Networking Basics Series: How Memorable Is Your 30-Second Commercial Part 1

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Networking Basics Series: How Memorable Is Your 30-Second Commercial Part 1

Networking Basics Series: How Memorable Is Are you bored? You might be boring! Your 30-Second Commercial Part 1

I don't know what things are like in your area of the country, but in Phoenix, there are so many networking opportunities, you could literally attend 4 meetings a day and not hit all of them.

You know the kind ... chicken caesar salad for lunch, and eveyone gets a chance to give their 10- to 30-second elevator speech. So be honest. How bored are you by the time it comes around to your turn? More to the point, how many people do you actually remember? How many names have you written down of those you want to meet afterwards?

So ... if you're bored during what can seem like an unending parade of uninspired introductions ... have you ever stopped to think about how bored other people might be listening to yours? Especially in a crowded industry like real estate!!! I was at a meeting just the other day, and I was one of 5 Realtors in the group! I had a teacher in grade school who used to say, "If you're bored, you're boring!" Sometimes, those lessons just keep on giving, don't they? How can you spice up YOUR 30-second commercial?

What can you do to spice up your self-promotion? Here are just a couple ideas:

Tell a story
Paint a word picture
Sing a song
Tune in to everyone's favorite radio station: WIIFM (What's in it for me?)
Recite a poem
Be funny
Wear a standout hat/shirt/coat
Have a startling call to action

People do business with those they know, like, trust ... and REMEMBER. Put on that thinking cap and set yourself apart. You'll see the changes in no time flat.

Read the subsequent posts in this series:

Part 2 - Nobody Wants to Do Business With a Deadbeat

Part 3 - "Anybody Who" Is Never a Good Lead

Part 4 - Do You Need Target Practice?

Part 5 - If You Think You're Too Cool to Learn Anything, You Probably Won't

************************

Do you live in the Phoenix, Arizona area? Are you thinking about making a change in real estate companies?

Give me a call at 602-595-8900 or e-mail me. Let's talk about your marketing strategies - and the best ways to make yourself memorable.

Phoenix Property Shoppe

Posted by Anna 'Banana' Kruchten - Phoenix Short Sale Broker,CRS 602-380-4886 on 09/29/2009 07:40 PM

Comments (41)

30 Second Commercials Done Right in the Sales Strategies / Tactics Channel

business building tip, 30 second business commercial

Originally posted at: Anna Banana's Real Estate Blog : Networking Basics Series: How Memorable Is Your 30-Second Commercial Part 1

Short URL: http://actvra.in/smH

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41 Comments on Networking Basics Series: How Memorable Is Your 30-Second Commercial Part 1

SEP

2009

Anna, Great information -- but then you are always creative and helpful. I enjoy your posts and really can't forget some of your entries in the creative marketing contest. Thanks for always sharing.

Anna,

You are the queen of creative.. would love to have you post this blog in the Cosmic Cow Pie group on facebook.. drop on over and join.. then post your blogs.. be sure to introduce yourself as we have an eclectic group from all over and I know they would love to meet you!

Your friend in the Cosmic Cow Pie.

Anna - In Las Vegas there are also many marketing groups, round tables etc. I use to be a big part of them years ago and maybe I should play catch up before the market swings back, great information!

VB ;o)

Anna Banana, I agree this is great iformation. If I were to sing a song....I would be standing by myself,

:-)

Hi Gary - wow thanks so much. I really appreciate your feedback. I had such a blast with marketing contest. Fun Stuff!

Hey Carra - will do - so many activities - so little time. Some big news in the works - can't wait to share!!

Hey VB - good idea! I'm enjoy being part of several groups and it surely does create business and great relationships. Good luck out there!

Rebecca - you could stand with me and we good sing a Banana song together!!

It's tough to ignore a 6 foot tall banana, Anna. Although, I don't think you need the banana suit to stand out in a crowd. ;P

Anna, you could never be boring if you tried! But the rest of us, well that's another matter. Seriously, it's interesting to think about this perspective - I'm going to a blogging event tomorrow, so I'll remember to change it up when it's my turn to introduce myself.

Anna, this is such a good post - I really need to work on my 30 second blurb...it's so yawnable!

I am pretty flamboyant, surprise surprise! Today at BNI we mixed it up and drew business cards and we had to give SOMEONE ELSE's 30 second and the guy that had me NAILED it. That's always fun to do that to see if you are being effective with your 30 second.

Oh Banannie I bet you are VERY fun to ride in an elevator with!

"Punch a higher floor!" :)

Renee that is very cool. When I taught drama and voice, the first class was called "Introductions".

