Today I took my dog on a fun outing, to a local fundraiser for local adoption groups. There were vendors, food, music and all things dog themed. And of course, adoptable dogs. (Yeah, I was kind of toying with the notion of adopting a second dog, by Ty didn’t seem to find anyone he connected with.)
Now, what does any of this have to do with elevator pitches? Plenty. First, elevator pitches is something I struggle with as a writer. Each time someone asks me what I write, or what a certain story is about–I internally cringe. It is so hard for me to condense something down to a few succinct sentences. This is especially true for longer fiction or multi-layered genres. Truthfully, sometimes I even avoid telling people I am a writer, because I am so worried they might–gasp!–ask me what I write.
However, as Ty and I were leaving the event and were heading back home, I realized that was exactly what I’d been doing back at the event. Not as a writer, but as the dog mom of a beautiful blue merle collie.
We were approached many times, with people exclaiming over my boy, Ty. and asking me about him. Like any proud mama, I’m delighted to talk about my dog. And since he was on high alert and over-stimulated, I needed to be conscious of him foremost. People had their own dogs, kids and spouses, so brevity was key….just like an elevator pitch for a book.
I gave his name, offered short bullets of his history, where he came from, how long we’d been together and how good he was coming along. (Ty has trauma induced PTSD and life with him–14 months so far– has been quite an experience chronicled on my other blog page) I was giving repeated elevator pitches on my dog. Interesting
They rolled easily off my tongue, delivered with passion and enthusiasm, filled with knowledge. Why wasn’t I able to do that with my books?
Well, I don’t have an answer for that, but it bears further thought. Then I will have to revisit my elevator pitch method of delivery. Clearly I can give quick, concise, and interesting explanations. If I can talk like that about my dog, I should be able to also make similar deliveries on my books.
How about you? Can you ramble off short pitches on the spot with ease? Or do you clam up and suddenly forget everything about what you write?
The hardest thing in the world is to condense your labor of love into two or three sentences that will convey those multi-layered characters, their desires, hopes, and dreams. I literally freeze up into an ice-cube.
Thanks, maybe I should talk about my dogs.
Thanks,
Tema Merback
Writing as Belle Ami
The very words “elevator pitch” strikes fear in the heart of many a writer. With so many agents going to Twitter to find new clients, I’ve had to boil down my elevator pitch to 140 characters. Try that first, then an expanded elevator pitch will seem lengthy by comparison.
Excellent post, Ryan! I agree with Becky’s advice…whittling down the pitch to 140 characters helps. 🙂
Thank you, ladies, for the comments, shares and tweets. Odd how random events can turn be turned to writing. I shall try the 140 character suggestion.
Put it on a nowcard. If it doesn’t fit, it’s too long. Our chapter just had a workshop on elevator pitches.
And I have to memorize them. Good Luck!
Sue, I’ll bite… what’s a nowcard?