Day 1 of Problogger’s 31 Days to Build A Better Blog Challenge!  The challenge was to create an Elevator Pitch.  Below are the guidelines I used, and at the verrrrry bottom of this post, I give my -first- elevator pitch.

Solve a Problem or Need
I had an internal need.  I needed to do something with my life; school wasn’t cutting it.  I had an itch; social media scratched it.

Define Your Audience
I’d love to say that my audience is the world.  Now wouldn’t that be nice.  But, being realistic, my audience is those who are interested in innovation, business, technology, problem solving, connecting with others, and improving themselves.  My audience is motivated, engaged, and interested in the world around them.  I would venture to say that my audience consists of many Gen-Y’ers and young professionals.

Be Clear
I am Sarah.  I am fierce.  I like to speak my mind.   I like to talk about things that matter.  I like to have fun.  I like to work hard.  I like to meet people.  The End.

Keep it Short
See above.

Stand Out
I have curly hair.  I’m talking seriously curly.  People think I’m a) Egyptian, b) Spanish, c), Greek, e) Middle Eastern, or f) Italian.  None are correct.  The answer would be z) 100% Russian.  However, besides my looks, I stand out because I’m an anomaly.  I’m a girl, I like technology, I like dressing up, and I like going backpacking on an island without a compass or a medkit (true story, not necessarily on purpose).  I go against the grain and I like it.  So far, it’s worked out.

Be Intriguing
“Elevator pitches” and “who am I’s” are always difficult to me.  I am so many things at once and none of them at the same time.  (Cryptic, I know.)  Therefore, that’s why I’m intriguing.  I, and everyone else, don’t know what’s coming from Sarah Merion next.  I keep it interesting.

Be Energetic but not Hyped
This is key for me!!!!!!!!  (Get it…?)  I get very passionate about projects I’m working on (or life in general).  I’ve found that if you are less emotionally attached to an issue or a pitch, the more likely you are to receive positive reception from your audience.  You don’t want to sell too hard, but at the same time you can’t come across apathetic.  Walk the line of committed and passionate.  Know when to stop.  Don’t Oversell.

Consider Using a Question
I wonder how other people are approaching this first task?  Do you think most people who even signed up for 31DBBB even made through Day 1?

Be Ready to Expand Upon Your Pitch
Test me!  Call me/email me/DM me/connect with me on LinkedIn/Friend me up on Facebook/pull me out of class and demand I give you my elevator pitch right then and there.

And now…. The Elevator Pitch
SarahMerion.com educates, motivates, and inspires people just like me to jumpstart their lives.  I help people understand the value in social media and how to use it the way they want to in order to achieve what they want to.  This doesn’t mean using it like me – it just means using it to satisfy your own animal instinct to be a beast and dominate the world.

That was fun!  What do you think?  Good?  Bad?  Ugly?  Honesty and I are good buddies so let me have it.