It’s tough being an introvert in the era of networking. Here I am, the creative director of a communication design studio. Most of our work comes through connections. Yet when someone asks what I do for a living, my first urge is to change the subject. I can’t imagine how many opportunities have passed Combo by because of this reticence to describe what I do to people interested enough to ask.

Which is why I know that everybody needs an elevator pitch.

This is a speech that describes what your organization does, or what you specifically do, in 30 to 45 seconds—about the time people spend riding up or down an elevator. Of course, you don’t have to be in an elevator to give this spiel.

No matter what, an elevator pitch must be engaging. It requires thoughtful work and lots of practice to get right. The greatest communicators hit their points quickly and clearly: who they are, what they do, how they do it, who they do it for, what makes them or their organization unique.

While I’ve written elevator pitches for clients, I’ve been tongue-tied for years when it comes to explaining to others what I do for a living.

But I’m trying hard.

Combo Creative is a  communication design shop in Vancouver. We use creative, critical and design thinking to help our clients define and build their brands. Over the past few years, we’ve done everything from editing letters for one client to becoming another’s de facto marketing department. Most often we work to determine a client’s communication needs and recommend a combination of our services. Hence our name, Combo Creative.

I’m the creative director. I founded the studio in 2005 as a place for highly skilled creatives who want to produce engaging work with smart people for great clients. This approach has drawn remarkably talented creatives into the Combo fold and produced consistently exceptional results for our clients.

Here’s my card.

Now I just have to practice. Which is why I’m headed to the nearest elevator.

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