The PR Maven Podcast: Recent Episodes
Nancy Marshall
The PR Maven® Podcast uses a combination of traditional networking techniques and the power of social media to help you build your personal and professional brand. The podcast features interviews with industry leaders, top executives, media personalities and online influencers about public relations and their personal brand. Each week, Nancy Marshall, The PR Maven®, connects with a special guest to talk about their career, and business or organization, as well as the latest news and events that will give listeners a unique perspective on the world of public relations, marketing and personal branding, including actionable takeaways.
Alright! Nancy Marshall here, and buckle up because this is it, the grand finale! It's hard to believe, but this is the very last episode of the PR Maven Podcast. Six years! Six glorious years of spilling the tea, cracking open some good PR wisdom, and sharing a laugh or two along the way.
You have always seen Nancy on the front but this all would have not been possible without my producer the fabulous Emma Quinlan.
We've had some real rockstar guests on this show. From industry titans to rising stars, each one brought their unique perspective and valuable insights.
So, what's next? Well, this might be the end of the PR Maven Podcast, but it's certainly not the end of the road for yours truly. I've got a few exciting things brewing. In the meantime, all the past episodes are still up for your listening pleasure on marshallpr.com and all the usual podcast haunts. And do keep in touch on the Facebook group!
This isn't goodbye, it's just see you later! With a heart full of gratitude, this is Nancy Marshall, signing off. 00:00 Introduction to the PR Maven Podcast
01:04 Final Episode Announcement
01:42 Reflecting on Six Years of Podcasting
03:09 Highlighting Popular Episodes and Guests
04:20 Awards and Recognitions
05:01 Gratitude to Loyal Fans and Listeners
05:34 Future Plans and Farewell
06:15 Final Thank You and Closing Remarks
In this episode of The PR Maven® Podcast, host Nancy Marshall explores the power of storytelling in PR and branding with Tangia Renee Al-awaji Estrada. Tangia, a PR and brand strategist and co-founder of BIPOC Podcast Creators, shares her journey from political science and community organizing to founding her own PR agency. The conversation covers the importance of personal branding, effective media relations, and the unique challenges of PR efforts within multicultural communities. Tangia emphasizes the need for genuine relationship-building and understanding the nuances of different communities. The episode also features insights on maintaining authentic connections and highlights the impact of the pandemic on Tangia's career trajectory. Additionally, the podcast episode includes a segment about Pitchcraft, a platform for improving media pitching.
00:00 Introduction to The PR Maven® Podcast 01:05 The Importance of Personal Branding 02:08 Meet Our Guest: Tangia Renee Al-awaji Estrada 03:57 Tangia's Journey into PR and Branding 06:38 Impact of the Pandemic on Tangia's Career 09:00 Building Relationships with Media Professionals 11:41 Challenges in PR with Multicultural Communities 14:54 Best Practices for Authentic Relationships 18:11 Pitchcraft: Enhancing Media Pitching Skills 20:27 Empowering Underrepresented Communities 25:00 The Power of Storytelling in Branding 29:47 Tangia's Recommended Resources and Contact Information 31:31 Conclusion and Farewell
Related Episodes Episode 140: Supporting Maine’s newcomers and diversity in business, with Alyne Cistone, founder and CEO of Global Tides Consulting LLC
Episode 125: Embracing humanity from building relationships to diversity and inclusion, with Fabiana Meléndez, senior publicist at Zilker Media
How Marketing Can Help Overcome Challenges in Higher Education With Cheryl Broom – Episode 168
About Tangia Tangia Renee Al-awaji Estrada is a dynamic PR and brand strategist, and international public speaker with a passion for storytelling and community building. As the Co-Founder of BIPOC Podcast Creators, Tangia is committed to elevating diverse voices and sharing stories that matter. Her work has been recognized by top publications such as USA Today, Bustle, NPR and more. She regularly shares both her public relations and podcasting expertise with national and global audiences.
With a background in community organizing, media relations, public policy and campaigning, Tangia brings a unique perspective to her work as a PR professional. She understands the power of storytelling to shape perceptions, build brand awareness, and create meaningful connections with audiences. Her strategic insights and expertise in media relations have helped countless clients and community initiatives achieve their business goals and secure high-profile media coverage.
Tangia is a natural leader and mentor; her passion for empowering others is evident in everything she does. She has a talent for building relationships and creating collaborative partnerships, and she is committed to creating opportunities for underrepresented communities in the media and PR industries. She holds a degree in political science from Metropolitan State University and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Nonprofit Management from Regis University.
Tangia is also the creator of That’s What She Did Podcast, a show that amplifies the voices of brilliant women. The podcast was named by USA Today as a top show to listen to for Women’s History Month.
In this episode, Nancy hosts performance coach April Chavez. They discuss April's journey from being a police officer and living with lupus to becoming a performance coach and public speaker. April emphasizes the importance of spiritual, intellectual, and physical wellness, and shares insights on how her experiences and challenges have shaped her advocacy. The episode also highlights April's approach to wellness through relaxation techniques, meditation, and her Wellness Driven Life Show. Additionally, they touch upon the significance of personal branding and how having a clear, authentic brand can enhance one's professional and personal life. The episode is powered by Pitchcraft, a community that aids PR professionals in pitching stories to journalists.
00:00 Introduction to the PR Maven Podcast
01:05 Meet Nancy Marshall: The PR Maven
01:54 Guest Introduction: April Chavez
02:50 April's Journey: From Law Enforcement to Wellness Advocate
06:58 The Impact of Environment on Wellness
10:00 Lupus and Personal Resilience
13:20 The Power of Relaxation and Meditation
19:04 Pitchcraft: Enhancing PR Strategies
21:35 April's Wellness Principles and Public Speaking
24:44 Growing Your Brand Through Public Speaking and Social Media
28:36 Connecting with April Chavez
30:29 Conclusion and Farewell Episode is sponsored by Pitchcraft
This podcast episode is sponsored by Pitchcraft.
How are these Maine newspapers adapting to the digital age? CEO and Publisher of the Maine Trust for Local News, publishing Central Maine News, Portland Press Herald and Sun Journal publications, Lisa DeSisto explains in this episode. Lisa shares how she was initially hired at MaineToday Media in 2012 because of her digital expertise, helping balance the existing print publications with all the digital possibilities. Using social media and email as well as industry tools to focus on trending topics and headlines that perform the best, these publications have been able to reach readers where they are and build relationships that result in subscriptions. This episode is also filled with fun Maine stories from lobster roll snatching seagulls to a whoopie pie theft.
00:00 Introduction to the PR Maven® Podcast
01:03 Introducing Guest: Lisa DeSisto
02:05 Lisa’s Career From Boston to Maine
04:14 Balancing Print and Digital
07:02 How Social Media Is Used To Spread Journalism
10:26 Using Email To Acquire Customers
11:25 How Stephen King Helped the Portland Press Herald Gain Subscribers
14:10 Former President Trump’s Opinions of the Media
19:27 Important Forms of Measurement for Publications
24:28 Using Social Media To Build Your Network
31:11 Helpful Resources
33:07 How Special Events Connect the Community
Related Episodes
How This Magazine Is Growing In The Digital Age: Owner of Journey Magazine, Carolyn Delaney – Episode 277
Episode 265: How To Help Journalists and Create Quality Content, With Deirdre Stires, Former Portland Press Herald Outdoor Reporter
Episode 106: Telling the stories of Maine, with Erin Ovalle, host of Maine Life
About Lisa
Lisa DeSisto oversees the publishing of five daily newspapers in Maine – the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, Morning Sentinel, Kennebec Journal, Sun Journal and Times Record – and their websites. The network also includes 17 weekly newspapers and a commercial printing operation in South Portland.
Lisa serves on the board of the Associated Press and the board of the Portland Regional Chamber. She hosts a live event series, “Like A Boss,” in which she interviews other Maine CEOs on their leadership principles. Before joining The Maine Trust for Local News (then MaineToday Media) in November 2012, Lisa spent 17 years at The Boston Globe, where she served as chief advertising officer and vice president/general manager for Boston.com.
A native of Stoneham, Massachusetts, she is a 1985 graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Lisa lives with her family and a herd of alpacas in North Yarmouth.
The Podcast is sponsored by Pitchcraft. In this episode of the PR Maven Podcast, host Nancy Marshall sitas down with Michelle Glogovac, the podcast matchmaker, award-winning publicist, and founder of the MLG Collective. They discuss the importance of traditional and digital networking techniques for brand growth. Michelle shares her circuitous career path from corporate aviation to podcasting, her influence in helping entrepreneurs and authors tell their stories, and practical tips on how to effectively pitch oneself as a podcast guest. She emphasizes the significance of authentic storytelling, creating engaging marketing content from podcast interviews, and repurposing such content for maximum reach.
00:00 Introduction to the PR Maven Podcast
01:56 Introducing Michelle Glogovac
03:59 Michelle's Career Journey
07:28 The Power of Podcasting
10:49 How to Become a Podcast Guest
18:09 Promoting Your Podcast Appearance
21:21 Pitchcraft Sponsorship Highlight
23:57 Preparing for a Podcast Guest Appearance
32:58 Final Thoughts and Farewell
In this episode of The PR Maven® Podcast, host Nancy Marshall, introduces her guest, Sam Morse, a professional ski racer with the U.S. Ski Team. Sam discusses his journey from learning to ski at a young age at Sugarloaf, to achieving impressive results on the international stage including a top 10 finish in the World Cup. The conversation delves into his background, the influence of his upbringing in a faith-driven family, his education in mechanical engineering at Dartmouth College, and his efforts to build a personal brand. Sam also highlights his advocacy for promoting ski racing, his interaction with the media, and his unique celebration gesture, the 'Moose Antlers.' The episode is sponsored by Pitchcraft and includes insights on how PR professionals can benefit from their platform.
00:00 Introduction to The PR Maven® Podcast
01:03 Meet Nancy Marshall: The PR Maven®
01:47 Special Guest: Sam Morse, Professional Ski Racer
02:36 Sam Morse's Skiing Journey
08:14 Public Speaking and Media Relations
15:10 Training and Racing Year-Round
22:59 Social Media and Personal Branding
28:32 Sam Morse Fast Camp and Holistic Athlete Development
33:43 Conclusion and Contact Information About Sam Sam Morse began skiing at the tender age of 23 months at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine. From playful days on the slopes as a toddler to becoming the number one downhiller in his age group in the FIS race circuit — Sam's journey is indeed incredible. He quickly progressed from local races to global competitions, including the Olympic track in Sochi and the World Cup Finals in Aspen. Sam is also a mechanical engineering student at Dartmouth College.
In this episode of The PR Maven® Podcast, Nancy hosts Carolyn Delaney, founder and CEO of Journey Enterprises. Carolyn shares her transformative journey from leading IT departments to founding a media company dedicated to making recovery from addiction visible and reducing stigma through inspiring stories, resources, and community events. Journey Enterprises, primarily through its print magazine and various engagements, seeks to offer hope and practical insights into the multiplicity of recovery paths beyond traditional programs like AA. Carolyn discusses her deep-rooted mission to spread awareness and accessibility of recovery options, her vision for a world that celebrates recovery, and how personal branding and strategic PR have been instrumental in amplifying her message and building a supportive community around Journey's mission.
00:00 Introduction to The PR Maven® Podcast 00:43 Special Guest: Carolyn Delaney's Journey and Mission 01:57 Carolyn's Career Shift and the Birth of Journey Enterprises 05:39 The Impact of Personal Branding and The PR Maven's Influence 10:20 Utilizing Public Relations for Social Impact 13:55 Building a Community Around Recovery 23:09 The Power of Print in a Digital Age 28:05 How to Connect with Journey Magazine 29:18 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
About Carolyn Delaney: Carolyn Delaney is the visionary founder and CEO of Journey Enterprises, a pioneering media company dedicated to making recovery from addiction visible and accessible in everyday places. With a remarkable career transition from leading IT departments to championing recovery stories, Carolyn brings a wealth of experience and a deep personal connection to the mission. Her leadership at Journey Enterprises encompasses producing a celebrated print magazine, organizing community events, and engaging in vital speaking engagements to promote a message of hope and diminish the stigma around addiction. Having witnessed the transformative power of sharing recovery stories and resources, Carolyn aims to create a world where recovery paths are well-known and celebrated, inspiring others with her optimistic, mission-driven approach.
Get $200 off your first month of Pitchcraft using the code PRMAVEN.
https://pitchcraft.media/checkout/default
Free download about the top ways to build relationships with journalists.
https://youtu.be/_TjcEBpNuIU
This episode is sponsored by:
Pitchcraft - joinpitchcraft.com
In this episode of the PR Maven Podcast, host Nancy welcomes guest Delaney Vetter, an independent PR strategist and copywriter specializing in the food and beverage and consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector. Delaney shares her journey from a food-obsessed kid to a PR expert, her experience interning at a marketing agency in Portland, and her unexpected transition to freelance work due to the pandemic's impact on the job market. With a focus on helping brands connect with their community and media through strategic, creative actions, Delaney discusses her passion for working with food brands, the importance of understanding a brand’s voice, and her personal enjoyment of exploring her Brooklyn neighborhood's culinary scene. The conversation also covers essential PR strategies, the significance of building relationships with journalists and clients, and leveraging personal branding in the PR field. Delaney’s approach to securing media coverage and her tips for PR professionals on effective pitching are highlighted, alongside a discussion on the power of word-of-mouth marketing and the invaluable role of research before pitching to journalists. This episode is sponsored by: Pitchcraft - pitchcraft.media Get $200 off your first month of Pitchcraft using the code PRMAVEN. https://pitchcraft.media/checkout/default Free download about the top ways to build relationships with journalists. https://youtu.be/_TjcEBpNuIU About Delaney: Delaney Vetter, is a beacon of innovation and strategic communication in the PR and copywriting sphere, particularly within the food and beverage and CPG industries. As an independent consultant, Delaney excels in elevating brands through her expert navigation of media relations, event curation, and brand voice development. With a lifelong passion for the culinary world, she brings a unique blend of experience and enthusiasm to the table, making her the go-to specialist for food brands aiming to connect with new audiences. Delaney’s journey from a college intern at an integrated marketing agency, through the tumult of entering the job market during a global pandemic, to establishing herself as a sought-after freelance professional, highlights her adaptability, creativity, and unwavering dedication to her craft. Whether she's hunting for the perfect croissant in Brooklyn or helping a client become a household name, Delaney's passion for her work shines through, making her a distinguished voice in the world of PR and brand storytelling.
00:00 Welcome to the PR Maven Podcast with Delaney Vetter
00:30 Meet Delaney Vetter: PR Strategist and Food Lover
01:44 Delaney's Journey into PR and Freelancing
06:56 The Art of Branding and Storytelling in PR
13:07 Building Relationships in the PR World
25:33 Effective Pitching Strategies for PR Success
32:54 Delaney's Inspirations and How to Connect
In this episode of The PR Maven® Podcast, host Nancy Marshall welcome Kelsey and Derrick Ogletree, founders of Pitchcraft, a people-focused PR platform that aims to restore integrity and accountability in the media industry. Founded in 2021 and based in Florence, Alabama, Pitchcraft distinguishes itself by integrating a journalist's perspective into PR strategies, emphasizing relationship building among PR professionals, writers and editors. The platform offers membership to PR professionals, providing resources, content and community support to foster better connections and earned media placements. The founders discuss their journey from conceiving Pitchcraft during the pandemic to moving from Chicago to rural Alabama and the challenges they faced. They also highlight Pitchcraft's unique approach to PR, including focusing on lifestyle sectors, offering flexible payments and fostering a supportive community. Additionally, they share useful tips for crafting effective pitches and stress the importance of developing genuine relationships with media professionals. The episode concludes with a special offer for PR Maven podcast listeners and insights into the future of PR and media relations.
00:00 Introduction to The PR Maven® Podcast
02:07 Meet the Founders of Pitchcraft: Kelsey and Derrick Ogletree
03:30 The Origins and Mission of Pitchcraft
04:50 Pitchcraft's Unique Approach to PR and Media
09:04 The Evolution of Pitchcraft: From Pandemic Idea to PR Platform
12:43 The Future of PR
15:50 Building Relationships in PR
24:25 Crafting the Perfect Pitch: Tips and Strategies (continued at 34:15)
29:10 What Defines Newsworthiness
31:03 Walking The Line Between Being Helpful and Annoying With Journalists
37:00 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect with Pitchcraft
Get $200 off your first month of Pitchcraft using the code PRMAVEN.
Free download about the top ways to build relationships with journalists.
https://youtu.be/_TjcEBpNuIU
Related Episodes
Episode 135: How To Borrow Credibility and Build Relationships, With Beth Nydick, Publicity Strategist at Beth Nydick Media
Episode 230: How To Infuse Storytelling Into Your Brand, With Mads Hanna, Founder of Curated Compass
Episode 130: How Small Businesses Can Earn Media Coverage, With Sabina Hitchen, Founder of Press for Success
About Kelsey and Derrick Pitchcraft was co-founded in 2021 by husband-and-wife team Derrick and Kelsey Ogletree, who live in Florence, Alabama, with their 1-year-old son Asher. Having grown up in small towns and with strong family values, they’re passionate about bringing people together in meaningful, authentic ways. Through Pitchcraft, they aim to help restore integrity and accountability to the media industry through putting people first.
Kelsey, CEO of Pitchcraft, is a Medill-trained independent journalist whose work has appeared in many print and digital outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Travel + Leisure, AARP The Magazine and others. Derrick, COO of Pitchcraft, is a graduate of the University of Alabama who previously spent over a decade in corporate finance.
This episode is sponsored by:
Pitchcraft - pitchcraft.media
In this episode of The PR Maven® Podcast, host Nancy Marshall welcome Kelsey and Derrick Ogletree, founders of Pitchcraft, a people-focused PR platform that aims to restore integrity and accountability in the media industry. Founded in 2021 and based in Florence, Alabama, Pitchcraft distinguishes itself by integrating a journalist's perspective into PR strategies, emphasizing relationship building among PR professionals, writers and editors. The platform offers membership to PR professionals, providing resources, content and community support to foster better connections and earned media placements. The founders discuss their journey from conceiving Pitchcraft during the pandemic to moving from Chicago to rural Alabama and the challenges they faced. They also highlight Pitchcraft's unique approach to PR, including focusing on lifestyle sectors, offering flexible payments and fostering a supportive community. Additionally, they share useful tips for crafting effective pitches and stress the importance of developing genuine relationships with media professionals. The episode concludes with a special offer for PR Maven podcast listeners and insights into the future of PR and media relations.
00:00 Introduction to The PR Maven® Podcast
02:07 Meet the Founders of Pitchcraft: Kelsey and Derrick Ogletree
03:30 The Origins and Mission of Pitchcraft
04:50 Pitchcraft's Unique Approach to PR and Media
09:04 The Evolution of Pitchcraft: From Pandemic Idea to PR Platform
12:43 The Future of PR
15:50 Building Relationships in PR
24:25 Crafting the Perfect Pitch: Tips and Strategies (continued at 34:15)
29:10 What Defines Newsworthiness
31:03 Walking The Line Between Being Helpful and Annoying With Journalists
37:00 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect with Pitchcraft
Get $200 off your first month of Pitchcraft using the code PRMAVEN.
Free download about the top ways to build relationships with journalists.
https://youtu.be/_TjcEBpNuIU
Related Episodes
Episode 135: How To Borrow Credibility and Build Relationships, With Beth Nydick, Publicity Strategist at Beth Nydick Media
Episode 230: How To Infuse Storytelling Into Your Brand, With Mads Hanna, Founder of Curated Compass
Episode 130: How Small Businesses Can Earn Media Coverage, With Sabina Hitchen, Founder of Press for Success
About Kelsey and Derrick Pitchcraft was co-founded in 2021 by husband-and-wife team Derrick and Kelsey Ogletree, who live in Florence, Alabama, with their 1-year-old son Asher. Having grown up in small towns and with strong family values, they’re passionate about bringing people together in meaningful, authentic ways. Through Pitchcraft, they aim to help restore integrity and accountability to the media industry through putting people first.
Kelsey, CEO of Pitchcraft, is a Medill-trained independent journalist whose work has appeared in many print and digital outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Travel + Leisure, AARP The Magazine and others. Derrick, COO of Pitchcraft, is a graduate of the University of Alabama who previously spent over a decade in corporate finance.
This episode is sponsored by:
Pitchcraft - pitchcraft.media
In this podcast episode, host Nancy interviews Lisa Steele, the founder of Fresh Eggs Daily and a fifth-generation chicken keeper, about her journey from a career on Wall Street to becoming an authority on backyard chicken keeping and her recent pivot to the culinary world. Lisa shares insights into her childhood, her initial hesitance towards chickens, and how she turned her passion into a successful brand with a massive following, multiple best-selling books, and a television show. The conversation also delves into Lisa's strategic approach to personal branding, the importance of building a solid foundation beyond social media, her tips on avoiding burnout, and exploring new projects like a second cookbook and another season of her TV show. Additionally, Lisa talks about the significance of directly connecting with her audience through an email list and provides advice on building and maintaining a strong brand.
00:00 Welcome to the Podcast: A Chat with Lisa Steele
01:36 The Journey from Chicken Keeping to Cookbook Author
03:31 Diving into the Culinary World: From Chickens to Cookbooks
05:34 Personal Branding and the Power of Connection
07:52 Navigating Business Success and the Importance of Pivoting
08:35 Exploring Future Dreams and Expanding Horizons
11:18 The Strategic Approach to Blogging and Social Media
12:42 The Value of an Email List in Direct Marketing
16:25 The Art of Avoiding Burnout and Embracing Change
21:53 Considering the Future: Potential Sale and Brand Evolution
26:20 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Lisa Steele About Lisa Lisa Steele is a fifth-generation chicken keeper, author, and founder of Fresh Eggs Daily. With nearly a million followers worldwide, Lisa has been dubbed the queen of the coop and is known for her expertise in raising backyard chickens. She has written several top-selling books on raising backyard poultry and recently released her debut cookbook, the Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook. Lisa's career transitioned from chicken keeping to the culinary world through her passion for natural preventives and herbs, and she continues to focus on product development and brand marketing.
This PR Maven Podcast® episode features Nancy's conversation with Kaylin (Kay) Kerina, the Maine Career Exploration program manager in Portland, Maine. Kay shares her journey from a varied career background to youth workforce development, emphasizing the importance of helping young Mainers find meaningful employment opportunities. She discusses her work in social justice, youth advocacy and community outreach, aiming to implement systemic change and support communities through a trust-based approach. The Maine Career Exploration program, part of the Department of Economic and Community Development, aims to connect 6,000 young people to work experiences in various industries, fostering passion and providing mentors. Kay also touches on her personal joy in gardening and how Maine employers and young people can get involved with the career exploration program.
00:00 Welcome to the PR Maven Podcast with Kaylin (Kay) Kerina
00:34 Kay Kerina's Journey: From Social Work to Career Exploration
04:25 The Mission of Maine Career Exploration
06:39 Personal Stories of Career Guidance
09:12 Engaging Young People in Maine's Workforce
11:30 The Importance of Passion in Career Choices
19:35 A Gardening Detour: Kay's Personal Passions
22:15 How Employers and Young People Can Get Involved
25:00 Back to Business: Expanding Career Opportunities in Maine
27:24 Tools for Productivity and Contact Information
Related Episodes
Episode 134: Why Maine is not just Vacationland, with Katie Shorey, director of engagement at Live + Work in Maine
Episode 91: Why living and working in Maine will be valued more after COVID-19, with Edward McKersie, founder and president of ProSearch, Inc. and founder of Live and Work in Maine
Episode 86: How your network can help during hard times, with Martin Grohman, executive director of E2Tech and host of the GrowMaine Show
About Kay Kaylin (Kay) Kerina is the Maine Career Exploration Program Manager, with a background in social work, human services and alternative education. With over seven years of experience, Kay is dedicated to serving students with barriers to employment and advocating for youth in the community. Her work in Youth Workforce Development focuses on supporting youth to find meaningful work opportunities and implementing systemic change for the communities she supports.
In this episode, Michelle Hood, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the American Hospital Association and former CEO of Northern Light Health, talks about her career in academic, national faith-based and rural healthcare integrated systems. In addition to talking about her career, Michelle gives career advice on risk-taking, establishing a pattern of lifelong learning and having enthusiasm for your work. Michelle and Nancy also talk about marketing and PR including the doors that can open through social media, the importance of a brand promise and measuring success.
04:35 Developing Leadership Skills
08:39 Risk-Taking Advice for Young People
9:42 Doors That Can Open Through Social Media
15:05 Why Politics Can Be an Obstacle to Success
24:14 How Digital Activity, Surveys and Patient Satisfaction Can Measure Success
26:47 The Importance of a Brand Promise.
34:12 Helpful Resources
36:42 Establishing a Pattern of Lifelong Learning and an Enthusiasm for the Work
37:38 A Parting Thought About the Privilege of Living in Maine
Related Episodes
Episode 71: Top 10 PR Maven® Podcasts of 2019
Episode 223: Building a Strong Brand Community, With Gale Auclair, Senior Development Director for the Trek Across Maine
Episode 99: How AI is changing the world of health care, with Piali De, CEO of Senscio Systems
About Michelle
Michelle Hood is executive vice president and chief operating officer of the American Hospital Association. During the recording of this episode, Michelle was the president and CEO at Northern Light Health in Brewer, Maine. At Northern Light Health, she focused on healthcare policy and design models at the state and national levels, positioning the system to be successful in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Michelle is the past chair of the Maine Hospital Association Board, the University of Maine System Board of Trustees, Vizient New England Board and Health Insights. Michelle received a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and a Master of Health Care Administration from Georgia State University.
As The PR Maven® Podcast celebrates 5 years, we are rereleasing our two most popular episodes of all time, episode 36 and episode 60, both with special guest, Tim Cotton. Whether you have been listening to The PR Maven® Podcast consistently from the beginning or you are a more recent or occasional listener, we hope you enjoy these encore episodes as we build up to the release of a new episode with Tim coming out on September 26! Let’s get excited!
In episode 36, Nancy recorded her first episode with Tim Cotton. At the time, Tim was a lieutenant with the Bangor Police Department who became well-known for managing the department’s Facebook page. He joined the police force in the late 1980s, became a detective in 2001 and in 2014 became the public information officer. He found himself the recipient of Facebook attention and adoration from fans around the country, and the world, who follow the Facebook page to read Tim’s insightful, humorous posts.
Find the original episode here.
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Getting the word out about your business requires a mix of marketing techniques, but should working with influencers be one of your marketing strategies? On the one hand, influencers can help spread the word about your business, but on the other, influencers can take advantage of businesses and have less credibility than journalists. In this episode, Karen Stabiner talks about the challenges and downsides of working with influencers, particularly in the restaurant industry.
3:57 – Karen shares how she became interested in writing as a career when her eighth-grade teacher told her she was good at writing.
5:26 – Karen talks about how her family owned a restaurant supply company and how she spent a lot of time in restaurants as a kid.
9:25 – Karen describes the difference between journalists and influencers.
18:04 – Karen shares advice for working with influencers.
17:33 – Karen explains what journalist ethics are.
26:02 – Karen answers whether there are any good influencers.
33:40 – Karen talks about shakedown influencers.
38:52 – Nancy asks if influencers and journalists will ever become the same.
Quote
“I am a journalist. I am also a consumer of information. We need to take a moment and reflect on where we are getting our information, what the source is, what the quality of it is and whether we wouldn't like a little more. Influencers are like a snack. Journalists are like a meal.” – Karen Stabiner, Journalist and Author
Links:
The New York Times: “Social Media Influencers Are Holding Restaurants Hostage”: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/24/opinion/social-media-influencer-restaurants.html
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Gatsby-F-Scott-Fitzgerald/dp/0743273567
“Charlotte's Web” by E. B White: https://www.amazon.com/Charlottes-Web-B-White/dp/0061124958
“American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin: https://www.amazon.com/American-Prometheus-Triumph-Tragedy-Oppenheimer/dp/0375726268
Listen to Matt Ginn’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast.
About the guest:
Karen Stabiner was for three years the West Coast editor of The Counter, a nonprofit digital newsroom, until its untimely demise in May 2022; her work contributed to a 2021 SABEW award for general excellence. She is the author of “Generation Chef,” which follows a young chef as he opens his first restaurant and chronicles the upheaval in the riskiest of businesses. Her other books include “To Dance With the Devil: The New War on Breast Cancer,” a New York Times Notable Book, and her personal favorite, “My Girl: Adventures With a Teen in Training.” While the dignified label for what she does is narrative nonfiction, or immersion journalism, she prefers to think of herself as a fly on the wall. She has also written two cookbooks and two novels.
Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, Eater LA, Columbia Journalism Review, The New Yorker, Gourmet (a James Beard award finalist), Saveur, Vogue and Mother Jones. Karen was a founder of an alternative newspaper in Santa Barbara, California, and graduated from the University of Michigan.
Karen spent 10 years as an adjunct professor in the M.S. program at Columbia University Journalism School, where she created a class in food writing and taught reporting and feature writing.
Looking to connect:
Email: karenstabiner@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-stabiner-54086b31
X: @kstabiner
Website: www.karenstabiner.com
Remember that person you met, but whose name you can’t remember? You had the most interesting conversation, but you don’t know how to reach out because a simple name has slipped your mind.
Bob? Bill? Something else? We’ve all been there before.
I pride myself on meeting new people and building new connections – personal or professional – and even I’m not immune to the occasional lapse in short-term memory. There was recently an individual who could help me with certain projects for work, but for the life of me, I could not remember his name. Several months ago, he was reaching out regularly to see whether my agency had any work for him, but we didn’t at the time. And so, he went from top of mind to back of mind.
Today, I could use this person’s services. But I don’t have enough information to even search for him or his company’s name. (He specializes in book publicity. That’s all I know.)
There’s a lesson here: Keep in touch with your contacts. If you meet someone for the first time, do whatever you can to store their name away in your mind – whether that means writing it down repeatedly, connecting with them on LinkedIn or even sending them a friendly note in the mail. I am personally an advocate for handwritten notes since I find that they foster a different, deeper sense of connection than digital outreach. It is easier for me to remember a name when I put pen to paper instead of just sending my 35th text message of the day.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in July 2023.
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When should you rebrand? In the changing marketplace, you may want to rebrand at a different time now than you would have wanted to in the past. Listen as Paula and Derek Slayton explain when you should consider rebranding and if your current brand promise is still achievable. Paula and Derek also discuss the language of branding, how PR and advertising can work together and why you should continue investing in marketing or the relationships you have, even when money is tight.
3:26 – Derek explains how his career started at printing companies and a newspaper.
4:44 – Paula talks about her career path, from getting a teaching degree to nursing and psychology.
5:51 – Paula describes Trampoline’s competitive edge by putting employees first.
9:18 – Derek shares the best times to rebrand.
11:27 – Derek gives an overview of the language of branding.
20:49 – Paula explains why it is important to continue investing in marketing during a recession.
24:26 – Derek talks about stock versus custom photography.
27:19 – Paula describes the difference between being excited to sell and being desperate to sell.
29:50 – Derek shares how PR and advertising can work together to achieve marketing goals.
31:29 – Paula and Derek share some resources that have helped them.
Quotes
“I think that traditionally, a lot of times, the situation comes up where there's a leadership change or a transition. There are times when a new service or product is offered that maybe takes the company to a different position in the marketplace. Those are typically times that you'd see a rebrand happening to reflect that, but I think now with social being so prominent and the marketplace being so different, so finicky, it's more like when your audience is not talking about you...” – Derek Slayton
“…I would add to that, you really have to look inward because the truth is your brand is your promise, and then your ability to deliver on that promise. You have to keep looking inward to make sure that the promise you're making that you say you can do still holds water a year later, two years later, three years later and are you able to deliver on that?” – Paula Slayton
Links:
2Bobs Podcast: https://2bobs.com/
How I Built This with Guy Raz: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297
About the guests:
Paula Slayton brings more than 20 years of business management to her work at Trampoline. She ensures that accounts run smoothly through direct communication and a keen understanding of the balance that exists between projects and budgets. Her management of Glens Falls Hospital, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company, SeriousFun, Double H Ranch and Vail Resorts demonstrates her ability to navigate corporate and institutional layers, while still reaching goals and managing budgets and deadlines. Clients love her down-to-earth approach and accessibility.
Derek Slayton oversees the creative process and manages projects through to completion. From creative strategy to the development of dynamic visual elements, Derek keeps projects on time and precise. Leveraging 25 years of design and communication experience, Derek's finesse has been used to guide the City of Oneonta, the Town of Newcomb, and Paul Smith's College through initiatives ranging from name changes and rebrands to comprehensive plans and campaign strategy. His attention to detail is unparalleled. He is masterful with gathering feedback and building consensus in order to keep projects on track, on message and on budget. A brand specialist and design perfectionist, he'll help to tap into unique selling points.
Looking to connect:
Paula’s email: paula@designtramp.com
Derek’s email: derek@designtramp.com
Instagram: @designtramp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designtramp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trampoline-design/
Website: www.trampolinedesign.com
With the emergence of ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence chatbots, many professionals are concerned about AI’s impact on their respective industries. On a daily basis, the anxiety and nervousness are palpable.
Will ChatGPT disrupt my industry? Will it replace my job? How do I compete with AI? These questions are common and legitimate, and the answers to them remain to be seen. That’s the nature of disruption: It’s not easy to predict whether and to what extent the status quo will change, and it can be hard to cope when change seems inevitable.
But it’s important not to overreact. While AI chatbots like ChatGPT are poised to fundamentally alter the nature of work, now is not the time to panic. Armageddon is not upon us.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in June 2023.
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In November 2000, Scotty Wentzell was born with a serious congenital heart defect and a chromosomal disorder that causes physical and developmental delays. With the help of his parents, Lisa and Scott, and many organizations specializing in assisting people of many different abilities, Scotty has been able to go on amazing adventures throughout his life. Recently, Lisa co-authored a book with Heidi Bullen named, “A Dog and His Boy, The Adventures of Spillway and Scotty,” detailing the adventures of Scotty’s life with his stuffed dog, Spillway. Listen to this episode to learn more about spreading a message of inclusion and acceptance through storytelling and book talks.
4:00 – Scott describes Scotty’s birth.
8:08 – Scotty shares a message.
9:01 – Lisa explains how Spillway and Scotty met and how Spillway got his name.
11:33 – Scotty says how much he has enjoyed being on the book tour.
12:14 – Lisa talks about her career.
15:37 – Lisa explains how her mindset shifted to start writing “A Dog and His Boy” and sharing their story.
19:28 – Heidi shares how she got involved with “A Dog and His Boy.”
22:29 – Scott talks about what it has been like to watch Lisa and Heidi on their journey of writing this book.
26:46 – Scott shares his hopes for the book.
30:03 – Scott provides some details on the song that has been written about Scotty and Spillway.
32:10 – Heidi describes what it has been like doing book talks.
36:11 – Lisa reads a testimonial:
“Today was an absolute top moment of my career. It was one of those days that has proven I am doing exactly what I'm supposed to, where I'm supposed to, surrounded by the most amazing staff and students. We were able to create an environment where all our intensive needs students were accepted and successfully together to listen to an incredible story of friendship and acceptance for a full hour. We even got to share the story with our mainstream classes thanks to the power of technology. Inclusion matters. Everyone go out and support the amazing Lisa Wentzell, Scotty and Spillway. They have left a long-lasting impression on us and are the absolute sweetest.”
38:14 – Lisa, Scott and Heidi share some resources that have been helpful for them.
Quotes
“The kids just really take to Scotty and that's the whole point. We want them to be comfortable with Scotty. We want them to be comfortable with people like Scotty and not be afraid to go up to them and make a friend, have a friendship, so all the positive stuff that comes out of this makes you want to go back for more.” – Lisa Wentzell
“One of the ways we found out about a lot of the activities and organizations that we've engaged with, with Scotty is through other parents, other families and word of mouth. As much as we wanted to tell Scotty's story, we also wanted to shine a light on those organizations and let other families who might be in a similar position know that there is support out there, there are ways to do all these amazing activities no matter what your child's ability may be.” – Scott Wentzell
“I think the most important thing that we can do as educators is to teach children how important it is to include everybody, to make sure everybody belongs, to make sure you have empathy and you understand what other people are going through. I think as educators and us being able to go share this book with so many people and touching those lives of the children when they're young just makes for better human beings.” – Heidi Bullen
Links:
Listen to Karl Stand’s episode on The PR Maven Podcast to hear more about Sugarloaf
Claudia Diller: https://www.claudiadiller.com/index.htm
Central Maine Power: https://www.cmpco.com/
Equip for Living Foundation: https://www.equipforliving.org/
Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation: https://www.maineadaptive.org/
Special Olympics: https://www.specialolympics.org/
Best Buddies Maine: https://www.bestbuddies.org/maine/
Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center: https://www.ridingtothetop.org/
Pine Tree Camp: https://pinetreesociety.org/camp-home/pinetreecamp/
Portland Wheelers: https://portlandwheelers.org/
Special Surfers: https://www.specialsurfer.org/
The Woodshed at Kennebec Cabin Company: https://thewoodshedmaine.com/
The Studio: https://thestudioportland.com/
About the guests:
Lisa and Scott Wentzell moved to Maine full-time in 1993 when they both took jobs at Sugarloaf. By the late 90s, Lisa was the accounting manager and Scott was the marketing director. When their son, Scotty, was born in November of 2000 with a serious congenital heart defect and what they would soon learn was a chromosomal disorder that causes physical and developmental delays, they decided to move to the Portland area to be closer to his doctors and the services he was going to require.
Lisa became a full-time mom with a career caring for Scotty, while Scott held positions at Thos. Moser handcrafted American furniture, James D. Julia Auctioneers and Maine magazine before his current position at WEX. Lisa and Scott are dedicated to assuring Scotty enjoys all that life has to offer. Lisa recently co-wrote a book with Heidi Bullen called, “A Dog and His Boy, The Adventures of Spillway and Scotty.” With the book’s success, Lisa and Scotty’s purpose now is to share their empowering message of inclusion, acceptance and friendship.
Heidi Bullen is a National Board Certified third-grade teacher at Crescent Park Elementary School in Bethel, Maine, and a published author.
Looking to connect:
Lisa’s email: lisakwenzell@gmail.com
Scott’s email: scottwentzell17@gmail.com
Scott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwentzell/
Scott’s Twitter: @scottwentzell
Scott’s Instagram: @scottywentz
Heidi’s email: bullenh@sad44.org
Instagram: @spillwayandscotty
Website: www.spillwayandscotty.com
What is a changemaker and who can become one? In this episode, Dr. Patti Talbot defines what a changemaker is and explains that you don’t need to be someone extraordinarily special to make the change you want to see. Patti emphasizes working together to make change and shares some success stories from working with changemakers. Patti also talks about her career in education, founding Blue Roads Education Group, creating her podcast (On Your Own Terms) and public speaking.
