confused, and want to know more.
- REEL them in… After a successful hook, don’t launch into a sales pitch or commercial. Begin to tell how you do what you do, but don’t give away the show. No good mystery movie starts out with, “the butler did it.” The movie keeps you in suspense until you’re dying to know.
- SERVE, don’t sell… Remain focused on your listener’s needs, not on your needs. The more you give to the world, the more the world gives back.
Now practice! For the full article and insight on supercharging your elevator pitch, visit Inc.com.
Check out the latest AHBA membership activity below over the last 30 days! Utilize the AHBA online member directory for more contact information.
Welcome to our newest members of the AHBA! To educate and engage, new AHBA Members are required to attend a one hour New Member Orientation as a final step in becoming a member. The next New Member Orientation is on May 21, 2013 from 3:30 to 4:30pm at the AHBA Office.
Advance Cabinetry, Kip Driver, Associate
Balken Roofing, Lauren Balken, Associate
Blossman Gas & Appliance, David Lipe, Associate
Daylight Solutions, Chris Manges, Associate
Emerald Cut, Stacy Lanning, Associate
Jeff Poe Construction Co., LLC, Jeff Poe, Builder
Parry Construction, LLC, Doug Parry, Builder
SLC, Inc., Stan Caton, Builder
Thank you for renewing your membership with the AHBA!
84 Lumber, Judy Dinelle, Associate
A-American Electric, Inc., Phil Wilson, Associate
Anderson Brothers Carpentry, Inc., Stephen Anderson, Builder
Asheville Mulch Yard, Daniel Pope, Associate
Atomic Solar, LLC, Ronald Frazier, Builder
Builtwright Construction, Co., Andy Gardner, Builder
CANA Construction, LLC, Todd Blevins, Associate
Carolina Drywall & Insulation, Inc., Chris Cradduck, Associate
Crossville Tile & Stone Gallery of Asheville, Sheryl Williams, Associate
Crosswell Construction, Inc., Mac Crosswell, Builder
Deltec Homes, Inc., Don Thompson, Builder
DSH Construction, LLC, Dan Hensley, Builder
Eagle Creek Home Builders, LLC, Jonathan Myers, Builder
Ed Holland Builders, Inc., Ed Holland, Builder
Goforth Builders, Bruce Goforth, Builder
Grove Park Fine Homes, John Truitt, Builder
Herrington Homes of the Carolinas, Inc., Douglas Cioce, Builder
HomeTrust Bank, Donna Reeves, Associate
Horace A Marlowe Builders, Inc., Horace Marlowe, Builder
Horizon Tile & Stone Gallery, Inc., Rick Gurney, Associate
Liberty Wood Products, Don Hill, Associate
Mayfair Partners, LLC., Greg Phillips, Builder
Mountain Marble & Granite, Inc., Laura Ford, Affiliate
The Design Center by Haywood, Tom Kern, Associate
Thomas F Wallin Bldrs, Inc., Thomas Wallin, Builder
Vandemusser Design, PLLC, Amy Musser, Associate
Wiggins-Hill, Inc, Steve Wiggins, Builder
Pending Members –In compliance with our Bylaws and the policies which have been put in place by our Board of Directors and the Membership Committee, Association procedure is to have new member applications approved by the Board of Directors and by the General Membership. Please look at the lists of all Members. If you know of any compelling reason that any applicant should not be considered for membership, please contact any AHBA staff member at 828-299-7001 or email your comments to the AHBA at [email protected]. All information given to the AHBA is held strictly confidential.
Christie’s Lighting Gallery, Christie Spino, Associate
Controlit, Inc., Ed Craft, Associate
Controlit, Inc., Adriel McIntyre, Affiliate
Lowe’s of East Asheville, Grant Kidd, Associate
Lowe’s of South Asheville, Chris Cali, Affiliate
Lowe’s of Weaverville, Zane English, Affiliate
Lowe’s of West Asheville, Billy Griffith, Affiliate
MB Haynes, Kimberly Basham, Affiliate
Quality Home Consultants, Jim Rauland, Builder
Signature Technologies of Asheville, Inc., Jamie Bradley, Associate
Signature Technologies of Asheville, Inc., John Pope, Affiliate
S.L.C. Inc., Stan Canton, Builder
The AHBA is sorry to see the companies listed below drop their AHBA Membership. If you know these past members or do business with them, please give them a call and invite them back to re-join the AHBA. Always strive to Do Business with Members!
Ashley’s Kitchen & Bath Design Studio, Ashley McElreath, Associate
Brown Dog Craftsmen Group, LLC, Justin D. Sanders, Builder
Carolina Craftsmen Builders, Inc., Curtis White, Builder
Swannanoa Carpet City, Inc., Don Robinson, Associate
Not an AHBA Member? Learn more about joining the Asheville Home Builders Association. Article posted by Christi Stokes, Director of Member Services & Special Events for the AHBA.