… by Jeffrey W. Hayzlett, Best-Selling Author, Change Agent and Sometime Cowboy

Now more than ever, technology makes everything move faster and increases the need for speed and immediate relevance in pitching. At BlogWorld East, where bloggers will unite, how will you be the treasured story in a book of empty words?

The answer—the 118 Pitch. It’s a concept—a SKILL–I promote in my book, “The Mirror Test”. The 118 pitch is the 21st century version of what some people still call the elevator pitch, an out-of-date name for the worthy idea of selling–yourself, a concept, your business, your blog—in the span of an elevator ride. It comes from the 118 seconds you actually have to pitch: 8 seconds to hook me (the average attention span of an adult) and up to 110 seconds (the average elevator ride in New York) to drive it home – less than two minutes with only seconds to spare.

Before you arrive at BlogWorld, take few minutes to get your 118 ready. Spend some time thinking though it.

Key points to keep in mind:

• Clearly identify who you are to your “listener”.
• Concisely tell them about your unique value proposition.
• Sell it! (Why should anyone follow your blog??)

Now create your 118 pitch. Think about what would catch YOUR attention. Craft phrases so that they stir interest. Your 118 pitch will more likely be remembered when the listener returns home after the conference.

Here’s a great example and winner of The 118 Contest we did last year.

For more inspiration writing your 118 pitch, visit our website at 118pitch.com.

Now, practice it in front of the mirror, your dog, your next door neighbor. Say it with confidence. If you don’t believe it, who will!

You’re ready, let’s do it. Get out there and deliver your blog’s 118 pitch to everyone you meet at BlogWorld!

JEFFREY W. HAYZLETT is an award-winning executive who received great notoriety during his tenure at Eastman Kodak Company, where he served as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Vice President. Since leaving Kodak, he has put his creativity and extraordinary entrepreneurial skills into play, launching ventures that blend his leadership perspectives, insights into professional development, mass marketing prowess and affinity for Social Media. He is a well-traveled public speaker, the author of the bestselling book, “The Mirror Test: Is Your Business Really Breathing?” and one of the most compelling figures in global business.

Dubbed “The Celebrity CMO” by Forbes Magazine, Jeffrey has successfully leveraged multiple media appearances, including CNBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Fox Business News, and NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump. Drawing upon an eclectic background in business, buoyed by a stellar track record of keynote speaking, and deeply rooted in cowboy lore, Jeffrey energizes his role as a change agent. He is a turnaround architect of the highest order, a maverick marketer who delivers scalable campaigns, embraces traditional modes of customer engagement, and possesses a remarkable cachet of mentorship, corporate governance and brand building.