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Which would be your elevator's pitch (elevator speech :-)?
Initiator des Themas: Pablo Bouvier
Pablo Bouvier
Pablo Bouvier  Identity Verified
Local time: 23:28
Deutsch > Spanisch
+ ...
Dec 11, 2009

The goal is to sell your (translation) services to a client you meet in an elevator.
Take in account: You have less than half minute!

You should be concise, to transmit only a few ideas.
You should wake up curiosity, more than to bore with data.
You should transmit emotion, so that your the eyes shine when you speak about it.
You should explain the benefits of your servic... See more
The goal is to sell your (translation) services to a client you meet in an elevator.
Take in account: You have less than half minute!

You should be concise, to transmit only a few ideas.
You should wake up curiosity, more than to bore with data.
You should transmit emotion, so that your the eyes shine when you speak about it.
You should explain the benefits of your services.
You should end with an invitation to go on to the action (to give a visit card, a possible meeting, to send extended information …)


On your mark..., get set..., GO!

[Editado a las 2009-12-11 19:04 GMT] ▲ Collapse
 
mediamatrix (X)
mediamatrix (X)
Local time: 17:28
Spanisch > Englisch
+ ...
How about... Dec 11, 2009

Assuming that the lift passengers have already go on at least 'nodding terms':

When you've finished on the 4th floor, why don't you come up to the roof-top restaurant so we can have a quiet chat over lunch? I'll meet you there at... would one o'clock suit you?

Ups! - nearly forgot to say: 'Lunch is on me.'


Note: Not one single word about translations. Save that for the dessert course.

If you're a typical Brit, of course, it would go more like this:

dumdedumde (humming to oneself, trying to decide whether you're allowed to talk to anyone in the lift), dumdedumde, (10 seconds) dumdemdumde, dumdedumde, (28 seconds) Hello - err... 'scuse me... I don't suppose... TIME OUT!


MediaMatrix
 
Pablo Bouvier
Pablo Bouvier  Identity Verified
Local time: 23:28
Deutsch > Spanisch
+ ...
THEMENSTARTER
Are we businessman or are we simple scribblers? Dec 12, 2009

Considering the scarce answers to this challenge, I am beginning to suspect that commercial skills are not precisely a translators strong point.

Why then we complain about jobs scarcity, low prices, translators invisibility, and so far?
Are we businessman or are we simple scribblers?

[Editado a las 2009-12-12 10:59 GMT]
 
Parrot
Parrot  Identity Verified
Spanien
Local time: 23:28
Spanisch > Englisch
+ ...
No problem with admitting Dec 12, 2009

... yours truly is a simple scribbler (that's without detriment to the challenge and fun others may find in your question).

But after checking the bottom line, I have indeed come to the conclusion that I pay enough businessmen (like, my favourite agencies) to pitch me.

And come to think of it, I DO have someone on my side who I can suspect works in elevators...... See more
... yours truly is a simple scribbler (that's without detriment to the challenge and fun others may find in your question).

But after checking the bottom line, I have indeed come to the conclusion that I pay enough businessmen (like, my favourite agencies) to pitch me.

And come to think of it, I DO have someone on my side who I can suspect works in elevators... ▲ Collapse
 
Suzan Hamer
Suzan Hamer  Identity Verified
Niederlande
Local time: 23:28
Englisch
+ ...
Not to throw the cat among the pigeons . . . Dec 12, 2009

Hi Pablo,

I mentioned the elevator speech concept about a year ago (http://www.proz.com/forum/business_issues/118085-how_to_market_yourself_globally.html#970312) . . . Here's a different take on it:

"The theory is that you should be able to present yourself effectively to a complete stranger in the time it would take y... See more
Hi Pablo,

I mentioned the elevator speech concept about a year ago (http://www.proz.com/forum/business_issues/118085-how_to_market_yourself_globally.html#970312) . . . Here's a different take on it:

"The theory is that you should be able to present yourself effectively to a complete stranger in the time it would take you to share a ride in an elevator. Whether that is thirty seconds or a minute, or even slightly longer, you are supposed to distill the essence of who you are, what you do, and what you offer into an irresistible mini-pitch that opens up opportunities for you with new contacts.

