Do you need to do business with Americans?
If so, then you probably already know how to
pitch your business in a formal presentation.
But how do you do that naturally in a casual conversation?
Well, that's what you'll learn how to do today.
You ready?
Let's go.
Hi, I'm Christina, founder
of Business English with Christina, and I've helped dozens
of companies successfully pitch their products
at professional events in the USA and abroad.
And this video is the third and final part
in a very special series helping you
to deep dive into how to create your personalized pitch.
Okay, so let's get into today's topic
which is how do you naturally
and casually pitch your product, your service
or your company in a conversation?
Now, this is something that I've helped lots
of clients with in the past
because it's something that a lot of people struggle with.
Like, how do I pitch and not sound like, you know
an advertisement in the middle of a conversation?
So, you know, I mean, you know the situation
you move your business to the states
or you attend a networking event to maybe like
like the c e s or South by Southwest.
Suddenly you're having lots of casual conversations
that are actually opportunities to talk
about your business in a natural non spammy.
I don't know if we can say spammy
for conversations a non spammy way in a conversation.
Now, little cultural note, a lot of people
in the United States are really into small talk
or at least it's part of our cultural practice.
Not everybody loves it, but we do it.
And you might be surprised at how open people are to passing
on their business cards at social events.
I mean, I even know a guy, not personally I heard a story
about this guy, but anyway, he said, Hey, I even
bring my business cards to funerals because you never
know where the conversations are going to go.
And you might have an opportunity, Hey, that's his practice.
That's what he does.
But the, the moral of the story is that you just
never know who you will meet at what event.
And it might be a little extreme of like handing
off your business card at a funeral.
But you know, let's think of other unexpected places where
you could pitch your business.
First of all, any place where you are standing in line
if you're at a networking event, a seminar
a professional event, I mean, think of like the line
for registration, the coat check the line to grab a drink
standing in line in the supermarket, all of these places
bringing your business cards
with you because you never know who you'll meet
Now, now that you have your business cards
with you at all times, for example
I'm sure you weren't expecting to meet my cat in this video
but of course she's gonna come
and make her guest appearance anyway
so you've got your business cards with you.
The tricky part is finding a natural and casual way to bring
up your business and drop a quick casual
natural pitch into the conversation if it makes sense.
Now, once you know how
I promise it's not as hard as it sounds
it's a lot easier than keeping your cat out of your videos.
For example.
First, I mean, just start
off like you would any normal small talk conversation.
Say hello, introduce yourself, ask a few questions to
find some things that you have in common.
Eventually there's a good chance
that the conversation will turn to you know
the work that you both do.
But don't start pitching just yet.
As always, with small talk
you want to take your time a little bit.
Once you see that there is an opportunity to bring
up your business and more specifically your goals
for your business, do it this way.
Stay indirect
and don't specifically ask the other person
that you're speaking to if they could use your services
or if they know anyone who can help you right
at this moment in the conversation.
That's a little awkward.
But talk about your business goals
the direction that you want to go
into a project that you're working on
what your business is trying to accomplish right now.
If the person seems interested in what you're saying
then you can go on, talk about it further in detail
and then maybe even like hand them a business card.
Now, obviously, in every single conversation is not
going to be an opportunity to give away your business card
and that's why it's smart to practice small talk often
to expand your network and to
I would say get used to get comfortable
with talking to lots of different people
about what you do and what you're looking for
so that that day that you're with someone who is
like the right person, you're good at it
you feel comfortable doing it, and they see that confidence.
Let's look at an example
of a conversation between two business people.
Let's say they are standing
in line at the coat check at a conference.
Oh, what a great jacket.
It looks so warm and practical.
Yeah, thanks.
It's, it's great for winter storms and traveling.
Okay, great.
So now you have the opportunity to bring
up where you or your conversation partner is from
and this often brings the conversation later
to what kind of work you do.
Oh, do you come from someplace with really cold weather?
Yeah, I'm from Vermont actually.
It's cold, but we have a lot of great skiing.
All right.
From here you can continue finding those connections
by saying that, I don't know
you love skiing too, asking your conversation partner.
If they go on ski holidays, for example, talking
about a story from skiing or from other outdoor sports.
If you don't ski
anything that you can find to make a connection
and to help the conversation naturally move
towards the topic of work.
Oh, I love skiing
but I don't work anywhere near a ski resort.
I'm actually from Martinique.
Ah, yeah.
Then you've got to travel.
Definitely. What line of work are you in?
All right
so this is where you can start talking about your business.
You know, when you've got important information
that you need to protect in a company like your client's
personal information or something like that.
Well, my team
and I design systems to keep that data super safe.
Notice here that you don't have to get
into the specific terms and professional phrases
or jargon that you might use in business.
Like I'm the founder of a startup
or I work in cyber security.
You're talking about what you do.
Let's say in normal people words
the person that you're speaking to may not be
in your line of business at all, and that's okay.
Okay, yeah, no, I don't know anything about cybersecurity.
I let my business partner handle that.
Oh, really?
What kind of business are you
in? Oh, we specialize
in machines to help people manage their sleep apnea.
Actually. Do you have a card?
And of course, you know, if the conversation doesn't finish
with you giving your business card to someone
or even with you just talking about your business
you know that's still okay
because you've practiced your small talk skills
that was a low stakes or a no stakes conversation.
You've made a new contact
and next time you'll feel a little more confident talking
about what you do with people that you've never met before.
And that's how you build up your contacts
you build up your network, you build up your confidence.
And when you can do that
you never know what opportunities are gonna come your way.
Speaking of opportunities, here's one for you.
Did you know
that every month I offer a live free interactive workshop
on business topics and business communication skills
and American business culture?
Totally free if, but you have to be
on my newsletter list to get your invitation.
So if you are interested in attending some
of our future webinars workshops, totally free
but very valuable, go ahead
and sign up to my newsletter email list.
The link is down below this video, and of course
if you don't use it, you lose it.
So here's how you can use what you learned
in today's lesson.
When you think about talking about your business
in casual conversations, do you feel comfortable doing this
or do you feel like maybe you need a little more practice?
And it's okay if you do
but tell me about it in the comments.
And if you've got a question, hey
ask me and maybe I can help you.
And if this lesson was helpful already to you
I would love to know.
And there are three ways I almost lost a finger
there when I was counting three.
1, 2, 3, 3 ways that you can tell me.
Of course, give this lesson a thumbs up on YouTube
subscribe to my channel.
That definitely helps these lessons go
out to more people in the world, and that's why
I make them to help as many people as possible.
So help me help them share the love on YouTube.
Of course, you can go over to my blog
and you can get your ultimate guide
on pitching to Americans if you do business with Americans.
And you can watch this next lesson
which is English for Entrepreneurs, all
about feeling comfortable in networking events in English.
All right, thank you so much
for improving with business English with Christina
and I will see you next time.