How to Turn Small Talk Into Big Opportunities

April 15, 2025

Let’s be real. Elevator pitches can feel like a late-night infomercial–a robotic recitation of what your business does with an added exclamation point at the end. But for business owners and sales professionals, every interaction is an opportunity. A truly effective elevator pitch transcends mere information delivery.


It's about forging genuine connections that can blossom into leads, partnerships, and lasting relationships. It's about making those precious few seconds count, not just for what you say, but for how you make the other person feel.


What most people get wrong in their elevator pitch is that they make it sound like a commercial and all about them, when it should be about your audience.


Forget the rigid templates and the pressure to cram every detail into a thirty-second spiel. This isn’t about broadcasting; it’s about initiating a conversation. The key lies in shifting your focus from simply explaining your business to creating a spark of interest and establishing a human connection.


If you take nothing else from this article know that:


the pitch must ignite interest


The Psychology of Connection in Brief Interactions


Humans are wired for connection. Even in brief encounters, we subconsciously seek common ground, shared values, and genuine interest.


Your elevator pitch should tap into this innate desire. Instead of launching into a list of features and benefits, start with a relatable problem you solve or a shared passion that drives your business.


Think about your ideal client or contact. What are their pain points? What are their aspirations? Craft an opening that acknowledges their world and subtly positions your business as a potential solution or a valuable resource. This approach immediately makes the interaction less transactional and more empathetic.


Storytelling Elements That Resonate


While quick is crucial, weaving in a concise narrative “elevates” your pitch. Instead of saying, “We offer marketing solutions,” try something like, “I help small business owners who are overwhelmed by social media finally find a consistent way to connect with their customers and grow their brand. I saw my own sister struggle with this, and that’s why I started [Business Name].” This personal touch and the hint of a story make your pitch more memorable and relatable.


Focus on the why behind your business. What motivates you? What impact do you hope to make? Sharing a sliver of your passion can create an emotional resonance that facts and figures alone can't achieve.


Tailoring Pitches to Different Personality Types


Not everyone responds to the same approach. Observe the person you're speaking with. Are they direct and results-oriented? Focus on the tangible benefits and your track record. Are they more relationship-focused? Emphasize collaboration and shared values.


Having a few variations of your pitch allows you to adapt to different personalities and contexts. Practice delivering each version so it feels natural and authentic, rather than forced.


The Importance of Active Listening Post Delivery


Your elevator pitch isn't a monologue; it's the opening line of a potential dialogue. Pay close attention to the other person's reaction. Are they asking questions? Are they nodding in understanding? Are they looking over your shoulder to be bailed out of the conversation the moment they see someone they know? Use their cues to guide the conversation.


Be prepared to elaborate on specific points that pique their interest. This shows you're genuinely engaged and interested in their needs, not just delivering a pre-rehearsed script. A thoughtful question in return can further deepen the connection and open doors for future interaction.


Ultimately, a successful elevator pitch is less about perfection and more about authenticity. It's about conveying your passion, highlighting your value, and making a genuine connection in a short amount of time. By focusing on building rapport and leaving a lasting impression, you transform a brief encounter into a potential steppingstone for long-term growth and meaningful relationships.


So, ditch the robotic recitation and embrace the art of the connection – and your pitch will get you all the way to the top floor.



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Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle, rediscovering the magic within.

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Medium: @christinametcalf

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor

LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

The Smarter Way to Grow Customer Value

April 15, 2025
Growth isn't about getting more leads—it's about making more of the customers you have. Alex Hormozi's Four R's—Retain, Review, Refer, Resell—focus on post-purchase impact. Traditional marketing builds attention. Hormozi's model builds revenue. Combine both strategies for stronger loyalty, social proof and long-term profitability. Focus on what happens after the sale—it’s where the real growth begins. 623 words ~ 3 min. read You’re working harder than ever to win new customers—but revenue still feels flat. The problem isn’t reach. It’s what happens after the sale. That’s the insight behind entrepreneur and author Alex Hormozi’s approach to business growth. While traditional marketing focuses on building awareness and brand image through the classic Four R’s— Reach, Reputation, Renew and Refer —Hormozi shifts the focus to what drives real revenue: Retain, Review, Refer, Resell. Don’t Just Fill the Funnel—Squeeze It Traditional marketing strategies are built to attract leads. They’re critical, especially for new or growing businesses. But without a strong back end, you’re pouring new leads into a leaky funnel. Hormozi’s model aims to fix the leak and turn one-time buyers into long-term profit centers. Here’s how each step works: Retain: Loyalty Is the Real Growth Hack Customer retention is one of the most reliable ways to increase profitability. A Harvard Business Review study found that improving retention by just 5% can boost profits by up to 95%. Businesses often overinvest in attracting new customers while underinvesting in the ones they already have. Retention means strengthening relationships and solving problems before they cause churn. Review: Let Your Customers Sell for You Social proof sells. According to BrightLocal, 98% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses. Reviews build trust, shorten sales cycles and improve conversion rates. Hormozi’s advice? Make it easy for customers to leave reviews, and make sure those reviews are visible. Refer: Turn Fans Into a Growth Engine Referral programs aren’t new—but most aren’t executed well. A structured, incentivized referral system brings in leads who already trust your brand. Referred customers typically convert faster and stay longer, making them more profitable over time. Resell: Serve More, Sell More It’s easier to sell to an existing customer than to a new one. Yet many businesses stop after the first transaction. Hormozi emphasizes the importance of upselling, cross-selling and solving additional customer needs. Your warmest leads are already in your pipeline—keep serving them. A Real-World Example Consider a local fitness studio. Instead of spending thousands each month on paid ads, they focused on automating reviews and rewarding referrals. Six months later, their revenue had doubled without increasing lead volume. The secret? Maximizing the value of their existing customer base. Combine the Old and the New This isn’t about ditching traditional marketing—it’s about completing the strategy. Use Reach and Reputation to build awareness, then activate Hormozi’s Retain-Review-Refer-Resell loop to drive repeat value. Here’s a quick comparison: Marketing R's: Reach → Reputation → Renew → Refer Growth R's: Retain → Review → Refer → Resell Together, these models form a full-circle approach: Attract, deliver, retain, and expand. Try This: One R at a Time This week, choose one of the Four R’s and put it into practice. Start with Retain: What would make your best customers stay three months longer? Growth doesn’t just come from new eyes—it comes from deeper relationships. It’s time to stop chasing leads and start growing value.  --- The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