3:16 – Patti talks about her career in education and starting Blue Roads Education Group.
5:25 – Patti explains her podcast and interview format.
8:40 – Patti shares when and why she started her podcast.
10:22 – Patti describes her public speaking about changemakers and why you don’t have to be special to become a changemaker.
15:37 – Patti defines “changemakers,” and shares her hope for changemakers.
20:40 – Patti talks about some success stories from changemakers.
24:41 – Patti shares a resource that has helped her.
Quote
“One of my favorite definitions comes out of the University of Northampton in the United Kingdom, but I've tweaked it a little bit. Their definition of a changemaker is anyone who sees a social or environmental problem and has the skills and the grit to do something about it. Now, I've tweaked that a little bit because what I certainly know is no changemaker actually acts alone, so I've changed it to go this way: a changemaker is someone who sees a social or environmental problem and has the skills and the grit to work with others to do something about it. That ‘work with others’ in partnership is pretty critical to what it means to be a change maker.” – Dr. Patti Talbot, founder and CEO of Blue Roads Education Group
Links:
Nancy’s episode on Patti’s podcast: https://blueroadseducation.org/2023/06/07/connecting-with-curiosity-featuring-changemaker-nancy-marshall/?fbclid=IwAR01e4fzfIFXC0phQIoubqbIYdsWMq8PRW25s9BYiIoxaGf92L6-UWGWtIM
Heroic Public Speaking: https://heroicpublicspeaking.com/
One of Many: https://oneofmany.co.uk/coaching-certification/
Actually® Making a Difference with Sara Price: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/actually-making-a-difference-with-sara-price/id1633274286
About the guest:
Patti is the founder and CEO of Blue Roads Education Group. She cultivates the work of social changemakers who have a longing to create a more equitable, inclusive and healthful world for everyone by helping them develop the specific skills and confidence needed to take courageous action for change.
As a public educator in pre-K through graduate education for more than 35 years, Patti’s been a part of the growth journey for people of all ages and stages of life. By focusing on the four big ideas inherent in the company mantra, “Homegrown Solutions for a Patchwork World,” she now helps clients honor their roots and transform the way they show up and work with diverse others. Her work helps clients gain the courage needed to transcend their roles as "good citizens" to become "global changemakers," working for equity and justice for all.
Looking to connect:
Email: patti@blueroadseducation.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattitalbot/
Website: www.blueroadseducation.org
Podcast: https://winwinwomen.tv/show/on-your-own-terms
Video content is a powerful tool on most social media platforms, so having a channel on YouTube, a social media platform predominately made up of video content, can be beneficial to your business. Not only is YouTube another platform to share your video content and reach your audience, but it is also a powerful search engine that helps expand your audience. In this episode, find out how to use YouTube for your business and some content ideas to get you started.
1:11 – Why you should create a YouTube channel for your business.
2:13 – YouTube’s demographics.
3:28 – How to create a channel.
4:13 – How to create a video, post and edit published content.
6:05 – Content ideas to share on YouTube.
6:38 – When you should upload.
6:58 – How to view analytics.
7:05 – How to delete a YouTube channel.
Links:
Episode 228: Talking TikTok, With Anna McDermott, Account Supervisor at Marshall Communications: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-228-talking-tiktok-with-anna-mcdermott-account-supervisor-at-marshall-communications/
Episode 240: Facebook Basics: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-240-facebook-basics/
Episode 241: LinkedIn Basics: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-241-linkedin-basics/
Episode 242: Instagram Basics: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-242-instagram-basics/
Episode 244: Twitter Basics: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-244-twitter-basics/
Resources:
https://www.business.com/articles/every-brand-should-have-a-youtube-channel/
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/youtube-demographics
https://www.simplilearn.com/tutorials/social-media-marketing-tutorial/youtube-video-ideas#20_good_ideas_for_youtube_videos_in_2023
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/best-time-to-post-youtube
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/55759?hl=en#zippy=%2Chide-your-channel-temporarily%2Cdelete-your-channel-permanently
Jason Mudd brings his PR expertise to this episode as he talks about PR’s role in your marketing strategy. Jason starts by giving some background about himself and then dives into some common PR mistakes, topics, tips and trends. Jason explains the difference between PR and advertising and why PR is so effective compared to advertising. Jason also shares an example of how it is important to take a holistic approach to your marketing or PR strategy.
3:18 – Jason explains how he took the “traditional” path to PR by starting his career as a journalist.
12:34 – Jason shares some common PR mistakes, including most people not knowing what PR is.
19:16 – Jason talks about his podcast and public speaking.
20:27 – Jason reviews some PR topics, tips and trends he is passionate about.
29:58 – Jason explains the difference between PR and advertising.
36:38 – Jason continues by talking about why PR is more of a long game compared to advertising.
40:37 – Jason shares some resources that have been helpful to him.
Quote
“Every once in a while, I try to disrupt that process and say, 'Hey, let's stop doing something, or let's do less and try to accomplish more.’ Doing less means we're more focused and we might be able to do more or get more value out of it. For a while, I disrupted our engine and I started removing pieces from the equation. We cut back on the number of episodes of podcasts we were producing, we cut back on our Google AdWord spend and things like that. We cut back on the amount of PR we were doing for ourselves and then we noticed our inbound leads are down. Right? What happened? Then we started slowly adding things back. What we've discovered is it doesn't seem to matter what we bring back, it needs everything. It needs a holistic approach to work its best.” – Jason Mudd, CEO and Managing Partner at Axia Public Relations
Links:
Safe Harbor Boys Home: https://safeharboracademy.com/
Heroic Public Speaking: https://heroicpublicspeaking.com/
Listen to learn more about AI in PR:
- Episode 234: The Future of AI in Public Relations, With Parry Headrick and Chris Penn
- Episode 239: The Latest on SEO, Content Marketing and AI, With Dale Bertrand, Founder and President of Fire&Spark
- How our PR firm is using AI and how you can too with Jason Mudd, CEO of Axia Public Relations
“The Fall of Advertising and the Rise of PR” by Al and Laura Ries: https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Advertising-Rise-PR/dp/0060081996
“The 4-Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferriss: https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307465357
“The 4-Hour Body” by Timothy Ferriss: https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Body-Uncommon-Incredible-Superhuman/dp/0307704610
“Brandscaping” by Andrew M. Davis: https://www.amazon.com/Brandscaping-Unleashing-Partnerships-Andrew-Davis/dp/0983330786
About the guest:
The World Communication Forum named Jason Mudd as North America's top PR leader in 2023. He is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist to some of America’s most admired and fastest-growing companies, including American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, H&R Block, Hilton, HP, Miller Lite, New York Life, Pizza Hut, Southern Comfort and Verizon. He's the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. Forbes magazine named Axia Public Relations as one of America’s best PR agencies. Jason is an accredited public relations practitioner, professional public speaker, author, podcaster and entrepreneur.
Looking to connect:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmudd/
Twitter: @jasonmudd9
Website: www.axiapr.com
Podcast: OnTopOfPR.com
Not all professions teach you how to run a business during your studies. What do you do when you open your own business but don’t know how to promote it? In this episode, Dr. Phil Finemore talks about his career path and how he launched his own business. Dr. Phil shares some of the ways he learned to promote WorkFitME Mobile PT using networking to grow his audience. Dr. Phil also describes his approach to physical therapy and Nancy shares her physical therapy journey.
3:55 – Dr. Phil explains how having physical therapy got him interested in the field and why he decided to make it his career.
5:45 – Nancy tells her physical therapy story and Dr. Phil explains what sets his business apart.
10:03 – Through a holistic approach, Dr. Phil talks about how physical therapy can help treat and prevent injuries.
14:33 – Dr. Phil describes his podcast, the Strength For Your Purpose Podcast.
18:28 – Dr. Phil explains how he promotes his business, mainly through networking.
22:40 – Dr. Phil shares how he learned about audience targeting.
24:23 – Dr. Phil provides some resources that have helped him.
Quote
“People come to us for our therapists. They don't come to us because we're WorkFitME Mobile PT, our therapists and our therapist reputation have made people aware of WorkFitME Mobile PT, but they trust us because we deliver the care. I think even more so in our fields, it's our reputation, the therapist's reputation within the practice [so] personal branding is our number one form of marketing and PR. …People need to know we're working on their bodies, we're helping their livelihood, we're not selling you a car or something…We have a direct impact on their life and their ability to provide and enjoy their life, so that's huge.” – Dr. Phil Finemore, PT, DPT, owner of WorkFitME Mobile Physical Therapy
Links:
Listen to Gale Auclair’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast to learn more about the Trek Across Maine.
Listen to Karl Strand’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast to learn more about Sugarloaf.
Listen to Kevin Hancock’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast.
Dirigo Fitness: https://www.dirigofitness.com/
EA Fitness and Performance: https://eafitnessandperformance.com/
Perfect Fit Health and Fitness: https://perfectfithealthandfitness.com/
Uncaged Clinician: https://www.uncagedclinician.com/
Business of Shared Leadership: https://www.thebusinessofsharedleadership.com/
The GM Shuffle: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gm-shuffle-with-michael-lombardi-and-femi-abebefe/id1458884463
About the guest:
Dr. Phil Finemore received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2013 and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2015 from Husson University in Bangor, Maine. Dr. Phil has spent the last eight years treating a variety of neurological and musculoskeletal conditions in outpatient orthopedic clinics in southern Maine. That experience has proven time and time again that way too many people are being passed around from provider to provider, spending more time in pain and less time living the abundant life they have worked so hard to achieve. That has become Dr. Phil’s goal: help busy Maine professionals, executives and business owners improve their physical performance to live a happy, healthy and wealthy life with their loved ones. Dr. Phil doesn’t work for insurance companies, he works with his clients, getting them results that lead to more abundance in every aspect of life. His mission is to make sure the dreams and aspirations of each of his clients aren’t derailed by preventable injury and pain. Dr. Phil became a physical therapist to help people and that is the number one goal at WorkFitME.
Originally from Oakland, Maine, Dr. Phil is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys playing guitar in his spare time. He and his wife, Mallory, welcomed their first child, Brielle, in May of 2019 and another daughter, Sawyer, in September 2022.
Looking to connect:
Email: drphilptdpt@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drphilptdpt/
Twitter: @drphilptdpt
Twitter: @workfitme
Website: workfitme.com
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strength-of-purpose-podcast/id1549770648
Twitter has been in the news a lot recently following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company. While Twitter has undergone many changes and faced criticism recently, the platform is still a great place to help your business connect with the media and with your audience. In this episode, Nancy takes a look at some of the reasons you should consider creating a Twitter account and how to use Twitter once your account has been created.
1:04 – Why you should create a Twitter profile for your business.
3:44 – Twitter’s demographics.
4:40 – How to create a profile.
5:52 – How to post.
6:21 – Content ideas to share on Twitter.
7:30 – When you should post.
8:02 – How to view analytics.
8:10 – How to delete a Twitter profile.
Links:
Episode 240: Facebook Basics: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-240-facebook-basics/
Episode 241: LinkedIn Basics: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-241-linkedin-basics/
Episode 242: Instagram Basics: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-242-instagram-basics/
Resources:
https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/twitter-statistics#:~:text=Here's%20an%20overview%20of%20Twitter's,year%20olds%3A%2038.5%25%20of%20users
https://business.twitter.com/en/basics/what-to-tweet.html
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/best-times-to-post-on-twitter/
https://blog.hootsuite.com/how-often-to-post-on-social-media/#:~:text=Twitter%3A%20Post%20between%202%20and,and%205%20times%20per%20week.
Let’s face it: Public speaking is hard. It can be scary, too.
There’s an old saying that people fear public speaking even over death, and there is some truth to it. Millions of Americans are terrified of speaking in public. It’s understandable: Many people think that going on stage lays them bare. It can feel like the audience sees inside your brain or your soul. But over time, repetition mitigates that dread or fear. Practice may not make perfect since public speaking is still difficult, but it can at least make you more comfortable on stage. It’s like anything else: You won’t become a faster runner if you never run.
Self-improvement stems from self-awareness. For example, I have always been a social, outgoing person who values personal and professional connections, and I’ve never had a crippling fear of public speaking. But I knew that my public speaking wasn’t perfect — my delivery could be sharper, my stories could be more interesting, my jokes could be funnier and so on. With that in mind, I decided to take a public speaking class. After months of training, I eventually graduated from the program, officially attaining the status of a professionally trained public speaker. The experience changed my life, and I honestly couldn’t recommend it more.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in May 2023.
Activate The PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device.
Join The PR Maven® Facebook group page.
Sign up for email notifications for when new episodes are released.
Instagram is an important social media platform for businesses that have great visuals to share with their audience, such as delicious food photos, cute animals and much more. Instagram’s largest audience is comprised of people ages 18 – 34. If your core audience falls into that age group, this is another good reason for your business to be on Instagram. In this episode, find out how to create an Instagram profile, make a post, and determine what content you should be posting and when. This episode also includes how to schedule and delete posts, or how to delete the entire profile.
1:39 – Why you should create an Instagram profile for your business.
3:05 – Instagram’s demographics
4:16 – How to create a profile and connect it with your Facebook page.
5:41 – How to post.
6:44 – Content ideas to share on Instagram.
8:02 – When you should post.
8:41 – How to schedule posts and view analytics.
9:01 – How to delete an Instagram profile.
Links:
Episode 240: Facebook Basics: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-240-facebook-basics/
Episode 241: LinkedIn Basics: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-241-linkedin-basics/
Resources:
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/instagram-stats/
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/best-times-to-post-on-social-media/#instagram-times
LinkedIn is a business-focused social media platform that is excellent for professional networking and recruiting. For this reason, LinkedIn is very important for your business. Not only does it help connect your business with potential employees, but it helps show your company culture and allows employees to connect with one another on the platform. LinkedIn’s “About” section also ranks very well on Google, helping boost your search engine rankings. In this episode, find out how to get set up and start posting on LinkedIn.
1:39 – Why you should create a LinkedIn page for your business.
3:10 – LinkedIn’s demographics
3:53 – How to create a page.
5:21 – How to post.
5:44 – Content ideas to share on LinkedIn.
6:39 – When you should post.
7:09 – How to schedule posts and view analytics.
7:25 – How to delete a LinkedIn page.
Links:
Episode 240: Facebook Basics: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-240-facebook-basics/
Resources:
https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/facebook-statistics#:~:text=71.43%25%20of%20the%20entire%20US,have%20an%20account%20on%20Facebook
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/facebook-post-ideas
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/best-times-to-post-on-social-media/
https://influencermarketinghub.com/best-times-to-post-on-linkedin/
While some say that Facebook is dying, the data proves otherwise. Facebook has nearly 3 billion monthly active users which is more than any other app in the world. Not only is the audience very large, but 200 million businesses are also on Facebook. If you aren’t on Facebook yet, now is the time to create an account. In this episode, Nancy goes through the basic steps you need to know, from creating a Facebook page to making a post. She also covers a few reasons why you should join, what Facebook’s audience looks like and some content ideas to get you started.
1:38 – Why you should create a Facebook page for your business.
3:48 – Facebook’s demographics
4:57 – How to create a page.
5:51 – How to post.
6:40 – Content ideas to share on Facebook.
9:03 – When you should post.
9:51 – How to schedule posts and view analytics.
10:31 – How to delete a Facebook page.
Resources:
https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/facebook-statistics#:~:text=71.43%25%20of%20the%20entire%20US,have%20an%20account%20on%20Facebook
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/facebook-post-ideas
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/best-times-to-post-on-social-media/
https://influencermarketinghub.com/best-times-to-post-on-linkedin/
Many think that SEO is all about keywords, but it should really be about our customers. In this podcast episode, Dale Bertrand talks about SEO best practices and creating content with the customer, not just search engines, in mind. From attracting people with content, to converting them to customers, Dale explains what conversions look like for different businesses. Dale describes how AI will change SEO and the content you should be creating. Dale also gives an overview of what his keynote speech will cover.
2:50 – Dale started his career building websites, but explains how he switched to marketing.
3:54 – Dales talks about what he will be speaking about in his keynote speech.
4:35 – Nancy and Dale discuss content marketing and SEO.
9:11 – Dale defines what conversions are for different businesses.
13:09 – Dale explains how Google’s shift to using AI could impact SEO.
16:26 – Dale describes what is wrong with doing SEO for rankings.
24:49 – Dale talks about how SEO is not about keywords, but about your customers.
28:39 – Dale shares how he creates valuable content for his clients’ customers by first doing phone surveys.
31:56 – Dale explains how to improve search rankings.
34:00 – Dale shares some resources that have been helpful to him.
Quote
“It’s those conversions at the end of the day that matter for SEO. Whether you’re generating those, rather than just rankings. I work in an industry, the SEO industry, where a lot of SEO agencies are talking about rankings and traffic. They can get you to rank for some keyword your excited about and they can get people to come to your website, but that doesn’t matter if it’s not the right people.” – Dale Bertrand, founder and president of Fire&Spark
Links:
Content Marketing World: https://www.contentmarketingworld.com/
Heroic Public Speaking: https://heroicpublicspeaking.com/
Marketing AI Institute podcast: https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/podcast-showcase
About the guest:
Dale Bertrand has been an SEO specialist and AI consultant to Fortune 500 companies and venture-backed startups around the world for two decades. His clients include global brands such as Citizen Watch, Nestle, Raymond Weil, Exxon Mobil and Bulova. He applies his graduate school work in artificial intelligence to search engine marketing and speaks at marketing industry conferences.
Looking to connect:
Email: dale@fireandspark.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dalebertrand
Website: fireandspark.com
What do you do when the media calls for an interview after a crisis? From time to time, businesses are forced to engage in crisis communications — messaging to the masses during turbulent times. You may want to just say “no comment,” but that’s the worst thing to say after a crisis. It immediately implies guilt and will hurt your reputation in the court of public opinion.
Perhaps your business is going through a product recall, or you’re dealing with an environmental issue. The 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill is just one infamous example of corporate turbulence. The parties involved likely had to rapidly develop a viable public relations plan — at a time when 4 million barrels’ worth of oil was flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.
But you can’t just wait until a crisis strikes to be ready to communicate. It’s critical to prepare a crisis communications plan months and even years in advance, proactively mapping out how to respond if and when the ship starts rocking. The best reaction comes from planning your actions in advance and listing specific steps that you will take to respond. That’s how you weather a storm — you don’t just act in the middle of one, but before.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in April 2023.
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After being incarcerated at age 20, Meshell Baker realized that the people who stay out of jail work and launched her career in sales. In this episode, Meshell shares some of her tips for working in sales including the power of positive energy and placing the focus of a sales call on what the person you are trying to sell to needs, rather than what you want to sell them. Meshell also talks about her recent and upcoming speaking engagements, how PR has helped her and building her personal brand.
4:36 – Meshell talks about how her career in sales began.
11:55 – Meshell shares how positivity helps people working in sales and marketing.
14:57 – Meshell describes imposter syndrome.
19:01 – Meshell explains that in sales you want to prepare to have a call about the person you are trying to sell to and why doing this is so important.
25:14 – Meshell talks about her keynote speaking engagements, focusing on women working in male-dominated industries.
27:13 – Meshell explains how she has benefited from public relations.
28:37 – Meshell describes how she has built a strong personal brand.
31:35 – Meshell shares some resources that have helped her.
Quote
“It is on the marketer or the seller to leave that person better off because when they are ready to make the purchase or make the decision, you will come top of mind. Now, if you try to cajole and connive and convince them right there on the spot and you try to manipulate the situation... What people really don't understand about the power of positivity is that we are emotional creatures and what you evoke in that person when you are trying to manipulate, they know it. They don't understand why they don't necessarily connect with you or why there are red flags going off, but internally they have been exposed to your disingenuousness. Positivity is just the impact. I always say positivity is a direct path to profits.” – Meshell Baker, Chief Confidence Igniter
Links:
Listen to Episode 235 with Kris Kelso to learn more about imposter syndrome.
Listen to Lynn Campbell’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast.
“Start with Why” by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447
UPS: https://www.ups.com/us/en/global.page
Women in Auto Care: https://www.autocare.org/networking-and-development/communities/women-in-auto-care
Any Baby Can: https://anybabycan.org/
Women in Trucking: https://www.womenintrucking.org/
“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Landmark-Bestseller/dp/1585424331
“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319
About the guest:
Meshell Baker understands that many founders, business owners and sales leaders struggle with doubt, their inner critic and imposter syndrome. She is on a mission to ignite confident belief in as many people as possible.
Meshell Baker is a sales and confidence igniter, exhilarating keynote speaker and confident living catalyst who masterfully guides her clients to capitalize on their current conditions and leverage obstacles as opportunities, and confidently convert more conversations into raving fan clients. Meshell has phenomenal results, accolades and awards and has compiled an incredible track record of raving recommendations with clients over the past 25+ years.
Looking to connect:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meshellrbaker
Twitter: @MeshellRBaker
Instagram: @meshellrbaker
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meshell.baker
Website: www.meshellbaker.com
Influencer marketing is all the rage. It is a form of social media marketing that leverages endorsements and product placements from famous personalities and businesses to change hearts and minds.
Think Kylie Jenner endorsing a new face lotion on TikTok or Roger Federer tweeting about that new Rolex in his watch collection. In many ways, influencers are often trusted more by everyday consumers than brands themselves since people can form strong connections with the people they follow online (even if they never meet them). Look at it this way: Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has more Instagram followers than there are people in the United States and Russia combined, making his thoughts, feelings and endorsements massively consequential — and uniquely marketable.
Influencer marketing can be a valuable tool in your toolbox, even if you work with influencers of a lower level than famous athletes. At the very least, such marketing should be a consideration, based on your business and budget.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in March 2023.
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Do you know what imposter syndrome is? In this episode, Nancy speaks with Kris Kelso, author of “Overcoming The Impostor,” about what imposter syndrome is, how to overcome it and how overcoming it can benefit your personal brand. Kris also talks about his career and his public speaking journey. Kris shares how writing his book helped him become a thought leader and how his PR plan helped spread the word about his book.
4:24 – Kris talks about his career, starting in music, software development and tech, and now as a leadership coach.
5:50 – Kris explains why he decided to enroll in Heroic Public Speaking.
9:25 – Kris gives an overview of what imposter syndrome is.
12:50 – Kris talks about mindset differences.
20:06 – Kris gives tips for how to overcome imposter syndrome.
27:09 – Kris talks about his book, “Overcoming The Impostor: Silence Your Inner Critic and Lead with Confidence.”
27:38 – Kris explains how he considered using a guest writer for his book because he had imposter syndrome.
29:28 – Kris talks about how his book has helped establish him as a thought leader.
31:27 – Kris describes the PR plan he had for his book.
34:15 – Kris shares some resources that have been helpful to him.
Quote
“This really applies to digital marketing and those little bets. Whenever I try something for the first time, there are only two outcomes that I'm going to get. I'm either going to succeed or I'm going to learn. It's one of those two and either one is a net gain.”– Kris Kelso, Keynote Speaker, Author and Leadership Coach
Links:
Heroic Public Speaking: https://heroicpublicspeaking.com/
Dexterity Books: https://dexteritybooks.com/
“DIY Brain” by Dr. Roger Hall: https://www.amazon.com/DIY-Brain-Mindset-Makeover-Performance/dp/161206261X#:~:text=DIY%20Brain%20will%20help%20you,thoughts%20to%20improve%20your%20life.&text=Capital%20Management%20LLC-,Dr.,monitor%20and%20manage%20their%20thinking.
About the guest:
Kris Kelso is a professional speaker, a certified leadership coach, a two-time entrepreneur, and a mentor to leaders around the world. He’s the author of “Overcoming The Impostor: Silence Your Inner Critic and Lead with Confidence.” Kris is a faculty instructor at the Professional Christian Coaching Institute, an advisor and instructor at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, and is a contributing writer for Fast Company Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and The Nashville Business Journal. He has unusually specific willpower, having not eaten a single donut in the past 17 years.
Looking to connect:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kriskelso
Twitter: @kriskelso
Website: kriskelso.com
Website: overcomingtheimpostor.com
This episode covers what you need to know about AI in public relations and marketing. Parry Headrick, founder of Crackle PR, talks about how his agency is adapting to the age of AI and working with experts like Chris Penn, co-founder and chief data scientist at Trust Insights. Parry and Chris explain how AI will be used to streamline data and coverage reporting, content creation and other lower-level tasks. Chris also gives two helpful lists of the different types of machine learning and what agencies must do to survive the shift to AI.
3:08 – Parry explains how he started his career as a journalist but decided to transition to PR after a story he wrote was sensationalized.
6:01 – Chris talks about how he started his career in IT, the evolution of technology in marketing, working at an agency and starting his own business.
10:07 – Parry talks about the role AI will play in PR including streamlining efficiencies, monitoring and content generation.
17:06 – Parry describes how his agency is adapting to AI, such as the shift in SEO.
23:10 – Chris shares how data analytics and PR should go together.
26:45 – Chris explains the three branches of machine learning.
37:50 – Chris lists the three things that agencies must do.
39:58 – Chris talks about what Trust Insights does for its clients.
42:15 – Chris describes the origin of his podcast, Marketing Over Coffee.
Quote
“I think ultimately, the biggest disruption is going to be how the largest agencies are billing and justifying the fees they get and I think at the smaller level it's going to get a little easier to be more nimble because you haven't pinned your hopes and dreams on a model that is antiquated in the age of AI.”– Parry Headrick, founder of Crackle PR
“Every person in your company who uses Microsoft Office will now have access to a language model and will be able to do things like make a 10-slide presentation out of this press release or tell me what's important in this Excel spreadsheet. Tell me what the outcome was. And the models will do that instead. So it will dramatically shorten the time it takes people to do work and everyone is going to have to get good at this because it's going to be built into Office, it's already built into your search engines and it's going to be appearing in pretty much every piece of software that's complex to use.” – Chris Penn, co-founder and chief data scientist at Trust Insights
Links:
Marketing Over Coffee Podcast: https://www.marketingovercoffee.com/
DALL·E: https://openai.com/product/dall-e-2
ChatGPT: https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt
Listen to Chip Carey’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast.
Listen to The PR Maven® Podcast episode featuring students from Northeastern University.
About the guests:
Parry Headrick
Founder of Crackle PR, Parry Headrick is a 20+ year tech PR agency veteran, having grown some of the largest privately-held agencies in North America. Headrick has grown an audience of more than 60,000 across social media channels by discussing the good, the bad, and the ugly about the public relations industry.
Chris Penn
Christopher S. Penn is an authority on analytics, digital marketing, marketing technology, data science, and machine learning. A recognized thought leader, best-selling author, and internationally renowned keynote speaker, he has shaped five key fields in the marketing industry: Google Analytics adoption, data-driven marketing and PR, modern email marketing, marketing data science, and artificial intelligence/machine learning in marketing. As co-founder and Chief Data Scientist of Trust Insights, he is responsible for the creation of products and services, creation and maintenance of all code and intellectual property, technology and marketing strategy, brand awareness, and research & development.
Mr. Penn is a 2023, six-time IBM Champion in IBM Data and AI, a Brand24 Top 100 Digital Marketer, an Onalytica Top 100 AI in Marketing influencer, and co-host of the award-winning Marketing Over Coffee marketing podcast. Prior to co-founding Trust Insights, he built the marketing for a series of startups with a 100% successful exit rate in the financial services, SaaS software, and public relations industries. His work has served brands such as Twitter, T-Mobile, Citrix Systems, GoDaddy, AAA, McDonald’s, and many others.
Mr. Penn is an IBM Watson Machine Learning Certified Professional, a Google Analytics Certified Professional, a Google Ads Certified Professional, a Google Digital Sales Certified Professional, and a Hubspot Inbound Certified Professional. He is the author of over two dozen marketing books including bestsellers such as AI for Marketers: A Primer and Introduction, Marketing White Belt: Basics for the Digital Marketer, Marketing Red Belt: Connecting With Your Creative Mind, and Marketing Blue Belt: From Data Zero to Marketing Hero, and Leading Innovation.
Looking to connect:
Email: parry@cracklepr.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parryheadrick/
Twitter: @pheadrick
Website: www.cracklepr.com
Email: cspenn@trustinsights.ai
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cspenn
Twitter: @cspenn
Website: www.trustinsights.ai
If you work in public relations, you’re bound to know what “op-ed” means. Even if you don’t, you’ve probably come across one — perhaps without even knowing it.
An op-ed column refers to a piece of written content that is traditionally “opposite the editorial page” of a newspaper. It is an article written by a subject matter expert as a form of commentary, taking a stand on a particular issue and informing readers in the process. Because it is a commentary piece with a particular slant, an op-ed is separate from a news story, which should be an objective piece of reporting (at least in theory).
People in the PR industry understand op-eds — and their value — because they work with clients to draft, pitch and place them. (By “place,” I mean submit an op-ed to a news outlet that then accepts the submission, securing a placement.) Through op-eds, clients can position themselves as thought leaders, leveraging a news cycle to bring their subject matter expertise directly to readers. That thought leadership needs to be legitimate and topical, providing content to the target audience in a timely manner. We call it “newsworthy” in the PR business.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared in Mainebiz in March 2023.
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This episode features nine students from Northeastern University’s Experiential Network (XN) Program who have been working with The PR Maven® Podcast to create a marketing plan. The XN program aims to educate Northeastern students through educational curricula using real-life projects and problems that reflect experiences in the professional workplace. Since January, we have been working with this group of students and their professor, Carolyn Boviard, to develop two marketing plans specific to The PR Maven® Podcast’s goals. Listen to this episode as they talk about what they have learned through this experience and how data can help your PR and marketing plan.
2:23 – Brooke talks about her educational background and what got her interested in marketing and PR.
4:23 – Kaixin explains how PR has opened up a new vision for her career.
6:19 – Eashwar describes how PR and research work so well together.
10:54 – Apoorva talks about how data can be used to help organizations make informed decisions.
13:10 – Eashwar shares how data can help with brand positioning.
16:35 – Eashwar gives his definition of psychographics compared to demographics.
21:43 – Aaksha explains how technology has changed PR and networking.
24:51 – Anjas describes what he thought PR was versus what he has learned that it is through this project.
28:38 – Mary explains how she got interested in marketing and what experience she has in it.
31:06 – Mehal talks about some of the challenges small businesses can face related to PR and data.
35:55 – Saurabh describes the benefits of studying PR when pursuing a career in business.
Links:
Northeastern University: https://www.northeastern.edu/
The West Wing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_West_Wing
Hootsuite: https://www.hootsuite.com/
Listen to Chip Carey’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast
Are you looking to grow your personal brand and become an authority in your field? In this episode, Claire Mason shares how you can become a thought leader, improve your visibility and track these improvements using data. Claire describes the importance of media in your growth strategy. Claire also talks about using social media networks, such as LinkedIn, to build your personal brand online in addition to utilizing in-person tactics. Listen to find out what the lighthouse and breadcrumb strategies are and how to use them.
3:35 – Claire talks about her career and how she got into it.
7:13 – Claire defines personal branding or her preferred term, authority branding.
9:93 – Claire describes how visibility can be used in your growth strategy.
11:16 – Claire talks about media mindset insights you might not be aware of.
13:14 – Claire explains vanity metrics.
16:25 – Claire shares how you can combine online and in-person personal branding.
21:04 – Claire talks about her speaking engagements through the eight networking groups she is part of.
23:25 – Claire explains how to leverage LinkedIn, including the lighthouse strategy and the breadcrumb strategy.
26:23 – Claire describes how she has benefited from public relations.
27:36 – Claire shares the three secrets that will land you media coverage.
29:38 – Claire explains how to use media coverage to create additional content and amplify your brand.
32:35 – Claire answers the question of whether people are still reading newspapers.
35:35 – Claire explains how curation and credibility make the media unique.
37:23 – How can people get in touch with you?
Quote
"What has happened in the wake of these amazing pieces of software being invented is that we focus exclusively on lead generation and we forget that before anybody can hop into your sales funnel and purchase your software or sign up to a newsletter or sign up to your webinar, whatever the case might be, book a call with your potential business development team, they have to actually see you. And that's where the visibility piece comes in. It's very much the psychological element, the branding piece, and that is why I am a believer that the more visible you make yourself, the more your opportunity pipeline is going to be stuffed to the gills." – Claire Mason, thought leadership publicist
Links:
HubSpot: https://www.hubspot.com/
Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/
LinkedIn Social Selling Index: https://business.linkedin.com/sales-solutions/social-selling/the-social-selling-index-ssi
Heroic Public Speaking: https://heroicpublicspeaking.com/
Dorie Clark books: https://dorieclark.com/books/
Cindy Gallop: https://cindygallop.com/
About the guest:
Claire Mason is a Thought Leadership Publicist, who works with founders, coaches and solo entrepreneurs. She helps them earn the publicity they deserve to grow their visibility, credibility and opportunity pipelines using her proven LinkedIn and media strategies.
Claire has earned bylines from numerous publishers, including The Guardian, Marie Claire and The Sunday Times. And she has placed her clients’ stories in publications like Forbes, CNBC and Wall Street Journal, among others. She is often called on by other Publicists as their secret ingredient to land media coverage for their clients.
Claire’s clients regularly see increases of 40% or more in their pipelines after implementing her content strategies.
Her work has been showcased as an example of best practice by HubSpot. Claire is also a regular contributor to Business2Community (USA), Digital Doughnut (UK), Thrive Global (USA) and CoFounders Town (India), where she writes how content marketing can move the needle for B2B brands.
Looking to connect:
Email: claire@clairemason.co
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-mason-thoughtleadership/
Twitter: @CMwritesalot
Website: https://www.clairemason.co/
Telling your story is a big part of building your brand. In this episode, Mads Hanna starts off by talking about her career and how it led her to brand storytelling. Mads explains how you can breathe storytelling into your brand, the four fundamental pieces for brand storytelling and when having a clear story is important in all aspects of your business. Nancy and Mads also discuss how brand storytelling is important to staying relevant, especially with all the different methods of sharing your story today.
2:29 – Mads explains how she grew up telling stories and how her mom suggested that she pursue a career in public relations.
4:22 – Nancy and Mads talk about staying relevant and consistent.
10:26 – After working in PR at the beginning of her career, Mads describes how she took a gap year (or two) and went abroad, becoming a digital nomad.
17:54 – Mads shares how to breathe storytelling into a business.
20:12 – Mads lists the four fundamental pieces for brand storytelling.
27:37 – Mads explains how storytelling impacts all aspects of your business or brand, helping make sure everyone is on the same page.
33:31 – Mads talks about the importance of consistency which can allow customers to see themselves in your brand and help them trust the brand.
36:26 – Mads gives her advice to PR professionals on how to incorporate storytelling into their work.
38:11 – Mads shares some resources that have helped her.
Quote
" I think everybody needs to understand the story so they can bring it to life within their own discipline. I look at everything. How are we telling our story here? Is there a moment where we can bring the identity to life? Have that surprise and delight moment. We can catch people off guard and show that they're seen and heard." – Mads Hanna, founder of Curated Compass
Links:
Check out these other episodes featuring storytelling:
Episode 219: Growing Your Passion Into a Brand
Episode 114: How to build brand exposure by understanding your story
Episode 77: How to tell stories that build authenticity and relationships
Pure Barre: https://www.purebarre.com/location/portland-me
Unilever: https://www.unilever.com/
Intuit QuickBooks: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/
Heroic Public Speaking: https://heroicpublicspeaking.com/
Sugarloaf: https://www.sugarloaf.com/
StoryBrand: https://storybrand.com/about/
I and love and you: https://iandloveandyou.com/
Cultish by Amanda Montell: http://amandamontell.com/cultish/
Defining Decade by Meg Jay: https://megjay.com/the-defining-decade/
About the guest:
Mads Hanna has 12 years of blended work experience across PR, copywriting, storytelling and brand strategy. She’s worked with big-box consumer lifestyle brands like Unilever (frozen novelties and spreads) and B2C tech companies like Intuit QuickBooks. She now runs her own remote-always brand storytelling studio where she partners with founders and small business owners to help them articulate their story and share it with the masses.
Looking to connect:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madshanna/
Website: www.curatedcompass.com
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the art of the podcast became a full-blown renaissance. But in truth, podcasting predated the coronavirus, responding to the evolving wants and needs of young listeners who don’t just want to blast the radio in their cars.
Around the globe, there are more than 400 million podcast listeners who tune in for all sorts of content. Because of that high listenership, there are over 2 million independent podcasts with tens of millions of episodes between them. That’s right: Over 2 million podcasts.
Nowhere is the podcast more popular than in the United States, which lays claim to the most podcast listeners in the world (over 100 million). The growth in recent years has been astounding. Nearly 80% of Americans over the age of 12 are now aware of podcasts – up more than 30% from a decade ago. Even in 2015, only a minority of Americans considered listening to podcasts in their day-to-day lives. So much has changed in less than a decade.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in December 2022.
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TikTok is the fastest-growing social media platform worldwide, surpassing social media giants like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In this podcast episode, Anna McDermott shares some of the tips she has learned from creating TikToks for Marshall Communications. Anna also shares the data and demographics that prove why TikTok is an important PR and marketing resource for your business.
1:32 – Anna explains how her career started in the hospitality industry.
2:40 – Anna describes how she started using TikTok for herself personally and for Marshall Communications.
3:38 – Anna talks about the kinds of videos she creates.
5:04 – Anna shares what some of her most popular videos have been so far.
6:08 – Anna explains what Marshall Communications’ goals are for using TikTok.
11:48 – Anna talks about how social media fits into PR.
12:26 – Anna describes the demographics for TikTok.
14:20 – Anna explains why you should consider using TikTok.
16:27 – Anna talks about the algorithm on TikTok.
18:45 – Anna explains how to share a TikTok video to Instagram Reels.
Quote
"Most public relations agencies are not doing TikTok. They have experience with the older, familiar platforms like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. We're kind of on the cutting edge, I think, for social media marketing, and that's where we as an agency want to be. We want to be at the intersection between traditional PR and social media marketing. I think TikTok is helping position us very well for that." – Anna McDermott, account supervisor at Marshall Communications
Links:
Listen to Anna’s first episode on The PR Maven® Podcast.
Listen to Kat Child’s episode of The PR Maven® Podcast.
Listen to Chip Carey’s episode of The PR Maven® Podcast.
University of Southern Maine: https://usm.maine.edu/
Down East Magazine: https://downeast.com/
Mainebiz: https://www.mainebiz.biz/
About the guest:
With a passion for creative strategy, Anna brings nearly 20 years of experience to our Marshall Plans. Her insightful work highlights each client’s unique qualities and connects them with targeted audiences and media. Anna’s areas of expertise include crafting vibrant copy for press releases, pitches, newsletters, SEO and other promotional materials as well as bringing a fresh perspective to social media marketing. Recently, Anna has been creating TikToks for Marshall Communications and is here today to teach us about TikTok!
