40 seconds has gone in a flash .....

Any tips on how to make the 40 second slot more compelling (bait the hook, tell a story) .... please let me have some of your tips on what works best and what does not.

Steve

I always find a topical reference interesting - referring to something in that day's news bulletin, for example - and shows the speaker has their finger on the pulse and is adaptable enough to slot it into their 40 seconds.

And of course, humour always works for me.........

Why complicate things?

I am ...
I can do this for your company/ business
If that interests you, book your 1-2-1 with me
I am ...

Of course, waffling, mumbling, eating etc will put people off but if you've something that's genuinely required, and your message is focused, people will want to speak with you.

Remember, you're not required to spell out your life story in your 40 seconds, just make people aware of how you can improve their business.

Steve,

Some tips . . .

Say something, anything, before your name.  This allows people to get in tune with your voice.

Hold up your namecard so people can see it and read it, just in case they still didn't catch your name.

Do what Lee says above ^.  Think of the 40 seconds as the process to get three 1-2-1s.

Something like  "Wouldn't it be awful if there was some government funding available for your business and you didn't know about it?  Let's have a 1-2-1 and we can see if there is."

Hope that helps.

Ian 

Don't waffle and say something that'll get attention.

"I can help you get the FREE funding for training that your business is entitled to, so if you want to know more lets have a 121 and thats free as well"

K.I.S.S

It's the 'don't waffle' that's the key point here. 40 seconds is a limit, not a target!

"If you want help with XYZ, or are looking to do ABC, come and have a 121".

Probably 15 seconds if you've got a complex offering, barely 10 if not.

You can even leave out the whole "I'm so and so from so-and-so Ltd" if you want - people will remember your face, not your name for the short period of time between the 40s and the 121s.

Mine is about 11 seconds typically.  I never need to go hunting for someone to have a 1-2-1 with.

By the way, and he's on hols at the moment, Nick Hill is the man for getting you sorted if you want help personally.

Can you put your '40 seconds' into a tweet? If not, you need to focus some more.

Some great advice from all - thanks for that.

I really like the 'keep it to 140 characters' approach from Lee ... I will work on that!

Any other thoughts very welcome.

Thanks for asking the question I need to work on my 40 sec's so I will take on board all that has been said...some great advice.