WRITTEN DUE: October 3 Oral Presentation DUE in class: November 19th DECA Elevator Speech An elevator speech is a clear, brief message or “commercial” about DECA. It communicates who is DECA, what DECA does and how it can benefit you. It's typically about 30 seconds, the time it takes people to ride from the top to the bottom of a building in an elevator. An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what DECA does. Proverbially, the elevator pitch is supposed to take place in an elevator but that rarely happens. More typically, you use an elevator pitch when you run into a potential customer at a conference, trade show, or social event. ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS! See the following for great ideas. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/elevator-pitch.htm Part 1 -- Prepare for the Speech Read this Pepperdine University white paper: Preparing Your Elevator Speech. Knowledge Questions In a separate document (or Web page), answer the following questions related to your personal elevator speech: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Who is your target audience? Be specific about the demographics of this audience. What are DECA’s key strengths? What adjectives come to mind describing DECA? What is it you are trying to ʹsellʹ or let others know about DECA? Why are you interested in DECA? Outline Questions On the document you previously created, answer these questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Who is DECA? What does DECA offer? What problem is solved? What are the main contributions DECA can make? What should the listener do because of hearing this? Part 2 -- Write the Speech Based on the Pepperdine University white paper you previously read, finalize your speech. Also, consider this useful online pitch building tool from Harvard Business School. Your final speech should • • be no more than 90 words long and include a call to action (i.e., a way for the audience to contact you, an offer to provide a business card, the location of your office, etc.). Part 3 -- Prepare to Present the Speech Practice the speech several times. You can do this alone in front of a mirror, or with your peers, friends, family, and your instructor. Be sure your elevator speech is very close to 30 seconds.