Each student was paired off with someone they did not know.

They got to know each other for a few minutes, then tell us about their friend!

It's hard to be self conscious when 'self' is removed.

Oh I love this ! ... If you are not memorable, you miss tons of opportunities !!

GREAT reminders AB !!!

Cheeers !

Sheldon :o)

Hi Anna,

You are so right I always remember the fun elevator speeches. I was at a networking event and the guy asked us all to stand up and stand on one leg and then the other leg. After we sat down he told us it was nothing to do with his job he was a photographer he just wanted to see if we would do it!!! LOL

Good ideas Anna. We should continue to visit our 'intro' from time to time to ensure its fresh. Congrats on the feature. I think I'll have to reblog also. :-)

Anna... I'm sure you are the life of the party... What is your 30 second sommercial ? Does it have to do with Bananas ? :) Do you have a jingle ?

SEP

2009

Good points, when asked, I use an elevator pitch than can basically say what I do in 30 seconds after that I am just myself!

Like me, Anna, I suspect you are part ham! Point me toward that spotlight...

Sing a song, Anna!

I attend many networking events, but not ones like Le Tip or others where you have to give a speech. My networking is more natural: Chamber of Commerce breakfasts and mixers, Rotary Club for lunch, etc.

Good reminder, we did an exercise like this at a networking group and called it our "elevator pitch". I'll have to try some of your suggestions. Thank you!

Anna, Those are great suggestions to help make a lasting impression on people that we meet in our everyday lives as well as in a forum for networking.

Anna, I've been beating that drum on AR since I've been a member. There is a really fun exercise that anyone can do with just the profiles that are shown by every member of AR. If you're interested, I'd be glad to share it.

You mention recite a poem. Combine that with the startling call to action and you come up with an old poem/quote from someone I no longer remember:

"Ladies and Gents, take my advice, take off your pants and slide on the ice!"

I like the "startling" call to action. What is yours?

Great ideas. However, I don't think anyone would want to hear me sing a song :)

Anna - the same is true here. More networking than anyone can possibly do, plus it starts to get expensive. But standing out in the crowd is getting more important. Now you have me thinking I need to make some changes. Great suggestions. Singing is out.

Jeff

When you're in a sea of endless faces your certainly need to do something to make yourself stand out from the rest of the crowd. I lean toward humor and abrupt honesty, that usually does the ticket for me. Congrats on the feature.

Anna: I once went to a 2-day long group of seminars. Most of the seminars were informative and hosted by well-known authorities in their field. Late in the second day, I entered a marketing seminar when I was about in a coma. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ However, I did NOT leave that way!

The difference? This man didn't just inform ... he inspired. He sang, he danced, he wore funny hats, he told jokes, he recited his seminar with the zeal of an evangelistic preacher! To this day I quote from his seminar. He made a real impression and made it easy for me to remember the lessons he was trying to impart. For the life of me, I cannot remember one little bit of the other seminars' contents, nor the leaders of those sessions.

I learned many great lessons from this gentleman. The point you make with your great article only reiterates them. Extremely well done, Anna! Thank you!

Anna: A few years back I attended a day-long seminar. Late in the afternoon I entered a marketing seminar. By that time in the day, I was about in a coma. I definitely did not leave the session that way!

The difference? I was lucky enough to sit in on a session given by a gentleman that must have written the book on your blog topic. He sang, he danced, he told jokes, had props, wore silly hats, he made great analogies, gave away door prizes, told great stories ... all with the zeal of an evangelistic preacher! That room was rockin'! Let me tell you ... everyone left energized. When I meet another professional in attendance at that day's session, inevitably this session and the gentleman that made it are mentioned. I still quote from that seminar to this day and try to follow the advice given within it. The other seminars I attended throughout the day? Can't remember nary a thing nor the people that offered the sessions.

The point you make in your blog is excellent ... Great article with great advice, Anna! Thank you!

Hi A.B.

It's all about Guerilla Banana marketing. Do (or say) something that others aren't. When I read the title of your post I thought it was going to be about putting a 30 second clip on your website. Now I'm thinking if you do a 30 second commercial at one of these round table or whatever sessions if it is well received and outstanding perhaps it should be filmed and put on your website.

Whew that was a long sentence. Hope it made sense.

Good list Anna. I'll be the person in the funny hat : )

Anna, I think changing it up you are right, makes you stand out and be memorable. I like the hat idea LOL.

Heather - you do have point about the 6 ft Banana! And then when you add another 5 to 10 more banana's it's off the charts. It's like being Rock Stars every time. Bizarre I know - we didn't see that one coming when we planned our marketing!

