Your Barbershop Elevator Speech
Posted by Alan Lamson | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on June 20, 2011, 7:00 AM
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Click this link to read my column from the May/June issue of The Harmonizer. In it, I discuss the concept of an “elevator speech” or an “elevator pitch.” It’s a business term for having a quick and impactful way to explain who you are and what you do to a total stranger — one that could take place in less than the length of a ride in an elevator. (Explanations and examples from the business world are here, here and here.)
In my column I discussed how wearing the pin at the left (get your own here) has helped me and members of many chapters start conversations about barbershop harmony and about their chapters. People see the pin and want an explanation. The natural next step is to know what you are going to say to them in response. Here’s your opportunity to share and refine your own!
What’s yours? Share it here!
Do you have any other successful conversation starters? Any other openers for sharing the message of barbershop harmony with friends and strangers alike? Share them here, too!
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I had a similar idea about a month ago and my chapter PR guy didn’t think much of the idea. Bet he changes his tune after he reads this article. Thank you Alan.
Certainly not the only idea and may not be the best idea. But it works – that I know personally. We just need to be upfront about our avocation and willing, nay eager, to talk to anyone and everyone about it. If we wear these buttons and get one question a week, I will bet that is one question a week we never got before!
We have chapters ordering the buttons for all their members. We have families buying the buttons. We just need to do two things with them – wear them everywhere except to our chapter meetings (they already know what we do) and be prepared with the simple 30 second elevator speech. We just need to get that door of opportunity to open and be prepared to step through it by invitation.
Our “Harold Hill” guy hadn’t ordered the I Sing button yet, so three of us pitched in and purchased one for each Chapter member, plus some extras for new recruits. They do stimulate interest.
However, I have a question about the the “Harold Hill Project” article that appears in LiveWire. The first announcement about entering drawings for free tickets and Harmony University, appeared in the 5-3-12 issue. Why is that available only for Chapter Officers, as stated in the LiveWire article? That certainly will not be a motivating factor for recruiting new members. In fact, it might dishearten some who wonder, as I do, why only Chapter Officers are eligible to register for that drawing? If the article heading — CHAPTER OFFICERS: Here’s how to enroll: — is incorrect, it is misleading and should be corrected immediately.
I am a barbershoper , for 17 years . Our local chorus . Thr Bidwell Generals is located in Chico Ca. We are very much in need 0f a Director . We meet almost every week with eight members . The closest chorus is an hour and a half from us , and is too far to join them . We have tried every thing we can think of to obtain a director . All help will be accepted with gratude . In Harmoney . jack
Jack,
I’ve forwarded your comment on to Gordon Bergthold (FWD CSLT), Richard Lund (FWD NE Div VP), and John Minsker (FWD CDD). One of them should be contacting you soon to discuss your situation.
Allan
FWD EVP
Steve Tramack is the CDDC guru ’round these parts. He can assist you in ideas for finding a director.
stramack@gmail.com
Kirk Young
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