Heard of an 'elevator' pitch? Here's how you can extend it to a one-paged synopsis #writerchat #writingcommunity

 Imagine being trapped in a lift (elevator) with a publisher and having only a few minutes to present your book. What would you say? You have two minutes or less to impress that agent or publisher. Here's how to break it down:

- In 20 seconds, introduce yourself and your book, addressing the person by name.

- In 30 seconds, summarize your book concisely using brief and direct sentences. Who are the characters? What genre is the book? Be enthusiastic and avoid sounding apologetic.

- In 30 seconds, explain what distinguishes your book or yourself. What is unique about your writing style?

- In15 seconds, identify other authors or books with a readership that would likely enjoy your book.

- In 20 seconds, discuss your writing experience. If this is your first book, discuss any competitions you've participated in and highlight any accomplishments such as being shortlisted.

- In 20 seconds, provide an update on your book's marketing progress.

- In 15 seconds, share any feedback you've received from readers.

- In the final 10 seconds, express gratitude for their attention and offer them a copy of your book if you have one. Remember to give them your business card if you have it.

Practice your pitch in front of a mirror until you are fluent and without any "ums" or "you knows" dropping in. Practice your smile, record yourself speaking, and see where you start rambling or become unstuck.

You can use this formula to draft your synopsis, adjusting the seconds to line count. Keep it brief, preferably on one side of an A4 page. Font point 10 is just acceptable (but try to keep it point 12). You can adjust the margins to fit it all on one page.

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Sharpen your Elevator Pitch!

The two minute Elevator Pitch 

broken down into seconds

If you were stuck in a lift with a publisher, and had just a couple of minutes to say your piece what would it entail? Think about it. You have two minutes or less to impress that agent or publisher.

In twenty seconds make a short sharp introduction to you and your book. Be sure to know the name of person you are addressing!

In thirty seconds sum up your book in short sharp sentences. Who are the characters? What genre is the book? Make sure you sound enthusiastic and not apologetic. Enthusiasm is contagious!

In Thirty seconds say what’s special about your book? I'm sure you can think of something. If not your book, then you. What's special about you?

In fifteen seconds can you name any other authors or books with an audience who would be likely to enjoy reading your book?

In twenty seconds discuss what experience you have when it comes to writing. If this is your first book tell them about any competitions you've entered. Being shortlisted is an achievement so mention it.

In twenty seconds say how much/or how well the marketing is going for your book so far.

In fifteen seconds tell them know about any feedback from readers.

In ten seconds thank them for listening, and offer them a copy of your book if you have one to hand. And don't forget a business card! If you haven't got one yet, then now is the time to order a batch. They aren't expensive, so shop around.

Practice the elevator pitch in front of a mirror until you are fluent without any ers, ums and you knows dropping in. Practice your smile, record yourself speaking and see where you start rambling or become unstuck.

You can use this formula to write your synopsis, changing the seconds to line count. Keep it short (one side of A4 if possible. Font point 10 is acceptable, and adjust the margins to get it all on one page).