AI Isn’t Replacing SEO—It’s Redefining It

April 7, 2025
Google's AI-generated search summaries shift SEO from rankings to relevance. Local businesses must prioritize clarity, context, and authority in their content. Structured data, featured snippets, and site experience now influence AI visibility. Building topical depth helps businesses become the trusted source AI turns to. Winning SEO in 2025 means answering questions—not just attracting clicks. 581 words ~ 3 min read The SEO landscape is changing—and fast. But contrary to what you may have heard, SEO isn’t dead. It’s getting smarter, thanks to AI. Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) is a prime example. Instead of simply listing websites, Google now displays AI-generated summaries in response to user queries. These summaries pull from what the algorithm sees as the most trustworthy and relevant content—and that means your business needs to think differently about how it shows up online. This evolution is especially important for local businesses . A potential customer may never scroll down to your link if Google’s AI answers their question up top. But if your content is included in that summary? You’re not just visible—you’re the answer. What’s Changing?  Traditional SEO focused on keywords, backlinks, and meta tags. Today, search engines use AI to understand intent , not just terms. That means creating human-first content that clearly answers questions, reflects authority, and builds trust. Instead of writing for algorithms, businesses now need to write for clarity. AI doesn’t reward keyword stuffing—it elevates content that solves problems. Think of it this way: SEO used to be about getting found. Now, it’s about being useful. Case in Point A local HVAC company in Texas revamped its FAQ and service pages to clearly address customer pain points like “Why is my AC leaking?” and “How fast can you repair an AC unit in summer?” They added schema markup and structured headers. Within weeks, their content began appearing in AI-generated summaries. Bookings rose 22%—and their brand authority grew along with it. Your AI-Ready SEO Checklist Here are four moves your business can make today: Optimize for Featured Snippets Structure your content to answer common customer questions clearly and concisely. Use headers, lists, and direct answers. Build Topical Authority Group your content into clusters—blogs, FAQs, videos—that cover a topic deeply. This signals to AI that your site is a credible source. Enhance User Experience Fast load times, mobile optimization, and easy navigation aren’t just good UX—they’re now ranking signals. Use Structured Data (Schema Markup) Help search engines understand your content. Schema tags tell AI what your page is about—and how it fits user intent. Why This Matters for Your Business AI is changing the way customers find and choose businesses. If your content isn’t being surfaced in AI summaries, you risk losing visibility—even if your site ranks on page one. But this isn’t a threat. It’s an opportunity. Businesses that provide clear, trustworthy answers to common questions will not only stay visible—they’ll become the go-to experts in their space. And for Chamber members , this shift is a competitive edge. Most small businesses aren’t yet adapting to AI-driven search. By moving early, you stand out. What to Do Now ✅ Review your website’s top-performing pages. ✅ Ask: Do they clearly answer your customers’ most common questions? ✅ If not, update them with clarity, structure, and supporting content. ✅ Add schema markup where possible. ✅ Improve mobile speed and user experience SEO isn’t just about being found. It’s about being trusted. In the AI era, businesses that earn that trust—through clear, quality content—will lead the way. --- The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

