This was a timely read for today, Terry, because on the way out of my office building at 4 pm, I got on the elevator with a gentleman from the upper floor(s). My office building has 3 elevators banks, 4 elevators each, each quad going to specified floors. My elevator quad includes floors 10 - 20something. As I'm on 13 and going down, I knew all the floors above me were law offices, I thought it safe to assume that the gentleman was a lawyer about my age (ancient). This is how it went:
I got on the elevator and said to him, "How's lawyering?"
He: "It's that obvious?"
Me: "Well, I just guessed as the floors above 13 are law offices."
He: "Well, it's pretty good, lawyering. People like to fight."
Me: "Oh dear."
The doors opened at the lobby and as we got off we wished each other a good weekend.
I recently revised the elevator pitch for my first novel - the phrase "party bottom" seemed to produce an unintended fright. "Coming of age story" is less interesting but also less panic-inducing.
Definitely good to have different pitches for a particular audience. And if I don’t have a good logline for my life it’s best to redirect the question and listen to their answer.
“Sometimes, the elevator speech I hear was presumably crafted whilst going from the top floor to the bottom floor in a very tall building.”😂Classic Terry—I missed Terry! Catching up on your posts. I think—I dare say—there should be a lowest common denominator elevator speech no, no matter who the audience is? Recently, I asked my two former profs of literature, now retired and working actively with the Asiatic society of Mumbai, as to what their elevator speech was to keep that wonderful organization live. It risks bringing cut out of funding:( Their response was, it’s too complex, we will explain when you visit next. I love them to death, but not good, I thought!
Cool advice, Terry. I remember well, how important selecting the correct language register was during my career. If someone asked me, "What do you do?" I had different "language" to reply in depending on whether it was a prospective employer, another teacher, a mystified parent, a professional in my same academic field, or an angry, anti-immigrant someone. Each required a reply in different language or vocabulary to say the same thing. Requires diplomacy and sensitivity, doesn't it.
This explains a lot. I tend to reply to such questions as 'what did you do' with 'that depends. I was somewhere else and I have witnesses.' generally though you're right. A concise and honed reply puts you in frame. Of course, those of us who are not concise are proper screwed (vernac.)
“I have witnesses”: LOL. cf mine: “Are you Terry Freedman?” “Depends. Are you the taxman?” Yes, I hate doing them TBH. I tend to say, at the beginning of courses I am teaching, “If you’d like to know more about me, have a look at my website.” Saves a lot of time!
This was a timely read for today, Terry, because on the way out of my office building at 4 pm, I got on the elevator with a gentleman from the upper floor(s). My office building has 3 elevators banks, 4 elevators each, each quad going to specified floors. My elevator quad includes floors 10 - 20something. As I'm on 13 and going down, I knew all the floors above me were law offices, I thought it safe to assume that the gentleman was a lawyer about my age (ancient). This is how it went:
I got on the elevator and said to him, "How's lawyering?"
He: "It's that obvious?"
Me: "Well, I just guessed as the floors above 13 are law offices."
He: "Well, it's pretty good, lawyering. People like to fight."
Me: "Oh dear."
The doors opened at the lobby and as we got off we wished each other a good weekend.
I’ve never heard that term before. And as I don’t have one, I’m going to be thinking about it all day…
Sorry! TBH, I don't think you've missed much, but then I've never been very good at, or interested in, self-marketing!
I recently revised the elevator pitch for my first novel - the phrase "party bottom" seemed to produce an unintended fright. "Coming of age story" is less interesting but also less panic-inducing.
Definitely good to have different pitches for a particular audience. And if I don’t have a good logline for my life it’s best to redirect the question and listen to their answer.
I prefer listening to talking anyway, so yes!
So, what do you do?
1. That depends entirely on the time of day.
2. The best I can.
3. Whatever the voices ask me to do.
4. I would do anything for love. But I won't do that.
5. 😂
Brilliant. I really like #5 😃
"Career limiting," I guess that would be the result of a "sub optimal" response.
Yes! Well put, Jim! 😂 There is a history to that phrase which I shall relate soon 😁
“I often ask myself the same question!” 🤣 Brilliant, Terry!
Mine's this: "Oooh, I don't know. I'm still trying to work out what I want to be when I grow up." 😳
Joking aside (not that the above isn't the truth, because it is), you've shared some terrific advice in this post. Thanks so much!
Thanks, Rebecca. My invoice for said advice is in the post.
Typical. 😉
🤣 Hoist with my own petard!
Ha! You noticed! 😁
Blimey, I could hardly miss it! Chortle!
Like all great teachers, Terry, you lead by example. #servesyoujollywellright
“Sometimes, the elevator speech I hear was presumably crafted whilst going from the top floor to the bottom floor in a very tall building.”😂Classic Terry—I missed Terry! Catching up on your posts. I think—I dare say—there should be a lowest common denominator elevator speech no, no matter who the audience is? Recently, I asked my two former profs of literature, now retired and working actively with the Asiatic society of Mumbai, as to what their elevator speech was to keep that wonderful organization live. It risks bringing cut out of funding:( Their response was, it’s too complex, we will explain when you visit next. I love them to death, but not good, I thought!
Glad you liked that, Anu 🤣 No, definitely not good! But professors ALWAYS give long-winded answers!
I like that. I'll tell you later. Excellent
🤣
A good reminder!
Thanks, Alison!
Cool advice, Terry. I remember well, how important selecting the correct language register was during my career. If someone asked me, "What do you do?" I had different "language" to reply in depending on whether it was a prospective employer, another teacher, a mystified parent, a professional in my same academic field, or an angry, anti-immigrant someone. Each required a reply in different language or vocabulary to say the same thing. Requires diplomacy and sensitivity, doesn't it.
Thanks, Sharron. You're right about language. Diplomacy and sensitivity? Not my strong points. Chortle.
🤣
This explains a lot. I tend to reply to such questions as 'what did you do' with 'that depends. I was somewhere else and I have witnesses.' generally though you're right. A concise and honed reply puts you in frame. Of course, those of us who are not concise are proper screwed (vernac.)
“I have witnesses”: LOL. cf mine: “Are you Terry Freedman?” “Depends. Are you the taxman?” Yes, I hate doing them TBH. I tend to say, at the beginning of courses I am teaching, “If you’d like to know more about me, have a look at my website.” Saves a lot of time!