Looking to connect:
Email: amcdermott@marshallpr.com
TikTok: @marshallcommunications
Did you know that the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 96% of all the world’s oceans? Anna Dibble joins Nancy to talk about her environmental advocacy as an artist and what Gulf of Maine EcoArts is doing to shine a light on the impacts of climate change. Public relations plays a key role in helping spread the word about art exhibits, including the Gulf of Maine EcoArts’ latest collaboration with Maine Maritime Museum, an exhibit called “SeaChange: Darkness & Light in the Gulf of Maine.” Listen to this episode to find out what role PR plays and learn more about the SeaChange exhibit.
2:47 – Anna explains how growing up around nature led her to her career and helped her realize how there is a disconnect between most people and the natural world.
4:38 – Anna talks about the inspiration behind the SeaChange exhibit at Maine Maritime Museum.
10:15 – Anna describes what she hopes will come out of the SeaChange exhibit.
14:26 – Anna shares how PR is important for all the different aspects of SeaChange, whether the exhibit is being covered from an environmental or artistic perspective.
17:10 – Anna explains how PR can help promote art exhibits.
18:55 – Anna talks about working with interns to create the SeaChange exhibit.
21:52 – Anna shares one of her favorite books and some environmental authors that have impacted her work.
Quote
"I've had to do a lot of publicity for myself and for the arts, it's extremely important because the arts in our culture are almost put in this separate category. It's too bad they're not more part of the culture the way they are in Europe and Canada and even Mexico. They are separated so publicity is extremely important, I think. Otherwise, word of mouth isn't enough. We need the press." – Anna Dibble, founding director of Gulf of Maine EcoArts
Links:
Listen to Amanda Pleau’s episode of The PR Maven® Podcast.
Colin Woodard’s Gulf of Maine series: https://www.pressherald.com/2020/09/07/mayday-gulf-maine-distress-six-part-series-from-colin-woodard/
Bigelow Lab: https://www.bigelow.org/
Maine Maritime Museum: https://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/
Conservation Law Foundation: https://www.clf.org/
Commentary: Art Can Help Us Understand the Gulf of Maine’s Warming Problem: https://www.pressherald.com/2023/02/06/commentary-art-can-help-us-understand-the-gulf-of-maines-warming-problem/
Intertidal: Maine Maritime Museum Exhibit Features Underwater Mountain Range: https://www.pressherald.com/2023/02/09/intertidal-maine-maritime-museum-exhibit-features-underwater-mountain-range/
Where Art and Science Intersect: https://news.colby.edu/story/where-art-and-science-intersect/
Maine College of Art & Design: https://www.meca.edu/
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine: https://www.sjcme.edu/
Maryland Institute College of Art: https://www.mica.edu/
“Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr: https://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Cuckoo-Land-Anthony-Doerr/dp/1982168439
Gretel Ehrlich: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Gretel-Ehrlich/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AGretel+Ehrlich
Barry Lopez: https://www.amazon.com/Barry-Lopez-Books/s?k=Barry+Lopez&rh=n%3A283155
Paul Kingsnorth: https://www.paulkingsnorth.net/books
About the guest:
Anna Dibble is a visual artist, project designer and curator. She has shown her work in galleries and museums in the northeastern United States since 1971. Between 2018 and 2023, she founded and directed a project-based initiative, and produced two collaborative large-scale, year-long sculpture and environmental exhibitions. In the past, she worked in the animation industry in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York at Disney, Sesame Street and Electric Company, Marvel and Hanna Barbara.
Looking to connect:
Instagram: @anna.dibble
Website: www.gulfofmaineecoarts.org
Personal website: www.annadibble.com
Social engagement is the name of the game for business leaders. As we move into the new year, take some time to consider your own social capital and goodwill. The key to branding yourself is the impact you have on others – whether or not they know, like and trust you. Elevating your social capital and fostering goodwill among others (including clients and customers) takes your entire brand to another level.
Ask yourself: Am I (still) relevant? Am I (still) recognizable in the eyes of others? Because online branding is so important these days, relevance and recognizability come down to “searchability” – your presence in Google Search. When people search for your name or your business, they want to see your expertise. They want to see thought leadership. They want to see content that demonstrates unique know-how – from LinkedIn posts and tweets to news stories and op-ed columns.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in December 2022.
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How can you get your pitch noticed? In this episode, Rob Caldwell describes what he looks for in a pitch. If you tell a story in your pitch and make sure it is targeted to the media outlet, your pitch will be more likely to get noticed. Sending a handwritten note can also break through the clutter and help you stand out. Also, someone with a lot of personality will increase the chances of your story being covered or being featured in a cooking segment. Listen to the episode to find out more tips and learn about Rob’s career.
3:05 – Rob shares how he had no plans to get into broadcasting, but quickly realized he didn’t want to be a cab driver after graduating from college.
14:11 – Rob gives his advice on how to become better at interviewing, starting with having a genuine interest, curiosity and being prepared.
18:16 – Rob explains that he is always looking for a good story and broad appeal in a pitch, specifically stories about people with lots of personality.
25:28 – Rob talks about handwritten notes and how they can help you break through the clutter.
28:32 – Rob recalls how TV, media and news have changed since he started his broadcasting career.
30:42 – Rob explains how NEWS CENTER Maine uses social media to promote its programming.
35:29 – When it comes to the NEWS CENTER Kitchen, Rob shares that they are looking for people with personality in addition to having talent in the kitchen.
40:48 – Rob shares a resource that helped him figure out a career path he did not want to take.
Quote
"Tell me a story. That's what I want to hear in a pitch, or from anyone, whether it's a pitch from a PR professional or from the person I meet on the street. What's the story here? Why is this a story that people will want to hear? " – Rob Caldwell, anchor and reporter for NEWS CENTER Maine
Links:
Listen to Bill Green’s episode of The PR Maven® Podcast.
Listen to other episodes about handwritten notes:
Tate Sandrock
Christine Richards
60 Minutes: https://www.cbsnews.com/60-minutes/
Pure Barre: https://www.purebarre.com/location/portland-me
Portland Press Herald: https://www.pressherald.com/
O’Maine Studios: https://omainestudios.com/
“One L” by Scott Turow: https://www.amazon.com/One-Turbulent-Story-Harvard-School/dp/0143119028
About the guest:
Rob Caldwell is an anchor and reporter for the NBC television stations in Maine, WCSH in Portland and WLBZ in Bangor. He has done thousands of interviews and stories in his 41-year career and his stories have received honors that include regional Emmys and a national Edward R. Murrow award.
Since 2003, he has been the co-anchor of “207,” a news magazine that airs weeknights at 7 p.m. In 2015, he was inducted into the Maine Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Looking to connect:
Email: rob.caldwell@newscentermaine.com
Website: www.newscentermaine.com
Nancy’s love of public relations started early on when her father, an electrical engineer for Westinghouse Electric Corporation, suggested she pursue a career in PR. After graduating from Colby College, Nancy worked at Sugarloaf as the assistant director of communications. In 1991, Nancy opened her own agency with Sugarloaf as her first client.
Because of her love for PR, Nancy always wanted to experience her clients’ businesses and show that she had the credentials to be the spokesperson for these organizations. When she worked for Sugarloaf she became a certified ski instructor, for Northern Outdoors she become a whitewater rafting guide, for the Victory Chimes Windjammer she learned what it was like to be a member of the crew and for Orvis she learned fly tying and how to fly fish.
Nancy wraps up the episode by answering the question, “What do you love about public relations?”
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Do you wonder what it takes to build a strong community for your brand? In this episode, find out how the Trek Across Maine builds their brand community and how you can get involved. The Trek Across Maine benefits the American Lung Association, bringing people together from across the country and the world to support healthy lungs and clean air. The mission brings everyone together, but the experience keeps the community close. Listen to find out how Gale Auclair became part of the Trek Across Maine community and how her work is helping to grow that community even further.
4:08 – Gale describes how she was introduced to the Trek Across Maine through volunteering.
6:20 – Gale shares that her passion for her job is what keeps her in Maine.
10:09 – Gale provides all the information you need to know about the Trek Across Maine including the dates and what the route will look like this year.
14:53 – Gale explains how to sign up for the Trek Across Maine.
21:34 – Gale talks about how much the Trek Across Maine raises and where that money goes.
22:45 – Gale lists some of the different reasons why people ride.
24:52 – Gale gives some information about the virtual Trek.
Quote
"The Trek is this tool that helps people meet other people. They solve a personal challenge. They might make a decision on what type of journey they are going to go on. They make friends for life. It’s a healing tool. I really believe that." – Gale Auclair, senior development director for the Trek Across Maine
Links:
VIP Tires & Service: https://www.vipauto.com/
L.L. Bean: https://www.llbean.com/
Puritan Medical Products: https://www.puritanmedproducts.com/
Courtyard by Marriott Portland Downtown/Waterfront: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pwmcd-courtyard-portland-downtown-waterfront/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0
Garmin: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/
Hammond Lumber: https://www.hammondlumber.com/
Martin’s Point Physical Therapy: https://martinspoint.org/become-a-patient/learn-about-our-services/physical-therapy
Central Maine Healthcare: https://www.cmhc.org/
Bank of America: https://www.bankofamerica.com/
Mid Coast - Parkview Health: https://www.midcoastparkviewhealth.com/
Kennebec Savings Bank: https://www.kennebecsavings.bank/
Bangor Savings Bank: https://www.bangor.com/
Spectrum Medical Group: https://spectrumhcp.com/
Cross Insurance: https://www.crossagency.com/
Bilodeau Insurance: https://bilodeauinsurance.com/
Maine State Credit Union: https://www.mainestatecu.org/
Blueberry Broadcasting: https://www.wtosfm.com/
WGME: https://wgme.com/
Down East Magazine: https://downeast.com/
Fielder’s Choice Ice Cream: https://www.fielderschoiceicecream.com/
Vibe Media Production Co.: https://www.vibemediaproductionco.com/
Gorham Bike & Ski: https://www.gorhambike.com/
CycleMania: https://www.cyclemania1.com/
Ski Rack Sports: https://skiracksports.com/
SideCountry Sports: https://www.sidecountrysports.com/
The Rusty Crank: https://www.rustycrank.com/
L.L. Bean Bike, Boat & Ski: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/1000001707?page=store-bike-boat-ski
Rainbow Bicycle: https://rainbowbike.com/
Ernie’s Cycle Shop: https://www.erniescycleshop.com/
About the guest:
Gale Auclair was born and raised in New Jersey as one of five children. Her parents would bring the family to Newport, Vermont, every summer to visit their grandparents and rent a house on Lake Memphremagog. Gale was adamant that she was going to one day live in Vermont! After graduating from Trinity College in Burlington, Vermont, with a Bachelor of Science, Gale started a family in St. Johnsbury and began her career in management. She then moved to Winooski, to work with the Vermont Children’s Aid Society as a development assistant. After 33 years of calling Vermont her home, Gale moved to Augusta, Maine. Her love of development brought her to work at the Sisters of Mercy in Portland and after four years, to the American Lung Association in Augusta as a development manager. After 15 years, Gale is now the senior development manager for the Trek Across Maine where she manages a six-member development team and a million-plus dollar event.
Gale lives in Augusta, Maine, with her husband, David Auclair, and their dachshund, Molly. Gale is a long-time antiquer and enjoys decorating. Her house is ever-changing with treasurers. As David says, “Don’t stand still too long – she may sell you!” They share a blended family of three sons and two grandchildren. Gale's old federal-style home which speaks to her and the fact that everyone is family in Maine never has her yearning to be anywhere else but home.
Looking to connect:
Email: gale.auclair@lung.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gale-auclair-67495712/
Website: http://trekacrossmaine.org/
“Do what you love, and the money will follow.” But will it? Michael Katz used to be a big believer in this theory but now he’s not so sure. In this episode, Michael talks about the two parts of his career: the first part where he had unfulfilling jobs and the second part where he developed his own business. Specializing in email newsletters, Michael explains the importance of doing what you are good at and being likable to your target audience. Michael connects the topics discussed in the episode by explaining that growing a career out of something you are good at is the key to loving what you do and being able to make money doing it.
3:30 – Michael describes the two parts of his career, before and after founding Blue Penguin.
6:32 – Michael talks about why e-newsletters are still valuable.
12:43 – Michael explains how e-newsletters and social media can work together.
14:50 – Michael compares being likable and being good at what you do.
21:50 – Michael shares his new theory of making money by doing what you love, including the critical component of being good at what you do.
26:33 – Michael talks about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.
28:14 – Michael shares a book that has been helpful to him.
Quote
"What I think is a better approach, actually, is to figure out: What are you really good at? That's hard, too, for a lot of people because again, it's not usually 'I can play the guitar or play basketball' as a thing that I'm the best at." – Michael Katz, Chief Penguin at Blue Penguin
Links:
Listen to Michael’s first episode on The PR Maven® Podcast.
The Likeable Expert Gazette: https://bluepenguindevelopment.com/newsletter-blog/
“The Likeable Expert” by Michael Katz: https://www.amazon.sg/Likeable-Expert-Insights-Start-Business/dp/1975606663
“Company of One” by Paul Jarvis: https://www.amazon.com/Company-One-Staying-Small-Business/dp/1328972356
Stephen Church: https://www.copywriternorthampton.co.uk/
About the guest:
An award-winning humorist and former corporate marketer, Blue Penguin founder and Chief Penguin, Michael Katz, specializes in coaching professional service firms and solos in improving their marketing.
Since launching Blue Penguin in 2000, Michael has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Business Week Online, Bloomberg TV, Forbes.com, Inc.com, USA Today, and other national and local media.
He is the author of four books and over the past 20+ years has published more than 500 issues of “The Likeable Expert Gazette,” a twice-monthly email newsletter and podcast with 6,000 passionate subscribers in over 40 countries around the world.
Michael has an MBA from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from McGill University in Montreal. He is a past winner of the New England Press Association award for “Best Humor Columnist.”
Looking to connect:
Email: michael@bluepenguindevelopment.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljkatz/
Website: https://bluepenguindevelopment.com/
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-likeable-expert-podcast/id129322485
Using hashtags can often seem a bit overwhelming and confusing. With the unlimited number of hashtags and variety of social media channels using them, you may be asking, “What hashtags should I use? How many should I use? Should I even use hashtags?”
The bottom line is that hashtags should be used, and they do benefit social media marketing efforts when used correctly. They can help improve social media visibility, encourage user engagement and clue you in on industry trends. Here are some strategies a brand, business or individual social media account can utilize to improve their hashtag usage.
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Let’s be honest: Social media is sexy, and so is the discourse surrounding it. From the latest TikTok trend to Elon Musk taking over Twitter, there always seems to be something new happening in the digital world.
Social media is full of “influencers” with millions of devoted followers, and those influencers can have more of a public platform than Fortune 500 CEOs and elected officials in many cases. (Don’t look now, but Kylie Jenner has more than 372 million followers!)
Still, public relations practitioners should be careful about getting too caught up in the social media craze. Yes, the digital aspect of PR is important, and increasingly so. By now, we all know the value-add of influencer marketing – the strategy whereby brands partner with those who have engaged social media followings. Influencer marketing is often described as the contemporary version of product placement, further blurring the lines between paid and earned media, given that it’s more of a paid advertising tactic (paying influencers to endorse products).
But there’s more to PR than the digital universe. It is my opinion that the ultimate influencer for PR practitioners to leverage is still traditional media. After all, PR budgets seldom include paid influencer marketing, so professionals in the field need to be creative about promoting their clients in other ways. The original way – and still the most important way – comes down to traditional media.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in November 2022.
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From her first sales pitch at 9 years old, Cherie Scott has had a clear vision of her future and has been building her brand along the way. In this episode, Cherie tells the story of how Mumbai to MAINE came to be and the different marketing techniques she has used to grow her brand. She also talks about the supportive Maine entrepreneurial community, including some of the pitch competitions she has participated in. Cherie also shares her vision for the future of Mumbai to Maine.
5:13 – Cherie shares the real story of how Mumbai to MAINE started.
13:31 – Cherie explains how she uses storytelling as her main marketing technique.
19:29 – Cherie talks about how she prioritizes her time based on what would best align with her brand.
24:19 – Cherie describes some techniques for building a brand, including how she used the cooking classes she was teaching as a focus group.
31:24 – Cherie lays out her vision for the Mumbai to MAINE brand.
34:55 – Cherie talks about how business pitch competitions have helped her build and grow her brand.
37:52 – Cherie lists some resources that have been helpful to her.
Quote
"I think the reason why people connect with my story is because everyone is like, I've always wanted to do that. I've always wanted to put something in a jar. I've always wanted to make sauces, jams, or jellies, or have some sort of an entrepreneurial dream, and here is somebody who has actually done it and did it without having any chef experience. Done it without any marketing dollars. I just took my story, my journey, and put it in that jar. I said 'this jar will tell you everything you need to know about me.'" – Cherie Scott, founder and owner of Mumbai to MAINE
Links:
Listen to Amber Lambke’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast.
Listen to Julene Gervais’ episode on The PR Maven® Podcast to learn more about Greenlight Maine.
Listen to Alyne Cistone’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast to learn more about Elevating Voices.
Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand: https://growyouraudiencegrowyourbrand.com/
Martha Stewart: https://www.marthastewart.com/
Rachael Ray: https://rachaelray.com/
Ina Garten: https://barefootcontessa.com/
Erin French: https://www.findthelostkitchen.com/
Luke’s Lobster: https://lukeslobster.com/
The Good Crust: https://www.thegoodcrust.com/
Crooked Face Creamery: https://www.upnorthricotta.com/
Top Gun Competition: https://www.mced.biz/top-gun
SCORE: https://www.scoremaine.org/
“The Game of Life and How To Play It” by Florence Scovel Shinn: https://www.amazon.com/Game-Life-How-Play/dp/1614270791
“How I Built This”: https://www.guyraz.com/howibuiltthisbook
Dr. Phil Finemore: https://workfitme.com/about/
About the guest:
Mumbai native Cherie Scott left India at the age of 16 and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. After a few stops in New York City and New Jersey, Cherie has been anchored in Boothbay, Maine now for over a decade.
In 2015, she launched her culinary blog, MumbaitoMaine.com to share her signature recipes and nostalgic anecdotes of her youth in Mumbai. In 2018, Cherie was invited to join a lineup of notable guest chef instructors at Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School where she curated an exclusive, regional Indian cooking series for four years. Cherie is now a guest chef instructor at Milk Street with Christopher Kimball Online Cooking School, Boston. Cherie is the host of “Talking Food in Maine,” a series of intimate one-on-one conversations with notable culinary pioneers who have made a substantial contribution to the culinary arts in the state of Maine. To celebrate Maine’s bicentennial and gastronomic talent, Cherie hosted and produced Mumbai to MAINE’s podcast in 2020, showcasing some of Maine’s most accomplished culinary tastemakers.
During the heart of the pandemic, Cherie launched her signature line of gourmet Indian simmer sauces: Makhani, Saag and Caldine. Inspired by her family’s heritage recipes, these simmer sauces are masterfully crafted in small batches and simmered for hours with an infusion of freshly roasted and ground spice blends. Mumbai to MAINE is Maine’s first Indian-inspired and award-winning culinary brand, available nationwide at www.mumbaitomaine.com and across specialty stores in Maine.
Looking to connect:
Email: cherie@mumbaitomaine.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-scott-804368113/
Website: https://mumbaitomaine.com/
Podcast: https://blog.mumbaitomaine.com/podcasts/
Instagram: @mumbai2maine
Facebook: @mumbaitomaine
Facebook: @cheriescott
Public relations is a relatively new concept compared to other professions such as law or medicine. The idea of PR stems from the concept of communication, which dates all the way back to the philosophers of Ancient Greece. Most of us know about Socrates and Plato, and we’ve used Aristotle’s art of rhetoric (Ethos, Logos and Pathos) in our writing.
But many people don’t know that Ancient Greece is in fact the foundation of PR. The idea of using communication to persuade is one of the first practical uses of public relations.
The idea of spreading communication (or persuasion) to the masses comes from the early 15th century and Pope Gregory XII, who coined the term “propaganda” as we know it today. The term was repurposed from a Latin word used to describe a commission of cardinals tasked with spreading Catholicism to non-Catholic countries.
Fast forward to the birth of America, where mass communication was used in full swing to gain independence from the British Empire. Founding Father Samuel Adams spread political messages to oppose the British monarchy, inspiring the famous anti-tax protest now known as the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Three years later, Thomas Paine published “Common Sense,” a pamphlet meant to persuade the masses to support the American Revolution from Great Britain. And, just months later, the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
Continue reading here.
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In an industry where most of your customers are grumpy from having vehicle trouble, how do you create an enjoyable experience? In this podcast episode, Nancy speaks with Lynn Campbell, director of marketing, advertising and CRM at VIP Tires & Service. Lynn talks about the differences between the automotive repair industry and the other industries she has worked. She also describes the difference between the marketing techniques VIP uses and what makes each of those techniques unique and valuable.
3:20 – Lynn explains how she is neither left nor right-brain dominant, enjoying both the science and creativity that comes with a career in marketing.
5:38 – Lynn talks about the benefits of working with an outside PR agency, such as gaining a new perspective.
10:01 – Lynn describes what the VIP magazine will include, launching spring of 2023.
12:26 – Lynn shares the differences in marketing and PR between the automotive repair industry and other industries she has worked in.
17:29 – Lynn gives tips on how to prioritize your work.
19:07 – Lynn explains different aspects of marketing and what makes each unique.
23:33 – Lynn shares a resource that has been helpful to her.
Quote
“We try to empower [our customers] and give them back control of something that they see as a very uncontrollable situation. It really helps them feel better about what they're doing when they're a partner in the decision making around what they are going to do for their vehicle. When they are offered options at different price levels and different types of products, then they can weigh in and decide what works best for them.” – Lynn Campbell, director of marketing, advertising and CRM at VIP Tires & Service
Links:
Trek Across Maine: https://action.lung.org/site/TR?fr_id=23108&pg=entry
Winter tires vs. all-season: What's best for winter in Maine?: https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/features/specials/seasonal-specials/winter-tires-vs-all-season-whats-best-for-winter-in-maine-weather-snow-cars/97-7b23dfbd-7e8f-4db5-b1eb-aaab58724f9f
Down East Magazine: https://downeast.com/
Marshall Plan® Process: https://marshallpr.com/the-marshall-plan/
Tire Industry Association (TIA): https://www.tireindustry.org/
Garage Gurus: https://www.garagegurus.tech/
The Studio: https://thestudioportland.com/
“Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin: https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250067057
“Practical Content Strategy & Marketing” by Julia McCoy: https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Content-Strategy-Marketing-Certification-ebook/dp/B077SKLYNT
Listen to Tim Winkeler’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast.
Listen to Tim on Episode 213: 2022 Golden Microphone Award Celebration
Listen to Steve Lyon’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast to learn more about the Maine Office of Tourism.
About the guest:
After graduating from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, with a Bachelor of Science, Lynn began her marketing career in Los Angeles working as a media planner for a local advertising agency. After a few years, she moved to Hawaii to work with a global agency, Ogilvy and Mather, and later became Vice President of The Advertising Works. She then began her own marketing agency, CG Media Specialists, which she owned and operated for six years. After moving to Maine in 1992, Lynn moved to the client side of the business working with local firms like Hannaford Brothers and WEX (formerly Wright Express), as well as Marketing Director for AutoZone in Memphis. She joined VIP Tires and Service 6 years ago and is currently their Director of Marketing, Advertising & CRM.
Lynn lives in Greene, Maine, and enjoys long hikes with her dog, Callie, and snowshoeing in the winter months. She also dabbles in acrylic painting and always enjoys a good mystery novel. Although she’s lived in many places, she’s made Maine her permanent home and considers herself a Mainer.
Looking to connect:
Email: lcampbell@vipauto.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-campbell-185aa061/
Website: www.vipauto.com
It’s been several months since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, but the loss still hurts. Many of us were saddened to hear the news, and it still makes me sad today.
In 2011, my agency was chosen to promote and publicize the royal memorabilia across North America for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton — one of the great honors of my career. So, we know a thing or two about the royal family.
The queen lived a long life. She lived a good life, and she left the world in a much better place than she found it. Over the decades, the queen also taught us many valuable lessons. She reigned for 70 years, after all!
Click the link below to read the 10 things that professionals can learn from her seven-decade reign.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in October 2022.
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In this episode, Amanda Pleau, marketing and communications manager at Maine Maritime Museum, describes the career path she took to get where she is today. Amanda also talks about the work Maine Maritime Museum is doing, including an upcoming exhibit to raise awareness about what is happening in the Gulf of Maine right now. Having taught writing, Amanda explains the importance of writing in PR and communications and shares a resource she has found interesting related to Maine history.
3:16 – Amanda describes her position at Maine Maritime Museum.
5:05 – Amanda explains how her first job helped prepare her for her career.
8:15 – Amanda talks about how she had no idea she wanted to be in marketing and communications when she started her career.
14:21 – Amanda gives details about an upcoming exhibit called SeaChange.
17:05 – Amanda shares her story of moving back to Maine.
23:01 – Amanda explains how strong writing skills help with PR and communications and her background in teaching writing.
28:33 – Amanda talks about her favorite parts of working at Maine Maritime Museum.
33:29 – Amanda shares a resource that helped her learn local Maine history.
Quote
“This is kind of where the PR and marketing come in. You can’t assume that people can read your mind and you have to constantly set the stage, reset, set the tone and explain where you’re coming from and why you’re doing what you’re doing. I was thinking about this post that I did on the Maine Maritime Museum social media that was really successful. It was all of the ways you could get free admission to the museum. None of those were new. None of those had been introduced within the last year, but just reminding people of who we are, what we’re doing, why we’re doing it.” – Amanda Pleau, marketing and communications manager at Maine Maritime Museum
Links:
Maine Maritime Museum: https://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/exhibition/seachange/
Down East Magazine: https://downeast.com/
Bull Moose: https://www.bullmoose.com/
University of Southern Maine: https://usm.maine.edu/
Toms of Maine: https://www.tomsofmaine.com/
SeaChange: Darkness and Light in the Gulf of Maine: https://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/exhibition/seachange/
Gulf of Maine EcoArts: http://www.gulfofmaineecoarts.org/
Roxane Gay: https://roxanegay.com/
Jo Ann Beard: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/117985.Jo_Ann_Beard
Libby App: https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby
“Mill Town: Reckoning With What Remains” by Kerri Arsenault: https://www.amazon.com/Mill-Town-Reckoning-What-Remains/dp/1250155932
The Mexico Chicken Coop: http://mexicochickencoop.letseat.at/
“Vacationland: True Stories From Painful Beaches” by John Hodgman: https://www.amazon.com/Vacationland-True-Stories-Painful-Beaches/dp/0735224803
Listen to Emma Dimock’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast.
Listen to Katie Shorey’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast to learn more about Live + Work in Maine.
Listen to Dana Bullen’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast to learn more about Sunday River.
About the guest:
Amanda’s first job in high school was working as a clerk at an independent record store. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications from the University of Southern Maine and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction from USM's Stonecoast program, where she served as managing editor of the Stonecoast Review. After college, her professional experience includes consumer relations at Tom’s of Maine, and in the communications office at Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, one of the largest and oldest congregations in the country. For two years, she also taught writing at the Gnomon School for Visual Effects in Hollywood.
Currently, Amanda is the marketing and communications manager at Maine Maritime Museum and publishes a biweekly memoir/pop culture e-newsletter, Pleaushares. Amanda’s writing has appeared in the Portland Phoenix, Vela Magazine, and the literary journal Two Serious Ladies. She lives in Bath with her husband, their dog and cat.
Looking to connect:
Email: pleau@maritimeme.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-pleau/
Website: https://bit.ly/pleaushares
Having run a PR agency since 1991, I’ve worked with lots and lots of clients. Some have been more successful than others, although I’m proud of the fact that most are happy with our work, and many have been clients for years. Work with enough clients, and you realize what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes, a client not working out can simply be a matter of bad timing. Sometimes, it’s a lack of mutual understanding or poor communication. Fortunately for us, it doesn’t happen often, but some clients just aren’t meant to be. If you’re in the client service business, it’s worth realizing this reality sooner than later: Not every client will work out.
In my experience, the key to a client working out is engagement, engagement and more engagement. I want our clients to be engaged with members of my team, constantly going back and forth on new ideas, secured deliverables and everything in between. Typically, we have a single point of contact (POC) from our agency side and the client has a single POC from their side. From time to time, there may end up being several POCs on the agency side or the client side, but one each is best.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in October 2022.
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In this episode, The PR Maven® Podcast celebrates four years and congratulates Tim Winkeler, president and CEO of VIP Tires & Service, for having the most popular episode of the year. Nancy and Tim talk about what makes VIP’s business model successful and how the company’s internal culture is shared externally through marketing. Nancy and Tim also discuss the Right to Repair movement and how they first met.
3:20 – Tim makes remarks on winning the Golden Microphone Award, owing VIP’s success to its people.
4:08 – Tim explains the mission and values that drive VIP’s marketing.
7:04 – Tim talks about how VIP sponsors nonprofits and teams their employees are involved with and the benefits of doing so.
9:32 – Tim describes the internal culture of VIP and how the company communicates that through its marketing.
14:17 – Tim explains what the Right to Repair movement is and VIP’s involvement.
16:05 – Nancy tells the story about how she and Tim met.
21:31 – Tim shares a resource with an important life lesson.
Quote
“Our mission is simple: earn a customer for life. Our owner came up with that 20-something years ago and it's super simple and it's relatable to anybody. In any situation. Earn a customer for life. What would you do if your mission right now was to earn a customer for life? And so it simplifies the business.”– Tim Winkeler, president and CEO of VIP Tires & Service
Links:
Handle Hard Better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDzfZOfNki4
Listen to Kate Vickery’s episode to learn more about Make-A-Wish.
Listen to Tim’s first episode.
About the guest:
Tim is an accomplished people-focused leader with a track record of building high-performance teams that exceed expectations. Always focused on customer needs and feedback, he builds core competencies around making money by serving customers in different and better ways. Tim thrives in helping organizations succeed through strategy development and execution, relentlessly pursuing continuous improvement while helping each member of the team reach his/her personal best. Tim is a teacher at heart and learns every day by reading great books and meeting great people.
VIP Tires & Service operates 65 shops throughout New England. With 600 employees, VIP is a third-generation private company. Under Tim’s leadership, VIP has been transformed from a discount retailer to a professional service provider by focusing on people rather than price. VIP invests in its people through a multitude of programs including leadership training, P&L training, career pathing, certification achievement, team building and many others.
VIP’s culture is embodied in the company’s vision: VIP’s professionals love their jobs because they are appreciated, well-prepared, enjoy serving others and find personal success as a member of the VIP Family.
Looking to connect:
Email: twinkeler@vipauto.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwinkeler/
Website: www.vipauto.com
Both advertising and public relations (PR) help build awareness and generate sales. But they're not the same thing.
Essentially, advertising is paid media, and PR is earned media. Advertisers purchase space online, in print or on the airwaves. They decide what the ad will say, how it will look, where it will appear and how many times it will appear. They control the message.
PR professionals, on the other hand, provide journalists with story ideas delivered through press releases or a media pitch, which is usually a brief email offering a news story to a specific reporter. If — and that is a big if — the journalist is interested in the story idea, they will develop content around it. But there are no guarantees that the coverage will say exactly what you want it to say or even that the coverage will be positive. That is another key difference between PR and advertising. In PR, you cannot control the message.
So why, you might ask, would you not just advertise? Many people are skeptical of advertising messages. They're exposed to dozens, if not hundreds, of advertisements daily on television, radio, online and in the print news. They're exposed to so many, in fact, that many of them have been desensitized, and it can be hard for any one message to sink in unless it's really compelling. Also, because the message is coming directly from the advertiser, it's often viewed as less credible.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in April 2019.
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Building an audience is an old strategy in marketing. Did you know that Proctor & Gamble created soap operas so they could build an audience to buy their soap?
That’s right. In the 1930s, P&G sponsored daytime serial dramas on the radio to advertise their products to housewives. Why? Because research suggested that women wanted to be entertained while doing housework. And so, literal “soap operas” were born.
In the early to mid-20th century, Edward Bernays — long considered the “father of public relations” — also built audiences on behalf of his clientele, which coincidentally included P&G. The Conversation reports that “to counteract President Coolidge’s stiff image, Bernays organized ‘pancake breakfasts’ and White House concerts with Al Jolson and other Broadway performers.” Knowing that such events would garner significant media attention and ingratiate Coolidge with new social circles, Bernays provided an opportunity to “control and regiment the masses” in Coolidge’s favor. Who can say no to a pancake breakfast?
Building an audience is as important now as it was then. We just have more tools at our disposal: From YouTube videos to blog posts and social media campaigns, there are more ways than ever to reach millions of people with your own content. Podcasting is one of the most powerful ways to reach people.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in May 2019.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Puritan Medical Products ramped up production of their testing swabs under the Defense Production Act as one of only two producers of these swabs in the world. Bob Shultz, Puritan’s new president, sits down with Nancy to talk about Puritan’s growth since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and plans for the future. Nancy and Bob also discuss the role sales and marketing has played in Puritan’s success.
3:27 – Bob talks about his career path, from his time as a student at Bowdoin all the way to becoming president and chief financial officer at Puritan Medical Products.
7:33 – Bob explains Puritan’s role as one of two companies in the world producing swabs for COVID-19.
15:05 – Bob describes Puritan’s goals for the future, focusing on life sciences and becoming more well known for more than COVID swabs.
19:05 – Bob shares how he was surprised at how well-known and respected Puritan was when he decided to join the company, whether it was telling his former colleagues at 3M or speaking with people throughout Maine.
26:31 – Bob talks about the job opportunities available at Puritan.
30:22 – Bob describes how sales and marketing have helped Puritan grow.
34:16 – Bob shares some resources that have been helpful to him.
Quote
“It's an American success story ultimately is what this is. It's one that's centered here in Maine. Yes, we have this great new facility down in Tennessee. It's just tremendous, but we're never going to forget Maine is who we are. Maine is where we're from, and it's the work ethic and the people and everything else that is centered in Maine.”– Bob Shultz, president and chief financial officer at Puritan Medical Products
Links:
Maine Office of Tourism: https://visitmaine.com/
Cianbro: https://www.cianbro.com/
Bath Iron Works: https://gdbiw.com/
Abbott: https://www.abbott.com/
3M: https://www.3m.com/
L.L. Bean: https://www.llbean.com/
Careers at Puritan: https://www.puritanmedproducts.com/careers/
Maine International Trade Center: https://www.mitc.com/
StrengthsFinder 2.0: https://www.amazon.com/StrengthsFinder-2-0-Tom-Rath/dp/159562015X
“Not For Sale” by Kevin Hancock: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Sale-Finding-Center-Crazy/dp/0692410996
Listen to Kevin Hancock’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast.
Listen to Lindsay Skilling’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast to learn more about Gifford’s.
Listen to Katie Shorey’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast to learn more about Live + Work in Maine.
About the guest:
A 1990 graduate from Bowdoin with a major in economics and a minor in government, Bob Shultz started his career with Deloitte where he earned his CPA. After public accounting, Bob worked in a variety of leadership positions in both financial and operational capacities. These roles allowed him to excel as a business leader given the diversity of experiences. Bob has worked in organizations ranging from start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies and across diverse industries. Prior to joining Puritan, he was the division CFO of one of the largest global operating units of 3M Company.
At Puritan, Bob is currently the president and chief financial officer of this great Maine company. In this role, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations as well as the future strategic direction. This role allows Bob to utilize the totality of his strengths and experiences to partner with the fantastic leadership team and drive profitable growth across all of Puritan’s markets.
Looking to connect:
Email: rlshultz@puritanmedproducts.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bobshultz3
Website: www.puritanmedproducts.com
I grew up in a small, rural town in Connecticut and attended Colby College in the small Maine city of Waterville. Traveling to France kicked off my junior year abroad, and it opened my eyes to the world outside of New England.
I visited all of the most famous spots in Paris with a professor from the Sorbonne. It was on those tours of la Ville Lumière that I fell in love with French art, literature and other cultural staples.
France also opened a door to the rest of Europe. While in Paris, I bought a Eurail Pass, so I had the chance to travel to the area in Germany — just outside Stuttgart — where my father’s mother was born. I met a lot of my German aunts, uncles and cousins. The table was filled with schnitzel, and the beer flowed.
My experiences in Europe taught me that, as much as people can be proud of different cultures and customs, people are alike in so many ways. We are more alike than we are different, no matter where we’re from. People just want to be acknowledged and respected, regardless of their culture.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in June 2019.
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As a public relations veteran, Jody Fisher brings his vast knowledge to this episode of The PR Maven® Podcast. Jody shares some of his secrets to success, in particular, always trying to be helpful to the reporter rather than just trying to get a result for your client. He explains how he trains his clients for media interviews by making sure they are confident in the messages they want to get across. Jody also explains why the press release is not dead and emphasized the use of video to get results.
3:51 – Jody describes his career path, including a shift from radio to PR.
8:06 – Jody explains how to think like a reporter and have a sense of what is newsworthy. The key: always try to help the reporter.
17:00 – Jody shares how he prepares clients for media interviews by making sure they are confident, but not comfortable.
23:59 – Jody talks about why press releases are not dead and how the media uses them today.
28:32 – Jody lists how press releases can be repurposed in your content marketing strategy.
30:45 – Jody emphasizes the importance of video and how television media has had a video philosophy flip since COVID.
34:43 – Jody provides some resources he finds helpful.
Quote
“There's this horrible perception about PR people that we are somehow disingenuous or not completely honest, and it boils down to that four-letter word, nails on a chalkboard for me, spin. Good PR people don't spin because we don't have to. We have good stories and we want to give good stories to reporters to inform their audience of the interesting, funny, comical, essential, critical or lifesaving information that we have access to through our clients. I always say that PR people have just as much interest in helping the reporter as we do our client. It's not mutually exclusive.”– Jody Fisher, vice president of public relations at Austin Williams.
Links:
Nancy’s Episode on The PR Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/93-nancy-marshall-the-pr-maven-on-building-a-personal-brand/id1528904589?i=1000575350537
Warren Weeks on The PR Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/90-warren-weeks-on-media-training-and-the-worst/id1528904589?i=1000570289127
Molly McPherson: https://mollymcpherson.com/
Indestructible PR Podcast: https://mollymcpherson.com/podcast/
Listen to Molly McPherson’s episode on The PR Maven® Podcast.
