The 1-minute Pitch!

So you get to the networking event, you grab a drink and begin to mingle with folks. Most conversations at networking cocktails give very few minutes for you to make your official networking information. Do you have a 1-minute pitch?

Well if you don't have it down, then you should. Here are six simple steps to developing your 1-minute pitch, so that you're ready for any event in the future.

1) Give your name and your company's name (or your profession/industry if you're 'freelance').

2) "Set the stage", give a brief overview of all that your business has to offer. (We're talking a one sentenct " I do XX.")

3) Give the location of your business and the area that you cover. (Many times this is a region, I travel from East to West coast a lot, I work in the LA-area, I do business in California/So.Cal...whatever)

4) Highlight one part of your business (What part of your professional background do you want to focus on, picking one is more memorable than saying "I do everything")

5) "Call to action", talk about what type of business you are looking for by focusing your efforts. (If you're an actor its "I'm looking for more comedic roles" if you're a businessman "I'm picking up some technology work", yadda yadda.)

6) "Close" use your company's motto or tag line before you move forward. ("I'm lovin' it!")

This pitch really applies to any and every industry with slight adjustments here and there to really fit what you're trying to accomplish out of the event. Go with a goal and use that goal to pitch yourself more effectively.

To be most effective you'll want to revise your pitch every week or two to be sure that your messages are in line with what you are looking for as a professional. This may be a very small part of your networking experience, but your pitch is something that can leave a lasting impression. Be sure when you follow up you mention something memorable from your conversation.

While every conversation can't be a winner, you can use your one minute to make the most of it. First impressions are all it takes!