Whether you're at a job interview, networking at a cocktailparty, or run into Warren Buffet in the elevator, quicklypersuading others to think you're the most interesting personthey'll meet is no easy task. There are eight steps to crafting theperfect elevator pitch:

　　无论你是在面试、在鸡尾酒会上聊天，还是在电梯里偶遇沃伦·巴菲特，迅速让别人认为你是他们见过的最有趣的人并非易事。有八个步骤可以准备完美的电梯自我推销：

　　1. Know exactly where you want to go.

　　知道自己想要什么

　　Your elevator pitch should answer three questions: Who are you? What do you do? Where doyou want to go, or what are you looking for? You need to know exactly what you want to achieveor no one can help you get there.

　　你的电梯推销要回答三个问题：你是谁?你是做什么的?你对未来有什么计划，或者你希望得到什么?你要确切知道自己想获得什么，否则没有人可以帮你。

　　2. Bullet point it.

　　简单写出重点

　　Write down four bullet points that explain why you're great. Discuss your work history,background, skills, accomplishments, and goals. Keep out any irrelevant details that take awayfrom your core message.

　　写下能证明你很优秀的四个要点。梳理你的工作经历、背景、技能、成就和目标。把与核心信息无关的细节都剔除掉。

　　3. Tell them a story.

　　讲故事

　　People love stories, so tell them a story. It also makes it easier for others to remember you lateron.Our minds are essentially "associate machines," which means we remember things better whenthere's a story or association attached to the subject. In other words, if you want people toremember you, tell them a story and make sure it's good.

　　人们喜欢听故事，所以就告诉他们故事吧。这也让别人更容易记住你。我们的大脑本质上是“联想机器”，这意味着当一件事能让人想起故事或产生联想时，它更会被牢记。换句话说，如果你希望人们记住你，就告诉他们故事，并确保是个好故事。

　　4. Eliminate jargon.

　　避免行业术语

　　You need to be able to explain what you do and who you are in a way that appeals to mostpeople. This means avoiding acronyms or terminology that wouldn't be understood by someoneoutside of your industry.

　　你要能用有吸引力的方式解释你做了什么以及你是谁。这意味着避免用圈外人不理解的缩写词或术语。

　　5. Make sure it invites conversation.

　　确保有后续进展

　　After telling your story, the listener needs to be left wanting more. Is your story compellingenough to do this? If not, you need to change your pitch.

　　你说完故事后，需要让听众觉得意犹未尽并想了解更多。你的故事能达到这个效果吗?如果不能，就需要调整故事了。

　　6. Time yourself.

　　控制时间

　　While practicing your pitch, you should time yourself to make sure you can tell your story in 30seconds. If you can't, cut down details and try again.

　　当你练习时，你应该确保可以把故事控制在30秒内。如果不能，就减少细节再试一次。

　　7. Record yourself on video.

　　自己录视频

　　You need to know what you look like to others while you're telling your story. Are you interesting?Are you believable? People will come to their own conclusions while listening to you so make sureyou give off a good impression. Relax, act natural, and get comfortable with your story.

　　你需要知道别当你说故事时的言行举止是什么样。你很有趣吗?可以令人相信吗?当听你说话时，人们会自己下结论，所以一定要给别人留下好印象。放松、表现自然并熟悉你的故事。

　　8. Pitch it to your friends and colleagues.

　　在朋友和同事前练习

　　After you've got your story down, practice your elevator pitch with friends and colleagues. Askthem to give you feedback. Ask them what you should do to make it better. Keep practicing untilit's natural for you to say aloud and convincing to the listener.

　　你打磨完故事后，与朋友和同事演练电梯里的自我推销吧。请他们给你反馈。问他们你应该做些什么能更有进步。坚持练习，直到你可以很自然的大声表达并说服听众。

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（编辑：何莹莹）