monday's workspace inspiration :: gravy | zoom in design

now accepting work from my outdoor patio! forecast: sunny, winds from the (hold on, gotta do the finger trick) northwest, i think...

a bit of furniture arranging, a tablecloth, extension cord, some greenery, bruno on slacker and i'm set!

have a great monday everyone!

jelly cliff notes :: writer's workshop on elevator pitches

thank you to carol farrar for hosting the writer's workshop at last week's jelly. we got some much needed practice on putting vision into verbalization. we started the week with tweets of carol's tips on perfecting your elevator pitch:


tip1: Keep it short, sweet & engaging. Leave people asking 4 more.

tip2: Practice makes perfect. Know ur key pts, memorize & own them! 

tip3: Smile. People like people who are friendly & approachable. 

tip4: Don’t “throw up” all over ur audience. Slow down. 

tip5: Speaking fast won't get ur msg out quicker. Only confuses listener 

tip6: Avoid ahs & ums. Pause. Then speak.

my key takeaways. the nitty gritty. 

have an intro, body and a close. 

ask questions to engage your listener. create a visual. tell a story. 

talk conversationally. no need to talk in complete sentences. 

use everyday language. don't get tech-y.

have several pitches at the ready depending on your audience.

end with a close. what is your goal? a sale? a referral? a facebook like?

we wrote. we shared. we fumbled. we laughed. we constructively criticized. we rejoiced in our outtakes!


so. what do YOU do?

jelly sponsor: 4 questions for Carol Farrar | NCSD Properties

Please welcome Carol Farrar, a beer aficionado turned real estate agent who enjoys blogging about her passion of the community. She will be moderating this week's roundtable Writer's Workshop on Elevator Pitches.

When did you begin speaking in public?

I joined Twin Oaks Toastmasters in May of 2008. I was terrified of speaking in front of an audience & couldn’t imagine delivering a speech in public. I knew that would be my biggest limitation in business so I joined Toastmasters & never looked back. In 2009, I attained the competent communicator designation which requires 10 speeches ranging from 4 to 12 minutes. I’m now two speeches away from the Advanced Communicator Bronze.

How did you get to where you are now?

It’s been quite a journey. Since 2000, I’ve been immersed in the craft beer industry (yes, I’m a beer snob). It was 5 years in the making as Distribution Supervisor at Stone Brewing Company where I managed the logistics of distributing a portfolio of craft beers nationally & regionally. 2005 was a pivotal year for my life & with it came the decision to change careers. Looking back, it certainly wasn’t the best time for jumping into the Real Estate Industry but everything happens for a reason. I worked as a mortgage consultant through 2007 until the housing market crash which brought me to another fork in the road, make another career change or segue into a different avenue of the industry. The choice I made is what I do now passionately. Serving the community of North County as an independent real estate agent who enjoys helping people navigate through one of the most critical & expensive changes in their life.

What do you love most about your job?

The people of course! I couldn’t do my job without them. My clients become my friends & vice versa. Plus, being a native to San Diego, I also enjoy finding creative ways to share my expertise of the area through my blog, 365 Things to do in North County San Diego.

What do you find the most challenging?

With the ever evolving changes in the real estate, it requires daily education to stay sharp on the latest rules & regulations. It’s essential to keep a pulse on marketplace. Relevant branding is also constant challenge.  People expect more than just a face on a sign, they want a reliable resource.