Pitching what you do needs energy -- energy in your voice and body language. The same energy you have if you're pitching your screenplay to an agent or getting a large crowd’s attention. Elevator speeches have become over processed and passive. People only notice if you give a poor one and that is because they measured it against their own. A good introduction, without a firecracker beginning, doesn't stop them in their moment.

You want them to remember you and your answer for a long time. Not just 10 minutes, next day when they call you to pitch you, but next week, next month, when something happens and their pain appear. Better yet, when they are talking to someone else and see pain-solution results. They see you as answer. A firecracker stays with people for quite some time. Where were you last time you saw fireworks? Once triggered, I'm sure you remember day, time, and whom you were with quite quickly.

You will want to create a memorable firecracker introduction that you can use everywhere -- in any introduction, any situation, as key point of every presentation, voice- mail message, e-mail signatures, slogan on a business card or even as a headliner on your website home page.

Let’s learn this process together by beginning with a few examples I created. These examples will also give you hints on how you can open your pitches with a firecracker moment. Pitches that change people’s moments – ignite a firecracker under their assets.

During summer Olympics I watched men's and women's hurdles. I'm always impressed by these athletes' ability to run at full speed and leap hurdles without breaking stride.

But each time I watch this track event, I have same reaction. If they just went out on track and removed those barriers, it would be a heck of lot easier to get around track. The athletes could run faster, more smoothly and wouldn't risk falling (as accomplished Flo Joyner did).

If you are struggling to attract clients, you may feel like you're running hurdles. Obstacles like limited promotional budgets, ads that don't sell, web sites that don't generate leads, prospects that aren't ready to buy or who think your prices are too high, all get between prospects and sale.

Do you find yourself struggling to overcome hurdles to getting sale?

You can clear track of hurdles that are getting between you and potential clients once and for all and create a clear path for prospects to become clients. If your target market knew you and how you could help them, understood value of your services and contacted you when they were ready to buy you'd be rolling in revenue.

Is this how your business works?

Are you getting a steady stream of calls and new clients?

What can you do to remove these obstacles and increase your sales?

If you haven't already identified your marketing obstacles, start by doing so. The first step is to list them. Once you know your biggest obstacles to increasing sales, you can look for ways to get rid of them. (If you have other staff involved in sales, get their input too.)

Below are two common obstacles to sales. For each I've included some simple strategies for removing these obstacles. Once you understand that marketing obstacles aren't permanent, you'll discover that you can remove more and more impediments and clear way for increased sales.

1. Lack of Awareness You're just starting your business. No one has heard of you, and given your lack of revenue, you have little to invest in advertising. What do you do?