Great idea. In fact, the only things wrong with it are:

1. the basic concept and expectations, and
2. its execution by most freelancers."


http://freelanceswitch.com/finding/not-getting-a-rise-out-of-your-elevator-speech/ ▲ Collapse
 
Laurent KRAULAND (X)
Laurent KRAULAND (X)  Identity Verified
Frankreich
Local time: 23:28
Französisch > Deutsch
+ ...
Either way one looks at it... Dec 12, 2009

business skills have to be learned and this - the elevator speech - is only part of what one can be taught, quite in the same way as speaking in front of a (large) audience.

[Edited at 2009-12-12 13:46 GMT]
 
mediamatrix (X)
mediamatrix (X)
Local time: 17:28
Spanisch > Englisch
+ ...
On the contrary Dec 12, 2009

Pablo Bouvier wrote:
... I am beginning to suspect that commercial skills are not precisely a translators strong point.


It's precisely because I have business skills that I consider 'fit for purpose' that I would never try to convince anyone - let alone a potential client - of the merits of my translation services in the circumstances suggested here.

My skills and merits have been built up over a period of around one thousand million seconds (give or take a few coffee breaks and rides in elevators...). It makes no business sense to even attempt to squeeze the essence of that into just 30 seconds.

MediaMatrix
 
Bea Geenen
Bea Geenen  Identity Verified
Mitglied (2008)
Chinesisch > Niederländisch
+ ...
Short and sweet. Dec 12, 2009

Although I have never actually used it in an elevator, I do have an elevator speech for the various business networking events I attend. Usually, there are so many people at these events, that you have to choose: either spend a larger amount of time with fewer people, or hit more people in a short but dashing way. Hence my short and sweet elevator speech:

Hi, I'm Bea - that's short for Beatrice - and I'm a translator. Here's my namecard. Don't lose it - you'll need it one day!
... See more
Although I have never actually used it in an elevator, I do have an elevator speech for the various business networking events I attend. Usually, there are so many people at these events, that you have to choose: either spend a larger amount of time with fewer people, or hit more people in a short but dashing way. Hence my short and sweet elevator speech:

Hi, I'm Bea - that's short for Beatrice - and I'm a translator. Here's my namecard. Don't lose it - you'll need it one day!

It works. ▲ Collapse
 
Pablo Bouvier
Pablo Bouvier  Identity Verified
Local time: 23:28
Deutsch > Spanisch
+ ...
THEMENSTARTER
Which would be your elevator's pitch (elevator speech :-)? Dec 12, 2009

Parrot wrote:

... yours truly is a simple scribbler (that's without detriment to the challenge and fun others may find in your question).

But after checking the bottom line, I have indeed come to the conclusion that I pay enough businessmen (like, my favourite agencies) to pitch me.

And come to think of it, I DO have someone on my side who I can suspect works in elevators...


You do not believe elevators speeches may have a long way to go...?
Even in half a minute. Have you ever tried it?
 
Parrot
Parrot  Identity Verified
Spanien
Local time: 23:28
Spanisch > Englisch
+ ...
Well... Dec 12, 2009

if the lift had mobile coverage...

To explain: I'm told I can be very impressive over the phone, particularly when I start to switch between calls in three or more different languages

On the street, anyway, it can start conversations going. In waiting rooms, it's almost a sure thing.

Underground, I've had strangers start talking to me when I lose coverage... See more
if the lift had mobile coverage...

To explain: I'm told I can be very impressive over the phone, particularly when I start to switch between calls in three or more different languages

On the street, anyway, it can start conversations going. In waiting rooms, it's almost a sure thing.

Underground, I've had strangers start talking to me when I lose coverage

And it can get you free coffee -- but a client? ▲ Collapse
 
Pablo Bouvier
Pablo Bouvier  Identity Verified
Local time: 23:28
Deutsch > Spanisch
+ ...
THEMENSTARTER
Which would be your elevator's pitch (elevator speech :-)? Dec 12, 2009

Bea Geenen wrote:

Although I have never actually used it in an elevator, I do have an elevator speech for the various business networking events I attend. Usually, there are so many people at these events, that you have to choose: either spend a larger amount of time with fewer people, or hit more people in a short but dashing way. Hence my short and sweet elevator speech:

Hi, I'm Bea - that's short for Beatrice - and I'm a translator. Here's my namecard. Don't lose it - you'll need it one day!

