1.) Create one short (a sentence long) and one longer (100 – 150 words) Elevator Pitch describing what your blog is about.
Problogger is filled to the brim with awesome blog tips and advice. I recently joined their free 31 Days To Build A Better Blog challenge that is supposed to help me build….a…better blog. Everyday you get an email that discusses some of the important characteristics of a great blog accompanied with an assignment. The first assignment I got was to create an Elevator Pitch that describes what your blog is about in a clear and concise manner.
True Story: When I was at the SITScation blogging conference in October, me and a couple other girls were in an elevator on our way back up to our rooms. Rico Suave jumped in with his muscle tee and long slick masculine ponytail and in his most romantic arrogant accent asked us what brought us to Vegas, “Zo….what brings you to zee city of zights?? Ah you here on bizniss?”
I believe it was Summer who stuttered, “ummmm actually we’re writer’s and we’re very important.” and then I was all “IT’S A BLOGGING CONFERENCE!!” and Rico was all “Eck Ca POOIE!…I don’t zike blogs and I hate zee bloggers…I HATE ZEM ALL!!”
He hopped off the elevator and we all kind of stared at each other. My first encounter face to face with a Negative Nelly blog hater…or in his case…a Respect-less Rico.
He hates us?? He hates ME? Why? Why would he hate a woman who blogs about her kids pooping their pants? What had I done to Rico? Just seconds before our answer he spoke with us normally…he saw that we were perfectly harmless women…why the hate?
I realize now that Rico was probably on heroin or ecstacy or a combination of the two (which is really quite a thrilling experience), and in retrospect I realize that what actually went on that evening was failure. Failure to win Rico over with a KILLER elevator pitch! If I had prepared and rehearsed a fascinating elevator pitch about my mommy blog than surely Rico would have become a new and frequent visitor of Mama’s Losin’ It.
“Oh Rico! I’m a mommy blogger and my blog is chalk full of yummy recipes and funny encounters with my husband hahahaha!!”
Okay maybe not. I have a feeling the only way Rico would be interested in my site is if it were called Rico’s Got It All.
Nevertheless, it is important for me to have my elevator pitch handy for the next time I’m cornered and forced to describe my blog in an elevator. I imagine the experience will go something like this:
“Hi! Lobby please. Thank you for pushing that button for me! (ahem.) It’s great to meet you. Are you here for business or pleasure?? I hope you’re not here to cheat on your spouse!!! Hahahahaa…umm…anywhooo…so I have a blog called
Mama’s Losin’ It and it’s the outlet that keeps me from developing a drug problem, care for a card?”
To keep things interesting I’d like to substitute my pitch with any of the following fill in answers.
my blog is called Mama’s Losin’ It and…
it keeps me from wanting to hurt myself.
it’s where I write about things I think about…which is to say…nothing.
it’s where I talk moms off cliffs and encourage them to point and laugh at people instead.
it’s where moms go when they don’t want to pay attention to their families.
That’s all I’ve got so far. Still working on nailing it down. I just wish my elevator pitch was as perfect as my singing pitch.
Do you have a better pitch for me?
ps I officially can’t stand the word pitch.
Now it’s your turn!
Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back and sign Mr. Linky. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!
The Prompts:
1.) I recently read all about the importance of us bloggers developing an “Elevator Pitch” via one of my new favorite blogs. According Wikipedia an Elevator Pitch is “an overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride (for example, thirty seconds or 100-150 words).” Create one short (a sentence long) and one longer (100 – 150 words) Elevator Pitch describing what your blog is about.
2.) The strangest dream ever…
3.) Write a list of 10 things that can be done to stave off boredom.
4.) “How many homes have you had? Write a journal entry about ALL the places you’ve called ‘home’ in your life.”
5.) “Why wouldn’t they just start over? Write a story where a character refuses to go back to square one.”
Dan says
Elevator pitches are a lot like mission statements. They are only good if they are natural and fly without a pilot. Otherwise they are a pointless (and useless) waste of time. Sort of like the Gneeches of folk lore – it you have to look for them they aren’t there.
Maya says
Oh please! You have GOT to do that vlog at Bloggy Boot Camp and then post it so that those of us who couldn’t travel to MD can pretend we were there.