About the guest:
Jody Fisher is vice president of public relations at Austin Williams, a Long Island based marketing, advertising and digital agency. Jody leads the division that represents clients across healthcare, higher education, financial services, non-profit and real estate industries. In his 25-year career as a PR leader, he has worked with New York based clients that include the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Silverstein Properties at the World Trade Center, Friends of the High Line, the New York Post and Wall Street Journal and many more. He is also the host of The PR Podcast, a weekly show that spotlights guests with expertise in public relations and the news business. He’s also a former NYC radio reporter and brings his newsroom savvy to his clients to create actionable PR programs.
Looking to connect:
Email: jodyfisher@live.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodyfisher/
Twitter: @jodyfisher
Website: www.jodyfisherpr.com
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pr-podcast/id1528904589
In today’s world, more people than ever have a voice. Technological innovation, namely in the realm of social media, has democratized discourse in ways that few thought possible only two decades ago. In the comfort of our own living room, or on our phone while at a restaurant, we have the power of self-expression more than ever before.
And that’s a good thing! From Facebook posts to tweets and Yelp reviews, it is relatively easy to state your opinion, circulate it among family and friends, and perhaps even become an "influencer."
However, this democratization has made public discourse a more competitive space and has made it more difficult for any individual to stand out from the pack. Across the globe, there are over 2.9 billion monthly active Facebook users, more than half of whom use the social media platform on a daily basis. Twitter is used by roughly 450 million people worldwide each month. More than 500 million Instagram users create Instagram Stories every single day. That is a whole lot of noise, and it can be heard throughout the professional world.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in July 2019.
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What tactics work the best in sales? Find out in this episode as Tate Sandrock, sales associate with Newcastle Realty, shares networking tactics that have made him successful. Tate shares how he uses letter writing as a sales tool in both closing sales and finding potential listings, as well as how personal connections have enhanced his professional and personal life. In addition, Tate talks about what personal branding means to him, how it is important in the field of sales and how he plans on continuing to build his personal brand by branching out to social media.
2:49 – Tate talks about how he started his career in real estate after moving to Maine and having an amazing homebuying experience.
4:47 – Tate shares how he wrote Nancy a letter after he read one of her articles in the Maine Realtor, which sparked their pen pal relationship.
10:44 – Tate talks about how he inherited the skill of letter writing from his mom, and how he uses letter writing as a sales tool.
19:05 – Tate talks about how personal connections have enhanced his life personally and professionally.
27:21 – Tate defines what a personal brand is to him and why it is important in sales.
30:12 – Tate shares how he finds listings in the competitive real estate market.
33:46 – Tate shares an inspirational poem he found in the window of a The Kingfisher & The Queen in Damariscotta.
Quote
“There's a lot of competition out there, right? If it's a restaurant, real estate or PR, how are you going to differentiate yourself? For me, part of that is letter writing. Part of that is trying to think, “What do my clients need next?”– Tate Sandrock, sales associate with Newcastle Realty.
Links:
Maine Realtor magazine
Camp Deerhorn in Wisconsin
“The Midcoast: A Novel”
Maya Angelou
The Kingfisher & The Queen -store in Damariscotta
“Don’t Quit” poem by John Greenleaf Whittier
About the guest:
Tate Sandrock was born in Columbus, Ohio and grew up in the Midwest. He spent most of his adult life in Wisconsin until, together with his wife and two kids, he moved to Maine in 2019. Tate and his family moved here for the relaxed pace of life and to see and jump in the water daily (including a swim streak he has with his son Owen that is nearing 100 days in a row)!
Tate has done a lot of different types of work, from being a stay-at-home dad, teaching elementary school, working as a personal exercise trainer, to now working as a real estate agent with Newcastle Realty in Damariscotta. In conjunction with his work as a real estate agent, Tate also does property maintenance and landscaping work. His brand motto is: “I do it all, and with a smile.” Currently, Tate is working on defining his brand and building his network. And he is an avid listener of The PR Maven(R) Podcast!
Looking to connect:
Email: tatesandrock@cheneycompanies.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatesandrock/
Website: https://www.mynewcastle.com/
In the modern world of public relations, there are so many deliverables that need to get done, edited or promoted. “Things” are everywhere. So are tasks and daily activities that can easily take hours on end. But the best PR professionals don’t get sidetracked by tasks and things. to quote author Simon Sinek, they “start with why.” If you don’t start with “why” and truly understand what it means, then you’ll just end up like a hamster in a wheel - spinning around and around.
On a daily basis, ask yourself: “Why?” Why are you executing this deliverable? Why are you performing that task? Why do you want your business to be more well-known? Why do you want to network with other people? Why should they care?
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in August 2022.
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The online world is changing. Web3 is here, powered by millennials and Gen Zers who are morphing the internet into a more interactive playing field for all of us. As publicists and marketers, our new challenge is to change with the times and advance our usage of online technologies. We need to keep up with the rest of the world since there is a new age of consumers with new demands. There is a new age of clients, meaning that our client service will have to look different.
Web 1.0 was not much more advanced than television. It was not a very interactive medium. Websites dating back to the 1990s came across as extremely flat, with minimal opportunities for user interactivity. Trust me: They seemed like pieces of paper turned digital - very, very basic stuff.
In the early 2000s, Web 2.0 shifted to user interactivity. Whereas Web 1.0 was more static, Web 2.0 enhanced connectivity through social media platforms, public forums, wikis and much more. Websites and applications leveraged user-generated content for everyday consumers - from Myspace and Twitter to Wikipedia, which now attracts billions of global visitors each month (including editors who curate content).
Now comes Web3, the next phase of the internet.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in July 2022.
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How has the field of public relations transformed today? Find out in this episode as Abbey Violette, intern at Marshall Communications shares how she has learned what goes into PR today, and how it differs from the field’s work in the past. Abbey explains how most people have a misconception of what PR actually is, and how it is a field of marketing that adapts easily to the times. She also shares what she has learned about personal branding, which has quickly become one of the services the field of PR offers today. In addition, Abbey talks about Thomas College’s program that has made her internship possible, and about her intern diaries, so follow along!
3:04 – Abbey talks about her educational path so far, and what got her interested in marketing and PR.
7:08 – Abbey explains how PR is different from what she has learned in school compared to now interning in the field.
11:11 – Abbey shares what inspired her to start writing her intern diaries.
12:53 – Abbey shares her favorite part of her internship at Marshall Communications so far.
16:14 – Abbey talks about how PR has opened up a new vision for her career.
16:58 – Abbey stalks about the first writing piece she wrote for Visit Maine’s new website.
20:23 – Abbey explains Thomas College’s Harold Alfond® Institute for Business Innovation program, and how she got connected with Nancy in the first place.
22:53 – Abbey shares her usual tasks she completes as an intern at Marshall Communications.
24:57 – Abbey shares what she has learned about personal branding from her internship.
28:22 – Abbey shares a book that has been helpful to her during school and building her career.
31:31 – Abbey shares how people can get in touch with her and follow her intern diaries.
Quote
“Now that I have actually worked more closely with personal branding clients and I've learned from this internship, there's quite a bit of groundwork that goes into even building a personal brand. There's a lot of networking that goes into it, and a lot of, in a sense, marketing yourself to look a certain way in the public's eye. I just didn't realize going into it just how much you have to do to even get started with a personal brand.” – Abbey Violette, intern at Marshall Communications.
Links:
Thomas College’s Harold Alfond® Institute for Business Innovation
Find Abbey’s Intern Diaries on the Marshall Communications blog
Marshall Communications Facebook
Marshall Communications Twitter: @MarshallPRMaine
Marshall Communications LinkedIn
Marshall Communications Instagram: @marshallcommunications
Burnout: The Secret to The Stress Cycle (book)
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About the guest:
Abbey is entering her senior year at Thomas College studying marketing management. She is currently an intern at Marshall Communications, learning about the industry of PR and showcasing her analytical skills. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, analyzing movies and T.V. shows, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
Looking to connect:
Email: aviolette@marshallpr.com
LinkedIn: Abbey Violette
Hiring. In a post-Covid economy, there is no greater challenge for businesses large and small. In fact, attracting and retaining qualified workers is a top issue facing today’s employers.
It goes without saying that hiring has always been important. Especially for small businesses, human capital is everything. Find the right employees, and your business will innovate and grow in ways that were once unimaginable. As the owner of a PR agency, I would be nowherewithout the people needed to secure new clients and satisfy existing ones. More often than not, our team members are the ones who secure the day-to-day deliverables that keep clients coming back for more. Small-business owners should never overlook the contributions of their team members who ultimately make success possible.
In today’s economy, finding the right team members is the difference between success and failure. They are out there, but recruiting them is a skill that job creators need to cultivate. Below are three ways to help your hiring.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in July 2022.
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How can you change your leadership style for the better? Find out in this episode as Kevin Hancock, Chairman and CEO of Hancock Lumber shares how his condition has taught him a better leadership style that has led his company to success. Kevin explains how he learned of the power of listening to validate employees and making the right decisions. Despite his condition that affects his speaking, Kevin has actually taken on more speaking engagements and wrote multiple books to inspire others to think about their leadership, and the impacts it has on their business.
3:43 – Nancy and Kevin talk about their business’ successes, and how despite the length of a business’ life you always need to continue to change.
5:12 – Kevin talks about his career in the lumber industry and how he got into it in the first place.
6:30 – Kevin shares what happened to his voice in 2010, and how he has incorporated it into his leadership style and personal brand.
10:06 – Kevin talks about how despite his condition, he has been doing more public speaking than before.
14:24 – Kevin talks about how each employee is the face of your company, how to help employees prioritize their work and how Hancock Lumber is employee centric.
17:04 – Nancy shares how she treats employees at any business as an interesting person, and Kevin responds to talk about how Nancy is positively impacting the world.
19:22 – Kevin shares how impactful parenting is to children, and the meaning of human life on earth by sharing what he learned in South Dakota.
24:46 – Kevin explains a company’s mission and goals outside of profits.
27:45 – Kevin talks about his books, why he has written them and how people can find them.
32:01 – Kevin shares how his speaking, writing and involvement in Pine Ridge has played a role in the PR of Hancock Lumber.
38:30 – Kevin explains his strategy for each of his brands.
44:52 – Kevin shares what he thinks personal branding is.
47:41 – Kevin talks about how he is recovering from his condition.
50:39 – Kevin shares what in his life has impacted him and how people can get in touch.
Quote
“I think a company being profitable is very, very important, but it is not the highest mission. I’ve come to think about the profitability of our company as a really cool outcome of a higher calling. The higher calling is to honor everybody at work. When you honor everybody at work, it’s pretty much guaranteed they’re going to collectively produce exceptional results. What that really is about is the company is soaring on the wings of thriving humans at work, and the profit is the outcome. An outcome not the goal.” - Kevin Hancock, chairman and CEO of Hancock Lumber.
Links:
Amber Lambke’s episode
Gandhi
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota
“Not For Sale: Finding Center in The Land of Crazy Horse” (book)
“The Seventh Power: One CEO’s Journey Into the Business of Shared Leadership” (book)
“48 Whispers: From Pine Ridge and the Northern Plains” (book)
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About the guest:
Kevin Hancock is the CEO of one of America’s oldest family businesses as well as an award-winning author and nationally recognized public speaker. Kevin is a frequent visitor to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and an advocate of strengthening the voices of all individuals—within a company or a community —through listening, empowering and shared leadership. In addition, Kevin is the founder of a non-profit organization called The Seventh Power dedicated to advancing economic sovereignty for native communities across America. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College and lives in Maine with his wife Alison.
Established in 1848, Hancock Lumber Company is led by its 620 employees operating 12 lumberyards, three sawmills and a truss manufacturing facility in Maine and New Hampshire. The company also grows and harvests trees sustainably on 8,000 acres of timberland. Hancock Lumber is an eight-time consecutive recipient of the Maine State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management’s Best Places To Work in Maine award. The company is also a recipient of the Maine Family Business of the Year Award, the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence, and the ProSales National Dealer of the Year Award.
Looking to connect:
Email: khancock@hancocklumber.com
Websites:
- https://thebusinessofsharedleadership.com/
- https://www.hancocklumber.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-hancock-6bb0501a1/
To celebrate the 200th episode of The PR Maven® Podcast, Nancy shares the top ten most popular PR Maven® Podcast episodes of all time. For each of the top ten, Nancy plays each guest’s major tip, knowledge, and wisdom that they have learned from their successful careers and experience. Listen to these episodes’ highlights for the best advice for marketing your business and personal brand.
1:39 – 10: Episode 7 Becky McKinnell, President of iBEC Creative. Becky talks about how to use social media to attract new employees.
3:44 – 9: Episode 34 Alex Nerney, Co-Founder of Create and Go. Alex shares which social media platforms he uses to drive visitors to the Create and Go blog.
6:05 – 8: Episode 10 Bill Green Retired Reporter, Anchor and Executive Producer at NEWS CENTER Maine. Bill talks about the importance of journalistic efforts and presenting both sides of the story.
8:18 – 7: Episode 9: How To Build Your Personal Brand and Network Online. Nancy shares how you should improve your LinkedIn profile and how you show up in a Google search.
11:46 – 6: Episode 5: Stefa Normantas, Managing Partner of Green Tree Event Consultants. Stefa talks about how volunteering and reading can help build your business.
15:11 – 5: Episode 8: Kate Paine, Founder and President of Standing Out Online. Kate gives a tip on how to use national news trends to target your audience.
17:28 – 4: Episode 13: Anna McDermott, Account Supervisor at Marshall Communications. Anna gives advice to young people who are finding themselves.
19:40 – 3: Episode 1: Nancy Marshall, CEO and Owner of Marshall Communications. Nancy talks about personal branding.
21:34 – 2: Episode 60: One-Year Anniversary Party With Tim Cotton. Tim gives advice for creating an online community.
22:58 – 1: Episode 36: Lieutenant Tim Cotton, Bangor Police Department. Tim shares how to listen to people.
Links:
iBec Creative
Create and Go
News Center Maine
Green Tree Event Consultants
Standing Out Online
Bangor Police Department’s Facebook: @bangormainepolice
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Looking to connect:
Email: nancy@prmaven.com
LinkedIn: Nancy Marshall
Twitter: @maineprmaven
PR Maven® Nation Twitter: @PRMavenNation
To celebrate the 200th episode of The PR Maven® Podcast, Nancy shares the top ten most popular PR Maven® Podcast episodes of all time. For each of the top ten, Nancy plays each guest’s major tip, knowledge, and wisdom that they have learned from their successful careers and experience. Listen to these episodes’ highlights for the best advice for marketing your business and personal brand.
1:39 – 10: Episode 7 Becky McKinnell, President of iBEC Creative. Becky talks about how to use social media to attract new employees.
3:44 – 9: Episode 34 Alex Nerney, Co-Founder of Create and Go. Alex shares which social media platforms he uses to drive visitors to the Create and Go blog.
6:05 – 8: Episode 10 Bill Green Retired Reporter, Anchor and Executive Producer at NEWS CENTER Maine. Bill talks about the importance of journalistic efforts and presenting both sides of the story.
8:18 – 7: Episode 9: How To Build Your Personal Brand and Network Online. Nancy shares how you should improve your LinkedIn profile and how you show up in a Google search.
11:46 – 6: Episode 5: Stefa Normantas, Managing Partner of Green Tree Event Consultants. Stefa talks about how volunteering and reading can help build your business.
15:11 – 5: Episode 8: Kate Paine, Founder and President of Standing Out Online. Kate gives a tip on how to use national news trends to target your audience.
17:28 – 4: Episode 13: Anna McDermott, Account Supervisor at Marshall Communications. Anna gives advice to young people who are finding themselves.
19:40 – 3: Episode 1: Nancy Marshall, CEO and Owner of Marshall Communications. Nancy talks about personal branding.
21:34 – 2: Episode 60: One-Year Anniversary Party With Tim Cotton. Tim gives advice for creating an online community.
22:58 – 1: Episode 36: Lieutenant Tim Cotton, Bangor Police Department. Tim shares how to listen to people.
Links:
iBec Creative
Create and Go
News Center Maine
Green Tree Event Consultants
Standing Out Online
Bangor Police Department’s Facebook: @bangormainepolice
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Looking to connect:
Email: nancy@prmaven.com
LinkedIn: Nancy Marshall
Twitter: @maineprmaven
PR Maven® Nation Twitter: @PRMavenNation
There are many ways to grow your professional network, but in my experience, LinkedIn is by far one of the easiest paths to take. More than 830 million people use LinkedIn, and they flock from over 200 countries and territories. This isn’t rocket science.
But LinkedIn also has a lot of untapped potential. Social media platforms like Facebook lay claim to billions of users, meaning that LinkedIn can still expand its user base and current offerings. In addition, there are many LinkedIn users who don’t access the platform on a daily basis, as they would with Twitter or TikTok. In many cases, LinkedIn pages go unchanged for months or even years. Some even lack headshots, which is a personal pet peeve.
I only bring up LinkedIn’s potential because I believe it will play a more and more pivotal role in the world of work. In my PR business, I see the power of LinkedIn on a daily basis. I’ve come across new prospects and paying clients on the platform. It is aplace to not only grow your network with new connections and followers, but also differentiate yourself from everyone else who does what you do — or close to what you do. For thought leaders who are experts on a particular topic, LinkedIn is an opportunity to tout that expertise. It is a one-stop-shop for thought leadership, PR, business development, branding, advertising and personal connecting.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in June 2022.
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How can you combine PR and personal branding techniques to make your business successful? Find out in this episode as Amber Lambke, co-founder and CEO of Maine Grains shares her business’ success story. Amber explains how the topic of grains was missing from conversations, how she helped start Maine Grains, and how she uses speaking engagements to start conversations and inspire others within the industry. In addition, learn who the famous Maine Grains customer is, and how Amber has been on her baking show!
3:07 – Amber shares about why she started a gristmill, and how grains were missing in local food discussions and framer’s markets.
5:26 – Amber describes how COVID surged their online sales.
6:29 – Amber tells how she has had great success using a combination of PR and personal branding techniques for the past 10 years.
11:59 – Amber explains how important it is to train employees and how they are representing your brand and your company.
13:19 – Amber discusses the Kneading Conference and how it started as a conversation to inspire others.
14:28 – Amber talks about her recent speaking engagement in the UK where she helped teach how to grow a grain economy.
20:32 – Amber describes the Maine Grains’ 10th-anniversary celebration that is taking place on September 10, 2022.
23:00 – Amber talks about her twin sister, Heather’s, success starting The Good Crust, and the awards she has won.
28:18 – Nancy mentions that Maine Grains has a famous customer, and Amber talks about how she was on Martha Stewart’s baking show.
29:50 – Amber gives advice to other entrepreneurs on how they can use PR and personal branding to grow their businesses.
33:27 – Amber shares a book that has helped her develop her business and an app that she uses frequently.
36:54 – Amber shares how people can get in touch with her and how they can order Maine Grains products.
Quote
“I honestly could have never predicted the impact that the Kneading Conference would have. It started as problem solving conversations that we wanted to invite people to not only to solve the issues of ‘how do we spur Maine’s grain economy?’, but ‘how could these conversations inspire people in other places?’. It has spawned other conferences and networks of people who have formed grain alliances in their own region in order to stay connected, and we are now interconnected globally with each other.” -Amber Lambke, Co-Founder and CEO of Maine Grains
Links:
Maine Grain Kneading Conference
Maine Grains 10th Anniversary Celebration
The Good Crust
Martha Bakes: Oats (Episode featuring Amber)
Summer Kitchens: Recipes and Reminiscences from Every Corner of Ukraine (book)
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It (book)
The less annoying CRM (app)
Zingerman’s Community of Businesses
UK Grain Lab
Frigate Band
CEI
Episode 18: Mackenzie Riley Young, Assistant Director of Media Relations at Thomas College
Episode 68: What It Is Like To Be An Entrepreneur In Maine, with Julene Gervais, Producer and Host of Greenlight Maine
Episode 82: How to use a message map to build your brand
How to Create a Message Map
Message Map template
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About the guest:
Amber Lambke is co-founder and CEO of Maine Grains, Inc., a gristmill housed in a repurposed jailhouse, which has spurred the revival of grain production in Maine. A driving force behind Maine’s sustainable foods movement, she has been a leader in bringing economic vitality back to Skowhegan, Maine by reviving the region’s grain growing and processing industry. She was also the founding director of the Maine Grain Alliance, a nonprofit geared toward preserving regional grain traditions from earth to table. Her efforts through the Maine Grain Alliance have generated a broader understanding and appreciation of the nutritional and economic value of heritage grains and oats, as well as their exceptional flavor. The Alliance’s Kneading Conference, co-founded by Amber, now draws thousands of attendees from throughout North America each year and has spawned similar conferences across the country.
Looking to connect:
Email: info@mainegrains.com
Website: www.mainegrains.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-lambke-7902a517
Facebook: @mainegrains
Instagram: @mainegrains
Twitter: @mainegrains
In the professional world, it is impossible to succeed without networking. Remember that old adage: “It’s not what you know. It’s who you know.” Well, it’s true. Now, this isn’t to say that competence doesn’t matter. It still does! As Dr. Fredric Neuman puts it in a Psychology Today article, “I like to think that competence is the most important determinant of professional success; but if it is, it is only over the long run.” In the short run, we cannot underestimate the importance of meeting people, cultivating those relationships and leveraging them when the time is right. Being well-known or having a lot of contacts can help you in all sorts of ways:
- Landing a job
- Securing a promotion
- Finding a new client
- Raising money
- Swaying public opinion
Remember that former coworker you took time to befriend last year? He may have a job for you now, or know someone who does. Remember that business owner you met over drinks a month ago? She may be your next client, and your friendly conversation may have made her comfortable with the idea of Attaining your services.
Expanding and maintaining a wide circle of influence brings intended and unintended benefits. Sometimes you can envision a social relationship paying dividends in the future. But other times those dividends can seemingly come out of the blue, leaving you grateful that you made the effort in the first place. You never know where simply making an effort may lead you.
So how do you expand and maintain that circle of influence?
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in July 2019.
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Your company’s social media presence can be used in all sorts of ways — from announcing job postings, to sharing employee testimonials and product launches. But it can also be leveraged to attract attention from the mainstream media and generate positive publicity.
If you regularly post newsworthy items on your social media platforms, then reporters, editors and other journalists will be more likely to think of your company as a go-to source for story ideas. In today’s world, social media is arguably the most cost-effective way to garner favorable news coverage.
Here are the eight ways to get media coverage using social media:
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in August 2019.
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To become successful in business, you have to think beyond hiring employees or hitting sales numbers. You have to build a brand — both in person and online.
As Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos puts it, “a brand for a company is like a reputation for a person.” In other words, it means everything. It goes beyond a logo, a tagline or even a name. It’s how people think and feel about you or your organization.
Strengthening your personal brand also enhances your company’s brand. When you think of a company, you often think about the people leading it — the human stories that make the company what it is. Consider Apple: What would it be without the story of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak’s world-changing work in a California garage? I believe that much of the Apple brand today has to do with the mystique of their creativity in that garage so many years ago.
So how do you build your brand like Jobs and Wozniak did?
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in September 2019.
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How does teamwork and word of mouth jumpstart a company? Find out in this episode as the team from The Devil’s Half Acre Distillery share their brand’s story, and how they have jumpstarted their company. The team explains how their product has spread through word of mouth and old school PR and marketing. In addition, learn about the teamwork and the Bangor history behind creating their Jigger and Jones gin.
3:00 – Matt shares his idea to open the distillery that stemmed from his family history.
4:16 – Larry explains the origin story of their brand name, and the Bangor history behind it.
8:43 – James talks about his background as a chemical engineer and how he created the Jigger and Jones gin.
12:47 – Nancy asks all three about their positions in the business, and whether they are all veterans.
14:07 – They talk about how their product has grown through teamwork and word of mouth.
21:52 - Larry talks about the current sales of The Devil’s Half Acre, and their plans to expand.
22:41 – Larry and Matt talk about how old school PR and marketing have helped their business.
27:40 – How the pandemic impacted The Devil’s Half Acre.
28:38 – How the military has prepared Larry and Matt for running The Devil’s Half Acre.
29:40 – Matt talks about the current economic conditions and how that has impacted their business.
30:47 –Matt talks about the future of The Devil’s Half Acre.
33:17 – Larry shares the national and international demand they have received, and how they won metals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the Bartenders Spirits Awards Competition.
36:04 – James shares how to make their Boarding Pass cocktail to rediscover gin.
Quote
“What we learned about our brand story that we put together with the product, is that we had met a need that consumers were missing. People weren’t aware that they could like gin. People weren’t aware that there was a history that could define what’s in the glass in front of them. By meshing those two together, the awareness drove itself and it has allowed people to talk about the product saying, ‘I don’t like gin, but I like this Jigger and Jones stuff.’” – Matthew Murphy, President, Director of Operations and Co-founder of The Devil’s Half Acre Distillery.
Links:
Fan Jones and her Sky Blue House of Pleasure - Meander Maine
San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Bartender Spirits Awards competition
The Boarding Pass Cocktail
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About the guest:
The Devil’s Half Acre Distillery was established in 2016 and is the only military veteran owned and operated distillery in the State of Maine. Their spirits have local character, are artisanal, and expertly handcrafted with a focus on product quality and customer service. Devil’s Half Acre relies entirely on the collaboration and contributions of more than any one person. Their success thus far is the result of founders, family and friends who have put their time, money and/or sweat into this project and it could not have been done without them.
Looking to connect:
Email: Matthew@thedevilshalfacredistillery.com
Website: www.jiggerandjones.com
In the world of public relations, salespeople are a dime a dozen. You don’t need to look far to find PR “experts” selling you on news coverage or new Google SEO results. Some are truly experts while others are just looking for a quick buck.
As such, it can be difficult for the true experts to stand out. Potential clients and customers are inundated with sales pitches, so they become desensitized over time. It’s natural: Being sold gets old. When cold emails are literally everywhere, they tend to seem fishy and annoying. It becomes easier and easier to hit “delete” or report them as spam - even when they’re not.
But the best PR people shouldn’t complain. Business is never easy - there are always obstacles, including all of the other fish in the sea. Don’t be a minnow by adding little to no value. Don’t be a commodity. Separate yourself from the pack by adding real, measurable value for your clients and customers so they’re actually satisfied. You need to become more valuable than your competitors could ever dream of being. Get results.
Think of the difference between getting a cup of coffee at your corner gas station and the latest Starbucks dark roast. You may pay three times more at Starbucks, but that’s because Starbucks provides you with a unique experience. They give you more customizable choices, and their products just plain taste better.
Continue reading here to learn how to separate yourself from other PR “experts.”
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in May 2022.
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One key component of any marketing program is determining a target audience. That is, once you’ve developed a message, who do you want consuming it?
Ask yourself: Who should care? And who will care? How am I going to create compelling content that attracts the people my business can best serve?
If you’re representing a tech startup in Silicon Valley, perhaps your target audience is recent Stanford graduates looking for a job. If you’re promoting a skiing and snowboarding conference in Boston, then your target audience is most likely the avid skiers and snowboarders in the New England area. For sporting goods companies in New England, you want to be reaching athletes in the region but also their family and friends — those who could make purchases on their behalf.
It may seem like common sense, but your target audience is just as important as the message itself, and the channels by which you’re communicating it. Picking the right audience can turn an otherwise average PR campaign into a resounding success. Choosing the wrong audience, however, can derail even the best-laid talking points. Targeting the right demographic can be invaluable.
Continue reading here to remember that you are not your target audience.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in October 2019.
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For decades, the public relations industry relied on the media to publish clients’ stories and help them raise visibility to achieve results. An agency would pitch a news outlet on a potential story, and that news outlet would either run the story or not.
In the current digital age, people are seeking information about a variety of topics, but are trying desperately to avoid advertising and other forms of overt marketing. After all, barely one-third of global consumers claim to trust “most of the brands they buy and use,” according to research by Edelman. And 56% report that they’re able to spot “trustwashing,” a term used to describe when “brands use societal issues as a marketing ploy to sell more of their product.”
This breakdown in trust leads to skepticism of self-promotion — brands telling you how wonderful they are. And it leads people to consume content differently. Think of websites like BuzzFeed, which has attracted a loyal following by, in their words, “creat[ing] authentic audience engagement that fosters real-world impact.” BuzzFeed reaches hundreds of millions of people worldwide, but they don’t do it by flooding readers’ newsfeeds with sponsored content. They do it by rewarding their readers with content they’re actually looking for. In other words, they attract and retain their audience by building the right kind of audience first — an audience that knows, likes and trusts the brand. POPSUGAR is another example of a news outlet that has built the right audience — millennial women — for itself. Or what about Tasty, which serves up videos of food, cooking and kitchen fun?
Continue reading here to learn how content marketing is the new PR.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in November 2019.
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Branding is the way that an organization or a person connects with its audiences. Whether it’s for personal or professional reasons (or both), branding essentially tells your target audience a story about you that they can connect with. It is your story. For example, NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who recently announced his return to professional football, brands himself as a ruthless competitor, but also a loving teammate who cares about team camaraderie. His teammates say the same.
Branding is how you make people feel. The same goes for business. Your brand will attract the people who feel good about doing business with you or align themselves with your brand. By the same token, your brand will repel those who don’t feel good about you and refuse to embrace your brand values.
Continue reading here to learn how to improve how people feel about your brand.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in April 2022.
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According to one report, more than 20 million Americans participated in downhill skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling during the 2015-2016 winter season. These winter sports enthusiasts will contribute an estimated $20 billion to the U.S. economy, “through consumer spending at ski resorts, hotels, restaurants, bars, grocery stores and gas stations.” Winter sports are big business — and growing by the year.
Ski resorts find themselves at the intersection of personalized service and technological development, positioning themselves to be high-tech and high-touch to compete successfully. This means leveraging the latest technologies, but also maintaining that personal touch to leave people satisfied with their experience — and willing to come back.
All brands can learn from this practice. How can you serve your audience by providing ongoing online updates on your social media platforms of choice, by email or even — wait for it — snail mail, that are helpful, useful, educational or even entertaining?
Continue reading here to learn more about high-tech, high-touch PR.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in December 2019.
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How does research relate to PR? Find out in this episode as Scott Bahr explains how research and PR go together, and how data can help multiple aspects of an industry. Scott explains the importance of data and research and how it can be used to help the decision-making process, better communication and aid in product development. In addition, Scott addresses the risks associated with research, and how to minimize the risk in order to use the valuable tool of data.
3:41 – Scott shares how his career started in the academic world but shifted when a professor recommended the private sector.
6:31 – Scott talks about working in a niche and how that makes it easy to speak a shared language with clients.
7:50 – Scott describes why research and PR go well together.
10:05 – Scott explains how data drives decision-making.
14:55 – Scott defines how reporting is used at every level of an industry.
18:26 – Scott explains how data helps with public opinion and policymaking, seeing where people stand on different issues.
21:10 – Scott talks about how data helps product development.
24:36 – Scott lists some resources that have been helpful to him.
Quote
“One of the things we know from our own research is that messaging that comes from PR is much more credible than many other sources. Even though sometimes you don’t have the same reach, the ones you do reach have more credibility, and research brings that to the table. It enhances all those efforts.” – Scott Bahr, president of Cairn Consulting Group.
Links:
“Method 20/20/20”: https://www.amazon.com/Method-20-Reflect-successful-Journal/dp/B08VYD6SK3
“Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz: https://www.amazon.com/Profit-First-Transform-Cash-Eating-Money-Making-ebook/dp/B01HCGYTH4
“The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Morning-Not-So-Obvious-Guaranteed-Transform/dp/0979019710
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About the guest:
Scott Bahr has over 25 years of market research experience in marketing and advertising (including PR), product development and strategic planning. One of his focuses has been on the outdoor sector which has included researching both the outdoor products and hospitality sectors. In particular, he has been the research partner with KOA for the North American Camping Report over the past eight years and has worked with the organization for 19 years. He has also worked with organizations in the RV (manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, associations) and outdoor recreation sectors in their marketing and branding efforts, strategic planning, customer experience, corporate social responsibility, services/amenities and employee development.
For the past several years, he has worked with organizations in both indoor and outdoor hospitality, including the gaming/casino areas, food services/restaurant space, accommodations, travel/tourism and the products and services that are a part of the hospitality industry. The organization also serves clients in branding/brand positioning efforts, evaluating consumer behavior, public opinion and policy, and product development.
Living in Western Maine, he is an avid outdoor recreation participant, whether it’s skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, backpacking, canoeing/kayaking or fly fishing.
Looking to connect:
Email: scott@cairnconsultinggroup.com
Website: https://cairnconsultinggroup.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottabahr/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cairn-consulting-group
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/CairnConsulting
Twitter: @CCGResearch
Instagram: @cairnconsultinggroup
Whether you’re a college student presenting a group project or a CEO addressing key shareholders, public speaking isn’t easy. It can intimidate even the most confident among us.
In fact, it’s estimated that as many as 75% of Americans have some level of anxiety related to public speaking. Glossophobia — the fear of public speaking — is more common than you think. But don’t despair! You can overcome even the most deep-seated fears and anxieties.
Continue reading here for ten simple tips.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in January 2020.
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In today’s world, brands are constantly competing to spread their respective messages to millions of global consumers. Any brand hopes to distinguish itself from competitors, breaking through the noise and reaching those consumers with a message that resonates.
The ultimate goal, of course, is to persuade the customer to buy, buy, buy.
And today’s consumers aren’t always the easiest to persuade. According to the 2019 “Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report,” barely one-third of customers (34%) trust most of the brands that receive their hard-earned dollars. Edelman’s survey found that brand trust is a deal-breaker for more than 80% of consumers when they’re considering a purchase.
This sounds like common sense: Trust the brand, and people will buy. But it’s not so straightforward to establish that trust.
Brand trust is also increasingly valuable currency, given the rising purchasing power of a millennial generation that is traditionally skeptical of big business. Nearly 85% of millennials don’t appreciate traditional advertising because they don’t trust the messengers.
So how do you establish trust?
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in February 2020.
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Do you have a tiny kitchen? Find out in this episode as Annie Mahle defines what a tiny kitchen is and how working in a tiny kitchen inspired her to write a cookbook to help others with tiny kitchens. Annie also talks about how she has built her personal brand around intention, from using all the food in the fridge, to what she brings into her home, to her morning routine. In addition to discussing the benefits of PR, Annie shares how she puts together her social media calendar.
3:05 – Annie explains how she got into cooking through Windjamming.
6:44 – Annie shares her experiences cooking in small kitchens and how that inspired her latest book, The Tiny Kitchen Cookbook: Strategies and Recipes for Creating Amazing Meals in Small Spaces.
11:00 – Annie talks about her favorite way to cook.
13:30 – Annie describes how her personal brand revolves around intention.
20:17 – Annie explains how PR has helped her with her business, especially in lending outside perspective.
22:35 – Annie talks about the benefits of PR when compared to advertising, including building connections and showing authenticity.
26:05 – Annie shares what goes into creating her social media calendar.
27:52 – Annie lists some resources that have been helpful to her.
Quote
“You can create a connection when you tell your story or someone else tells your story. You can create a heart connection with someone that is much deeper and truer than simply an ad. I think sometimes ads can tell stories, too. To me, the good ones tell stories, but the opportunity to be able to have someone else read about your work and say, ‘Oh, I get that,’ or ‘That solves a problem for me’ or ‘That's really special.’ That's irreplaceable in terms of getting your word out there.” – Annie Mahle, Maine chef and author.
Links:
Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/
“Method 20/20/20”: https://www.amazon.com/Method-20-Reflect-successful-Journal/dp/B08VYD6SK3
“Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz: https://www.amazon.com/Profit-First-Transform-Cash-Eating-Money-Making-ebook/dp/B01HCGYTH4
“The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Morning-Not-So-Obvious-Guaranteed-Transform/dp/0979019710
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About the guest:
Annie Mahle has been cooking professionally for over 30 years in her own kitchens and other people's kitchens. Annie trained at The Culinary Institute of America and owned and ran the Schooner J. & E. Riggin, a Maine Windjammer, with her husband. In that tiny galley, she prepared three meals a day for guests all summer long. Her cooking, recipes and cookbooks have been highlighted on TODAY and Throwdown! with Bobby Flay. Her food and the Riggin have been featured in the Food Network, Family Circle, Woman’s Day, the Boston Globe and more.
Her most recent award-winning cookbook, “The Tiny Kitchen Cookbook: Strategies and Recipes for Creating Amazing Meals in Small Spaces,” has been well received in the tiny space community, but also in larger kitchens where home cooks are looking for healthy, smart recipes for two.
Looking to connect:
Email: HomeWithAnnie@gmail.com
Website: www.HomeWithAnnie.com
I’m writing this on what would have been my father’s 92nd birthday (he passed away in 2006). It’s one day that I’ll never forget. It brings up all kinds of bittersweet memories.
Oddly enough, it also reminds me of just how much shopping has changed. When I was growing up, my frugal father would spend at least a month looking for a new car, driving to every Ford or Chevrolet dealership in the state, talking to dozens of salespeople and deciding whether he liked and trusted them — all in person. He would then wait to see what kind of a deal they would offer him.
My father was never in a hurry. He had lots of time. He never had a cellphone, much less a smartphone. He relied on face-to-face relationships when making a buying decision. Once he liked and trusted a salesperson, he would do business with them for years.
Today, salespeople often don’t even know that someone is looking at their product or reviewing their service until the decision has been made. We can buy millions of items without ever interacting face-to-face. Online shopping is here to stay — and growing rapidly.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in March 2020.
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In this podcast episode, Andrew Butcher talks about his work in broadband in Maine and the development of the new Maine Connectivity Authority. Andrew shares some helpful tips to bring broadband to small communities and emphasizes the importance of connectivity for work, health and education. Nancy and Andrew connect about their love of post offices and the postal service, relating the movement of mail to broadband.
3:33 – Andrew explains how he got his start in broadband.
5:40 – Andrew talks more about stitching together the quilt of broadband infrastructure in Maine.
8:28 – Andrew describes the advancements in internet connectivity for communities including Blue Hill and Isle au Haut.
10:27 – Nancy and Andrew discuss their affection for post offices.
17:07 – Andrew explains how President Obama was an inspiration to him as a community organizer.
19:52 – Andrew describes the purpose of the Maine Connectivity Authority.
25:47 – Andrew lists what your community needs to be ready for broadband.
31:53 – Andrew shares what happens to communities when they do not have adequate connectivity.
36:12 – Andrew provides a checklist of things a community needs to do to be eligible to receive grant funds.
46:40 – Andrew shares some books that have been helpful to him.
Quote
“Maine is still a place with a significant amount of space and not a lot of humans. People will come and if we want to be proactive about that, if we want to manage that kind of growth, we're going to have to allow people to be able to work from home, to visit with their doctors and to be able to learn remotely.” – Andrew Butcher, president of the Maine Connectivity Authority.