10 Ways to Get the Most from Your Chamber Membership

April 7, 2025
Some people think chambers of commerce work magic—and in many ways, they do. But to see real results and get the most from your membership, you need to be involved. Joining is a smart move, but the true value comes when you actively engage. If you’ve been wondering whether you’re making the most of your membership—or if you’re just starting out and you’re not sure how to get the most out of it—here are ten practical ways to tap into the value your chamber offers. 1. Show Up and Be Seen The simplest way to maximize your membership is to attend events. Networking mixers, ribbon cuttings, educational workshops, and signature luncheons put you face-to-face with other members, community leaders, and potential customers. Visibility builds trust, and trust builds business. - Looking for a Chamber event? Visit our calendar and filter by “Chamber Event”! See you there! 2. Introduce Yourself Online Most chambers offer a member directory, website listing , or social media shoutout for members. Take advantage of it! Ensure your business profile is up to date, includes a compelling description, and links to your website and social media.  - Unsure of your company login? Contact us: Office@LLChamber.com If your chamber tags members online, engage with their posts to boost visibility. Not sure what they’ll do for you on social—ask. Some chambers have tiers that give more social media and marketing exposure, while others are happy to give you a shoutout. - Want another place to share your company news? Visit our Facebook group ! Open for all to join, but only open for Chamber Members to post their news. Speaking of… 3. Use Member-Only Marketing Perks Chambers often provide exclusive opportunities to advertise in newsletters (or on their website), sponsor events, or be featured in business spotlights. These are often far more affordable than traditional advertising and directly reach a targeted local audience. Ask about low-cost or free ways to get featured. - We have two emails – a job search (Working Wednesdays) and an announcement email (Community News). To submit your open hiring positions or upcoming event/company announcement, please send the information to: Office@LLChamber.com - We also have a community job board we’ll add your open positions on! - Our online calendar is open to submissions! We feature our member events and (attempt!) to feature all events in Leavenworth County. You can submit your event here ! 4. Host or Sponsor Events Sponsorships aren’t just about logos on banners—they’re about association and visibility. Whether you sponsor a lunch and learn, co-host a networking mixer, or provide space for a meeting, you position your organization as a local leader and supporter of the community. Not into event sponsorships? There may be other opportunities such as naming conference rooms, sponsoring giveaways, or in-kind donations. Many chambers are doing some innovative and fun events with creative sponsorship opportunities. They may even be open to you suggesting your own. - Check out our speaker/host proposal form on our website! - Want to know about upcoming sponsorship opportunities? Just ask: Office@LLChamber.com 5. Participate in Advocacy Efforts Your chamber is your voice at city hall and beyond. Stay informed about local legislation, zoning issues, and economic development initiatives that affect your business. Many chambers host candidate forums, legislative briefings, or policy committees—get involved to shape the future of your local economy. Additionally, voice your concerns and opinions so your chamber knows best how to advocate for you and your industry. - We are constantly working to do our best to advocate for our membership community. Join our Government Affairs Committee ! Second Thursday of every month, 9-10AM, at the Chamber Offices. - Or, visit our YouTube channel and watch some of the fantastic videos from events hosted by our GAC! 6. Leverage Learning Opportunities From business planning to digital marketing to hiring best practices, chambers often host workshops, webinars, and panel discussions to keep you abreast of trends and best practices. Use them. These sessions can save you hours of research—and sometimes thousands of dollars. Plus, you know the products, services, and companies presented in these learning ops are vetted and (usually) chamber members. - Again, see our playlists ! - Check out our Leadership program ! 7. Connect with Other Members Chambers are a goldmine of potential partnerships. Need a CPA? Looking for a nonprofit to support? Want a trusted supplier? Look to your fellow members first. When you do business with others in the chamber, you contribute to a stronger, more connected local economy. These new partners may also send business your way. - Visit our Directory! 8. Tell Your Story People want to do business with people they know, like, and trust. Share your milestones, success stories, or community impact with the chamber staff. Many chambers are happy to highlight member achievements in newsletters or on social media—it’s great exposure and helps build your reputation. - We’ve mentioned our newsletters, but you can also submit your stories to our Press Releases ! This can be done in your membership login, or send it to us at: Office@LLChamber.com Get personal. If your chamber asks you for a new member writeup for your business. Give it some thought. What do you want people to know most about you? How can you make them more curious about you so they’ll sample your offerings? Don’t just copy and paste your website’s about page. You want to give people moments where they feel connected to you. Ask yourself what is it about you and your business that people will identify with or find interesting. 9. Get Your Team Involved Your membership isn’t just for you—it’s for your whole team. Encourage staff to attend networking events, professional development events and leadership programs, or industry roundtables. It can boost morale, expand your reach, and help with talent retention. - We’re always glad to see our members! Whether you’ve been with the organization for decades or just started an internship, we appreciate seeing you, meeting you, and having you participate in our events . 10. Ask Questions and Offer Ideas Finally, know chambers are member-driven organizations. If you’re unsure how to plug in or have an idea for a new program or service, speak up. Chamber staff are usually eager to help and love hearing member feedback. Your input could lead to new initiatives that benefit the whole community. Your Chamber is a Partner, Not Just a Provider Chamber membership benefits your business even if you don’t partake in all its offerings, but you’ll get a lot more if you’re an active member. Whether you’re a solopreneur, a nonprofit director, or the CEO of a growing company, your chamber is there to support your success. Get involved, build relationships, and use the tools available. You’ll not only grow your business—you’ll strengthen your community in the process. - Other benefits include: A. Medical Plans (For companies with 2 – 100 W-2 employees) B. Advertising Value Report (As long as you have a Chamber Membership, your directory listing is getting views) C. Low Cost Merchant Account (Looking at credit card processing?) -------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Medium: @christinametcalf Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith