Rachel Taylor Geier

Greetings and welcome to a new Flute Friday!

While I was at the National Flute Association Convention this year, I noticed something rather interesting about the way flutists introduced themselves to each other. Many of us tend to use two major things as descriptive calling cards that only folks in the flutist community would understand: 1.) Who we studied with, and 2.) Where we got our degrees. Yet, this seems to suggest that who we are as flutists is based heavily on formulas, which I don’t think is quite true. Yes, some of our approaches may be derived from who we studied with, but our post-collegiate styles often develop as a kaleidoscope of different elements based on our influences, current trends, and ever-changing interests. Speaking for myself, I often find myself mimicking performers whom I have never had an actual private lesson with but whose style I find refreshing. In this spirit, it may be time to reinvent the flutist’s elevator pitch. In today’s blog, I will be discussing what an elevator pitch actually is and how we might use it to focus on other aspects of our career and/or interests to connect better with our flute colleagues. An elevator pitch should never be used to compete with someone else. It should, instead, be a brief synopsis of who we are and what makes us uniquely awesome.

NICE TO MEET YOU, MY NAME IS….ON ELEVATOR PITCHES

What are the Basic Components of an Elevator Pitch? In a nutshell, an elevator pitch is a brief way of introducing yourself, getting across a key point or two, and making a connection with someone else. The goal is to introduce yourself, engage your listener, and launch into a conversation in less than two minutes. There are four major components of a standard elevator pitch:

1. Introduce Yourself – This should include your name, where you work (or if you are in school what major you are and current year), and where you are from.
2. What you are interested in – Are you on the job market? What types of jobs are you looking to snag? Is there something that you do that is super cool and/or unique?
3. What can you offer? – What ensembles do you play in? Do you have a super cool masterclass series or online course that you have designed? Are there any achievements that you are super proud of?
4. Wrap it up! – Have a brief concluding sentence with a snappy, memorable quip to leave the listener with. (Example, “If you ever need a fortune-telling flutist to tell it like it is, I’m your girl!”)

How Might We Use this Elevator Pitch to Literally Elevate our Chats with Other Flutists? First and foremost, avoid trying to compete with someone you don’t know (even if you know “of” them). Even if you went to the same school or studied with the same teachers, you will be vastly different flutists with different talents, interests, and skills. The first part is easy – Introduce yourself. Example: “My name is Dr. Rachel Taylor Geier and I am a flutist, flute teacher, writer, and flute astrologer (yes that’s a thing!).” The next part is a little more challenging because it forces you to put something unique and super cool about yourself in the spotlight. Example: “I teach privately in California, write a monthly column on The Flute View called “Dr. G.’s Flute Horoscopes,” and host a weekly blog series entitled, “Flute Friday.” The next step, What can you offer?, is easy peasy. What groups do you currently perform with? Example: “I perform with the Camellia City Flute Choir and am on the sub list for Folsom Symphony Orchestra and Auburn Symphony Orchestra. I also give tarot card readings!” Finally, wrapping it up will require some creative thinking. You want to be memorable but in a fun, approachable way. Example, “I like to live outside the box of a normal flute career, and write about the view from the other side.”

Notice that I never once mentioned where I studied or who I studied with. These people and places were defining features of my career a decade ago. Old news! I have evolved since then. The elevator speech I have reflects who I am as a flutist now, not who I was when I was younger.

Other General Tips to Keep in Mind:

• When you are presented with an opportunity to give an elevator speech, make sure to pace yourself. Don’t speak too quickly to make it through all of your bullet-points at lightning speed. Slow down so the listener doesn’t miss anything you are saying (aka opportunities to connect).
• Remain engaged and make eye contact (but not in a creepy, off-putting, serial-killer way). Avoid looking away or becoming distracted by other passers-by.
• If you have given your speech and it has led to a connection, make sure to follow up. Did you exchange email addresses? Reach out in a timely manner to say hey and send any info you said you were going to send.
• Finally, PRACTICE your speech. Write it out and practice in front of a mirror until you’ve got it down and can make it sound like poetry on demand.

With all of these tips at hand, it is time to redesign your pitch so it represents who you are as a flutist now. This is how we make interesting connections with one another in a super supportive, creative, and accepting environment. We are all different and our differences are what make us great. Celebrate your own differences with a carefully crafted, yet totally relatable, elevator pitch.

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Do you already have an elevator pitch? What components do you find most useful when introducing yourself to other musicians? What is your snappy concluding line? Do you have any fun stories about elevator pitches gone right or even gone wrong? Please comment below!

Happy Fluting!