Melissa B. says
I’m going to get a flip camera a do a vlog…some day! For now, I’m content to do a Top 10. Always trying to alleviate that Old Man Boredom!
Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" says
I’m sure you’ll come up with a great elevator pitch. I think it should contain the word funny or hilarious somewhere in it though.
MOO says
My folks live in the DC-Baltimore area…I’m gonna encourage my Mom to take a SITScation with you! I’m dancing, today…
Dance, Dance Revolution
Jen @ buried with children says
I think that is the best pitch for a blog that I have ever heard. I know if I was pitched that, I would totally read it.
Jenners says
This was hilarious! The photo alone was worth the price of admission (though, admittedly, the price of admission to your blog is fairly inexpensive).
And I once told my cousins I had a blog and they looked at each other knowingly and said “Oh…you’re a blogger.” like I was some kind of cockroach. I tried to explain but, due to the lack of my elevator pitch, I came off sounding desperate and boring (OK … perhaps that is accurate but still!!!)
Angel says
Ok this particular exercise has got me all frustrated lol. Believe it or not I cannot think of any of them to write about… I might do the elevator pitch thing.. But I like yours. And what does old Rico no suave know anyway?? Other then his weights are his best friend that and baby oil.
Kyrsten says
Well, I just wondered what an Elevater Pitch is so I’m thankful for your post :-)
I wanted to put your button in my post but blogger tells me that the code isn’t right? So I linked you up in the text.
Jenn says
I would love to see you trying out your elevator pitch in the elevator. I think that would top the picture (and that one is hard to top!).
Justine says
Um yeah, your pitches need some serious help. Although, come to think of it, they are brutally honest, which is a good thing.
I think I’ll link up with an old post I did on a weird dream…
Justine :o )
Lula says
I got a Flip for Christmas…
so do not think for one second that I shan’t be recording particular “adventures” in Arizona in a few months.
p.s. Please do not ever kneel in front of me, as you did in that picture above. You blocked my money shot.
Love you.
p.p.s. SMOKIN’ HOT PICTURE. It’s the best we’ve ever looked. Word.
Los says
Kat – I’m a day behind with everything!!!! I forgot that today is the writer’s workshop and I have nothing prepared! I feel like a dufus! I’ll try to get something up on the blog tonight – I think the elevator exercise will be very useful for me, by the way! I’m not sure if I would ever even tell Rico Suave about my blog, though.
June Freaking Cleaver says
Apparently, you are all trying to become supermodels, since it looks like a strong wind will blow you away!
At one job, we spent a day of “corporate bonding” (i.e., team building), and had to come up with an elevator pitch about our company and deliver it in front of our co-workers. I lined my jacket with old wristwatches and started mine out with, “Hey, wanna buy a watch?” – just to break the tension (I went first).
I have a mini-pitch under my blog title, and explain a little more in my About text. But it needs some work.
Thanks for the great prompts today! I did 2 and 3.
Jenny says
Lovin the picture. You have to do that Vlog, that would be hilarious. Oh and you can always call it an Elevator Spiel since pitch is workin your nerves ;)
michelle says
OMG…that elevator picture KILLS me. you bias are sexy! how could Rico possibly have hated on you look’n the way you did? :) and your Rico impression, uncanny…perfection!
Nisanur says
That kind of thikning shows you’re on top of your game
e says
Your pitch is pitchy, dawg!
I have no idea if you got that reference, but it was worth a shot.
So, I did the same elevator pitch prompt… but it would have been so much better if I had a Rico Suave Story to tell. Instead, I just imagined me with Tina Fey.
Speaking of vlogs…I am working on a “how to vlog” vlog… There are so many bad ones out there. Maybe that should be a conference topic?
Of course, I am a TV editor/writer/producer so I am easily annoyed when it comes to video…But I did get a Flip… and it is LOVELY!
Maureen says
The picture is hilariously cute LOL. I’m no pro blogger but your elevator pitch is brilliant and clever I just love it. :) I have a quick question tho’ is the deadline strictly on Thursday? I’m still digging for some pictures to go with my first entry. Thanks
Lolli says
I am laughing at that picture!! Where was I when you guys all dressed up like that?!
