In this faced-paced, mile-a-minute world, you often have only a few
seconds to get your message across. Most modern television and radio
commercials are no more than 30 seconds. Where could you use an effective 30
second commercial message about your business? These mini-messages are ideal
for investor meetings, networking meetings, trade shows, interviews, sales
calls or any situation where you need to quickly promote your business.
How do you develop these messages effectively? Think in terms of "sound
bites". Prepare your brief message just like a speech, with an opener, the
content and the closing. Let's examine each of these in more detail.
The Opening
The purpose of your opening is to grab attention. You must assume that
your audience is generally as busy and preoccupied as you are. So you need
to first get their attention with a question, "grabber'" words, humor or an
interesting visual.
Using a question as an opener causes the listener to stop and think. "Do
you want to change the world?" "How many new prospects do you want today?"
"When do you want to feel good again?" Once you have their attention, your
message can help them answer the question.
Grabber words are designed to startle, shock or at least cause your
listener to want to listen to what's coming next. The first sentence of this
article is an example.
A funny comment or an eye-catching visual are always effective ways to
get the attention of your listeners in a hurry. Obviously, any of these
openings must be relevant to your message, or they will confuse your
listeners.
The Content
Once you have their attention, relate your main message. Since you
usually have only three or four sentences, you need to craft this message
carefully. The most effective message is the one that states what your
business can do for the listener. In other words, talk about the benefits to
be received by using your product or service. Don't say "I'm a dentist". Say
" I improve the health and well- being of my clients. Healthy teeth help you
look good and feel good".
The bottom line is that your listeners don't care what you do. They care
about what you can do for them. Talk in terms of results, feelings,
benefits, outcomes, ideas. Imagine your listener with a sign on their
forehead that reads "So What? What's in it for me?" Remember, you only have
30 seconds. There will be time later to explain how you do these great
things.
The Closing
Here is where you ask for action. As a result of your 30 second
commercial, you want your listener to do something or think something. Ask:
"When can we meet?"
"Give me your business card".
"Call today".
"When you think of shoes, think of The Shoemaster".
Also appropriate is your catchy tag line. The closing may be the only
part of your message that your listener will remember. What do you want them
to remember?
So, there it is. Your miniature speech takes only 30 seconds. And it has
a beginning, a middle and an ending. What can you do to make all this come
out sounding and looking smooth, confident and compelling? Prepare and
practice. Prepare by writing out your message, thinking through the key
elements and deciding exactly what you want your listener to be doing or
thinking at the end of your message.
Practice by saying your message aloud. Rehearse this brief speech. Saying
it aloud causes you to pay attention to the sound and cadence. Practice in
front of a mirror and you will see the gestures and body language that make
up such a large part of the communication. Remember, it's not just what you
say, it's how you say what you say that makes the difference.
For your 30 second commercial to really be effective, you must act like
you mean it, sound like you mean it and look like you mean it. How do others
realize that you really mean what you say? They notice your enthusiasm, your
mannerisms, your tone of voice, your posture.
Part of your preparation is to be consciously aware of your non- verbal
communication. If possible, video yourself giving your message. Replay the
tape several times. Once to listen and observe the overall effect of your
message. Watch it again without sound. What are you telling the audience by
your posture, body language, facial expressions and your gestures? Do you
look and act like you really mean it?
Replay the tape again with your eyes closed. Listen for distracting
sounds such as "uh", "ah", "ya know" or sighs. All these things subtract
from the effectiveness of your main message.
In our MTV-world of excessive sights and sounds and experiences, make
your point and get your message across in a well prepared, well rehearsed 30
second commercial. Think of it as a brief speech.
Mix preparation with inspiration and you'll get a standing ovation.