Links:
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA): https://www.ntia.doc.gov/
ConnectMaine: https://www.maine.gov/connectme/home
Maine Broadband Coalition: https://www.mainebroadbandcoalition.org/
Greater Franklin Development Council: https://greaterfranklin.org/
AARP Maine: https://states.aarp.org/maine/
MaineDOT: https://www.maine.gov/mdot/
Tubes by Andrew Blum: https://www.amazon.com/Tubes-Journey-Internet-Andrew-Blum/dp/0061994952
Fiber by Susan Crawford: https://www.amazon.com/Fiber-Coming-Revolution_and-America-Might/dp/0300228503
Farm Fresh Broadband by Christopher Ali: https://www.amazon.com/Farm-Fresh-Broadband-Connectivity-Information/dp/0262543060
Listen to Karl Strand’s episode to learn more about Sugarloaf.
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About the guest:
Andrew Butcher is the president of the Maine Connectivity Authority, a new quasi-governmental agency created in 2021 to serve as the primary organization to plan, develop and invest in broadband infrastructure in Maine. Andrew formerly served as the director of the Maine Broadband Coalition and director of innovation and resilience at the Greater Portland Council of Governments. He has a background in community and economic development, social entrepreneurship and public policy. He believes the more connected we are, the more resilient we will be in the face of a rapidly changing world. He lives in Portland, is a father of two and husband of the 2022 Maine Business Leader of the Year, Julie Butcher Pezzino.
Looking to connect:
Email: abutcher@maineconnectivity.org
Website: www.maineconnectivity.org
Over the last two years, our entire system of communications changed. (Yes, it’s been two years since the onset of the pandemic.)
In-person, face-to-face interaction seems to have largely become a relic of the past—personally and in business. Zoom calls, emails and phone calls have taken over. Even when we do see others in person, face masks present a literal barrier between people, making it difficult to read facial expressions and gauge how others are feeling.
As human beings, we were not born to be in isolation. It’s not natural. It certainly isn’t for me.
In addition to the pandemic’s devastating health effects, there have been countless residual impacts on businesspeople, the elderly, health care workers, teachers, students, children and the list goes on. My own mother is 88 years old and in assisted living, and she has spent a lot of time—too much time—isolated from others. It’s extremely challenging for people like her, who need social contact to keep their brains functioning at an optimal level.
Fortunately, mental health is now a prevalent topic of discussion. It’s no longer taboo or “off-limits” to discuss mental health struggles, even if you’re famous. Olympians like skier Mikaela Shiffrin and gymnast Simone Biles—world-class athletes— have come out publicly as vulnerable people. And that’s okay. It’s no surprise that such people suffer from the pressures of greatness, and they are brave enough to admit it.
Of course, celebrities aren’t alone. Millions of everyday folks deal with mental health challenges too. Life is just plain hard oftentimes. As business leaders, we need to recognize that: Life is hard. I think the pandemic has taught us that we need to be more compassionate and empathetic than ever before, even in company meetings.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in March 2022.
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In 2018, Rachel Sagiroglu moved back to Maine to share the experiences she loved having grown up in Maine. Rachel founded Experience Maine and recently opened the Maker’s Galley, a restaurant and marketplace in Portland. In this episode, Rachel explains how she uses public relations and experiential marketing to share what she loves about Maine. Rachel also talks about scaling your business, something she had to work hard at during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
3:37 – Rachel describes how she got her start, falling in love with public relations and experiential marketing.
6:18 – Rachel explains what the Maker’s Galley is, calling it an “experiential Maine marketplace.”
10:45 – Rachel shares how she is using PR today after finding value in it early on.
13:22 – Rachel talks about her personal brand compared to her company brand.
19:43 – Rachel and Nancy discuss the Google Economic Impact Report, in which Experience Maine was included, and how to scale your business.
23:44 – Rachel describes what it was like to become a certified meeting professional (CMP).
28:50 – Rachel talks about her mom and her connection with Nancy.
Quote
“The millennials are aging into the workforce and they are more concerned with the collection of experiences versus the tangible. The baby boomers are aging out and wanting to go out and experience things, so you have these two generations that are helping regenerate the experience economy.” – Rachel Sagiroglu, owner and chief experience officer at Experience Maine
Links:
Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/
Certified Meeting Professional: https://www.pcma.org/products/cmp-prep/
Google Economic Impact Report: https://economicimpact.google.com/state/me/#experience-maine.
The Maker’s Galley: https://themakersgalley.com/
Listen to Colleen Craig’s episode to hear more about experiential marketing.
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About the guest:
Rachel Sagiroglu has over 20 years of experience planning meetings, travel and events and experiential marketing campaigns, and has an innate love for Maine, its culture and its natural beauty.
She is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), an internationally recognized certification program designated by the Events Industry Council (EIC). There are more than 11,000 meeting professionals in 55 countries around the globe holding the CMP designation. Rachel represents the standard of excellence in today’s meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.
In 2015, Rachel was asked to join the Customer Advisory Board for Maritz Global Events, one of the largest, most respected leaders in the meetings and events industry worldwide. She has been an active member of Meeting Planners International (MPI), New England Chapter for the past 10 years.
Rachel’s professional background includes seven years overseeing marketing and events for Clean Harbors, a $3.5-billion environmental, energy, and industrial services company, where she planned and executed over 50 corporate meetings, trade shows, experiential marketing campaigns and customer events annually. Prior to this, she worked in various marketing and event planning roles, including Marketing Manager at WEX in Portland; Director of Sales & Marketing at 33 Management Group in Boston; Promotions Manager for Time Warner in Portland; and Marketing & Events Coordinator for Vreeland Marketing & Design in Yarmouth.
Rachel has lived in and experienced Maine for most of her life, she grew up on Great Pond in the picturesque Belgrade Lakes region, where she mastered boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking and hanging out with friends. She lived for 10 years in Portland’s Old Port, where she discovered her love for food and wine, live music and the working waterfront. Rachel has an intrinsic love for the ocean. To this day, you can find her walking along low tide at one of Maine’s many beaches, collecting shells, broken sand dollars and sea glass for her collection. She’s even enlisted her five-year-old daughter to start her own treasure chest of tidal pool discoveries. Rachel most recently lived in Boston for the last 10 years, but moved her family home in 2018…back to the way life should be…to launch Experience Maine!
Looking to connect:
Email: rachel@experiencemaine.com
Website: https://experiencemaine.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelsagiroglu/
If you specialize in any field, the goal is to become a thought leader. You don’t want to just be good or even great — you’re striving for mastery. That’s how people will remember you. And that’s how they will know, like and trust you, so they want to do business with you. Being a thought leader is a path to success.
Whether you run a PR agency or you’re a leading astrophysicist, thought leadership can make you stand out from the crowd. Ideally, clients and customers will feel a sense of pride to be affiliated with you, and prospective clients and customers will seek you out.
So, how do you become a thinker and a leader? It’s a two-step process: You need to actually master your field and then convey your mastery to the general public. To be considered a thought leader, simply being one isn’t enough — people need to know about it!
Look at it this way: When it comes down to being “the one” who is chosen for a job or a promotion, the person whom others have heard of will always be chosen over the unknown name. It’s just human nature.
That’s where content creation comes into play. From writing op-ed columns to publishing books and producing YouTube videos, creating content enables thought leaders to convince others that they have indeed mastered their particular subject matter. Creating the right content ultimately establishes credibility in the eyes of the beholder. Those who seek out a thought leader’s content inherently trust him or her to provide educational material that is worth consuming.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in May 2020.
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I recently dislocated my shoulder while skiing. If you’ve had this happen to you before, you know that it’s about as painful as any injury can be. Not only is the injury itself painful, but it also brought my own ski season to a halt, which isn’t that long for starters. As a Mainer, skiing has always been one of my favorite activities, so any obstacle barring me from the slopes is a major bummer. Plus, you can’t ride the Peloton or attend Pure Barre classes with a dislocated shoulder. But enough about me. The injury recently opened my eyes to a social faux pas that needs to stop. It has to do with the throwaway “how are you?” line.
When I see people in passing now, their first instinct is to ask, “How are you?” (In truth, it could be better.) But most people don’t actually mean it. They only ask to check a box, and you can tell easily. More often than not, people don’t even listen to the response and respond accordingly. Their stare goes blank. Their attention immediately wanders as soon as I begin to answer the question. This needs to stop. If you don’t actually care or have the time to listen, don’t even ask the question in the first place. Checking the box is more disrespectful than not asking at all, at least in my view.
The “how are you?” doesn’t have to be a throwaway line. On the contrary, it can be used effectively to convey care and compassion. It may even demonstrate the basic level of respect that turns strangers into acquaintances, and acquaintances into friends. If someone looks me in the eye and genuinely asks, “How are you?” listening to the tale of woe, it is always appreciated. It is greatly appreciated, which is why I do the same for others. The simple act of listening instantly makes me more interested in the other person since social interaction is a two-way street. It’s a matter of memorability. I remember that they listened and expressed concern. They don’t have to fix my shoulder; they just have to care. Compassion matters.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in February 2022.
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The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world as we know it. The world of marketing was no different: Our new normal was a challenging one for marketers to navigate.
According to one survey from the World Federation of Advertisers, more than 80% of large advertisers deferred their advertising campaigns. And nearly 60% of survey respondents had decreased their budgets “somewhat” or “greatly.”
From Airbnb to Coca-Cola and Visa, some of America’s most recognizable brands showed that even they were not immune to a pandemic.
But it was not the time to give up. Where there is crisis, there is also opportunity. The most innovative, forward-thinking companies still found ways to promote their brands to consumers.
Especially because sales representatives had less face time with prospective clients and customers, the onus was on marketers to fill that void and add value. Take your local car dealerships: Due to showroom closures, the traditional salesperson had been replaced by the online marketer, who leveraged email newsletters and social media outreach to reach consumers. Jack Hollis, who markets Toyota cars in North America, said early on in the pandemic, "If you currently have a dealership that's been selling maybe 10% of its sales through an online system, maybe now it goes to a third."
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in June 2020.
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Before sending a pitch to Maine Homes by Down East magazine, listen to the podcast episode. Editor Sarah Stebbins lists what makes a good pitch and a great story for the magazine. Sarah talks about her career from InStyle to Martha Stewart Living and many others, the story behind Maine Homes magazine and where she hopes to see the magazine go in the future. Sarah shares some of the most memorable stories that have been featured in the magazine.
3:35 – Sarah describes how she always wanted to be a journalist. She even applied to Glamour, Marie Claire and Rolling Stone looking for a summer job in high school.
7:49 – Sarah explains what differentiates Maine Homes by Down East.
11:59 – Sarah listed what you should do when pitching Maine Homes by Down East magazine, including being familiar with the magazine and identifying which section you think the story would fit best in. Ask yourself:
- Is it a trend?
- Is there a fresh angle?
- Is this unique?
13:02 – Sarah talks about what constitutes a great story.
17:47 – Sarah shares some people Maine Homes by Down East has featured that have a strong personal brand.
21:14 – Sarah describes what she hopes the future of Maine Homes by Down East looks like.
24:34 – Sarah talks about the Maine Homes section in Down East magazine.
26:34 – Sarah explains what makes the Maine brand so special.
29:43 – Sarah shares some resources that have helped her.
Quote
“One thing since we launched that's been really important to me is to try to show approachable houses. Not museum-y or chill-y houses or houses that you feel like you can't sit on the furniture or houses that make you feel bad about yourself when you look at them. We show beautiful houses that are inspiring and interesting.” – Sarah Stebbins, editor of Maine Homes by Down East magazine
Links:
Vertical gardens: https://mainehomes.com/the-walls-are-alive/
TerraFlora: https://www.terrafloramaine.com/
Shelfie kits: https://mainehomes.com/help-your-shelves/
Of The Sea Studio: https://www.instagram.com/oftheseastudio/
Home Remedies: https://www.homeremediesmaine.com/
Down East Adventures: https://shop.downeast.com/down-east-adventures/
“Just Let Me Lie Down” by Kristin van Ogtrop: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Let-Lie-Down-Half-Insane/dp/0316068292
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About the guest:
A native of Cousins Island in Yarmouth, Sarah began her career at InStyle magazine in New York, where she worked on the launch of InStyle Home. She was later an editor at Martha Stewart Living before moving home to Maine to freelance write for publications such as Real Simple, This Old House, and Southern Living.
Sarah joined Down East in 2016, where she oversaw the relaunch of mainehomes.com, growing it from about 5,000 page views per month to more than 51,000, and expanded home content in the magazine. The success of the website signaled that readers were interested in the kind of authentic home content she curated, and, in 2018, Sarah launched Maine Homes by Down East as a quarterly magazine. The second issue won the Home/Shelter category in the City and Regional Magazine Association’s annual awards contest. Today, Maine Homes magazine has 40,000 subscribers hailing from every state in the country, and 51,000 social media followers.
Sarah lives in Portland with her husband, two sons and rescue mutt in the “starter house” they decided to stay in and perennially renovate.
Looking to connect:
Email: sarah@mainehomes.com
Website: https://mainehomes.com/
Instagram: @mainehomesmagazine
When you combine the digital revolution with a pandemic, you’re left with the most virtual world in human history. Technology is everywhere — from iPhones and Oculus headsets to Starbucks app orders and Tesla charging stations across the street.
But technology is nothing without batteries. Over the years, I have become slightly obsessed with keeping my batteries fully charged. All of my electronics need to be full, whether it’s a phone, laptop or watch. When my batteries are running low, I get a feeling of panic.
The same concept applies to keeping my internal “batteries” charged. When I sense that I’m getting tired or running on fumes, the same panicky feeling comes out of nowhere. It feels like I won’t be able to face the challenges of the day. It feels like my productivity drops to zero. And it’s not fun!
In business, you need to be sharp. You need to be vigilant. You need to perform at your best to stand out in a crowd and separate yourself from competitors. So how do you keep your batteries charged?
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in January 2022.
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In this episode, Scott Dunn, president of the Maine Maple Producers Association, joins Nancy to talk all things Maine maple. From how he got started in the business to promoting Maine maple products and Maine Maple Sunday, Scott explains what makes Maine maple products unique when compared to other regions. Scott also offers tips for cooking with maple and some resources to learn how to produce maple syrup or connect with producers.
2:50 – Scott shared how he got involved with syrup making as a kid in Vermont.
4:29 – Scott explains what the Maine Maple Producers Association is.
5:43 – Scott offers his favorite way to cook with maple, substituting the sugar in chocolate chip cookies with maple sugar.
6:57 – Scott talks about Maine Maple Sunday, the last Sunday in March.
10:19 – Scott describes what makes the Maine maple brand unique.
12:58 – Scott shares his vision for the future of Maine maple syrup.
13:05 – Scott provides some resources that have helped him in his maple syruping career.
15:01 – Scott talks about the weather conditions to make maple syrup.
Quote
“Our producers put a tremendous amount of pride into their product. Everything from the way they care for the woods and the trees, into their sugarhouses and really the final product. It's made with passion and pride. Being able to connect with that really makes people enjoy maple syrup that much more because they have their people. It's nice to hear stories when families come in and they're like 'We brought maple syrup home and my daughter wouldn't eat it because it wasn't yours.’” – Scott Dunn, president of the Maine Maple Producers Association
Links:
Maple events and classes: https://mainemapleproducers.com/events/
University of Vermont: https://www.uvm.edu/
Connect with producers: https://mainemapleproducers.com/member-directory/#!directory/map
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About the guest:
Scott Dunn started making maple syrup in Vermont with his family as a kid. In high school, a neighbor had a sugar house up the road and Scott would help him after school. Years later, Scott started making syrup on a small scale. He has now grown to 1,600 taps and has direct-to-consumer and wholesale accounts all over Maine. His website sales have grown tremendously in the last two years.
Scott was elected as the president of the Maine Maple Producers Association three years ago at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has worked to support the producers and grow the “Maine” brand. Their signature event, now in its 39th year, is Maine Maple Sunday. Each year, sugar houses open their doors for a maple celebration state-wide on the fourth Sunday in March.
Looking to connect:
Email: dunnfamilymaple@gmail.com
Website: https://mainemapleproducers.com/
Soon, millions of college graduates will be looking for jobs. In today’s job market, most will succeed. And many will end up in either sales or marketing.
But what is the difference between sales and marketing? The two words are often used interchangeably, even though they fulfill two extremely different needs.
Marketing is the culmination of all activities that set the stage for sales (e.g., the transaction itself) to take place. It is the marketer who establishes a brand and maintains its reputation in the eyes of others. Marketers engage customers and clients (prospective and current), raising the profile of a brand so that it attracts the "right" people — those most likely to make a purchase.
Marketing is all about the “Four Ps:” product, price, place and promotion. Marketers define the benefits of a given brand, attracting buyers by educating them about the particulars.
While marketing is tied to the customer or the client, salespeople have an even more bottom-line relationship. Sales is about making the final transaction happen, culminating all of the activities that lead to direct purchases of goods and services. Whereas marketing establishes and maintains a brand's reputation, sales representatives ensure that the brand can endure financially by securing real revenue. A sales plan, therefore, includes the tools and resources that will be used to actually move the buyer from "interest" to "purchase."
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in July 2020.
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In this episode, Nancy talks with Tim Winkeler, president and CEO of VIP Tires & Service about PR, marketing and sponsorships. Tim describes his career and how VIP Tires & Service has grown since he started working there in 2010, with a focus on people rather than price. Nancy and Tim also discuss how they met after Nancy left a bad review about her experience at VIP. Nancy and Tim also talk about their work with the Trek Across Maine as VIP Tires & Service is this year’s presenting sponsor of the ride.
3:07 – Tim talks about his career in the auto parts world and how he got his job with VIP Tires & Service.
5:07 – Tim shares some information about VIP Tires & Service, including that they are headquartered right in Auburn, Maine.
6:40 – Nancy and Tim tell the story of how they met.
13:11 – Tim describes VIP’s management process.
15:34 – Tim explains what VIP Tires & Service does for PR, including a recent appearance on Competitive Edge with Montel Williams.
18:52 – Tim talks about how VIP Tires & Service invests in their people.
26:02 – Tim shares why VIP Tires & Service decided to sponsor the Trek Across Maine.
28:40 – Tim describes how sponsorships fit into VIP’s overall marketing plan.
32:27 – Tim shares some resources that have helped him.
Quote
“The biggest key is staying in touch with our people, our managers and our team members because when you're in the service business like we are, there's no substitute for those relationships and for our leaders and our teams to really feel like we've got their back. I've always felt like within our culture, if our people feel like we have their back, if they really enjoy their job and they enjoy coming to work, then that's going to pay off in spades in how they take care of our customers.” – Tim Winkeler, president and CEO of VIP Tires & Service
Links:
Competitive Edge - https://competitiveedge.tv/premiere-episode/
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification - https://www.ase.com/
Trek Across Maine – trekacrossmaine.org
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink - https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250067057
Origin USA - https://originmaine.com/
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About the guest:
Tim is an accomplished people-focused leader with a track record of building high-performance teams that exceed expectations. Always focused on customer needs and feedback, he builds core competencies around making money by serving customers in different and better ways. Tim thrives in helping organizations succeed through strategy development and execution, relentlessly pursuing continuous improvement while helping each member of the team reach his/her personal best. Tim is a teacher at heart and learns every day by reading great books and meeting great people.
VIP Tires & Service operates 65 shops throughout New England. With 600 employees, VIP is a third generation private company. Under Tim’s leadership, VIP has been transformed from a discount retailer to a professional service provider by focusing on people rather than price. VIP invests in their people through a multitude of programs including Leadership Training, P&L Training, Career Pathing, Certification Achievement, Team Building and many others.
VIP’s culture is embodied in the company’s vision VIP’s professionals love their jobs because they are appreciated, well-prepared, enjoy serving others and find personal success as a member of the VIP Family.
Looking to connect:
Email: twinkeler@vipauto.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwinkeler/
Website: www.vipauto.com
As the Covid-19 pandemic drags on, Americans are feeling the burden of the new normal. According to this survey, most U.S. adults (53%) claim that the stress and worry associated with the pandemic have negatively affected their mental health. This burden is only compounded by the return to school, with many Americans still disagreeing about the best approach to education during a pandemic.
At a time when bad news is everywhere, we need to keep our heads held high. Of course, most Americans know that perseverance is a valuable currency nowadays, but there is perhaps an even more valuable one: curiosity. I believe that those who are curious are much, much more likely to survive and thrive in the months to come.
Those who are currently out of work — and there are millions of them — need to keep chugging along. Remember: This was never the original plan. Two years ago, we could not have foreseen social distancing and self-isolation becoming the norm, affecting employees and job seekers alike.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in August 2020.
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During the holiday season, I’ve spent many days reflecting on the lessons learned from my father. In a personal and professional sense, he taught me how to behave in public and set me up for success today. The lessons from my father resonated because they were simple and straightforward. He often told me to remember the simplest rule when meeting new people: Look people in the eye and say their name. In truth, it’s the No. 1 rule in business: Treat people like people, and humanize your relationships.
Recently, my son Jamie and I had dinner with one of my first bosses in business, Warren Cook, the president of the ski resort where I worked as the communications director in my 20s. Warren asked Jamie if he remembered my late father, who was a sales engineer for Westinghouse. In that capacity, my father leveraged an unusual combination of sales and people skills. Warren said to my son: “Your grandfather was a look-you-in-the-eye kind of guy.”
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in December 2021.
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Consider how much business has changed in the last two years. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the “Zoom call” was not particularly well known. Within weeks, the U.S. economy shifted from the traditional workplace to remote everything, with social contact limited and virtual moneymaking the norm.
Now, consider how much business has changed in the last four decades. I often think about the evolution of corporate America, specifically in terms of public relations — one of the most rapidly changing industries around.
When I started in PR, I used a typewriter. I felt lucky when I received a typewriter with an erase key and I didn’t have to use white-out to erase any typos. I also remember using a mimeograph machine to make copies of press releases to send in envelopes to the media.
Whereas sending emails and text messages now happens instantaneously, such technological efficiency was not commonplace in the 1980s. I often recruited people to stay up all night and help me stuff envelopes with the press releases, before running them through the postage meter to send out. At one point, I was sending 1,400 press releases out every week — by hand.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in September 2020.
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After beginning her career as a journalist, Cheryl Broom got her start in public relations as a public information officer. Her career led her to higher education, which has been her focus ever since. In this episode, Cheryl describes the types of clients she works with, the challenges they face and what role marketing can play to overcome those challenges. Cheryl also talks about the changes marketing has seen since the beginning of her career, including her work with diversity, equity and inclusion.
3:12 – Cheryl explains how her career started as a journalist before transitioning to public relations in higher education
7:25 – Cheryl talks about the types of clients she works with at Graduate Communications, focusing on community colleges.
10:48 – Cheryl describes the decrease in enrollment right now and the role marketing plays in bringing students back.
14:19 – Cheryl shares what has and has not changed in marketing over the past 20 years.
20:32 – Cheryl explains her efforts to include diversity, equity and inclusion in the work she does for her clients.
26:19 – Cheryl shares why she focuses on marketing for higher education.
30:40 – Cheryl talks about the biggest challenges her clients face.
31:54 – Cheryl provides some resources she enjoys.
Quote
“So many amazing things you can do that people don't even know are possibilities, but nobody's been talking about them and now it's this mad rush. Oh my gosh, enrollment's down. Classes start in six weeks. Can marketing do something? In a lot of cases, it's too late. Marketing needs to be ongoing. You need to constantly tell your story, right? Just like in PR, you’ve got to always be telling your story.” – Cheryl Broom, CEO at Graduate Communications
Links:
2Bobs Podcast: https://2bobs.com/
AMI Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ami-podcasts/id1468955744
Onward Nation: https://predictiveroi.com/onward-nation-podcast/
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About the guest:
Cheryl Broom is a national community college leader with a passion for student success and a deep commitment to serving her clients with integrity and passion. For 20 years, Cheryl has worked for and served community colleges across the nation on projects ranging from bond passages to complex marketing campaigns. A former television news reporter, Cheryl brings her knack for storytelling to everyday projects as well as to her presentations. An accomplished speaker, Cheryl has spoken for Google at their Menlo Park headquarters, has keynoted higher education conferences across the nation and today is a regular Zoom presenter and moderator. You’ll also catch her teaching Communications 101 (the dreaded public speaking classes) at community colleges across San Diego.
Cheryl Broom made her move into public relations and marketing when she became the first public information officer for a Northern California sheriff’s office. After earning a master’s degree in communication studies from California State University, Chico, Cheryl served for 11 years as director of public and government relations, marketing and communications at MiraCosta College. While at MiraCosta, Cheryl led a major rebrand effort, revitalized marketing efforts to sustain year-after-year enrollment growth, secured the 2016 passage of a $455 million facilities bond and spearheaded state legislation, helping her win 14 Paragons as well as nearly 100 National Council for Marketing and Public Relations Medallion and Community Colleges Public Relations Organization awards.
As the CEO and founder of Graduate Communications, Cheryl provides the vision, action and commitment to client work that makes Graduate Communications top in its class for higher education communications, marketing and research.
In her free time, you'll find her lifting weights, spending time with her family and golfing.
Looking to connect:
Email: cheryl@graduatecommunications.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylbroom/
Website: www.graduatecommunications.com
Podcast: https://graduatecommunications.com/podcasts/
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In today’s digital world, Google Search is pretty much everything. Google processes an average of over 3.5 billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches annually. That comes out to more than 40,000 queries every second.
And it’s not just searches for “cooking recipes” or “how to change a tire” that make Google the world’s most dominant search engine: Google Search is also home to “top stories,” user-specific advertisements and much more. It is essentially a one-stop-shop for everything.
With that in mind, brands need to make their Google SEO — that is, where they appear in search results — a top priority. Whether you’re promoting a personal brand or an organizational brand, there are ways you can create and post content online that will make your brand show up with more authority and credibility for searchers.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in October 2020.
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Let us know what you think about The PR Maven® Podcast and how we can make it better! Fill out this survey. If you complete the survey by January 15, 2022, you can enter a drawing to win a $250 Visa Cash Card.
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I recently returned from the largest content marketing conference in the world — fittingly named Content Marketing World — and it got me thinking: How do you generate brand buzz? How do you “go viral”? How do you draw a direct line between branding and selling?
In today’s world, it’s virtually impossible to succeed as a business — large or small — without engaging in some form of content marketing. Amazon, Lego and the New York Times all have that in common — they create content to promote their brands and engage with consumers. From social media posts and YouTube videos to op-ed columns and blogs posts, content really is king. Content creation is synonymous with successful marketing.
Public relations has transformed from drafting press releases for the media to creating other forms of content that engage with a target audience, and that’s exciting. Of course, media relations is still an important component of PR, but the idea of content marketing is to interact with people in a wide range of new ways, beyond the traditional news story or five-minute TV spot.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in November 2021.
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What does it mean when someone says, “I’ve heard of you”? It means that your brand has value, and hearing that only adds more positive capital to your brand (unless you’re known for the wrong reasons).
If people have heard of you, then the power of “word of mouth” is working in the background, on your behalf. The sales pitch is already on its way. You are not starting from ground zero.
Of course, this doesn’t happen overnight. Building and cultivating a brand can take years, if not decades. Perhaps you may even have to re-brand, which takes even more time. The talking points have to change. As Warren Buffet famously said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.”
Truer words have never been spoken. So, the question becomes: What do you need to do for people to “hear about you” and recognize your brand?
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in November 2020.
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From running the rental shop at Sugarloaf to becoming president of Sunday River, Dana Bullen joins Nancy to talk about his career in the ski business. While it may have been all about the snow when he started his career, Dana describes how people also take their experience into consideration, from the food to guest services. It all comes back to the snow at the end of the day, so Dana describes the importance of snowmaking and how Sunday River shares the snow conditions with their audience.
5:06 – After running the rental shop at Sugarloaf for less than two weeks, Dana explains how he knew he wanted to be the president of a ski resort.
7:17 – Dana describes the Sunday River brand and how he has helped continue to build it.
10:23 – Dana talks about how much marketing has changed over the years and how Sunday River has adapted.
14:46 – Nancy asks Dana about his personal brand.
19:34 – Dana shares the importance of snowmaking at Sunday River.
23:09 – Dana explains how Sunday River promotes its snowmaking.
25:51 – Dana describes how he trains team members to achieve a common vision.
31:13 – Dana provides a resource that changed how he looked at his role and responsibilities.
Quote
“It's about the snow and the food. It's about the snow and the way you treat my children. It's about the snow and guest services. All of those pieces and all of the different places that people touch us, starting with the website, make us who we are and they all need to add up to something positive. Just the snow alone doesn't cut it anymore, but it all comes back to the snow at the end of the day.” – Dana Bullen, President of Sunday River.
Links:
Honig Vineyard & Winery: https://www.honigwine.com/
L.L. Bean: https://www.llbean.com/
Shawnee Peak: https://www.shawneepeak.com/
Saddleback: https://www.saddlebackmaine.com/
Lost Valley: https://www.lostvalleyski.com/
“The Servant” by James Hunter: https://www.amazon.com/Servant-Simple-Story-Essence-Leadership/dp/0761513698
“The Infinite Game” by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Game-Simon-Sinek/dp/073521350X
Listen to Karl Strand’s episode to learn more about Sugarloaf.
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About the guest:
With more than 30 years of ski industry and management experience, Dana Bullen began serving in his current role as resort president of Sunday River in September 2004. Prior to his promotion, Bullen worked as vice-president of partnership marketing for American Skiing Company where he oversaw corporate partnership programs for the company’s entire network of resorts. He worked his way up the ski-business ladder shortly after earning a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maine Farmington in 1988, holding various positions at Sugarloaf as well. In 2017, he was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. A native of Farmington, Maine, Dana enjoys skiing, fishing, hunting and the Maine outdoors.
Looking to connect:
Email: dbullen@sundayriver.com
Website: www.sundayriver.com
I tend to spend a lot of time on social media. And, in the back of my mind, I justify it by saying to myself, “I need to do this for my business.”
Of course, I’m not alone. Americans spend an average of over two hours per day on social media, and I'd guess many of them are small business owners who want to stay “current.” Entrepreneurs like me want to learn more about the latest trends and techniques, such as Instagram Reels (which replicates TikTok). However, I also enjoy connecting with friends old and new as well as meeting friends of friends. I find it’s a great way to remember people I’ve met along the way and to reconnect with old friends from school. I am naturally a social person, so much so that it feels like social media was invented just for me.
This got me thinking: How can social media be used constructively for PR purposes? While recent news stories have linked the use of social media platforms to anxiety, depression and loneliness (and that is certainly a concern), I believe social media can do unprecedented good for American society.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in October 2021.
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In today’s business world, self-promotion is indispensable. It is the key to landing a new job, securing a client or running a business altogether.
However, many people are hesitant to promote themselves for fear that it may come across as bragging. And for good reason: bragging is a major turn-off. According to research, 70% of people can remember a “humblebrag” they heard recently. Why? Because it’s annoying. Bragging sticks out.
But self-promotion doesn’t have to be synonymous with bragging. Nor does “bragging” have to be so unlikeable. It can be sincere. It can leave people thinking more fondly of you — or, at least, learning more about you.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in October 2021.
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Growing up, you may have been told to not talk to strangers, but it’s one of the most important social components of business. Beyond business, speaking with strangers is one of the most important aspects of human interaction.
My two sons (both Gen Xers) often tell me that I embarrass them by talking to strangers. They want to fade into the woodwork in line at the grocery store or at a restaurant, whereas I relish opportunities to strike up a conversation.
Why do I do it? Why do I annoy them (unintentionally)? Because talking to someone you don’t know can open up new horizons — horizons you could never even imagine. Let’s break it down.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in September 2021.
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In this episode, The PR Maven® Podcast celebrates three years and congratulates Peter Koch, safety management consultant and manager of digital technology at MEMIC, for having the most popular episode of the year. Nancy and Peter discuss The Safety Experts Podcast, a podcast created by MEMIC and hosted by Peter to help share their message of safety. The episode also features a special message from MEMIC president and CEO, Michael Bourque.
3:36 –Peter explains where the idea for The Safety Experts Podcast came from.
5:35 – Peter describes MEMIC and what his role at the company is.
8:01 – After determining that they would do a podcast, Peter shares how Marshall Communications worked with MEMIC to create a strategy and how MEMIC has benefited.
12:29 – A message from Michael Bourque.
13:43 – Peter talks about all the different elements of creating a podcast episode.
16:58 – Peter offers a book that has helped him in his career and life.
Quote
“The concept was how do we help people consume information about safety in their spare time, if they have an interest, and bring it to them in a way that's different than grabbing a book or a pamphlet that might give you five steps for how to set up your chair better at your office. We can talk about that in the podcast with some really interesting people and make it more intimate and more fun for someone to consume.” – Peter Koch, safety management consultant and manager of digital technology at MEMIC.
Links:
Guy Raz: https://www.npr.org/people/6597623/guy-raz
Otis Ridge: https://otisridge.com/
Listen to Peter’s first episode here.
Learn more about content marketing here.
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Looking to connect:
Email: podcast@memic.com
Phone: (207) 791-3000
Website: memic.com/podcast
Rocky Lalvani joins Nancy to talk about his journey to finding a career he loves, podcasting and profitability. As part of his mission to open conversations about money, Rocky started a podcast and created an online course, which he explains in this episode. Rocky describes himself as an implementor, taking Mike Michalowicz’s idea of a cash flow system for entrepreneurs and helping entrepreneurs learn how to use this system. Rocky also shares some resources for startups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.
3:35 – Rocky explains his self-development journey and figuring out what he really wanted to do – open up conversations about money.
8:13 – Nancy and Rocky talk about the importance of a podcast name.
11:38 – Rocky shares how his podcast has helped with his sales funnel.
15:48 – Rocky describes the Profit First cash flow system for entrepreneurs.
24:09 – Rocky talks about the balance of visionaries and implementors.
30:06 – Rocky shares some surprising information he learned about his clients on LinkedIn.
34:30 – Rocky describes why he created an online course.
38:50 – Rocky offers a book that has been helpful to him.
Quote
“If I tell you I will teach you to be a millionaire in 10 years, nobody will buy that. If I tell you I will teach you to be a millionaire this weekend, everyone will throw money at you and they'll go broke. I can't do that. It's not what I believe. It's not with integrity. And through that journey, I came across this thing and I'm like, ‘What do you mean business owners don't look at their financials? How do you go into business and not understand the business of business?’ – Rocky Lalvani, chief profitability officer at Profit Comes First.
Links:
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz: https://www.amazon.com/Profit-First-Transform-Cash-Eating-Money-Making-ebook/dp/B01HCGYTH4
Profit Answer Man Podcast: https://profitanswerman.libsyn.com/
Retirement Answer Man Podcast: https://www.rogerwhitney.com/blog
Podcast Answer Man: https://www.cliffravenscraft.com/podcasts/podcast-answer-man
Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters: https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Fuel-Essential-Combination-Business/dp/1942952317
Traction by Gino Wickman: https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280
The Road Less Stupid by Keith J. Cunningham: https://www.amazon.com/Road-Less-Stupid-Keith-Cunningham/dp/0984659269
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About the guest:
Rocky Lalvani was shocked to learn most business owners don't look at their financial reports! Can you believe that? It has to do with our mindsets around money and also fear and shame. When he realized how much of a problem this was, he knew this was his purpose to help business owners be profitable.
Rocky serves as chief profitability adviser for business owners. He teaches them how to ensure they get paid and make profit a priority! As a certified Profit First Professional, he implements Mike Michalowicz's Profit First System, where they change the accounting formula of Sales - Expenses = Profit to Sales - Profit = Expenses. This ensures Profit comes first! (P.S. It's not about money at all costs, people come before money!)
Rocky started with nothing when his parents immigrated to the United States when he was two years old, and his parents were in their 40s. It was his parents' second time starting over in life as they moved here to experience the American dream. Despite a lot of struggles and his mom passing away when Rocky was 7, he has been able to achieve financial and life success. Rocky loves to share his journey and inspire others to achieve their dreams even faster.
Looking to connect:
Email: rocky@profitcomesfirst.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rocky-lalvani/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rockylalvani
Website: profitcomesfirst.com
In the middle of a pandemic, it is more difficult than ever to network with others. Trust me — I’m a “connector” at heart, and the COVID-19 crisis has made it extremely challenging to navigate my web of personal and professional contacts. It has taken a psychological toll, and I’m not alone.
Offices are closed. Cafes are empty. Happy hours are in the rearview mirror, except for on Zoom. While the internet has opened up a whole new world of communicating and connecting (which I’m grateful for), it is still incomparable to the value of face-to-face networking. Fostering interpersonal connections enables job seekers to find work, employees to thrive and small businesses to grow into something more.
Without that networking, word-of-mouth marketing becomes harder and harder. And client referrals are one of the most important moneymakers for many small business owners. In my line of work, a recommendation is everything.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in December 2020.
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For better or worse, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrust crisis communications into the spotlight.
In the midst of a national emergency, Americans are being exposed to all kinds of new spokespeople with deep expertise in public health, small business trends, economic growth and other issues. For many of these experts, they could never have imagined being interviewed by CNN or The New York Times about a novel virus, but here they are. Here we all are.
Now more than ever, we are witnessing the impact of thought leaders who can communicate important messages to the general public. But the importance of thought leadership, when it comes to media interviews, transcends even the pandemic. Whether you’re an expert on public health or wild blueberry picking in Maine (one of my favorite activities), the time may come when you will be called upon to be a spokesperson. You need to be ready.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in January 2021.
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I recently finished binge-watching Netflix’s “The Crown,” along with more than 70 million other households. If you, like me, are fascinated with British history and the royal family, it’s worth a watch.
As someone who had the same hairstyle as Lady Di in the 1980s (she was a year younger than me), I’ve been interested (OK, at times obsessed) in the inner workings of British royalty throughout my life. But you don’t have to be obsessed with Diana, Princess of Wales, to appreciate “The Crown.” Although the show is technically fictional, it does contain plenty of truth, including the royals’ habit of old-fashioned writing.
In every single episode, viewers are shown images of various members of the royal family sitting down at their desks. What are they doing? Picking up a fountain pen or tapping away at a manual typewriter to send their inner feelings, opinions and thoughts to loved ones or government officials. Whatever the occasion, you can see a hand engaged in the act of writing or fingers on a keyboard furiously typing away. Simultaneously, you can hear the voices in their head, thinking through the precise language to be used in the missive.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in February 2021.
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In the attention economy, we are all competing for attention. According to economist Herbert Simon, attention is a scarce resource with immense value, not unlike food, water or oil. And the value of attention has only grown due to Covid-19, with online interaction becoming the norm for many.
“Good” PR means competing with others for the attention of a given audience, attracting people’s eyeballs and clicks. Whether your target audience is a local city council or the millennial generation at large, you want your audience to find you.
This goes hand in hand with your personal brand. In a sense, your personal brand is how you are found by others. It is your personal promise of value, based on identifying your superpower(s) and sharing what makes you unique with the outside world. Curating a strong personal brand is like being a magnet — it attracts people who belong in your life and repels those who do not.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in April 2021.