Missm says
All I can say is RIIIICOOOO. SUAAAAAAVE. I’m stuck on the picture. Yes, back to the uhm. elevator pitch. HA!
angie says
A vlog practicing is definitely in order. Definitely. WITH all the alternate endings.
hotpants™ says
I have Rico Suave stuck in my head now. This is not a good way to start my day. I participated this week. Everyone should check it out. It’s some of my best work. :)
Erin says
That’s hilarious!!! You don’t need an elevator pitch….I came by once and was hooked!!
Just tell em…stop by…if you don’t you’ll never know what you are missing!
Pamela says
I had way too much fun with this one today!!
The picture above oh-so-right!!! Totally awaiting the Vlog….
Emmy says
So how many moms have you stopped from jumping over the cliff? :)
Great post! And Rico Suave just kind of creeps me out.
Amethyst Moon says
Great picture! and thanks for putting Rico Suavee in my head on this fine morning. Hope that song doesn’t stick with me all day :o) Love the pitch!
staciesmadness says
how fun!
Christine says
OMG, you make me laugh!!!! I loved this….I just joined ‘the challenge’ so thanks for the info. :o)
Tiffany says
Hilarious.
I either lost my legs are am jumping around in a heroine/ecstacy induced fit.
Love you.
And all those chick int hat elevator.
Kimmy says
LOL!! Rica is just NOT so suave anyway. Who cares about him and his greasy hair. You don’t need his approval. “Eck Ca POOIE” on him!! We love you!
BTW…Love the Vlog idea. I would LOVE to see you trying out your pitches on random elevator people…LOL!!
Kimmy says
Whoops….I meant Rico, not Rica. But hey, he kind of looks like a girl with that long hair…lol!
Kathy says
You should TOTALLY VLOG that!!! And I love the elevator pic!
Nicole says
Loved this assignment! Your elevator story with Rico cracks me up! But it does bring up a good point. At a writer’s conference I attended this past fall, several things were recommended, 1) Start getting a web presence through blogging or otherwise to get “known” before you’re “known” and 2.) Have a short pitch that tells what your book/writing project is about – “Elevator Pitchs” wasn’t used, but it’s exactly what they were talking about! SO, it’s good to think about your blog or other entrepreneurial goal in an “Elevator Pitch” format. You never know when you’ll make a new contact to help you move forward with your goals!
Jennifer@Musings of a BLonde Mom says
LOVE that pic! You have some mad photoshopping skills!! Rico Suave had me ROFLMAO!! I participated this week (second week in a row!) with the weirdest dream one. It was WEIRD!
Jannica says
You gals are so H-O-T! Who cares what you write!
AngieB says
Ooooh, VLOG, PLEASE!!!!
Lauren says
Hilarious! And true…I totally read your blog when I don’t want to pay attention to my family! ;)
Summer says
I kinda just peed my pants….hang on while I get clean panties.
OMG!!! Woman, you are awesome.
And Heather’s body, like….woah.
Ahhhhh yes, Rico….why he didn’t believe me when I told him we made millions is beyond me!
Life with Kaishon says
You are so funny!
I don’t like the word pitch either.
Let’s call it elevator burst instead : ) What do you think?
PS Am I a total loser because I don’t know who Rico is?
Michelle says
Hey Kat, something’s funky with your code for your button. And I don’t do html well enough to figure it out.
Love the elevator pitch. That’s why I love the “My Life. My Story. My Version.” tagline I can use. It works :)
amber says
Thank you so much for the elevator pitch idea. I’d never thought about my blog that way, and it was high time I did. I signed up for the 31 Day Blog Challenge too…maybe I’ll make sense by the end of next month.
Hey, miracles happen!
Lourie says
This was great. I was already sold to begin with, but if I had just stumbled across that I would have to go and check it out.
3 Men & a Lady says
LOL. I thought that was Gerardo in my reader! Did you know he’s a Christian musician or church leader or something like that these days? Saw it on some where are they know show.
Anywho… great pitch!
Jen says
LOL! Great post, Kathy! I’m chuckling picturing you in a Vegas elevator with Mr. Rico Suave! I love your Vlog idea… I dare you to put it into action! It would be a riot!
Foursons says
Oh my gosh girl, I just heart you. I only wish I was as clever as you. *bowing deep knee bows*
JennyMac says
how much do I heart a girl who posts a pic of Rico Suave? LOL. Love that pic.