It works.


I like it. Short and effective.
 
Pablo Bouvier
Pablo Bouvier  Identity Verified
Local time: 23:28
Deutsch > Spanisch
+ ...
THEMENSTARTER
Which would be your elevator's pitch (elevator speech :-)? Dec 12, 2009

Parrot wrote:

if the lift had mobile coverage...

To explain: I'm told I can be very impressive over the phone, particularly when I start to switch between calls in three or more different languages

On the street, anyway, it can start conversations going. In waiting rooms, it's almost a sure thing.

Underground, I've had strangers start talking to me when I lose coverage

And it can get you free coffee -- but a client?


Well, I will risk for a free coffe, instead of a good client before risking to lose both.
In my country the usual picture when you take an elevator would be:

a) to whistle a song, while you look far-away at elevators roof (or at any other elevators place, except at your neighbor...)

b) a cutting and shameful silence...

c) to have a deep and very intereseting chat about thermodynamics, as: How hot is it today, do you agree? (Of course, I always agree, do not be they realise I do not understand anything about thermodynamics...)

or, if you are very lucky, about the last football match between Barça and Madrid.
These are the reasons why it is so difficult to have a meaningful elevators speech here.

[Editado a las 2009-12-12 19:09 GMT]
 
Pablo Bouvier
Pablo Bouvier  Identity Verified
Local time: 23:28
Deutsch > Spanisch
+ ...
THEMENSTARTER
Which would be your elevator's pitch (elevator speech :-)? Dec 12, 2009

Suzan Hamer wrote:

Hi Pablo,

I mentioned the elevator speech concept about a year ago (http://www.proz.com/forum/business_issues/118085-how_to_market_yourself_globally.html#970312) . . . Here's a different take on it:

"The theory is that you should be able to present yourself effectively to a complete stranger in the time it would take you to share a ride in an elevator. Whether that is thirty seconds or a minute, or even slightly longer, you are supposed to distill the essence of who you are, what you do, and what you offer into an irresistible mini-pitch that opens up opportunities for you with new contacts.

Great idea. In fact, the only things wrong with it are:

1. the basic concept and expectations, and
2. its execution by most freelancers."


http://freelanceswitch.com/finding/not-getting-a-rise-out-of-your-elevator-speech/


Very interesting links indeed, Suzan.
Thanks a lot to point this out.

[Editado a las 2009-12-12 19:21 GMT]
 
Parrot
Parrot  Identity Verified
Spanien
Local time: 23:28
Spanisch > Englisch
+ ...
Unless I'm mistaken... Dec 12, 2009

I'm in your country. It's just that the approach sounded so big-city America.

I live in a largely monolingual area with a notoriously low academic performance in foreign languages, which is perhaps why the waiting room situation always works. Somewhere out there is always some mother on the lookout for tutors, or worried about whether her kids are going to be able to hurdle a job interview.
 
Nicole Schnell
Nicole Schnell  Identity Verified
Vereinigte Staaten
Local time: 14:28
Englisch > Deutsch
+ ...
In stillem Gedenken
My elevator speech does not contain the word "translator" Dec 13, 2009

Whenever you meet someone, one of the first questions inevitably will be: "So, what do you do?"

I will say something like: "I am writing the German version of (my field of specialization / depending who I am talking to) for the German speaking market."

(Reaction: "Oh, wow!")

I avoid "translator / translation" because I am a bit tired of replies such as (quote):

- "Wow, my friends from Germany just made fun of the signs on the Warner Brothers p... See more
Whenever you meet someone, one of the first questions inevitably will be: "So, what do you do?"

I will say something like: "I am writing the German version of (my field of specialization / depending who I am talking to) for the German speaking market."

(Reaction: "Oh, wow!")

I avoid "translator / translation" because I am a bit tired of replies such as (quote):

- "Wow, my friends from Germany just made fun of the signs on the Warner Brothers parking lot. You should contact them and translate their parking signs!"

- "Translation? Don't they have machines for that?"

- "Oh, my daughter isn't doing well in her German class. Maybe you could help her with her homework?"

- "Oh, then maybe you can tell me which is better: Babelfish or Google Translate?"



[Edited at 2009-12-13 02:10 GMT] ▲ Collapse
 
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Which would be your elevator's pitch (elevator speech :-)?






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