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During the Tokyo Olympics, the importance of personal branding was on full display. Think about it: The mainstream media now tells us constant stories about the upbringing, mission and values of athletes they feature on the news.
While we watched Katie Ledecky win gold in the inaugural 1500-meter freestyle, we can’t help but hear relatable anecdotes about her early life in the Washington, D.C., area or her years of training at Stanford University. When we heard about U.S. swimmer Chase Kalisz, who competed with Michael Phelps, we learned just how much Phelps inspired him as a youngster. We found out about Phelps’s childhood friends and past girlfriends. When you boil down the Olympics, it comes down to the stories that differentiate one athlete from another. They’re like campfire tales about parenting and perseverance, hard work and overcoming adversity.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in August 2021.
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From getting inspiration and setting a writing schedule to promoting the finished result, Spencer Stephens explains the process of writing a good book. Spencer also talks about the importance of public relations to spread the word about your writing, becoming a thought leader and some other writers who have used public relations well. Spencer shares how his previous career helped him become a writer and what books were inspirational to him. Listen to learn more about Spencer and his new book, “Blood Lily.”
3:40 – Spencer explains how he was a writer from a young age, but didn’t know it.
7:12 – Spencer describes what it takes to write a good book.
9:28 – Nancy asks Spencer what his writing schedule looks like.
12:02 – Spencer shares some of the places he gets inspiration.
14:30 – Spencer explains how his experience as a journalist and a lawyer helped with his writing.
18:39 – Spencer talks about why he wanted to invest in public relations services.
20:19 – Spencer describes the advantages of being positioned as a thought leader.
23:07 – Spencer lists some other authors who have used public relations to their advantage.
25:06 – Spencer shares some books that have impacted his writing and world views.
Quote
“You have got to get out and put yourself out there. The marketing, promotion and publicity are essential. If you don’t have about a million people who at least know who you are, you’re not going to sell 10,000 books.” – Spencer Stephens, author of “Church of Golf” and “Blood Lily.”
Links:
Edna St. Vincent Millay: http://www.millay.org/aboutmillay.php
Stephen King: https://stephenking.com/
Lily King: https://lilykingbooks.com/
Paul Doiron: http://www.pauldoiron.com/
John Grisham: https://www.jgrisham.com/
Scott Turow: https://www.scottturow.com/
Ted Morrissey: https://tedmorrissey.com/
Maine Voices: Can America remain a democracy? Authoritarianism raises its ugly head: https://www.pressherald.com/2021/08/01/maine-voices-can-american-remain-a-democracy-authoritarianism-raises-its-ugly-head/
“Sell with Authority” by Drew McLellan and Stephen Woessner: https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Authority-Monetize-Agencys-Position/dp/1947305077
Erin French: https://www.amazon.com/Erin-French/e/B073FRVRW2?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1633372910&sr=1-1
“The Shipping News” by Annie Proulx: https://www.amazon.com/Shipping-News-Annie-Proulx/dp/0671510053
Maine Authors Publishing: https://maineauthorspublishing.com/
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About the guest:
Spencer Stephens escaped a tense existence as a big-city trial attorney and is now content to be settled in Maine where he writes novels. His first novel, “Church of Golf,” tells the story of a washed-up college football hero who reaches middle age and finds himself broke, drunk, lumpy and sucking for air. For him, the way back involves religious devotion to the study of golf. His second novel, “Blood Lily,” was released in July 2021. It tells the story of a Saudi woman - a member of the royal family - whose father coerces her into going to America to run a terrorist cell. She's desperate to escape the network of violent authoritarians who control her life and she yearns for peace and contentment. Naturally, she dreams of life in Maine.
Spencer was a Navy brat, born at a U.S. Navy hospital and raised mostly in Annapolis in the shadow of the U.S. Naval Academy. Growing up, he worked at Annapolis' waterfront restaurants as a dishwasher and cook. His father, an academy graduate and nuclear submariner, was lost at sea when Spencer was a boy. A turbulent 10 years followed while Spencer sank into drug use and petty crime. He turned things around when, as a college kid, he discovered a love for reading and books. After college, he enjoyed a career in journalism, writing for daily newspapers and becoming a polished feature and news writer. While in law school, he and his wife founded a small publishing company. He practiced law for 25 years, handling civil lawsuits all over Maryland and in Washington, D.C. He established his own law firm in 2000 and remained head of the firm for nearly 20 years.
When Spencer's not writing, he's enjoying time with his wife or zipping along Maine's country roads on an Italian racing bicycle.
Looking to connect:
Email: spencer@stephensassociates.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchofgolf
Website: spencerstephens.net
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.” In today’s world of seemingly constant crisis, Warren Buffett’s words ring truer than ever.
But this begs the question: How do you build your reputation? And, when crisis strikes, how do you prevent that reputation from being ruined?
Public relations can go a long way — long before crisis strikes. PR can help build your bank account of goodwill, granting you the positive capital to survive the ebbs and flows of positive and negative publicity. If you have a positive bank account of goodwill, then typically you can survive a negative “hit” to your reputation and still have a positive balance left over. However, if you already have a negative balance, then you’re just shoveling more and more dirt on the grave that is your business — whether it means a bad news cycle, lost customers or even bankruptcy.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in July 2021.
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So, your branding needs work. Perhaps you’re updating your mission statement. Perhaps you’re trying to appeal to younger generations on Snapchat and Instagram.
Whatever the case may be, individuals, companies and products need to be branded correctly, with the target audience in mind. Put thought into the who, what, where, when and why. After all, branding is how you make people feel. It is the essence of what makes an individual, company or product unique in the broader marketplace. But too many people forget the steps in the branding process or take shortcuts, which can undermine their appeal to the target audience they have in mind. If you rush the branding process, it probably won’t be effective.
As the first step in the process, I recommend coming up with an XYZ statement. Here’s what that means:
- I do X (what you do).
- For Y (who you do it for).
- So they can Z (the benefits of working with you).
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in June 2021.
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Starting your own business is a lot of hard work, especially while attending a competitive college like Colby. In this episode, Josh Kim talks about starting The Cubby, a community for college artists to sell their work. From a saying that has helped him stay on track to a book he found inspirational, Josh shares the tips that have helped him grow his personal and business brands. Josh also describes how his network has helped him along the way.
3:22 – Josh talks about his entrepreneurial career while attending Colby College.
6:50 – Josh explains what The Cubby is.
9:51 – Josh shares how Greenlight Maine has helped with his public relations.
12:50 – Josh describes The Cubby’s brand community.
18:02 – Josh explains how this podcast interview is the first intentional step he has taken to grow his personal brand.
21:59 – Josh shares some advice for student entrepreneurs on using public relations and personal branding.
23:48 – Nancy asks Josh if he would do anything differently if he had a chance to do everything over again.
25:09 – Josh recommends a book that has helped him in his career.
Quote
“I think I have to start with a reminder to myself and a saying I liked to remember as I started my college journey. "Small wins add up," is something that I like to think a lot about. It's something I came to realize in high school. This idea that to get somewhere far, you need to take the first step and you really need to take small steps in order to accomplish something big.” – Josh Kim, founder and CEO at The Cubby
Links:
Nick Rimsa: https://www.colby.edu/news/2020/12/17/mainebiz-interviews-nick-rimsa-13-on-startup-mentoring/
Central Maine Growth Council: http://www.centralmaine.org/
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight: https://www.amazon.com/Shoe-Dog-Memoir-Creator-Nike-ebook/dp/B0176M1A44
Listen to Julene Gervais’ PR Maven® Podcast episode to learn more about Greenlight Maine.
Listen to Andrew Silsby’s PR Maven® Podcast episode.
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Whether you're in the office or working from home, the importance of networking is not going away. You need to get out there and connect with people, even if it’s just on Zoom.
As reported by CNBC in 2019, "Anywhere from half to upwards of 80% of jobs are filled through networking." Over a year into the pandemic, connections still matter — perhaps even more than before. In today’s virtual world, people are especially eager to connect and reconnect with others since our social lives have been so severely compromised. I can’t wait to network face to face again!
And I’m not alone. According to LinkedIn research, the platform’s job applicants are three times more likely to get a job at a company where they have a connection.
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in May 2021.
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If you work in public relations, you know all about press releases.
Cambridge Dictionary defines a press release as a “public statement given to the press to publish if they wish.”
PR agencies and internal communications teams use these public statements to provide media contacts with useful information (in theory) — from proactive event announcements and product launches to reactionary comments.
And press releases are used often: Every year, PR professionals send out tens of thousands of press releases to a wide range of media contacts who may plug them into news coverage or not.
But just because press releases are sent often doesn’t make them effective. To the contrary, today’s PR professionals lean on generic press releases too much, when customized pitches are the way to go. By “customized,” I mean targeting the right media contacts and individualizing your pitches to suit their specific interests…
Continue reading here.
The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in April 2021.
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Innovative products are not always immediately accepted by customers. This was the case for Allagash Brewing Company owner Rob Tod who explains his journey to success in this episode. After shifting customer tastes, Allagash was hit with another challenge – COVID-19. With seventy percent of their business coming from bars and restaurants, Allagash started to focus on employee wellness while riding out the COVID-19 storm. Rob also explains how supporting local grain farmers improved sustainability.
5:08 – Rob describes the role breweries play in the Maine brand.
8:45 – Rob shares the story of starting Allagash Brewing Company and how they came up with the company and beer names.
11:23 – Rob talks about getting into the beer industry.
16:15 – Rob explains how Allagash has responded to the pandemic with an employee wellness focus.
21:36 – Nancy asks Rob how Allagash’s business model has changed as the pandemic eases.
25:31 – Rob runs through the process of becoming a B Corp business.
32:18 – Rob describes Allagash’s sustainability practices.
40:34 – Rob explains how public relations plays a role for Allagash.
42:36 – Rob talks about some of the awards the brewery has won.
46:36 – Rob shares where you can buy Allagash’s beer.
48:11 – Rob shares some resources that have helped his career.
Quote
“I started with the white beer, which is a cloudy beer. It's traditional Belgian yeast. It's spiced. People hadn't seen, tasted or heard of a beer like this at the time… I actually feel like I succeeded in giving people this unique experience, but the downside was for the first 10 years, the beer didn't sell. I used to walk into accounts and pour a sample of it into a glass and the first thing anyone would say is ‘What's wrong with it? Why does it look like this? Why does it taste like this?’” – Rob Tod, owner of Allagash Brewing Company
Links:
Otter Creek Brewing Co.: http://ottercreekbrewing.com/
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280
Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard: https://www.amazon.com/Let-People-Surfing-Education-Businessman/dp/0143037838
Sebago Clean Waters: https://www.sebagocleanwaters.org/
Great American Beer Festival: https://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/
World Beer Cup: https://www.worldbeercup.org/
The Art Of War by Sun Tzu: https://www.amazon.com/Art-War-Sun-Tzu/dp/1599869772
Good to Great by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996
Listen to Lindy Graham’s PR Maven® Podcast episode to learn more about WellSpace.
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About the guest:
After graduating from Middlebury College with a major in Geology, Rob headed west. Following a couple of years in Colorado, he suspected his track would eventually lead him either back to Geology or woodworking. Before heading down one of those paths, he took a detour to Vermont where he washed kegs at Otter Creek Brewery.
While at Otter Creek, he happened upon the beers of Belgium. In these inventive and surprising brews, Rob saw an opportunity to give American beer drinkers an experience they’d never had before. He left steady pay and founded Allagash Brewing Company in 1995.
The brewery has since grown from a one-man operation into one of the top 50 craft breweries in the United States (by sales volume) and has earned a spot on Maine’s Best Places to Work list for seven years running. Rob is the past chair of the Brewers Association trade group and received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Producer in 2019.
Looking to connect:
Email: info@allagash.com
Website: www.allagash.com
In this episode, Raffi DerSimonian talks about his career doing public relations and marketing in the arts. As a Waterville native, Raffi talks about the renaissance going on in the city from arts to dining. Music has always been a passion of Raffi’s. He describes his musical career and helping found Waterville Rocks. In addition to doing public relations and marketing in the arts, Raffi is experienced in promoting higher education. Raffi and Nancy discuss how COVID-19 has impacted higher education as well as communicating during a crisis.
3:00 – Raffi describes the importance of a handwritten note.
7:05 – Raffi explains how COVID-19 has forced higher education to adjust very quickly and rethink its curriculum.
11:40 – Raffi shares how video can be used to drive measurable engagement in public relations and marketing.
18:29 – As a Waterville native and co-founder of Waterville Rocks, Raffi talks about the city’s renaissance.
23:37 – Raffi explains how Waterville Rocks was founded.
24:19 – Raffi describes how music has been an important part of his life.
29:00 – Raffi talks about his career marketing the arts.
32:09 – Raffi shares his advice for schools and colleges when promoting themselves.
36:28 – Raffi provides some times for communicating during a crisis.
39:31 – Raffi recommends a book.
Quote
“Video is a medium that gets me really excited personally. Over the years throughout my career, I've come to understand the emotive power of visual storytelling as a way to drive engagement. I think video is an amazing medium because it has the ability to pull us in by our imaginations, sometimes resulting in a physiological response like goosebumps, joy or sorrow.” – Raffi DerSimonian, principal at the RDS Group
Links:
Maine Media Workshops + College: https://www.mainemedia.edu/?gclid=CjwKCAjw3MSHBhB3EiwAxcaEu9jszQNZ3GwTwgTgAkw_kvOaRMhR2PBWusjee09oR_41wxnQPyeziRoC5EUQAvD_BwE
Colby College: https://www.colby.edu/
Thomas College: https://www.thomas.edu/
Waterville Opera House: https://www.watervillecreates.org/operahouse/home/
Paul J. Schupf Art Center: https://www.watervillecreates.org/paul-j-schupf-art-center-community-capital-campaign/
Colby College Museum of Art: https://www.colby.edu/museum/
Waterville Creates: https://www.watervillecreates.org/
Silver Street Tavern: https://www.silverstreettavern.com/
OPA: https://opawaterville.com/
The Last Unicorn: https://www.thelastuni.com/
Waterville Rocks: https://www.watervillecreates.org/waterville-rocks/
Maine Academy of Modern Music: https://www.maineacademyofmodernmusic.org/
Providence Performing Arts Center: https://www.ppacri.org/
Ikigai by Héctor García: https://www.amazon.com/Ikigai-Japanese-Secret-Long-Happy/dp/0143130722
Listen to Karl Strand’s PR Maven® Podcast episode to learn more about Sugarloaf.
Listen to Bill Green’s PR Maven® Podcast episode.
Listen to Steve McCausland’s PR Maven® Podcast episode to learn more about media training and crisis communications.
Listen to Jordan Rowan and Jesse Souza’s PR Maven® Podcast episode to learn more about Front & Main.
Listen to Jim Dinkle’s PR Maven® Podcast episode to learn more about FirstPark.
Listen to Nancy’s solocast, How to use a message map to build your brand, to learn more about message mapping or sign up for her Message Mapping Mastery online course.
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About the guest:
With over 20 years’ experience in results-oriented public relations, marketing, and communications, Raffi DerSimonian has cultivated a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between institutional marketing, communications, advancement, and the arts. His experience includes leading new brand launches, developing marketing strategies, and planning advancement campaigns for a diverse range of institutions and organizations. Via RDS Group, Raffi works in highly collaborative settings, which allows him to effectively navigate a range of complex and large-scale initiatives.
A proud Waterville native and double alum of Clark University, Raffi enjoys outdoor adventure and live music. He is also involved in Portland, Maine’s thriving cultural arts scene and has served on various community arts councils and boards in and around New England including Habitat For Humanity of Greater Providence, Worcester Arts Council, Creative Portland, Maine Academy of Modern Music, Yellow Tulip Project, Fork Food Lab, Portland Downtown, Armenian Cultural Association of Maine, Portland Bach Experience, and Maine Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.
Looking to connect:
Email: raffi@dersimonian.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raffi-dersimonian-5099233/
Website: www.dersimonian.com
Having grown up around family business, Phil Harriman has dedicated his career to helping family businesses. In this episode, Phil shares how he guides his clients using his head, heart and stomach approach. Find out what he recommends for strategizing for the future, whether passing the business on to the next generation or preparing to sell. Listen as Phil describes what he learned while serving in public office.
3:45 – Phil explains how he wanted to go into his family’s supermarket business and why he had to find a new dream.
14:47 – Phil describes how he navigates family businesses’ financial issues with clients.
18:11 – Phil talks about how he helps families strategize how to help the next generation run the family business or prepare it for sale.
21:39 – Phil shares how he has used public relations to spread the word about what he does while maintaining client confidentiality.
25:54 – Phil describes his time on the Yarmouth Town Council and in the Maine Senate
31:13 – Phil shares his recommendations for family-owned businesses when branding and promoting themselves.
34:24 – Phil talks about the second and third-generation future leadership in place at Lebel & Harriman ~ Financial Advisors.
36:06 – For his resource, Phil shares that he likes to read biographical writing.
Quote
“Everyone has a unique story. It’s their story and it’s not my place to judge their story or tell them how their story should end, rather to understand.” – Philip Harriman, founding partner at Lebel & Harriman ~ Financial Advisors
Links:
Start with Why by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447
Related podcast episodes:
Listen to Kate Vickery’s PR Maven® Podcast episode.
Listen to Craig Marshall’s PR Maven® Podcast episode.
Listen to Chip Carey’s PR Maven® Podcast episode.
Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand: https://growyouraudiencegrowyourbrand.com/
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About the guest:
For more than 40 years, Phil Harriman has worked with hundreds of family-held and non-profit businesses in the areas of retirement planning, business continuation planning and estate planning. He started his career with Maine Governor James B. Longley’s insurance agency in 1977.
Phil is a graduate of Husson University earning a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Insurance. He was awarded the Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations from The American College in Bryn Mawr, PA.
Phil is the Past President of the Million Dollar Round Table, an international association of financial and life insurance advisors. He is a past executive committee member of the Maine Estate Planning Council.
Phil has spoken to international audiences worldwide including Australia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Brazil, Europe, Philippines, Canada and Thailand. He has also appeared on CNN Financial, Sky Tel and Bloomberg Radio Network.
Lebel & Harriman is one of the largest retirement and business succession planning firms in New England. They manage over 1.3 billion dollars in retirement and investment accounts and serves family businesses in all areas of succession planning, key employee retention and legacy planning.
His community service includes serving on numerous boards including Chairperson of Make A Wish- Maine and a trustee of Husson University. Phil’s civic involvement includes serving four terms in the Maine Senate.
Phil delivers political analysis for the NBC television network in his home state of Maine.
Looking to connect:
Email: pharriman@lebelharriman.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-harriman-a664027/
Twitter: @phil6_2
From driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to bringing the Bee Wild Mobile to Wyman’s, Colleen Craig talks about her career in experiential marketing in this episode. Learn about the integrated marketing strategy Wyman’s took as they launched the Bee Wild Mobile. Find out fun facts about wild blueberries and learn the difference between cultivated blueberries. Packed with interesting stories from the road and a career in communications, this episode will leave you longing for a frozen fruit treat.
3:12 – Colleen describes her unique career, starting as a “Hotdogger” for the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
5:38 – Colleen explains how she became a member of the Wyman’s team through her network.
8:50 – Colleen defines what a wild blueberry is in comparison to cultivated blueberries.
11:17 – Colleen announces the Bee Wild Mobile, which will be traveling around Maine during the summer of 2021.
17:21 – Colleen describes how public relations fits into Wyman’s marketing strategy.
19:49 – Colleen explains her vision for using hyperlocal media to spread the word about Wyman’s.
23:30 – Colleen talks about the importance of growing the number of Wyman’s brand ambassadors, known as pollinators.
25:50 – Colleen shares some resources that have benefited her career.
Quote
“I am biased toward different channels that provide a better opportunity for consumers to engage. Experiential marketing is of them. PR, I think, is another one. You are getting earned media. You are asking people to engage and read something – a story versus just seeing an ad.” - Colleen Craig, brand manager at Wyman's
Links:
Wyman’s: https://wymans.com/
Just Fruit Cups: https://wymans.com/wymans-family-products/
Maine Women’s Magazine June 2021 issue: https://www.mainewomenmagazine.com/colleen-craig/
Bee Wild Mobile Events: https://wymans.com/events/
Oscar Mayer Wienermobile: https://www.oscarmayer.com/wienermobile
Planters Nutmobile: https://www.planters.com/mr-peanut/nutmobile
L.L. Bean Bootmobile: https://events.llbean.net/index.html
Mike Bowditch Mysteries by Paul Doiron: https://www.amazon.com/Mike-Bowditch-Series/dp/B074C6NVGD
Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz: https://www.amazon.com/Pour-Your-Heart-Into-Starbucks/dp/0786883561
Downeast by Gigi Georges: https://www.amazon.com/Downeast-Maine-Girls-Unseen-America/dp/0062984454
Maine Seacoast Mission EdGE Program: https://www.seacoastmission.org/what-we-do/edge/
Grippy Tannins: http://www.grippytannins.com/
Listen to Tony Shurman’s PR Maven® Podcast episode.
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About the guest:
Colleen Craig is a native New Englander who studied communication at DePaul University in Chicago. She took her degree on the road as a goodwill ambassador ("Hotdogger") for the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile - spreading miles of smiles on the hot dog highways of America.
She has held various roles in marketing and communications for 15 years from big corporations to family-owned, healthcare to consumer products, and is most proud of holding three post-grad degrees: Hot Dog High, Hamburger U and the Lobster & Salmon Academy.
Colleen is the brand manager at Wyman's in Maine. Wyman's is the #1 brand of frozen fruit nationally and one of the world's largest purveyors of wild blueberries. She is passionate about fruit in all forms - from frozen to wine - and is firmly planted in Maine between the mountains and the ocean. She currently resides in Portland, Maine with her Puerto Rican rescue puppy, Scarlet.
Looking to connect:
Email: ccraig@wymans.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-craig-bb36464/
What does it take to grant a wish? In this episode, Kate Vickery, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Maine, explains how the organization has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic whether through their ability to grant wishes or raise the funds to make wishes come true. Kate describes the media and business partnerships Make-A-Wish Maine has formed to spread the word and keep wishes coming true. Kate also addresses some common misconceptions about Make-A-Wish and shares how to get involved.
2:37 – Kate explains how Make-A-Wish Maine has navigated COVID-19.
5:44 – Kate shares the most common misconception about Make-A-Wish.
9:16 – Kate talks about the wish discovery process.
10:26 – Kate describes how Make-A-Wish Maine makes connections to grant wishes.
11:27 – Kate shares some of the most memorable wishes she has helped to fulfill.
15:10 – Kate explains how public relations has helped spread the word about Make-A-Wish.
22:40 – Kate talks about the frequency of wishes granted in Maine.
26:37 – Kate lists some of the coverage Make-A-Wish Maine has received in local media.
30:45 – Kate describes some of the brand partnerships Make-A-Wish Maine is building.
35:54 – Kate explains how to get involved with Make-A-Wish.
40:02 – Kate shares a resource that has helped her in her non-profit career.
Quote
“I love to talk about the power of a wish. It goes so far beyond the actual wish itself. There are all of those residual impacts that it can have, not only for the kids but for their families, their siblings and the larger communities that support them.” – Kate Vickery, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Maine
Links:
WGME Wish Wednesdays: https://wgme.com/features/make-a-wish-maine/
VIP Tires & Service: https://www.vipauto.com/
Maine Huts & Trails: https://mainehuts.org/
Sugarloaf Outdoor Center: https://www.sugarloaf.com/the-outdoor-center
Trailblaze Challenge and Wish Night: https://wish.org/maine/signature-events#pwish-night-p-73851
Joan Garry's Guide to Nonprofit Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/Joan-Garrys-Guide-Nonprofit-Leadership/dp/1119730481
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About the guest:
Kate Vickery is the president and CEO of Make-A-Wish (MAW) Maine, responsible for the organization’s achievement of its vision, mission and financial objectives. Kate started with the Maine chapter in 2005 as the volunteer director and then spent the majority of her tenure as the chapter’s program director, overseeing and executing all of the organization’s wish-granting operations for 10 years. She became president and CEO in 2017 and focuses on working together with their dedicated board of directors to increase the chapter’s annual revenue, oversees day-to-day operations and partners with the MAW Maine team to deliver life-changing wishes to children throughout our great state.
Before joining MAW, Kate began her career in the non-profit sector in a marketing role at United Way of Greater Portland. Before that, she worked as a freelance web designer and as the assistant director of athletic communications at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. Kate is a graduate of the University of Maine with a B.A. in Political Science.
Looking to connect:
Email: kvickery@maine.wish.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-vickery-135320101
Make-A-Wish Maine Twitter: @makeawishmaine
In this episode, Jordan Rowan and Jesse Souza from Front & Main join Nancy to talk about growing a network through local food. Jordan and Jesse explain how their commitment to using local suppliers has led to fine dining backed by outstanding locally grown or produced ingredients. Located in the Lockwood Hotel in Waterville, Jesse describes the Maine spin on classic dishes and Jordan talks more about the equally creative beverage offerings and hotel opening.
3:14 – Jordan talks about Front & Main, Colby College’s revitalization of downtown Waterville and their vision for the future.
5:04 – Jesse describes the menu and the local vendors.
7:49 – Jordan explains Front & Main’s partnership with the Colby Museum of Art and the artwork in the restaurant.
10:43 – After opening in March, Jordan shares their plans for the summer.
12:31 – Jordan talks about the beverage offerings at Front & Main that use local spirits.
18:23 – Jesse explains how the kid’s menu is set up and some of the offerings.
22:20 – Jordan describes the Lockwood Hotel.
23:58 – Jordan talks about the events space.
25:03 – Jesse and Jordan share some of their favorite resources.
Quote
We’re excited to give people that opportunity to enjoy themselves, cut loose a little bit and enjoy some of the finer things.” – Jordan Rowan, general manager at Front & Main and the Lockwood Hotel
Links:
Front & Main: https://www.frontandmainwaterville.com/
Lockwood Hotel: https://www.lockwood-hotel.com/
Colby College: http://www.colby.edu/
Colby Museum of Art: https://www.colby.edu/museum/
Norlands Living History Center: https://norlands.org/index.html
Crooked Face Creamery: https://www.upnorthricotta.com/
Maine Grains: https://mainegrains.com/
3 Level Farm: https://www.3levelfarm.com/
Broad Arrow Farm: https://www.broadarrowfarm.com/
Bernard Langlais: http://langlaisarttrail.org/biography/
Jeremy Frey: http://jeremyfreybaskets.com/
Jigger and Jones Gin: https://www.thedevilshalfacredistillery.com/
Cold River Vodka: http://www.coldrivervodka.com/welcome.php
Allen’s Coffee Brandy: http://www.allenscoffeebrandy.com/
Maine Voices Live: Sam Sifton: https://www.pressherald.com/2021/02/17/maine-voices-live-sam-sifton/
Start With Why by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447
The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg: https://www.amazon.com/Flavor-Bible-Essential-Creativity-Imaginative/dp/0316118400
Lessons in Excellence from Charlie Trotter by Paul Clarke: https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Excellence-Charlie-Trotter/dp/0898159083
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About the guests:
Jordan Rowan joined Front & Main and the Lockwood Hotel with 10 years of experience in food and beverage and room operations across multiple properties in the seaside beach community of Cape May, New Jersey. A graduate of Lehigh University, his most recent position was General Manager at the Virginia Hotel, a Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award top-ten property in the Mid-Atlantic region for the past seven years. Jordan is passionate about food, craft beer, and travel, and when he isn't working, he likes to spend his free time with his wife, Gabriela and their 2-year-old daughter, Lilo, reading storybooks, making animals out of Play-Doh, and building pillow forts. Jordan is thrilled to be leading the opening team at the Lockwood Hotel and is excited to welcome guests to downtown Waterville.
A New England native, Jesse Souza returned to Maine to join the Lockwood Hotel and Front & Main restaurant after spending the better part of three decades cooking in all four corners of the United States. This journey began as a teen working on the Maine coast, washing dishes and making salads, and quickly led to a cross-country relocation to the San Francisco Bay Area. This was the beginning of a newfound passion for both Regional American Cuisine as well as the culture and camaraderie of a life in hospitality. Jesse eventually joined Noble House Hotels & Resorts and would spend fourteen years with them as executive chef at multiple properties, from Florida to Southern California and ultimately the Pacific Northwest, spending the last six years at the Edgewater Hotel in Seattle, Washington.
During a brief relocation back to Maine in 2005, Jesse met his wife-to-be, Shannon, and quite effectively fooled her into saying yes and rambling around this country on a Great Adventure. Together they spend free time with their young daughter, Georgina, and a small (yet unreasonable) zoo of pets. His passions include writing, drawing, cooking, and family.
Looking to connect:
Chef Jesse’s Instagram: @chefjsouza
Lockwood Hotel
Email: info@lockwood-hotel.com
Phone: 207-660-0120
Instagram: @lockwoodhotelwaterville
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lockwoodhotelwaterville/
Front & Main
Email: info@frontandmainwatervile.com
Phone: 207-660-0130
Instagram: @frontandmainwaterville
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frontandmainwaterville/
In this episode, Chris Tieri explains how to use your strengths to develop your personal brand. As a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Chris talks about how she discovered her passion for coaching, how to use your strengths finder results and how to build your personal brand around your strengths. Listen for Chris’s definition of a brand and what research can do to help.
3:06 – Chris explains how she started out wanting to be an interior designer but found herself having more of a passion for advertising.
5:58 – Chris describes why and how she transitioned from being an agency owner to strengths coach.
7:52 – Nancy and Chris talk about their strengths.
10:15 – Chris talks about her passion project – Laughter, Leadership, Mothership, Wine.
13:32 – Chris shares how she uses strengths finder for her clients.
18:03 – Chris talks about what she has learned about effective leadership from COVID-19.
24:17 – Chris defines a brand.
30:34 – Chris explains how to strengthen your personal brand.
38:03 – Chris describes how research can help with branding.
37:40 – Chris shares some resources she enjoys.
Quote options
“The brand is really the image someone holds in their eyes, so it is the feeling they get.” – Christine Tieri, Gallup Certified Strengths Coach at Chris Tieri Corporation
Links:
Sugarloaf: https://www.sugarloaf.com/
Audience Audit: https://audienceaudit.com/
How great leaders inspire action TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?language=en
Seth Godin
- Purple Cow: https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Cow-New-Transform-Remarkable/dp/1591843170
- Linchpin: https://www.amazon.com/Linchpin-Are-Indispensable-Seth-Godin/dp/1591844096
- Tribes: https://www.amazon.com/Tribes-We-Need-You-Lead/dp/1491514736
- Daily Blog: https://seths.blog/
Listen to Chip Carey’s episode.
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About the guest:
Christine Tieri is a business and leadership brand strategist, national speaker and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. Focusing on her own strengths of vision, ideation, and strategy, Chris works with her clients to discover their unique strengths, make a meaningful impact on those they lead, and set up strategies to accomplish their wildest goals for success. A former ad agency owner for nearly 25 years, Chris knows a thing or two about brand building, strategic messaging, and three-martini lunches.
Looking to connect:
Email: chris@christieri.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christieri/
Twitter: @christieri
Alyne Cistone joins Nancy on this episode of The PR Maven® Podcast to share her inspiring story, her passions and her vision for the future. Originally from Kenya, Alyne describes how she ended up in Maine and what she loves about the state. She also talks about the work she is doing to help newcomers and diverse groups thrive, including the new television series Elevating Voices, which she co-hosts. Alyne offers some tips to people coming to live in Maine and explains her vision for the future.
3:39 – Alyne talks about how her work has been influenced by who she is based on her experience and passion.
5:54 – Alyne explains why she came to the United States and ended up in Maine.
8:15 – Nancy and Alyne describe Alyne’s TED Talk and her amazing story.
12:27 – Nancy askes Alyne how she was able to do a TED Talk.
14:53 – Alyne talks more about Elevating Voices.
21:06 – Alyne shares what inspires her.
26:54 – Alyne explains her vision for the future.
29:58 – Alyne shares some resources that have helped her.
Quote
“You can own a piece of my success, intended or unintended, by acceptance equally by your rejection. That’s one of my favorite lines. People don’t realize that by creating opportunities, we actually create a community where we all come in and enjoy and benefit.” – Alyne Cistone, founder and CEO of Global Tides Consulting LLC
Links:
Elevating Voices and Greenlight Maine: https://greenlightmaine.com/
Blackwoods Campground: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232508
Alyne’s TED Talk: Navigating "The Sea of White" in Maine as a Kenyan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2EDYmDs2vA
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust: https://www.barharbor.bank/
C. Love Cookie Project: https://www.clovecookieproject.com/
Bangor Savings Bank: https://www.bangor.com/
Audible: https://www.audible.com/
Understanding Your Potential by Myles Munroe: https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Potential-Expanded-Jerry-Horner/dp/0768423376
Integrative Inquiry: https://www.integrativeinquiryllc.com/
Listen to Julene Gervais’ episode.
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About the guest:
Alyne Cistone has two decades of experience working in law, government and the non-profit sector. She is currently the founder and CEO of Global Tides LLC, a Maine-based consulting firm providing a wide range of consulting services to individuals, businesses, nonprofits and governments. Alyne serves on various boards including MCV/MCA, Flying Kites, Open Table MDI, Harambee Entrepreneurship Alliance and is also currently a member of the Board of Trustees at College of the Atlantic where she co-chairs the Board DEI Taskforce. She resides on Mount Desert Island.
Looking to connect:
Email: acistone@globaltidesllc.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyne.mariariacistone
In this special episode, Nancy is joined by Greg Glynn to talk about some changes to The PR Maven Podcast. Among the changes, the podcast will be live-streamed to the PR Maven ® Nation Facebook group and Marshall Communications YouTube page when recorded. Join PR Maven® Nation for early access to episodes! The podcast will also start to be launched bi-weekly. In addition to these exciting changes, Nancy and Greg celebrate the 30th anniversary of Marshall Communications by recalling some of their favorite moments.
4:11 – Greg talks about some changes that are being made to the podcast, including recording on StreamYard.
7:46 – Greg explains why podcasting has become so popular.
10:59 – Greg describes the similarities and differences between pitching podcasts, TV and radio.
17:21 – Greg talks about the awards the PR Maven® Podcast has won recently.
23:17 – Nancy and Greg share some of their favorite projects they have worked on while reflecting on Marshall Communications’ 30 years in business.
26:21 – Nancy and Greg describe some of the funniest moments they have had while working at Marshall Communications.
30:31 – Nancy and Greg share some of the most memorable clients they have worked with.
Quote
“If you are going to pitch a podcast, you have to actually listen to the podcast - at least one episode – because you have to have a feel for the person’s personality and the guests they typically have on.” – Greg
Links:
Trek Across Maine: https://action.lung.org/site/TR/Cycle/ALANE_Northeast?pg=entry&fr_id=20696
18 Summers Podcast: https://18summers.com/podcast/
The Marshall Plan: https://www.marshallpr.com/the-marshall-plan/
Maine Public Relations Council Awards: https://conta.cc/3bd5O5h
Feedspot’s top 10 personal branding podcasts: https://www.marshallpr.com/press-release/the-pr-maven-podcast-named-to-top-10-list-of-personal-branding-podcasts/
Maine Beer and Wine: http://www.mainebeerandwine.com/
Julia Clukey: https://www.teamusa.org/usa-luge/athletes/Julia-Clukey
Tirdy Works: https://moosetirds.com/?fbclid=IwAR0VREJYgHkZABpNo8MtwwfHIa1MPiszqTtqwo8feAISz5AtAiNwhGJFLuI
Listen to Russell Walters’ episode to learn more about Northern Outdoors.
Listen to Craig Marshall’s episode.
Listen to Bill Green’s episode.
Listen to Charlene Williams’ episode.
Listen to Steve Lyons’ episode to learn more about the Maine Office of Tourism.
Activate the PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device.
Join the PR Maven® Facebook group page.
About the guest:
Greg is the perfect guest for today’s episode because we have officially transitioned to StreamYard for broadcasting the podcast, this means in addition to being available on your favorite podcast player, the PR Maven Podcast is also available on Facebook and YouTube. Greg’s broadcasting background and experience helped launch the podcast back in 2018 and he has again worked to take the podcast to the next level. Greg has his broadcasting degree from Quinnipiac University and was the play-by-play voice of the Portland Pirates from 2004 to 2009. He earned his APR from the Public Relations Society of America in 2016 and has been with Marshall Communications for 12 years.
Looking to connect:
Email: gglynn@marshallpr.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/greg-glynn-apr-b7406416/
Twitter: @GregGlynn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Greg.Glynn.profile
Tom Caron, a Lewiston, Maine native, went from wanting to be a sportswriter to the pre-and post-game host for the Boston Red Sox on NESN. Listen to his career journey in this episode. Find out how Tom’s favorite sport has changed over the years, why football is now America’s favorite pastime and why he thinks baseball will make a comeback after the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how Tom has built his personal brand and make sure to follow him on Instagram.
2:44 – Tom talks about how he wanted to be a sportswriter but fell in love with television.
4:36 – Nancy and Tom reminisce about how they met.
11:45 – Tom describes his role in Red Sox Nation.
17:20 – Tom explains how his favorite sport has changed over the years.
20:19 – Tom talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted him and his family.
23:01 – Tom expresses his concern that football is now America’s favorite pastime instead of baseball.
25:54 – Nancy and Tom talk about personal branding.
32:45 – Tom describes what he loves about Maine.
38:14 – Tom talks about how the Red Sox have been doing during the pandemic.
40:26 – Nancy explains her connection to the Citgo sign.
42:04 – Tom looks forward to broadcasting on Jersey Street.
43:41 – Tom describes some book genres he likes to read.
Quote
“I look at myself as kind of the guy who brings everybody around the campfire. I don't need to lead the conversation, but I make sure we're having the conversation. I use that expression a lot because I'm from Maine and I sat around a lot of campfires as a kid but also there's something communal about that.”- Tom Caron, host and reporter for NESN
Links:
NESN: https://nesn.com/
Maine Sports Hall of Fame: https://www.mshof.com/
Red Sox Foundation: https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/
One Goal by Amy Bass: https://www.amazon.com/One-Goal-Brought-Divided-Together/dp/0316396540
Town of Bridgeton: https://bridgtonmaine.org/
Shawnee Peak: https://www.shawneepeak.com/
Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand: https://growyouraudiencegrowyourbrand.com/
MLB Film Room: https://www.mlb.com/video/search
The Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/
The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/
The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/
The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/
Boston Sports Journal: https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/
TC and Jerry Podcast: https://nesn.com/tc-and-jerry-podcast/
Faithful by Stewart O'Nan and Stephen King: https://www.amazon.com/Faithful-Diehard-Boston-Chronicle-Historic/dp/0743267532
Listen to Bill Green’s episode.