Hi Sharon - you know there have been a few mornings at 7:00 meetings where it's really a stretch for me to come up with something interesting - in those moments I try to play off of what somebody else has done in the group and have fun with it that way. Some days are more creative than others.

Dawn - I totally undestand that. Many years ago mine was BORING and FLAT. Yawn!

Renee - I am so liking this idea. I think I'll do it on Friday. That will be a blast. I'll let you know how it goes. BTW - you flamboyant - really? That is a suprise LOL!

Candy - funny that you should mention elevators! Growing up with 5 brothers who loved putting on skits and being stupid but me in the middle of many an elevator skit. I haven't thought of that in years. Gotta love those guys for teaching me how to have so much fun.

Sheldon - I bet everybody remembers you! You were one of the first one I noticed on AR. And I might add your hat with RATS sticking out last Saturday was charming!

Hi Sharon - hmmm - that's interesting - did you all have fun with that? Give me more ideas, thanks!

John - yes we sure do. It does get stale after awhile and it's good to shake things up! Thanks for the re-blog!

Roland - I have a bunch of commercials of which keep evolving. On occassion at chamber events the whole office puts on a 'group commercial' which normall brings the house down. Now that I mention that - we haven't done that in awhile - time to create a new one!

Russell - yup - that about sums it up! Catchy and real!

Irene - I bet you're more of a ham then I am! We could do one heck of a commmercial together. I'll be the quiet one!

Hi Erica - more naturall - chamber of commerce - in our town that's where sometimes its even more hilarious with what folks come up with. Sing them song and shake it up! They'd love it I bet cha:)

Kevin - they're kind of one in the same too me.

Sybil - I find that people look forward to seeing 'what's next' cause they never know to expect.

Mike - you know I haven't done the startling thing for a long time. I might just have to come up with something. PLEASE do share your ideas!

Mr Integrity - that bad, et? Might be even funnier!

Jeff - another non- singer. There is a cure for that!

JL- you, humor. That shocks me LOL. Abrupt honesty - I'm wondering what that looks like?

Anna,

You sent me the following PM:

"Mike

Please do share your ideas with me! Right up my alley!!"

So, in reply and to let everyone else in on it, I put this post up a couple of days ago:

Me! Me! Oh Pick Me!" Shrek and Donkey on Real Estate and Marketing

Read it, do it and have fun. You just may learn something about how you come out when compared to your colleagues.

Great story Gene. It's amazing what a difference an engaged speaker can make. Just do things differently and shake them up a bit (or or a lot!). What was the guys name? He'd be interesting to look up.

Jenny - haha Guerilla Banana Markting. Hmmmmm - thanks for anothe idea! I like your idea of the 30 second clips - that could be really cool on website. Just enough to get them interested.

Rachel - Ok I'll be looking for you around town!!

Hey Gary - let' see what kind of hat would be perfect for you? You could have fun with that!

Good stuff Mike - I like it! I'm off to do some looking around per your advice!

I never thought I'd see Shrek and the Donkey in a real estate marketing blog! Bananas yes! But not them!!!! Great comments from everyone. Changing things up a bit and never quite knowing what to expect. That's definitely Banana Marketing.. Reminds me of a certain game show, but that's another story.

OK Anna, done. I've reviewed your message relative to the competition and posted the response on the Shrek & Donkey post.

OCT

2009

I like the photographers idea in Sharon's comment above.

BNI, a networking group, suggests that we do something to catch attention like put out a stastic, or tell a story, just anything to make it different.

We have someone from Yellow Book who always gets up and starts with "Yellow" instead of hello. Everyone responds the same way to her by repeating it back.

Hey Ken - I miised this one of yours. Wow - you are really showing now - liking that! Can't wait to hear the 'other' story.

Mike - allrighty then!

Christine - yes we have some folks that do the same thing over and over - it's fun to see them shake it up a bit from time to time. Yes - I like that one too. I think I might try that one next week. I had a blast this morning - got everybody laughing and following in my footsteps. This stuff works!! Work it baby!!

Great tip Anna. You do a great job standing out with the "bannana" nickname too. Nice

OCT

2009

Better I try humming...singing may make everyone leave the room...and wonder why my parents wasted all that money on lessons...enjoy !

OCT

2009

Ok - I agree with everything - except the sing a song part. I'll take a pass there but incorporate other tips.

FEB

2010

Anna - great post, and it is so important to be memorable. I like the idea of singing a song - now that shows some personality. What song - have to come up with one tho!

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Anna 'Banana' Kruchten - Phoenix Short Sale Broker,CRS 602-380-4886

Phoenix, AZ

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