Neil H. Baum, MD, presented “The Elevator Speech: Getting Your Point Across in Thirty Seconds” for the Grand Rounds in Urology audience in January 2022.
How to cite: Baum, Neil H. “The Elevator Speech: Getting Your Point Across in Thirty Seconds.” January 2022. Accessed Jul 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/the-elevator-speech-getting-your-point-across-in-thirty-seconds/
The Elevator Speech: Getting Your Point Across in Thirty Seconds
Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, discusses elevator speeches and explains how physicians can use them to effectively advertise their practice to potential patients and business partners. He defines an elevator speech as a way to tell your professional story in 30 seconds. Dr. Baum states that, due to the fact that first impressions are established in less than seven seconds, elevator speeches are effective thanks to their short length. He recommends beginning an elevator speech with a 7-10 word headline to grab a listener’s attention, and following up with an explanation of how you will achieve the promise in your headline. Dr. Baum suggests ending an elevator speech with a 1-3 sentence success story that is customized to your listener’s needs and makes them want to invest more time with you. He concludes that elevator speeches provide a great opportunity to connect with potential patients and that a good elevator speech will capture the listener’s attention.
For more commentary on practice management from Dr. Baum, visit his Improving Your Urology Practice page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil H. Baum, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also a retired urologic surgeon. Additionally, Dr. Baum serves as the Medical Advisor to Vanguard Communications Group. Dr. Baum is the author of Marketing Your Clinical Practice - Ethically, Effectively, and Economically, which is in its 4th edition, has sold over 175,000 copies, and has been translated into Spanish. He also wrote The Complete Business Guide to a Successful Medical Practice, which was published in 2015. Dr. Baum was the columnist for American Medical News for more than 25 years. Dr. Baum also wrote the popular column, “The Bottom Line,” for Urology Times for more than 20 years. He is a requested speaker each year to the Practice Management Seminar for the American Urological Association (AUA), where he discusses techniques for making urology practices more efficient and more productive. He has written more than 9 books on practice management and over 250 peer-reviewed articles on various urologic topics. Dr. Baum is also the medical advisor to Vanguard Communications Group.