Activate the PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device.
Join the PR Maven® Facebook group page.
About the guest:
Entering his 20th season as a member of NESN’s Red Sox broadcasts and his 18th season as host of the pre-and post-game shows, Tom Caron, a Lewiston, Maine, native joined NESN in 1995 and has served as a Red Sox field reporter, studio host for Boston Bruins hockey, and play-by-play announcer for the Beanpot and Hockey East. Prior to NESN, Caron was the play-by-play voice of the Portland Pirates of the AHL and was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2014. An eight-time New England Emmy Award winner, Caron has been awarded New England’s Favorite Local TV Sports Personality seven times by Channel Media Sports Research’s New England Sports Survey. Caron is involved in many local and regional charities, including Mass Mentoring; Good Sports, Inc.; the Run to Home Base Program; and the Red Sox Foundation.
Looking to connect:
Twitter: @tomcaron
Instagram: @reallytc
After working in a corporate position, Tanea Smith turned her passion for paper and writing letters into a business. Tanea describes the inspiration behind her stationery line and shares the steps to writing the perfect letter, after all, the mark of a good letter is the feeling someone gets when they receive it. Tanea also talks about the benefits of journaling and how she kept a journal called Gloria. She also shares ways you can get into the habit of journaling. Hear Tanea’s tips in this episode.
2:58 – Tanea explains how she started in corporate business but always knew it was not her passion.
3:58 - Tanea talks about her love of paper and writing.
8:36 – Tanea goes through the steps of writing a letter.
12:59 – Tanea describes the inspiration for her stationery line.
17:51 – Tanea talks about “Dear Gloria.”
22:50 – Tanea shares the greatest piece of advice she has ever received.
25:21 – Tanea describes the impact of sending handwritten notes.
28:10 – Tanea explains the benefits of journaling.
29:27 – Tanea gives some tips for getting into the habit of journaling and letter writing.
32:11 – Tanea shares her favorite book.
Quote
“My journal has saved my life. It has been the ultimate healer. It has brought me revelations. We celebrate together. It is a confidant. It is a free, non-judgmental space.” - Tanea Smith, inspirational speaker and stationery designer at She's Got Papers, LLC
Links:
She’s Got Papers: https://www.shesgotpapers.com/
Dear Gloria: https://www.shesgotpapers.com/pages/dear-gloria
Faith in the Valley by Iyanla Vanzant: https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Valley-Lessons-Women-Journey/dp/0684801132
Listen to Sabina Hitchen’s episode.
Activate the PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device.
Join the PR Maven® Facebook group page.
About the guest:
As a teenaged mother living on welfare back in 1994, Tanea Smith made a conscious decision that she would defy the odds and not become a statistic. She began what eventually became a 21-year career as an executive assistant on Wall Street in New York City. With the acknowledgment that gratitude and ambition can dwell in the same apartment she knew that despite having a “steady” job, the click she felt in her spirit to do and be more was too strong to ignore. After the birth of her 2nd child in 2007, she used her creativity and life experiences to create a witty and empowering stationery collection, She’s Got Papers.
While the “papers” were keeping America connected one handwritten note at a time, in 2013 she expanded her platform. As an inspirational speaker and transition expert, Tanea motivates, inspires and walks alongside other women who are "in the hallway," a space that she knows all too well. If one pivot was not enough, in 2021 Tanea introduced the world to "Gloria" - a journaling series that gives her pen pals life lessons, writing prompts and a blueprint for life, love and everything in between.
Tanea has been featured in Essence, Ebony, More, Pen World, American Express Open, New York Live, Good Day Philadelphia, The Philadephia Inquirer, The Peacock Network and The Wendy Williams Show.
Tanea has spoken at St. John’s University, City College of New York, New York University and teaches workshops throughout New York City.
Looking to connect:
Email: tanea@shesgotpapers.com
Twitter: @inspiredbysgp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/TaneaSmith
Instagram: @shesgotpapers
Mark Fleming and Kevin Sennett combined their skills in photography and videography to create Lone Spruce Creative, a media production company based in Maine. In this episode, they talk about how photos and videos can help build your brand, from telling your story to launching PR and marketing campaigns. They also discuss what has worked to build their brand and gain clients they love working with. Listen to learn how the right photography or videography can help you capture the attention of your target audience.
2:05 – Mark describes how he started his career as a still photographer.
3:02 – Kevin shares how his career started while he was still in high school.
4:50 – Mark defines what a media production company is.
8:14 – Kevin and Mark talk about the most exciting production Lone Spruce has worked on.
10:24 – Kevin shares a dream client.
13:39 – Mark and Kevin share advice for people trying to get into the media production field.
16:27 – Kevin and Mark talk about how great imagery aids in a great PR campaign.
22:48 – Mark and Kevin explain how they market themselves to prospective clients.
29:53 – Kevin and Mark describe how Lone Spruce helps brands tell their story.
33:56 – Mark and Kevin share some of their favorite resources.
Quotes
“You have to go out there and create. Whether that means writing, taking photos, taking videos or drawing. Whatever it is that you really feel passionate about, there is no excuse, as many as we can come up with, for not creating.” - Mark Fleming, founder and creative director at Lone Spruce Creative
“Our passion projects have led to a lot of our paid work. Just going out and creating what you want gets you clients who then want that same kind of work, as opposed to doing a lot of work that you don't want to do. I think creating stuff that you're interested in is going to help you get more jobs that you're interested in.” - Kevin Sennett, director of photography and production lead at Lone Spruce Creative
Links:
Lone Spruce Creative - https://www.lonesprucecreative.com/
United Technologies Center (UTC) - http://utc.mainecte.org/
Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) - https://www.smccme.edu/
Octagon - https://www.octagon.com/
360 Media Ventures - https://360mediaventures.com/
Libby Camps - https://www.libbycamps.com/
Tim Ferriss - https://tim.blog/
Woolrich - https://www.woolrich.com/
Filson - https://www.filson.com/
In Love with the Process Podcast - https://www.inlovewiththeprocess.com/
BlinkBid - https://blinkbid.com/
QuickBooks - https://quickbooks.intuit.com/
Casey Mangum - https://www.mangumassociates.com/about-our-firm/meet-our-team/
Maine Public Relations Council: https://conta.cc/3bd5O5h
Listen to Karl Strand’s episode to learn more about Sugarloaf.
Listen to Chip Carey’s episode.
Listen to Steve Lyons’ episode to learn more about the Maine Office of Tourism.
Listen to Charlene Williams’ episode.
Learn more about The Marshall Plan.
Activate the PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device.
Join the PR Maven® Facebook group page.
About the guests:
Mark Fleming is the founder and creative director at Lone Spruce Creative. Kevin Sennett is the director of photography and production lead at Lone Spruce Creative.
Mark and Kevin run a media production house out of a renovated mill in Biddeford. Their clients include Colby College, the Maine Office of Tourism, Luke's Lobster, Maine Spirits, Harvard Business School and Bangor Savings Bank.
They specialize in creating intimate visual content that allows brands to tell their story in an authentic and engaging way. Coming from a journalism background, their process has always centered on putting the story first, then creating dynamic visuals that push the narrative forward.
Both Mark and Kevin are Mainers who, after having spent time in Boston fresh out of college, moved back to Maine to pursue their careers in media. Having first met chasing race cars on the dusty roads of the Maine Forest Rally, they have been friends for over a decade. Kevin lives in Yarmouth with his wife, Nico, and their two-year-old daughter Everly. Mark lives in Biddeford with his wife, Jennifer, and their rambunctious pit bull, Bella.
Looking to connect:
Email: info@lonesprucecreative.com
Instagram: @lonesprucecreative
In this episode, Beth Nydick joins Nancy to talk about all things public relations. From her earlier career in media to her role as a publicity strategist now, Beth talks about all the tools and techniques she uses to build relationships. Not only does she use the media to build her credibility and the credibility of her clients, but she also partners with others to build credibility with their audiences. In addition to her lifelong passion for working with the media, Beth also has a passion for nutrition and cocktails. Listen to learn Beth’s tips and tricks.
2:21 – Beth describes how her career started as a young girl when she appeared in some commercials.
3:09 – From an internship at The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to publicity strategist, Beth describes her career path.
5:26 – Beth explains her framework for working with the media.
7:26 – Beth talks about how the similarities between media relations and dating.
8:40 – Beth shares some tools she uses for media outreach.
13:13 – Beth offers her secret for being confident on TV.
15:06 – Beth talks about her passion for healthy cocktails.
19:03 – Beth explains how she uses the worksheets and workbooks she has created as a form of lead generation.
20:20 – Beth describes her target audience.
23:03 – Through COVID-19, Beth explains how her business has benefited.
25:34 – Beth shares some resources that have helped her.
Quote
“We have to be people. The big miss that people have with media is that it's really about people and not about business. That's how you build that solid relationship so that you have that 30-year relationship.” - Beth Nydick, publicity strategist at Beth Nydick Media
Links:
bethnydick.com
Clubhouse: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/
Clean Cocktails: Righteous Recipes for the Modern Mixologist by Beth Nydick: https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Cocktails-Righteous-Modernist-Mixologist/dp/1682681408
HoneyBook: https://www.honeybook.com/
Listen to Sabina Hitchen’s episode.
Activate the PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device.
Join the PR Maven® Facebook group page.
About the guest:
Beth Nydick is a speaker, author, and magnetic business mentor. As a big believer in the power of potential to catapult your business forward, she shows her clients how to strategically prepare their business to use collaboration and media to establish instant credibility to get their life-changing messages in front of massive audiences.
Thru her mantra of “Making Potential Possible,” she co-authored the top-selling Clean Cocktails: Righteous Recipes for the Modern Mixologist, and has been featured in OPRAH, Parade, Forbes, Inc., Nylon Magazine, Tori Burch, and Better Homes and Gardens plus appearances on The Dr. Oz Show, The Chew, and The Tonight Show.
Beth has a 6th sense for business and strategy. It all comes down to building powerful and long-lasting relationships in a thoughtful, authentic way.
Beth's podcast is called Behind the Spotlight. A new kind of podcast, where we are taking your favorite entrepreneurs off a pedestal and onto a barstool right next to you.
Looking to connect:
Email: katie@liveandworkinmaine.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bethnydick
Twitter: @bethnydick
Instagram: @bethnydick
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethRitternydick
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-spotlight/id1529000192
Katie Shorey is Director of Engagement of Live + Work in Maine (LWM), and a proud boomerang. In her role at LWM, she develops partnerships with employer partners, community organizations, and officials within the State of Maine. The nonprofit, focused on talent attraction & retention in the state, executes marketing campaigns, in-person events, and develops PR strategies to showcase Maine for its quality of life and career opportunities. Katie returned to Maine after working in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA. Prior to LWM, Katie was the business & community liaison for People’s United Bank and then worked at WEX on the New Business Ventures team.
Katie is active in economic development initiatives to help foster innovation and entrepreneurship. She serves as president of Startup Maine, a nonprofit that serves as a convener, educator and catalyst of the Maine startup ecosystem. In addition to Startup Maine, she serves on the advisory board of Maine Accelerates Growth, is a certified SCORE mentor and former workshop facilitator, and is a board member of the Portland Community Chamber. She attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY and Fryeburg Academy.
In this episode, Lindy Graham, LCSW, explains the critical need for mental wellness in the workplace. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lindy responded to the increasing need for mental health treatment by creating WellSpace@Work, making it possible for Maine employers to provide mental health treatment to their employees. Lindy describes what sets WellSpace@Work apart and why breweries have shown higher interest in the program.
2:07 – Lindy explains why she was drawn to helping people with their mental wellness.
6:02 – Lindy talks about WellSpace Maine and WellSpace@Work.
7:24 - Lindy describes how WellSpace@Work was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
8:58 – Lindy shares what makes WellSpace@Work unique for Maine employees.
11:22 – Lindy lists some of the companies working with WellSpace@Work.
12:24 – Through WellSpace@Work, Lindy talks about confidentiality for employees.
14:17 – Lindy explains why workplace wellness is so important right now.
23:31 – Lindy describes the difference between WellSpace, WellSpace@Work and their therapist training program.
29:27 – Lindy gives some advice to employers.
32:18 – Lindy shares a resource that has helped her.
Quote:
“The statistics show that most people are experiencing much higher levels of stress and anxiety than ever before. It used to be, on average, at any given time, one in 12 Americans would be suffering from a major depressive episode and it's now one in four. There are a lot of reasons that employers are much more aware of that.” - Lindy Graham, LCSW, founder and director of WellSpace Maine
Links:
WellSpace Maine: www.wellspacemaine.com
Allagash Brewing Company: https://www.allagash.com/
St.Germain: https://stgermain.com/
Rising Tide Brewing Company: https://risingtidebrewing.com/
Fairplay by Eve Rodsky: https://www.amazon.com/Fair-Play-Game-Changing-Solution-When-ebook/dp/B07NTX84PY
Listen to John Zavodny’s episode to learn more about the Maine Seacoast Mission
Listen to Karl Strand’s episode to learn more about Sugarloaf
Return next week for Katie Shorey’s episode!
Activate the PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device.
Join the PR Maven® Facebook group page.
About the guest:
Lindy Graham, LCSW, is the founder and president of WellSpace Maine and WellSpace@Work.
After working in her own private psychotherapy practice for over ten years, Lindy recognized the larger community need to reduce barriers to treatment and create greater access to high-quality, well-trained therapists in Maine and so she formed WellSpace Maine. WellSpace Maine provides adults, children, families, and couples with specialized treatment in the following areas: anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, parenting support, adolescent health, and LGBTQ health. WellSpace Maine also provides a two-year psychotherapy fellowship for therapists interested in deepening their clinical practice.
WellSpace@Work, developed in response to the overwhelming strain that the pandemic has created for all Mainers, works directly with employers to provide confidential, effective, and readily accessible counseling for their employees.
Looking to connect:
Email: lindy@wellspacemaine.com
In this episode, Nancy shares a presentation she gave that the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast on January 14, 2021. Throughout the episode, Nancy focuses on how small businesses can navigate the challenging landscape following COVID-19, including empathetically connecting with your customers during a time of upheaval, building and retaining your network through digital and social platforms, creating a sense of safety within brick-and-mortar stores, and more.
- Don’t go dark. Listen at 6:16.
- Embrace technology. Listen at 9:01.
- Touch your customers without actually touching them. Listen at 21:45.
- Add a little love to the world. Listen at 25:09.
- Take a fresh look at your marketing plan. Listen at 26:21.
- Make it easy for people to find you and pay you. Listen at 27:27.
- Stay up to date. Listen at 29:55.
- Share your safety measures. Listen at 31:14.
- Promote an unplugged world. Listen at 32:00.
- There is a new sense that life is short. Listen at 34:02.
Links:
Maine Municipal Association: https://memun.org/
Kennebec River Brewfest: https://www.kennebecriverbrewfest.com/
Trek Across Maine: https://action.lung.org/site/TR/Cycle/ALANE_Northeast?pg=entry&fr_id=20696
Maine State Museum: https://mainestatemuseum.org/
Kennebec Savings Bank: https://www.kennebecsavings.bank/
Holy Cannoli: https://holycannolimaine.com/
FirstPark: https://firstpark.com/
KeyBank: https://www.key.com/personal/index.jsp
Maine Wilderness Guide Service, LLC: https://mainewildernesstours.com/home/
Joe Pulizzi: https://www.joepulizzi.com/
Front & Main: https://www.frontandmainwaterville.com/
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280
The Red Barn: https://theredbarnmaine.org/
Puritan Medical Products: https://www.puritanmedproducts.com/
Listen to Craig Marshall’s PR Maven® Podcast episode.
Listen to Fabiana Meléndez’s PR Maven® Podcast episode to hear more on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Listen to Steve Lyons’s PR Maven® Podcast episode to learn more about the Maine Office of Tourism.
Listen to Emma Dimock’s PR Maven® Podcast episode.
Activate the PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device.
Join the PR Maven® Facebook group page.
Looking to connect:
Email: jzavodny@seacoastmission.org
Email: info@seacoastmission.org
After studying Richard Rorty’s philosophies, John Zavodny shifted his career from university professor to president of the Maine Seacoast Mission. In this episode, John describes the work the mission does, how members of DownEast Maine communities are impacted and how you can help. John also talks about the importance of relationships to the work the Maine Seacoast mission does. From teaching quietism to community conversation, learn how to build meaningful relationships in your community in this episode.
2:38 – John talks about what the Maine Seacoast Mission does.
6:28 – Nancy and John talk about the relevance of the Sunbeam to the Maine Seacoast Mission’s brand.
8:58 – John describes his position at the mission and his work as a professor.
12:17 – John shares a story about his quietism class.
14:44 – John explains what drew him to DownEast Maine.
18:35 – John lists some of the islands the mission serves.
21:01 – John describes the health care services that are provided through the Sunbeam.
26:26 – John shares the aspect of his job that he loves the most.
31:39 – John explains how you can get involved with the Maine Seacoast Mission.
32:45 – John goes through what a day in his life is like.
35:19 – John shares some podcasts he enjoys listening to.
Quote:
“Everywhere I go, if I'm wearing a Maine Seacoast mission logo, I budget extra time so that people can stop me and tell me their mission stories which I hear every day and it's so gratifying. You're right. The trust is where it all begins with the mission and we are grateful to be a trusted partner in the communities we work in.” - John Zavodny, president of the Maine Seacoast Mission
Links:
www.seacoastmission.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MEseacoastmission/
Instagram: https://twitter.com/MESeaCstMission
Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/maineseacoastmission/
EdGE program: https://www.seacoastmission.org/what-we-do/edge/
Unity College: https://unity.edu/
Mano en Mano: https://www.manomaine.org/advocacy
Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clear-vivid-with-alan-alda/id1400082430
Against Empathy by Paul Bloom: https://www.amazon.com/Against-Empathy-Case-Rational-Compassion/dp/0062339338
Listen to Tony Shurman’s episode to learn more about Wyman’s
Listen to episode 93: Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand
Activate the PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device.
Join the PR Maven® Facebook group page.
About the guest:
After earning his PhD in philosophy at the University of Tennessee, John Zavodny spent the next twenty years in higher education. In 2019, he joined the Maine Seacoast Mission as president. John grew up in Cleveland Ohio, the youngest son of a sharecropper’s daughter from the deep South and a first-generation American from eastern Europe.
The son of a U.S. Navy sailor, Zavodny is proud to now be a small part of the Maine Seacoast Mission’s seagoing history. He is the first member of his family to complete college and understands first-hand the transformative role education can play. John’s conviction that investment in place, family, and community is key to long term individual wellness guides his leadership of the Mission.
Dr. Zavodny’s PhD work focused on the ironist pragmatism of American philosopher Richard Rorty, who famously encouraged philosophers to give up academic pursuits and apply their rigorous intellectual training to matters of social edification. In that spirit, Zavodny evolved from a college professor to a systems-thinking leader – first within higher education and now as president of the Maine Seacoast Mission.
John and his wife Anna live in Ellsworth, Maine. In their spare time, they enjoy gardening and home improvement projects; playing music; and hiking and cross-country skiing in beautiful Maine.
Looking to connect:
Email: jzavodny@seacoastmission.org
Email: info@seacoastmission.org
About the guest:
Sabina Hitchen is an entrepreneur, speaker, and media expert dedicated to shining a spotlight on small business owners through her publicity education and solutions as well as her on-air small business segments. All of her professional work is rooted in educating and empowering entrepreneurs to get publicity strategically and confidently.
In Sabina’s former professional life she was a high school teacher and education curriculum creator before moving on to a career in public relations in New York City. It was there that she learned to successfully tell the stories of businesses of all sizes in the national and local media. Once she saw the impact that publicity had on small businesses she dedicated herself to creating accessible solutions, tools, resources to help them utilize it for growth.
Sabina now sits as the founder and “principal” of Press for Success PR Prep School where business owners around the country can access streaming online PR and buzz-building classes as well connect with others around the country within the community that has grown around the platform.
Sabina and her work have been seen in Good Morning America, USA Today, The Huffington Post, Fox Business News, ABC News, NBC News, Shape Magazine, Women’s Health, Forbes, and more.
Sabina lives with her husband, daughter, and dog George Michael in Maine.
In the episode:
Sabina Hitchen started her career as a high school teacher before moving on to a career in public relations. Now she has come full circle teaching small business owners how to earn publicity. In this episode, Sabina talks about why publicity is valuable for businesses and how it can be attainable even on a small budget. Through her examples and advice, learn how to do the publicity for your own small business in this episode.
2:30 – Sabina explains why publicity is valuable to businesses.
4:12 – After being a teacher in Chicago, Sabina talks about changing careers to public relations.
8:29 – Sabina describes how publicity for small business is changing and evolving in 2021.
13:20 – Nancy and Sabina talk about how they were first connected and give a shout out to Sabina’s parents.
15:29 – Sabina shares why she is so passionate about teaching publicity to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
19:10 – Sabina describes some of the PR strategies that are most often overlooked.
24:40- Nancy and Sabina talk about the value of using Twitter for PR.
27:50 – Sabina shares an example of an amazing accomplishment from one of her students.
33:31 – Sabina lists the steps to learn how to pitch.
38:30 – Sabina describes the difference between targeted pitching and using a wire service.
41:27 – Sabina shares a resource that has helped her.
Quote:
“Once you get publicity, that is not the end. This is when you have to leverage your publicity because not everybody is tuning into News Center Maine, Headline News, CNN, Fox and Friends or whatever. You're on at that very moment. We are inundated with content, so when you get that publicity, that's just the beginning. Then you have to share it.” - Sabina Hitchen, founder of Press for Success
Links:
www.pressforsuccuess.com
www.sabinaknows.com
Inside My Locket: https://www.insidemylocket.com/
The Daily: https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-daily
Listen for Nancy’s interview with Christine Richards on handwritten thank-you notes.
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Looking to connect:
Email: sabina@sabinaknows.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinahitchen/
Twitter: @sabinaknows
Instagram: @sabinaknows
About the guest:
Jackie Berlowksi is the founder of GreatHerGood.com, a boutique public relations firm supporting entrepreneurs and changemakers. Prior to launching GreatHerGood, she founded JackieDeals, a website offering a gallery of undiscovered products created by female founders which has since become a part of the larger GreatHerGood community. Jackie’s motto “If you’re a woman in business, it’s essential to support OTHER women in business” has resonated with women everywhere and has helped her achieve her own success.
Through the GreatHerGood community, Jackie has partnered with amazing leaders and personalities where she specializes in sharing the story behind the brand and providing strategy-driven plans that amplify all aspects of their story.
As a native New Yorker, Jackie worked for several years in the television business including the Late Show with David Letterman and the Oxygen Network. She has transformed her booking and PR talents into GreatHerGood PR where her clients’ needs are the top priority. GHG earns stellar media placements, credibility and bottom-line results for their clients. She has worked with top producers, writers, musicians, actors and stylists from around the world and greatly values the relationships she has built over the last 15 years. Jackie also booked top-tier talent for national radio markets including Yoko Ono, Dick Van Dyke, Rosie O'Donnell, Larry Hagman, David Cassidy, Bobby Flay, Martha Stewart, Ray Davies, Gary Busey, Marilu Henner, Marlo Thomas, and Duchess Sarah Ferguson.
Jackie herself has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, on MSNBC, Lifetime Television, Thrive Global, Buzzfeed, Star Magazine, Boca Life Magazine and Savor Life Magazine.
Jackie also has an extensive background in event planning and marketing.
Now, you can find Jackie in south Florida with her 9-year-old son Tyler and her husband, Steve.
In the episode:
In this episode, Jackie Berlowksi joins Nancy to talk about why public relations is an essential part of your business plan. Often PR and marketing budgets are the first to be cut, but Jackie explains how your business cannot grow without PR and why it is so important to make PR an integral part of your business plan. Jackie also points out that PR is not just for big businesses. Whether big or small, find out how to grow your business through PR in this episode.
3:23 - Jackie explains why businesses need PR, no matter the size.
7:26 – Jackie describes how to measure ROI for PR.
12:15 – Jackie talks about the differences between a good publicist and an exceptional publicist.
20:33 – Jackie shares a story that left a lasting impression on her PR career.
32:20 - Jackie explains why persistence and relationships are so important.
36:53 – Jackie talks about why PR should be built into a business model right from the beginning.
39:28 – Jackie shares some resources that have helped her.
Quote:
“Some of us tend to think that PR is really only for large, multinational brands that have these huge marketing budgets. The reality is any business owner at any level, I think, can benefit from PR greatly. It's extremely powerful. It's a tool that I feel like a lot of businesses should be utilizing and it's often underestimated.” - Jackie Berlowski, publicist and founder of GreatHerGood PR
Links:
GreatHerGood: http://greathergood.com/
Oprah: https://www.oprah.com/
Marie Forleo: https://www.marieforleo.com/
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Looking to connect:
Email: jackie.berlowski@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-berlowski-4bb8638/
Instagram: @greathergood
About the guest:
Christine Richards is a professional graphic designer, writer, and editor specializing in nonfiction book coaching and design. She is an avid letter writer, collage artist, and founder of Composition1206 and Postmark1206.
January 23rd was National Handwriting Day and Christine’s book A Snail Mail Guide To Cursive Writing Practice illustrates that snail mail is not only alive and well, but an effective way to reach out and connect with people. With her new book and a stash of note cards on hand, she is well-equipped to use two of her favorite techniques for building a personal brand: writing a book and sending handwritten notes to colleagues.
In the episode:
How do you feel when you receive a handwritten note in the mail? In this episode, Christine Richards talks with Nancy about her passion for sending handwritten notes. Not only is Christine an avid note writer, but she also helps others write books. Cristine shares why having a well-written book is so important for your business or personal brand. Design also comes into play as Christine describes her graphic design and collage making background, helping to make books more visually appealing.
1:57 – Christine describes how her career started at the National Park Service.
4:07 – Christine talks about why handwritten notes appeal to her so much.
6:09 – Christine shares how to use handwritten notes in business.
11:41 – Nancy and Christine talk about how they started writing to each other.
15:35 – Christine explains the value of writing a book for your business.
17:59 – Christine describes why it is important to get professional help with your book.
23:14 – Christine shares what a book coach is and why you should hire one to help you with your book.
30:14 – Christine talks about the reason why she uses music notes in her collages.
Quote:
“We get to share our stories. Whether you tell a story or you say, ‘Thank you,’ getting the mail is what makes people feel good because they know that you've been thinking about them.” - Christine Richards, writer, nonfiction book consultant and graphic designer at Composition1206
Links:
A Snail Mail Guide to Cursive Writing Practice: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578795094
The Miracle Morning with Hal Elrod: https://miraclemorning.com/
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252
www.composition1206.com
www.postmark1206.com
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Looking to connect:
Email: richards@maine.rr.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinerichardsc1206/
About the guest:
Phil Gerbyshak knows sales. He’s a sales speaker, a sales expert, a sales trainer, a sales leader mentor, a sales podcaster and a sales coach. He's written 5 books, more than 3000 articles, and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Daily Globe and Mail, Financial Times, Investor's Business Daily, Inc. and many other publications, including earning 3 covers: Speaker Magazine, Marketing Media and Money, and Social Selling Made Easy.
He’s a former vice president of information technology at a financial services company, where he and his team were responsible for supporting and explaining how to leverage over 100 applications used by six different business units. Phil has also worked as the director of social strategy, where he coached, consulted with and trained customers and prospects on how to integrate social media and digital selling tactics into their organization’s daily sales and marketing practices. He has sold high-speed internet, stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds, and subscription software. His clients included many of the largest financial services, banking and insurance firms in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Phil is known as a sales, leadership and technology authority with particular expertise in LinkedIn and social selling.
Now, Phil trains, consults with and leads sales teams, organizations and business owners on the power of connection to grow profitable, long-term clients. People matter - and they don’t scale.
Phil travels the world speaking and claims Tampa, Florida as his home where he spends his free time taking long walks along the white sand beaches.
In the episode:
Phil Gerbyshak recognized early on in his career that sales tied in with every part of business. In this episode, Phil talks about what it takes to be a great salesperson and the connection sales has to PR and marketing. While founders may not be great salespeople, Phil points out how great leaders are often great salespeople. Phil also explains how PR, marketing and sales work together to generate new clients and scale businesses.
3:01 – Phil explains the path of his career and how everything he did led to sales.
4:57 – Phil describes how processes are crucial to have a scalable business.
8:13 – Phil shares how to hire your first salesperson.
11:32 – Phil talks about why founders are not good salespeople.
19:27 – Phil explains the connection between PR, marketing and sales.
22:34 – Phil describes the similarities between great leaders and great salespeople.
24:40 – Phil shares the key to his positive attitude.
29:12 – Phil recommends a book, an app and a website that has been helpful for him.
Quote:
“Whether it's on social, in PR, on a podcast, face-to-face, over Zoom, on the telephone, it doesn't make any difference. Customers are always expecting the same level of care, compassion, empathy and service that adds value to their life each and every time, each and every way that we touch them. That's why it's important we have systems and things in place.” - Phil Gerbyshak, chief revenue officer and founding partner at Process and Results
Links:
www.processandresults.com
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034
Otter: https://otter.ai/login
Feedly: https://feedly.com/
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Looking to connect:
Email: phil@processandresults.com
LinkedIn: https://LinkedIn.com/in/Philgerb
Twitter: @PhilGerb
About the guest:
Matias Rodsevich is a PR specialist and author of the book: The PR Paradox: Mastering the art of PR for startups and scale-ups. Matias has vast years of PR experience, from managing PR for IBM and Google in Argentina to founding his PR agency in the heart of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
His agency PRLab works with some of the fastest-growing tech startups and scale-ups in Europe, providing an integrated marketing approach. Not only handling PR for their clients but also branding services to align missions, visions and values, in order to create a compelling story that places these blossoming startups in a strong position in the saturated tech market.
Rodsevich also founded the first PR community in the Netherlands; establishing a platform for marketing and communication professionals to share their knowledge, insights, and expertise with other professionals.
In the episode:
After starting his PR career working for companies like IBM and Google, Matias Rodsevich changed gears to bring his experience and knowledge to startups. From strategy to media relationships, Matias explains how he works with clients and journalists in a field where there is constant change. Matias offers tips for working with startups and shares some of the differences between working with startups and established brands, such as building their reputation.
2:10 – Matias talks about how he got his start in PR with companies like IBM and Google.
3:36 – Matias shares why he was interested in doing PR for startups.
7:40 – Matias explains the long-term benefit of PR for startups.
12:43 – Matias describes the steps he takes to develop PR strategies for his clients.
16:55 – Matias shares how important media training is for clients.
19:25 – Matias explains how he builds long-term relationships with journalists.
26:47 – Matias lists a few media training tips.
29:33 – Matias talks about the benefits of thought leadership.
31:50 – Matias shares how to scale up your PR strategies as you scale up a business.
34:35 – Matias gives his tips for crisis communications and how communications during COVID-19 are different.
Quote:
“I think ultimately journalists really like when you provide them with fresh insights. We're always conducting little surveys through our newsletter, for example. Just start a conversation with them and keep in touch.” - Matias Rodsevich, CEO and founder of PRLab
Links:
PRLab: https://prlab.co/
The PR Paradox by Matias Rodsevich: https://www.amazon.com/PR-Paradox-Master-Startup-Scale-up/dp/9090337113/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+PR+Paradox&qid=1610383926&sr=8-1
The Portland Pod: https://portlandpod.com/
Message Map Mastery Course: https://prmaven.com/message-course/
Why It's Invaluable When People Say 'I've Heard Of You': https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/11/03/why-its-invaluable-when-people-say-ive-heard-of-you/?sh=57126b0c37e8
Listen to Nancy solocast on message mapping.
Listen to Steve McCausland’s PR Maven® Podcast episode on crisis communications.
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Looking to connect:
Email: matias@prlab.co
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mat%C3%ADas-rodsevich-12964043/
About the guest:
Fabiana Meléndez is a communications expert and strategic storyteller currently serving as the senior publicist for Zilker Media, an Austin-based agency building people-driven brands. Fabiana uses her industry expertise, and passion for developing in-depth communication strategies, to generate brand awareness for brands and their leaders.
Since joining the Zilker Media family, Fabiana has counseled her clients on the ins and outs of a changing media landscape to break through the noise of a saturated market and achieve their personal brand goals. She has landed top-tier hits for clients in Business Insider, Fast Company, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report and more.
Fabiana enjoys sharing her expertise in communications strategies, public relations brand awareness and her thoughts on navigating the workforce with business and lifestyle media. She has provided tips for navigating the workforce to fellow millennials and Gen Z, shared insights on viral influencer campaigns and marketing trends in the hospitality and legal industries. She has been featured in Fast Company, Reader’s Digest, Refinery29, ABA Journal, Fairy God Boss, Authority Magazine, Modern Restaurant Management, etc.
She received her bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis in public relations and advertising from St. Edward's University and holds a minor in Spanish sociolinguistics. She currently lives in Austin, Texas where she enjoys the local culinary scene, aerial arts, dance and spending time with her partner and family.
In the episode:
Fabiana Meléndez takes an open and honest approach with clients, helping to educate them about what public relations entails and creating a plan of action that integrates both the clients’ strategy and the ebbs and flows of the media cycle. In this episode, Fabiana talks about her frank approach to working with clients and with journalists. Instead of reaching out to journalists just for the story, Fabiana describes how she builds relationships with journalists through creating personal connections. Fabiana also describes her work with clients to share their genuine stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion and how important these topics are to public relations today.
2:40 – Fabiana shares how she initially went to college to be a forensic medical examiner but found her passion for PR.
6:07 – Fabiana describes her no BS approach to PR by always being honest with the client about strategy and the media cycle.
10:07 – In addition to the honest discussions she has with clients, Fabiana talks about the up-front conversations she has with journalists and how she builds relationships.
13:46 – Fabiana lists the different ways she connects with journalists.
20:38 – Fabiana defines diversity marketing and how to reach more diverse audiences.
22:12 – Fabiana describes the difference between advertising and PR and why she thinks PR will outlast advertising.
26:34 – Fabiana explains why diversity, equity, and inclusion are important in PR.
34:32 – Fabiana shares some resources that have helped her in her career.
Quote:
“Publicists are connectors of people. That is one of the basic things we do aside from telling stories. If we're not building connections ourselves, how can we connect clients to the people that they also want to be connected with?” - Fabiana Meléndez, senior publicist at Zilker Media
Links:
Zilker Media: https://zilkermedia.com/
St. Edward's University: https://www.stedwards.edu/
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Antiracist-Ibram-Kendi/dp/0525509283
If You Have to Cry, Go Outside by Kelly Cutrone: https://www.amazon.com/If-You-Have-Cry-Outside/dp/0061930946
PR Couture: https://www.prcouture.com/
Learn more:
Advertising vs. Public Relations: https://www.marshallpr.com/advertising-vs-public-relations-what-is-the-difference/
Crisis Communications: https://www.marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-118-how-to-communicate-during-a-crisis-with-steve-mccausland-communications-specialist-at-marshall-communications/
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Looking to connect:
Email: fabiana@zilkermedia.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamfabiana/
Twitter: @ThePRBish
About the guest:
As a 6th grader, Brandon HATED lunch. Like any self-conscious 11-year-old, he cared deeply about what his friends thought of him.... and didn’t want his friends to find out that his family qualified for free lunch.
13 years later, he considers that experience to be one of the best things that ever happened to him. It was that experience that taught him that resourcefulness is a far greater asset than any resource. From that moment onward, resourcefulness began to play a critical role in his life.
In college, Brandon acquired $30,000+ in scholarships, published a book, worked on his first startup company, studied abroad twice, graduated summa cum laude with a double major in entrepreneurship and marketing with a minor in Spanish, and was selected to deliver the student commencement speech.
After graduation, he spent an entire year traveling the world (now up to 23 countries) with his wife while running the marketing for SuperHuman Academy — a 7-figure online education company with over 250,000 students. During that time, his mentor helped him to become the youngest member of Genius Network (an exclusive $25,000/year mastermind for elite 7-figure entrepreneurs) and launch his first online product that generated $44,738 in one week.
In 2019, he was named to Wisconsin’s “Top 25 Under 25” list and was a finalist on season 4 of Wisconsin’s hit TV show, Project Pitch It.
Today, Brandon is focused on his newest brand called 7-Figure Millennials. He's on a mission to help 10,000 millennial entrepreneurs to build wealth through the power of connection while prioritizing their health and relationships.
In the episode:
From a young age, Brandon Fong had a passion for networking and an entrepreneurial drive. In this episode of The PR Maven® Podcast, Brandon shares the story of how he became a networking expert starting before he even graduated from high school. Brandon also talks about how he has built his personal brand and what The Magic Connection Method is. Learn Brandon’s tips for building your business and personal brand and maintaining your health and relationships.
1:41 – Brandon dives in by telling his story and describing how he became a networking expert.
7:05 – Brandon shares more about 7-Figure Millennials.
9:47 – Brandon describes how personal branding has helped him.
12:26 – Brandon shares how his personal brand has opened new opportunities for him.
14:29 – Brandon talks about how LinkedIn enhances his personal brand.
20:52 – Branding describes how a personal website can showcase your brand.
23:52 – Brandon explains the magic connection method.
Quote
“I learned the power of what one connection can really do for you and I truly believe that anyone listening to this right now, you're always just one connection away from really getting to that next level in your life.”- Brandon Fong, entrepreneur, marketer, author, and world traveler, 7-Figure Millennials
Links:
7-Figure Millennial Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/7-figure-millennials/id1539028952
Special Gift: www.Bfo.ng/prm
Brandon’s Website: www.brandon-fong.com
The Magic Connection Method by Brandon Fong: www.magicconnectionmethod.com
Use this coupon code at checkout for $500 of bonuses: 7FM
Genius Network: https://geniusnetwork.com/
Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Monk-Train-Purpose/dp/1982134488
Joe Polish: https://joepolish.com/
SuperHuman Academy: https://superhumanacademy.com/
The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success by Wayne Breitbarth: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Formula-LinkedIn-Success-Fourth/dp/1626346208
Dean Jackson: https://www.deanjackson.com/
Never Split the Difference by Chris: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805
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Looking to connect:
Email: BF@brandon-fong.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonsfong/
About the guest:
Shane Leketa is a Navy veteran of 11 years and is currently working full time as an area manager for a cell phone company acting as a business consultant to private owners. He has a wife of 18 years, a son of 15 and a dog of 7.
Shane started his podcast about three years ago as he was working on the mental side of losing weight through blogging and journaling and then recording his audio thoughts. His podcast, CoffeeTalk with Liquidshano1973, has gained a hearty following, surpassing 175k downloads and over 1.75 million plays.
Shane’s vision and mission are to inspire, motivate and encourage others to truly become their authentic and true selves. Believe in yourself, see your self-worth and then, at the end of the day, put the work in going for your goals and dreams.
