FreeThink: a blog published by Maxwell PR
Maxwell PR 1600 SE Bybee Blvd., Suite 202 Portland, Oregon 97202

My Favorite Thursday

Now that I've lived in the Portland area for more than a year, I figured it was about time to check out some of the hip happenings taking place right in my backyard. Well, if my backyard crossed two south-bound bridges...

In the past couple of weeks I've kicked it on Alberta in celebration of the last, Last Thursday, hung with the cool kids at the grand opening of Imelda's shoe salon on the most recent First Thursday in the Pearl and accidentally browsed art galleries hipster high-brow-style at The Affair at Jupiter Hotel.

But my hands-down winner has to be Last Thursday on Alberta. I had heard that there were good times to be had up there at the end of each month, but I was unprepared for the incredible turn out and the huge spread of really cool, nice people selling awesome things for extremely reasonable prices. I even bought art. Totally spontaneously - AND I bartered (just a tiny bit).

That's just what Last Thursday's about, it seemed to me... authentically cool people being genuinely nice to people who say things like "in my backyard" with great music in the background and really fabulous T-shirts.

The sad part: I only made it to Last Thursday on the last Thursday of this year's Last Thursdays. But the thought of next year is nearly enough to get me through the winter.

And in the meantime - wee lil' Vancouver just opened the first year-round, indoor farmer's market around here, right across from the spruced up Esther Short Park and the shiny new Hilton. Fresh, local produce and products all year long definitely merits a shout out to the 'couve (my actual backyard).
--Erica

posted on October 14, 2005


Elevate Your Speech

So what do you do? Why should I care?

According to Dave Yewman of Dash Consulting, people make judgments about you in 15 seconds or less, meaning a professional should be able to quickly and effectively answer those intimidating questions and hook the listener into wanting more. During a workshop for AMA members, Dave explained how elevator speeches are essential for business success.

I found Dave's presentation engaging and relevant to almost every industry. He shared the six steps to develop a killer elevator speech:

1) Use videotape - analyze yourself speaking, and you will notice more things to work on
2) Tell a story - give interesting examples to explain the "so what"
3) Speak English - avoid jargon at all costs
4) K.I.S.S. - keep it short and simple
5) Get to the point - say the most important things first to hook your listener
6) Practice - use a mirror, a colleague, and a video camera to hone your skills

Using this process can create a strategic differentiation that your clients, colleagues and prospects are sure to notice. These steps will give you more confidence, which is critical since how you look and how you speak account for 93 percent of believability.

So who is Maxwell PR? We are a boutique PR firm in Portland, contributing to a sustainable economy through clients we attract with our experience, flexibility and creativity.

Why should you care? We consistently deliver impressive results for our clients, driving their businesses to succeed. Whether you want to provide tasty chips across the country or help homeless youth gain life skills in Portland, we will help tell your story and accomplish your goals. Call us - we're ready to start.

--Laura

posted on


  This spirited, open forum by Maxwell PR staff members, studio mates and colleagues features people who are, in our opinion, doing the right things to get people talking. You'll see us rave about organizations building communities and rant about those who are missing obvious opportunities. We sprinkle in a little marketing and PR rhetoric from time to time for extra vigor and enthusiasm, and will share observations and insight based on our own experience honing our craft every day.  
 

Contributors

 
Articles
Recent Posts
Worth reading: