Since receiving my manuscript back from the editors I’ve been busy implementing the edits and updates. Other than tweeting here and there and continuing to work on the Author Interviews, that’s all I’ve been doing.
That was until the crisis struck!
On Sunday afternoon in a rare few hours of spare time, our tribe met with the rest the family for a meal to mark the anniversary of a close family member’s passing. It was great to see everyone and the perfect way to make sure the day passed with our loved one in the forefront of our thoughts. It also gave us chance to meet one of the family member’s friends, sorry for being vague, but you don’t need to know the details.
So with the meal finished and standing in the car park waiting for the last of the clan to emerge from the building, the friend approached me and out of the blue said, “So what’s your book about then?”
We hadn’t spoken about me or discussed my writing at any point in the meal, so the question took me by surprise, so much so I clammed up. I couldn’t think. I didn’t know what to say and in the end I just said, “Stuff,” nervously laughing as I fumbled in my wallet to pull out one of the business cards I had printed. I stood there while she turned the card over and read the blurb, all the time thinking what an idiot I must have sounded like. I’m supposed to be this expressive, creative thinker and all I can say is ‘stuff’ when asked a simple question about a project I’ve been working on for over nine months.
She must have taken pity as was still eager for me to email her a copy of the manuscript.
So what’s the moral of the story? Have your elevator pitch polished and ready! Know it off by heart, able to slip from your lips at a moments notice.
Taking my own advice, that’s what I’ve been working on when needing a break to recharge my editing juices.
What is an Elevator Pitch?
The idea of an elevator pitch is a succinct sales pitch for your manuscript which gets the key concept and its unique selling point across in the time it takes for a short elevator ride, or lift for us in the UK.
So I’ve given it a go and here is the end result. Let me know what you think in the comments.
A guy meets the end of the world.
The guy falls for a girl.
The world tries to end it.
If I was actually saying this to someone I guess it should be more like:
So this guy meets the end of the world, then falls for a girl, but the world tries its best to end it.
Let me know your thoughts!
I should reference this great post from Harry Bingham on Jerichowriters.com for his great advice on forming the pitch.
In The End
What if you woke to find the electricity off, the internet down and the streets deserted? What if you were forced to run for your life, no longer top of the food chain? What if the government had no interest in keeping you alive, but you’d found a reason to struggle on, a new meaning to this life, those around every corner intent on hunting you down?
Could you survive the end of civilisation?
Meet Logan. That’s me. The first to believe the world had changed forever. The first to urge our friends to run. The first to kill, but not the first victim. I was the first to see for myself as nature bent before my eyes. With death surrounding, getting ever closer, they looked to me for answers.
Your blurb/summary sounds great but I think your pitch needs more specifics. Specifics will separate your story from the rest. Make it special. I’m no expert by all means but I’m in the trenches. Best to you are your publishing journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the advice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your elevator pitch…just enough to be extremely intriguing without spilling the beans. Excellent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLike
Gosh, it sounds exciting anyway I’d read it. The blurb which starts “In the end…” has me hooked. Not sure about the lift chat, I’d struggle myself! Could you not get someone to fart in the lift and then an awkward silence would fall over everyone!🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁Good tactic!!
LikeLike
Don’t stress about getting nervous! I get nervous when people ask me questions about my personal life or occupation right off the bat too. If she really wants to know she’ll read your book 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, that’s great advice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoyed your post!!!! Yes, good to have your pitch ready. Sounds interesting. Honestly, I enjoyed the lead up to the friend asking you about your novel. Your response was hilarious! Being caught off guard can throw you off, for sure! 💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLike
Try some emotional impact: It’s about you! (Just a suggestion).
‘The world is embroiled in a destructive meltdown, and survivors turn to you for help. Have you the courage to face hell or take failure as the easy option? Will (character’s name) deep love for (character’s name) overcome the impossible adversity?
Something to grab peoples sense of challenge – get the reader involved. Could they survive in this situation.
A few brainstorming runs are required until you get the most passionate, impulsive grabbing summary in as few words as possible.
Good luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the advice as always. I agree it needs some work
LikeLiked by 1 person
From reading the post in addition to the blurb, my impression is that you underestimate your talent! It is obvious that you work hard, and your generosity in sharing with others is more than admirable. I hope you can “own” your talent and work to the fullest so you net the tangible and intangible rewards. [This is not a criticism, but rather a positive critique; I hope you receive it this way.]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, you’re very kind
LikeLike
I think I’ve put others on the spot by asking what their book is about, but I always try to soften it with, “If you’re ready to share it”. An elevator pitch is a great idea, and I’m going to take that advice to heart. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the elevator pitch. I know it as the elevator speech. Being lost for words can happen to anybody. I bet you felt like a naked man in a room full of clothed people. You’re right. you have to be prepared. What’s the use owning a gun, if you don’t know how to use it? Thanks…always great advice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m the complete opposite anyone asks me about my project, they have to gag me to shut me up!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I completely understand that experience . If you did want to say more about your book then I would say cool. Say as much as you can in the least amount of words however there are a lot very accomplished writers that walk into the place I work and they are shy. They also don’t like giving any details about the plot of the book until its on the shelves so I wouldn’t worry about it so much. Happy writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi GJ,
Sorry for your loss. Always be ready to share your story, right? Finding the right timing is magic.
Thanks,
Gary
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi GJ,
Thank you again for what you are doing. Have a great week and getting your book marketed. You inspire me with good concrete and organized steps to giving flesh to a dream. I will do my best to respond to blogs and keep in touch. I start my Masters in a week so I am not dure what the toll will be on creativity. Thanks. I am putting an emailer together to keep people current on our media production and publish projects. Can I send our bi-monthly newsletter? If so what is the best email to use?
Thanks again,
Gary
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Gary. Thank you for your kind words. Yes please send me the newsletter to the email we used for the interview. I’ll keep an eye on how things go and good luck with your masters.
LikeLiked by 1 person