A One-Line Answer to What Do You Do

Say who you help and with what, in plain words, in one breath, then hand the question back.

Practitioner wisdomPractitioner advice, e.g. Pink, 2012 · To Sell Is Human, the one-word and question pitches

Common in networking and sales books; no controlled study tests intro formats.

Why it works

A plain line is easy to remember and repeat to someone else. A title or a list of services makes people nod and move on.

How to do it

  1. Write: I help [who] with [problem].
  2. Cut every word an outsider would not use.
  3. Add one tiny example if they ask more.
  4. End with a question back to them.

What to say

I help agri companies find plant heads and sales managers. What brings you here?

I run a small recruitment firm for farm and food companies. Which side are you on?

Avoid

Listing all your businesses at once. Pick the one that fits the room.

Example

At a FICCI food meet, Sunil used to say he did consulting, recruitment and websites. He switched to: I find senior people for food factories. Three people asked for his card.

Practise it

Related