How To Explain What You Do in 30 Seconds So People Actually Get It
My friends think I work for the CIA.
Seriously.
Why? Because before I understood the tips in this article, my explanation of “What I do” was so unclear to them that they just thought I was being unclear on purpose.
I’ve since learned how to share “what I do” with others.
So while I don’t work for the CIA, they still joke about how I do.
What Do I Do?
It’s a tough question to answer if you haven’t taken the steps to truly craft your 30 second introduction.
When we’re in that moment when someone asks us “So what do you do?”, we usually go off on some 5 minute long tangent and use jargon and techno-speak that most people don’t understand. We use sentence after sentence to further flesh out the prior sentence, but only lose them in the process.
We get further and further from our truth by sharing more and more details.
We leave them thinking “huh?” because we didn’t communicate effectively.
But what we should strive to do is share a quick intro about ourselves that leaves them understanding who we help and how we help. So if they know someone we can help, maybe they’ll want to learn more about what we do.
Here’s how I share what I do…
I’m a Consultant. I help entrepreneurs get pointed in the right direction by asking critical questions so they reach their goals faster than they thought possible. For example I helped the owner of an Ad Agency align her team to her true vision. Now everyone is working more efficiently and rowing in the same direction.
Straightforward, right?
No jargon, no talking in circles. Just clear and to the point.
Here’s the Formula to Explain What You Do in 30 Seconds
I’m a what(title). I help who, do what, by how (optional), so they get this result. Here’s an example and the result that might appeal to that audience.
Let’s Break It Down
I’m a what(title). This is your “obvious” standard title that everyone has heard of at least once.
I help who. Keep it short, to the point.
Do what. What do you do so well that you want to be known for it?
By how. This is optional depending on your audience. Briefly, how do you make this happen?
So they get this result. What awesome result do you inspire in others by working with you?
Share a recent (short) example that might appeal to the people you’re speaking to.
Leave People With Little Bits of Info So They Know Who You Are and How You Can Help
From my intro, my audience knows:
- Ryan helps entrepreneurs
- Ryan gets people pointed in the right direction
- People reach their goals faster by working with Ryan
Rewrite Yours
How would you write your introduction, using the formula above, so people will remember what it is that you do?