In the episode:
Shane Leketa, also known as Liquidshano, shares how he passes along positivity in this episode. Shane talks about each of the ways he is trying to make a positive impact and how doing so has increased his podcast and social media followings. From waking up in the morning, looking in the mirror and describing what he is grateful for to joining TikTok to share positivity and creating avatars for people in exchange for donations that he uses to tip restaurant and bar workers, Shane is always spreading the power of positivity.
3:38 – Share explains what motivates him to motivate others.
5:04 – Shane talks about being able to share his message around the world, right from his living room.
6:05 – Shane defines the Oprah Effect.
10:31 – Nancy and Shane talk about building your network around your authentic self.
15:58 – In addition to his podcast, Shane shares where you can find him on the internet.
24:27 – Nancy asks where the name for Shane’s podcast came from.
27:22 – Shane talks about some new projects he is working on.
33:43 – Shane describes what he attributes his success to.
37:53 – Shane shares how COVID-19 has impacted his life and how he is trying to positively impact others.
43:35 – Shane describes where he sees himself in five years.
45:29 – Shane shares some resources that have helped him.
Quote
“Whether it's through brand recognition, whether it's just trying to build a business or whether it's just spreading positivity, it doesn't matter. Just go out there and be a positive influence. That's all we need to do in this world. We need it right now.” - Shane Leketa, host of CoffeeTalk with Liquidshano1973
Links:
CoffeeTalk with Liquidshano1973: https://www.coffee-talk.net/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/en/
Gary Vee: https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/
No Finish Line Nation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nofinishlinenation
Weight Watchers: https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/
Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand by Nancy Marshall: https://www.amazon.com/Grow-Your-Audience-Brand/dp/B088JS6YL4/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_0/131-4386658-2623321?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B088JS6YL4&pd_rd_r=1e8e34bf-db12-41f8-bb6f-4189602723e1&pd_rd_w=d8a8f&pd_rd_wg=9LLP6&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=YST38MAWEA2SV06NMG51&psc=1&refRID=YST38MAWEA2SV06NMG51
StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/
The Portland Pod: https://portlandpod.com/
Nonesuch River Brewing: https://nonesuchriverbrewing.com/
Cowbell Grill & Tap: https://www.cowbellmaine.com/
O’Reilly's Cure Restaurant & Bar: https://www.oreillyscure.com/
Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven: https://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Bed-Little-Things/dp/1455570249
Procreate: https://procreate.art/
Listen to John Lee Dumas’ PR Maven® Podcast episode
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Looking to connect:
Email: Liquidshano1973@gmail.com
Twitter: @liquidshano1973
TikTok: @liquidshano
Instagram: @liquidshano1973
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shane.leketa
About the guest:
Michael Sean Comerford is a writer and Pulitzer Prize-nominated former international journalist who worked in Chicago, New York, Budapest, and Moscow.
He’s bicycled cross country three times and hitchhiked across America, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. He’s ridden freight trains and rounded-up cattle out West, studied Buddhism in the Himalayas, and won a heavyweight boxing championship in Ireland. He toured almost 100 countries, swam the headwaters of the Nile, fought off a hippo attack, and toured ecological disaster areas in the Amazon.
Comerford’s bylines have appeared in the Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Copley News Service, Budapest Sun, Budapest Business Journal and the Moscow Times.
He lives in the Chicago area to be near his daughter Grace. He’s promised her that he’ll stay closer to home for a while.
In the episode:
Michael Sean Comerford is living his life to the fullest! In this episode, listen to Michael tell the tales of his travels from hitchhiking across North America to working at carnivals and more. Find out Michael’s philosophy on storytelling and where the true magic of storytelling comes from. Learn how Michael found his passion and where to start in the journey of finding and living your passion.
2:14 – Michael describes what drew him to follow carnivals.
4:54 – Nancy asks Michael how he became the number one hitchhiker in America.
8:47 – Michael shares some of his favorite stories from his travels.
14:57 – Michael talks about how the magic of storytelling happens in the refining of the story.
17:37 – Michael talks about his upcoming books on topics like green living
22:09 - Michael shares a bally with Nancy and talks about his book, America Oz.
28:14 – Michael explains how storytelling relates to personal branding.
34:04 - Nancy and Michael talk about finding their Dharma.
37:19 – Michael shares some of his hitchhiking experiences.
43:36 – Michael gives advice to people working in jobs they don’t like.
Quote
“Live life now. Don't wait for retirement or for when you're older and you can do other things. You're already alive and feel, look for, all the great ways that you can be alive now.” - Michael Sean Comerford, book author and publisher at Comerford Publishing LLC
Links:
Skowhegan State Fair: https://skowheganstatefair.com/
The Kennedy Center: https://www.kennedy-center.org/
The Met: https://www.metmuseum.org/
Radio City Music Hall: https://www.msg.com/radio-city-music-hall?cmp=van_radiocity
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329
PR Works! by Nancy Marshall: https://www.amazon.com/PR-Works-implement-leverage-relations/dp/1511641614
Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand by Nancy Marshall: https://www.amazon.com/Grow-Your-Audience-Brand/dp/B088JS6YL4/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_0/131-4386658-2623321?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B088JS6YL4&pd_rd_r=1e8e34bf-db12-41f8-bb6f-4189602723e1&pd_rd_w=d8a8f&pd_rd_wg=9LLP6&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=YST38MAWEA2SV06NMG51&psc=1&refRID=YST38MAWEA2SV06NMG51
American Oz by Michael Sean Comerford: https://www.amazon.com/American-Astonishing-Traveling-Hitchhiking-California/dp/1952693004
Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Monk-Train-Purpose-ebook/dp/B07Y8QL432/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Think+Like+a+Monk+by+Jay+Shetty&qid=1607965286&s=books&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzUzVXVlJGVjU5QVVKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDg0OTgyMlhFU1ZOOFhCTkJWNyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzQ3MzM0MVFLU1gyM1NYSVFPQyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
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Looking to connect:
Email: mike@michaelseancomerford.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-sean-comerford/
Twitter: @mikecomerford
About the guest:
As founder and CEO of Kanopi Studios, Anne helps create clarity around project needs and turns client conversations into actionable outcomes. She enjoys helping clients identify their problems, and then empowering the Kanopi team to execute great solutions.
Anne is an advocate for open source and co-organizes the Bay Area Drupal Camp. When she’s not contributing to the community or running her thoughtful web agency, she enjoys yoga, meditation, treehouses, dharma, cycling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and hanging with her nephew.
In the episode:
How often do you update your website? While many businesses completely redesign their website every two to three years, Anne and her team at Kanopi Studios take a different approach. By continuously updating their clients’ websites, Kanopi is able to increase the longevity of a website to ten years! Anne describes this approach to web design in this episode and how constant web adjustments are better for SEO and ROI. Find out how you can maximize your website’s potential!
1:49 – Anne explains how the name of her business, Kanopi Studios, originated from growing up in Costa Rica.
3:38 – Anne talks about how COVID-19 has impacted her business.
4:19 – Anne describes the holistic approach she and her team takes to web design.
7:21 – Anne shares how she has used digital marketing to build the network of her agency.
10:58 – Anne explains what makes Kanopi Studios different from competitors.
13:04 – Anne talks about how she built a community around her brand.
15:39 – Anne describes how important maintaining your website is.
20:39 – Anne explains the how and why of website support.
26:59 – Anne talks about Google’s changing algorithm.
30:10 – Anne shares the different ways she builds her own personal brand.
Helping female entrepreneurs thrive
32:12 – Anne offers some resources that have been helpful for her.
Quote
“We find that it is so important to combine your website efforts with all of your offline efforts. Usually, you end up directing folks to your website. Whether you’re at an event networking, you end up saying ‘Here’s my card,” and they’ll end up at your website.” - Anne Stefanyk, founder and CEO of Kanopi Studios
Links:
Kanopi Studios: https://kanopi.com/
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329
Open Source: https://opensource.org/
Start with Why by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447
Hotjar: https://www.hotjar.com/
Google Analytics: https://analytics.google.com/
Audible: https://www.audible.com/
Simple Habit: https://www.simplehabit.com/
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz: https://www.amazon.com/Profit-First-Transform-Cash-Eating-Money-Making-ebook/dp/B01HCGYTH4
Never Lose a Customer Again by Joey Coleman: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Lose-Customer-Again-Lifelong/dp/0735220034
Giftology by John Ruhlin: https://www.amazon.com/Giftology-Increase-Referrals-Strengthen-Retention/dp/1619614332
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Looking to connect:
Email: anne@kanopistudios.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annestefanyk/
Twitter: @Anne_Kanopi
About the guest:
Tony Shurman is President and CEO of Jasper Wyman & Son (“Wyman’s”) the second-largest brand in the retail frozen fruit category in the U.S. with its most notable product being wild blueberries. Founded in 1874, Wyman’s is a family-owned business headquartered in Down East Maine with an ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, corporate social responsibility, and product innovation.
Prior to joining Wyman’s in 2017, Tony ran the Post Foods breakfast cereal business which includes brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats, Grape Nuts, Pebbles, and Post Shredded Wheat. Earlier in his career, he worked in brand management roles in the gum/mints category as well as in consumer healthcare. He has experience working across geographies including Japan, Europe, and the U.S. Tony lives with his wife and two sons in Yarmouth, Maine.
For more on Tony and Wyman’s, please visit: https://wymans.com/category/news/
In the episode:
Tony Shurman didn’t follow a traditional path to his career. After working in marketing for pharmaceutical and food corporations, Tony wanted to make sure the next step in his career positively impacted people’s lives. He achieved this goal as he took on his role at Wyman’s where increased business means healthier choices for consumers. Listen as Tony describes his career path, why blueberries are so beneficial to our health and how Wyman’s is making it easier to incorporate fruit into our diets.
2:46 – Tony explains how he started his career in market research in Japan.
7:51 – Tony describes how he uses his international experience in his role at Wyman’s.
10:44 – Tony tells why Maine wild blueberries are so amazing.
15:52 – Tony shares how Wyman’s differentiates itself by making fruit easier for people to consume and helping preserve fruit by freezing it.
18:28 – On their mission to help people eat more fruit, Tony talks about Wyman’s new fruit cups.
23:57 – Tony explains how Wyman’s has been impacted by COVID-19.
33:14 – Tony describes how Wyman’s attracts employees for harvesting blueberries and processing fruit.
38:20 – Nancy and Tony talk about their passion for the Maine Seacoast Mission.
42:41 – Tony shares some resources that have helped him in his career.
Quote
“I looked forward and said, ‘Okay, what do I want to do for the hopefully final step of my career,’ and that was a critical component, was wanting to work in a business where the more successful we were, the better off I felt our consumers would be.”
Links:
Jasper Wyman & Son: https://wymans.com/
Post Consumer Brands: https://www.postconsumerbrands.com/
Colby College: https://www.colby.edu/
Dippin’ Dots: https://www.dippindots.com/home.html
Women's Health Resource Library: https://whrl.org/giving/donate/
Maine Seacoast Mission: https://www.seacoastmission.org/
How I Built This with Guy Raz: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this
Listen to Lindsay Skilling’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
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Looking to connect:
Email: tshurman@wymans.com
About the guest:
Matt Javit is living a life of many chapters; all building on the next. He is a five-time International Sales award winner, host of the Amazon Prime Video show World Barber Shop Adventures, author of POLICE: Brotherhood in Uniform Around the World, and Ambassador of Culture.
With his success at a large multi-national company, Matt was awarded trips to exotic locations around the globe to celebrate with his peers. This new exposure opened his eyes to the adventure and opportunity of cultural immersion travel. With a deep desire to understand more about the places and people he had yet to discover, Matt made a difficult decision that few have the confidence to do. He left his high-paying career to travel the world!
In the episode:
With success in his sales job, Matt was able to travel the world and discover his passion for visiting new places and cultures. In this episode, Matt describes how he was able to live his dream of becoming a world traveler and how he came to love visiting barbershops through his travels. By using his network, Matt was able to keep travel costs down because he would stay with his connections or the friends and family of people he knew.
3:17 – Matt tells the story of how his sales job led to his love of travel.
6:01 – Matt describes how his idea for visiting barbershops around the world came to be and why it interests him so much.
10:41 – Matt shares some of his favorite destinations around the world.
13:54 – Matt talks about how COVID-19 has impacted his 2020 travel plans.
14:44 – Matt explains how he uses his network to find families to host him during his travels and to make new connections.
20:57 – Matt lists some of his favorite barbershops he has visited in his travels.
25:16 – Matt shares some tips he would give to barbers.
29:52 – Matt provides a list of some resources that have helped him in his career.
Quote
“Barbershops, whether you're in the States or you're traveling, there's just a uniqueness. Whether you speak the language they're speaking or not, it's kind of like when you walk in that door, there's a bonding that goes on.” - Matt Javit, world traveler and publisher at World Barber Shop Adventures
Links:
www.mattjavit.com
www.passportjoy.com
World Barbershop Adventures: https://www.amazon.com/World-Barber-Shop-Adventures/dp/B07XTRQSSR
Society of American Travel Writers: https://satw.org/
Cliff’s Barbershop: http://www.cliffsbarbershop.com/
Wolfman Barber Shop, Tokyo, Japan: https://www.wolfmanbarber.com/index_en.html
Bali Barber, Bali, Indonesia: https://www.balibarber.com/
Gee’s Clippers: http://geesclippers.com/
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen: https://www.amazon.com/As-Man-Thinketh-Complete-Original/dp/1523643536
Tony Robbins: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/
Jim Rohn: https://www.jimrohn.com/
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Looking to connect:
Email: matt@javit.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjavit/
Twitter: @MattJavit
Instagram: @worldbarbershopadventures
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/mattjavit/?reload=9⊂_confirmation=1
About the guest:
Steve McCausland served 32 years as the spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, handling information on over 500 homicides, another 500 fire deaths and thousands of motor vehicle fatalities. Before retiring, he had a role in every major criminal investigation the department was involved in over those three decades. He served as an advisor to eight commissioners of public safety and eight chiefs of the State Police on media relations and public and governmental policy.
Steve started his media career as the news director of the radio station in Bath and worked part-time for the Portland Press Herald, Associated Press and WCSH-TV in Portland.
He was elected and served 20 years on the Brunswick Town Council, serving six of those years as chairman.
In the episode:
Being prepared for a crisis is much better than trying to figure out what to do during a crisis. In this episode, Steve McCausland gives his tips for crisis communications based on his more than 30 years of experience. From sharing a few ways to respond to the media to preparing for an interview, Steve brings you through the basics of crisis communications. Need more? Find out how to reach Steve and Nancy for crisis communications services:
3:30 – Steve describes how his career started as the Maine State Police public information office in 1988.
4:30 – Steve provides a few ways to respond to the media during a crisis situation.
8:54 – Steve lists the universal rules of communicating with the media in a crisis.
12:47 – Steve describes how he has taught media relations in the past and how that ties in with the crisis communications planning services offered through Marshall Communications.
22:23 – Steve explains how to be prepared for a crisis and what being prepared is important.
24:46 – Steve shares the first thing he would do in the event of a crisis.
27:42 – Nancy and Steve talk about the importance of having someone from your organization be the spokesperson to show authenticity.
29:40 – Steve gives some basic tips for being on camera.
36:21 – Steve explains how you make sure you are getting your message out in a crisis situation.
40:06 – Steve shares some of the resources that have helped him through his career.
Quote
“There are a lot of things you can do and say to put your best foot forward because, in times of crisis, which is the reason you brought me into the fold here, these are very heavy times. There's something serious that has taken place. The media knows about it. The media wants that side of the story. And, many times people look like a deer caught in the headlights, or they say the darndest things that they shouldn't, or they're giving up too much detail when they don't have all the facts.” Steve McCausland, communications specialist at Marshall Communications
Links:
The Marshall Plan: https://www.marshallpr.com/the-marshall-plan/
Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand by Nancy Marshall: https://www.amazon.com/Grow-Your-Audience-Brand/dp/B088JS6YL4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WEXLTPQM3F7K&dchild=1&keywords=grow+your+audience%2C+grow+your+brand+by+nancy+marshall&qid=1605541736&sprefix=grow+your+audience+%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1
PR Works! by Nancy Marshall: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01468WYN2/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
Maine Public Relations Council: https://meprcouncil.org/
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Looking to connect:
Email: smccausland@marshallpr.com
Phone: (207) 623-4177
About the guest:
Brandy Runyan is a seasoned public affairs and communications professional with over 20 years of experience. Founder of prestigious Black Diamond PR & Sport Management Firm, LLC, Brandy manages a broad range of communications and public affairs issues for public and private sector clients in many fields, as well as celebrities, athletes and others within the entertainment industry.
She has considerable experience in assembling and managing alliances to meet communications and public affairs objectives. Her current and past clients include celebrities, athletes, musicians, authors, as well as fortune 500 companies, leading industry associations, high-profile events, and not-for-profit organizations. Brandy has served on the executive board of directors for several non-profit organizations, heading up the PR & Marketing Divisions for Youth for Empowerment, the Dallas 9/11 Memorial StairClimb, the Association for Memorial Stair Climbs, and others.
Brandy earned bachelor’s degrees in business management & public relations, as well as a master’s degree in sports administration. She was also given the prestigious nomination by her alma mater, Texas A&M University, to join Sigma Alpha Pi. She was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success in January of 2018.
Brandy currently resides in Texas where she oversees her firm's local and global operations. Her philanthropic interests include Team Up Speak Up and The Concussion Legacy Foundation.
In the episode:
In this episode, Brandy Runyan reveals her secret to success – building strong client relationships. No matter the time of day, Brandy and her team are always ready to help their clients, even if that means having to leave the theater in the middle of a movie! Brandy’s client relationships are so strong that she treats each one like family and attributes these connections to the success of her firm, Black Diamond PR and Sports Management. Her clients know that she will always have their back. Find out how she does it:
2:50 – Brandy describes how her career in PR was not planned.
4:21 – Brandy tells how she found her niche in sports PR.
7:01 – Brandy explains how sports PR is different from traditional PR.
8:24 – Brandy talks about how her client onboarding process teaches athletes how to interact with the media.
10:17 – Brandy shares what her agency does differently which makes them so successful.
15:18 – Brandy describes her favorite part of working in the PR industry.
16:06 – Brandy explains the hands-on approach she takes with her clients.
17:18 – Brandy talks about the importance of media monitoring for her clients.
19:46 – While social media has drastically impacted traditional PR, Brandy shares how traditional media is more effective for sports PR.
23:56 – Brandy shares some resources she uses and emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning.
Quote
“We train them exactly how to interact with the media, whether they’re giving an on-field interview right after a game, a locker room interview or it's a sit-down, formal interview. Whatever it is, we walk them through that entire process.’” Brandy Runyan, CEO and founder of Black Diamond PR and Sports Management Firm
Links:
Black Diamond PR and Sports Management Firm: www.blackdiamondfirm.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: https://www.buccaneers.com/
New England Patriots: https://www.patriots.com/
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA): https://www.prsa.org/
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Looking to connect:
Email: BRANDY@BLACKDIAMONDFIRM.COM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandyrunyan/
About the guest:
What if you could determine who in your audience is your best client in 180 seconds?
Juliet Clark is a dynamic and sought-after speaker and podcaster who has spent the last twenty years helping authors, coaches, speakers, and small businesses all over the world build expert platforms.
Corporate companies, startups, and author/ speaker incubators worldwide have benefited from Juliet’s unique and massively effective method of mastering lead generation and qualification for expert status.
Juliet created a platform-building tool that assesses audience obstacles, generates leads, and qualifies leads for businesses. This simple technology can be used on social media, from the stage, and at workshops to build email lists and create conversations that build long- term relationships with potential clients. Her podcast, Promote, Profit, Publish, helps entrepreneurs understand how to use great tools in the coaching and small business spaces.
In the episode:
2:17 – After hiring a self-publishing company for her first book, Juliet describes how the experience led her to create her own publishing company.
3:10 – Juliet defines what an author platform is.
4:20 – Juliet explains the importance of understanding the patterns inside of an assessment and then applying them to your business.
6:25 – Juliet shares the reason behind creating a comprehensive audience assessment for her clients.
8:05 – Juliet tells how people can effectively use her platform to promote their books.
9:45 – Juliet describes how to get your book onto the bestseller list.
11:44 – Juliet talks about the bootstrap to bankruptcy business model of the coaching space.
15:43 – Juliet defines what a customer avatar is.
18:46 – Juliet explains how to create audience avatars.
20:43 – Juliet shares a resource that helped her as a solopreneur.
Quote
“The people that you take on that aren't your ideal clients actually suck the life out of you. That sucking the life out of you takes you away from performing for those ideal clients in a better way. You really have to be careful about who you take on. - Juliet Clark, founder of Superbrand Publishing
Links:
Superbrand Publishing: www.superbrandpublishing.com
Free Assessment: www.leadlogicquiz.com
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz: https://www.amazon.com/Profit-First-Transform-Cash-Eating-Money-Making-ebook/dp/B01HCGYTH4
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Looking to connect:
Email: juliet@superbrandpublishing.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julietdillonclark/
About the guest:
Sharon Toerek is principal of Toerek Law, where she focuses her national law practice on helping professionals in the advertising, marketing and creative services industries protect and monetize their intellectual capital, and manage the legal implications of their marketing and advertising work. Sharon provides proactive, strategic counsel to communications, marketing, advertising and creative agencies on legal and business issues they face continually in their work, including:
- agency-client relationships, including agency service contracts,
- agency-freelancer relationship management,
- trademark and brand protection matters,
- social media and content marketing legal compliance,
- copyright protection, licensing and transfer of creative content,
- advertising law
Sharon is an approved participant on the 4A's Legal Consultants Panel, and a past president of the American Ad Federation (AAF) Cleveland.
Sharon is the publisher of the marketing industry legal blog Legal + Creative. Sharon created the Legal + Creative Agency Protection System, a comprehensive legal education resource and toolkit for marketing, ad and creative services agencies. She is also the creator and host of The Innovative Agency, a podcast about innovation and trends in the marketing agency world.
In the episode:
2:35 – Sharon explains how, from early in her career, she has been helping protect people’s brands.
4:33 – Sharon defines what copyright and trademarks are and how they are different.
6:06 – Protecting a trademark takes a lot of work so Sharon describes how to protect it and why protecting your trademark is important.
11:53 – Nancy and Sharon talk about trademarks and social media handles.
19:19 – Like Nancy, Sharon loves strategy! Here, she describes the difference between a strategy and tactics.
28:52 – Sharon describes the advantage of focusing on one vertical.
35:03 - Sharon and Nancy talk about the blurred lines between personal and professional life.
Quote
“Find other people who serve the audience that you serve, but do different things for them. You need what they can provide for your clients and they need what you can provide for theirs.” - Sharon Toerek, principal at Toerek Law
Links:
Toerek Law: https://www.legalandcreative.com/
The Innovative Agency Podcast: https://www.legalandcreative.com/the-innovative-agency/
Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Ocean-Strategy-Uncontested-Competition/dp/1591396190
Agency Management Institute: https://agencymanagementinstitute.com/
Calm: https://www.calm.com/
Listen to Drew McLellan’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
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Looking to connect:
Email: sharon@legalandcreative.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharontoerek
Twitter: @SharonToerek
About the guest:
Lynne Golodner is the host of the Make Meaning Podcast and founder of the Make Meaning Movement. She is also the founder of Your People LLC, a marketing and public relations firm she started in 2007 to bring meaning and purpose to marketing for schools, universities, and municipalities.
A 2020 member of the Forbes Agency Council, Lynne Golodner was recognized by MichBusiness as a Marketing & PR Prophet in 2019 and by Crain’s Detroit Business as a Notable Woman in Marketing in 2018.
Author of eight books, including The Flavors of Faith: Holy Breads, Lynne writes a monthly column on Meaning for the Oakland Press. She spent 15 years as a nationally celebrated journalist before becoming an entrepreneur focused on marketing through strategic storytelling, mutually beneficial relationships and higher purpose.
A Fulbright Specialist, Lynne is a graduate of the University of Michigan (BA, Communications/English) and Goddard College (MFA, Writing). She is the mother of four teenagers and lives with her family in Huntington Woods, Michigan.
In the episode:
2:31 – Lynne describes how she came to her career in PR through journalism.
4:53 – Lynne explains her approach to sharing the higher meaning of her clients’ businesses.
10:26 – To build exposure around your brand, Lynne suggests starting with understanding your story.
19:17 – Lynne shares how she builds brands through storytelling, relationships and higher purpose.
22:15 – Lynne explains why she has maintained a small company and why she encourages people to do their own PR whenever possible.
27:21 – Lynne talks about how she creates a collaborative approach with her clients.
29:43 – Lynne describes the changes she has seen in her career, emphasizing the changes to the media.
36:03 – Lynne shares how she has built her personal brand through publishing books, writing and speaking out about what she is passionate about.
38:50 – Lynne describes why she likes working from home and how COVID-19 brought her family together.
42:03 – Lynne offers several resources that have helped with her career.
Quote
“And I feel like that's when we're at our best, when we can really understand and listen to one another, even if we don't agree, but we do see that humanity and we do connect as people.” - Lynne Golodner, host of the Make Meaning Podcast
Links:
Your People LLC: www.yourppl.com
Make Meaning Movement: www.makemeaning.org
Make Meaning Podcast: https://makemeaning.org/make-meaning-podcast/
The Civility Project: https://greatlakescivilityproject.com/
Waldorf Education: https://www.waldorfeducation.org/waldorf-education
Sugarloaf: https://www.sugarloaf.com/
Governing Business and Relationships: https://www.amazon.com/Governing-Business-Relationships-Parthasarathy/dp/8190617966
A Lapsed Anarchist's Approach to Building a Great Business by Ari Weinzweig: https://www.zingermanspress.com/our-books/zingermans-guide-good-leading-part-1-lapsed-anarchists-approach-building-great-business
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level/dp/0061735361
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Looking to connect:
Email: lynne@yourppl.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynnegolodner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnegolodner/
Instagram: @lynnegolodner
About the guest:
Peter has more than 36 years of experience in the New England recreation industry including 20 years working in or managing many aspects of the ski industry, including mountain operations, resort services, lodging, and food service. Because the ski industry is so diverse—combining hospitality with construction, health care, manufacturing, and outdoor recreation—Peter has experience with almost all categories of businesses insured by MEMIC.
Peter graduated from Springfield College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Industry Management. He holds current certifications from the National Ski Patrol, the Professional Ski Patrol Association, SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians), and CMC (Rope Rescue III).
He is an authorized instructor in both the OSHA 10-hour Construction and the OSHA General Industry Outreach Training Programs and teaches workshops for MEMIC, ranging from safety leadership and ergonomics to fall protection and high angle rescue.
When not working for MEMIC, Peter and his wife own 5 Daughters Photography. They focus on landscapes, portraits, and creating photography fundraisers for teams and organizations.
In his spare time, he loves to spend time outdoors with his wife and five daughters skiing, kayaking, hiking, camping, and playing music.
In the episode:
2:46 – Before working at MEMIC, Peter describes his work at Sunday River and Otis Ridge.
5:58 – Peter talks about the Safety Experts Podcast MEMIC created with the help of a Marshall Plan®.
9:56 – Peter describes how his job at MEMIC has changed with the Safety Experts Podcast.
11:33 – Peter explains how MEMIC’s podcast has helped strengthen relationships with policyholders.
16:20 – Peter shares how the Safety Experts Podcast is helping to build the MEMIC brand.
19:06 – Peter defines the three pillars of safety.
19:33 – Nancy and Peter switch gears to talk about 5 Daughters Photography.
23:18 – Peter talks about the balance between his two jobs, using both creativity and an analytical mindset.
27:00 – Peter suggests making sure your personal and professional brands both have an essence of who you are so that you can achieve long term success.
30:32 – Peter describes how COVID-19 has impacted MEMIC.
33:30 – Peter shares some of his most helpful resources.
Quote
“It's all about relationships. Really. It really is. You can't convince someone of something without having a relationship with them first.” - Peter Koch, safety management consultant and manager of digital technology at MEMIC
Links:
Safety Experts Podcast: https://www.memic.com/workplace-safety/safety-experts-podcast
MEMIC: https://www.memic.com/
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin: https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250067057
Listen to Greg Glynn’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
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Looking to connect:
Podcast email: podcast@memic.com
MEMIC email: pkoch@memic.com
About the guest:
Veronica Romney is a 12-year branding and marketing veteran who believes our aspirations drive our actions and if we want to help our customers make the best decision for them, we have to align our business efforts with their aspirations.
In the past, she has worked with some of the world’s most respected brands including Sprint, Marriott, IMAX, Dr. Weil Vitamin Advisor, and more. But now she's dedicated her work to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners learn how to connect with their customers. She is the Founder of MyModernBrand, a branding and marketing education company that helps great people and great companies clarify their brand message, find their unique brand voice, and market themselves authentically.
When she isn’t busy wrangling a business and two kids, she is an in-demand international Tony Robbins/Dean Graziosi speaker with topics including branding, marketing, sales, entrepreneurship, self-education, knowledge business, and more.
In the episode:
2:13 – As the oldest daughter of two Cuban immigrants who started their own businesses, Veronica describes how her career as an entrepreneur was meant to be.
4:13 – Veronica talks about the way she builds her network and brand by figuring out what she enjoys doing the most.
5:57 – As her main form of making connections, Nancy asks Veronica how COVID-19 has impacted her speaking engagements.
7:40 – Veronica explains how to take your business online and do it correctly without skipping a beat.
13:29 – With so many different ways to market your business online, Veronica shares which ones are worth your time to create based on your personal creator type.
15:40 – Veronica provides a resource to discover your creator type.
19:28 – Veronica provides her definition of content marketing.
22:42 – Veronica describes how to determine the perfect amount of content for your audience based on their struggles or interests.
25:07 – Veronica describes how to strengthen your core offering.
28:19 - Veronica shares some recourses that have helped develop her brand.
Quote
“In the 12 plus years that I have been an online marketer, what I have found is that the secret to creating a digital product that generates more revenue and grows your business like never before is actually discovering your unique digital creator type first.” - Veronica Romney, founder and CEO of MyModernBrand
Links:
MyModernBrand: https://www.mymodernbrand.com/
Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi: https://knowledgebusiness.com/
Unleash the Power Within: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/events/unleash-the-power-within/
Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru: https://www.netflix.com/title/80102204
Creator Type Quiz: www.abcdlaunch.com
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329
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Looking to connect:
Email: info@mymodernbrand.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/
Twitter: @vromney
Instagram: @vromney
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vromney
About the guest:
Being a busy entrepreneur is overwhelming and isolating but being a great mom and entrepreneur doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get serious support to grow an amazing business. Camilla-Jean believes, with marketing that works for your business and the support to finally execute on what matters, we can win at business and life. Camilla-Jean has been starting and growing successful businesses for over thirty years. With a busy family of her own and as a StoryBrand Certified Guide and an International Coaching Federation Coach she now helps mompreneurs focus on what moves the needle in growing their businesses. She uses simply designed programs and frameworks to implement marketing and execution techniques that are proven to stop overwhelm and grow your business.
In the episode:
2:11 – Camilla-Jean explains the difference between a mompreneur and a regular entrepreneur.
4:14 – Nancy and Camilla-Jean talk about the importance of delegation.
6:52 – Camilla-Jean describes the target audience for her business.
9:33 – Camilla-Jean recommends playing to your strengths.
12:40 – After using email marketing, Camilla-Jean shares how the process has evolved and how she measures its success.
19:55 – Camilla-Jean describes what a landing page is and why you need one.
24:47 – Camilla-Jean explains how to generate leads.
27:14 – While having a lot of contacts on your email list is good, Camilla-Jean talks about how quality is better than quantity and how to build a great email list.
28:28 – Nancy and Camilla-Jean talk about the StoryBrand framework.
Quote
“You have got to start selling in your business. Don't get stuck and distracted by processes, order and thinking about making an impact. Making an impact is great, but that stuff comes later. Put on your own oxygen mask first. The same thing is true in our businesses.” - Camilla-Jean Ringkob, founder of Camilla-Jean
Links:
Camilla-Jean: www.camilla-jean.com
Free Marketing Checklist: www.camilla-jean.com/checklist
StoryBrand: https://storybrand.com/
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller: https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329
Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller and Dr. J.J. Peterson: https://www.amazon.com/Marketing-Made-Simple-Step-Step/dp/B07TTTYZRK
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Looking to connect:
Email: info@camilla-jean.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilla-jean/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mompreneurexperience
About the guest:
Genecia Alluora is former Miss Singapore and Southeast Asia Woman of Excellence 2010. She is the Founder of Soul Rich Woman, the #1 female entrepreneur network in Southeast Asia that connects more than 200,000 women across the region, with presence in 7 countries including Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.
She is the recipient of 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 2019 by Aesthetics International: The Council for Progressive Women and the 𝐈𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 2019 award.
With a vision to empower one million women, Genecia is passionate about helping women to take their businesses from offline to attracting clients online, get recognition and build a brand as a leader/business owner and make a positive impact in the world. She wants every woman to be able to own the F-word – being fabulous, having freedom and financial independence
From as young as 14 years of age, Genecia had to support herself through school. Through working in a nine-to-five job and started many businesses, Genecia had gone through the highs and lows of being a business owner. Her epic journey from being in a six-figure debt to making her first million, fueled her passion to empower women to do the same. Genecia wants women around the world to know that it is possible to have it all - to own the F-word!
Profiled in CNBC and China Daily, Genecia is a globally renowned speaker and leading women’s empowerment expert with over a decade of experience speaking on stages worldwide. She has spoken in recent major events, including the RISE Conference in Hong Kong, Success Conference and Expo Asia 2018 in Hanoi, and National Achievers’ Congress in Manila.
In the episode:
2:39 - Genecia describes how through her challenges of trying to make the transition to online business, she created a way to help others who faced the same challenges she did.
7:23 – Genecia talks about why she wanted to create a woman only support group.
10:09 – Genecia explains how she manages a fully digital business with employees all over the world.
13:47 – Genecia shares what her ‘zone of genius’ is.
15:22 – From working to pay for school at a 14-year-old to today, Genecia describes her entrepreneurship journey.
18:44 – Genecia talks about why she believes in the advancement of women’s causes.
23:55 – Genecia explains how female leaders differ from male leaders.
26:13 – To connect with her team, Genecia talks about how she uses podcasts as a weekly update.
27:02 – Genecia describes how she and her business partner run the business differently – both using their strengths to make the business more successful.
29:34 – Genecia talks about why personal branding important in today's digitally connected world.
33:41 – Genecia explains how the knowledge-based economy is growing and how you can take advantage of it.
37:52 – Genecia provides some resources that have positively impacted her career.
Quote
“Each and every one of us has a diamond that is within us and we all deserve to shine.” - Genecia Alluora, CEO of Soul Rich Woman
Links:
Get your two free gifts at soulrichwoman.com: https://www.soulrichwoman.com/
For Women Who Love the F-Word podcast: https://www.soulrichwoman.com/podcast/
James Wee: https://www.soulrichwoman.com/overcome-money-stress/
The Marshall Plan®: https://www.marshallpr.com/the-marshall-plan/
The Joe Rogan Experience with Joe Rogan: http://podcasts.joerogan.net/
The Garyvee Audio Experience with Gary Vaynerchuk: https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/podcast/
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay: https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Heal-Your-Life/dp/0937611018
Dr. Wayne Dyer: https://www.drwaynedyer.com/
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Looking to connect:
Email: hello@soulrichwoman.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genecia/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geneciaalluora
Instagram: @geneciaalluora
Twitter: @geneciaalluora
About the guest:
James Carbary is the founder of Sweet Fish Media, and co-host of B2B Growth, a daily podcast for B2B marketing leaders. James is a contributor for Entrepreneur & Business Insider, and he’s the author of Content-Based Networking: How to Instantly Connect With Anyone You Want to Know.
In the episode:
1:37 – James talks about the football game that changed the course of his life.
5:23 – James explains the concept of content-based networking.
7:50 – While some people think that relationship building can result in one party taking advantage of the other, Nancy and James describe how they don’t think of it that way and why friendship needs to be used in business more often.
11:25 – James describes how to create a repeatable process when building relationships, starting with your goals.
15:44 – Nancy and James talk about how their podcasts help convert listeners and guests into customers.
19:28 – James explains his mindset for building relationships.
24:31 – James gives a few tips to build relationships for introverts.
30:20 – James explains how the Sweet Fish Media named formed out of his affinity for Swedish Fish.
32:21 – James shares how to grow a podcast audience, emphasizing on the importance of the name of your show.
37:25 – James gives an African proverb from his TED talk and explains its importance.
41:11 – James shares some ways to use content to help you stand out.
43:44 – James talks about the resources that help him maintain relationships.
Quote
“I don't think we use the term friendship enough in business. I think this strategy of content-based networking, creating content and collaborating with the people that you want to know is allowing me to initiate friendships with people that otherwise would be really hard to connect with.” - James Carbary, founder of Sweet Fish Media
Links:
Sweet Fish Media: https://sweetfishmedia.com/
Content-Based Networking by James Carbary: https://www.amazon.com/Content-Based-Networking-Instantly-Connect-Anyone-ebook/dp/B082VWVQRY
B2B Growth: http://B2BGrowthShow.com
Profitable Podcasting by Stephen Woessner: https://www.amazon.com/Profitable-Podcasting-Business-Expand-Platform/dp/0814438288
Sell with Authority by Drew McLellan and Stephen Woessner: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0862FTC6K/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Agency Management Institute: https://agencymanagementinstitute.com/
The Marshall Report: https://marshallpr.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8fc57edfd1d2e4504b22f7f64&id=a5db0af424
Nancy’s Forbes Column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/people/nancymarshall1/#5f764cb74485
The Joe Rogan Experience with Joe Rogan: http://podcasts.joerogan.net/
The Marketing Book Podcast with Douglas Burdett: https://www.salesartillery.com/marketing-book-podcast
The Garyvee Audio Experience with Gary Vaynerchuk: https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/podcast/
Simon Sinek: https://simonsinek.com/
Noah Kagan: https://okdork.com/podcast/
The Portland Pod: https://portlandpod.com/
Fabriq: https://www.ourfabriq.com/
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Looking to connect:
Email: james@sweetfishmedia.com
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jamescarbary
About the guest:
Amber Hurdle is the CEO of Amber Hurdle Consulting, a multi-award-winning talent optimization firm that pioneers using both science and marketing principles to strengthen customers’ brands from the inside out. Most recently recognized as one of the world's top brand professionals for 2020 by Global Gurus at #18, Hurdle helps overcome costly business problems like ineffective recruiting, turnover, underperformance, declining morale and leadership gaps by clearly connecting her clients’ people strategy to their business strategy for measurable bottom-line results.
She personally understands what it takes to accelerate success as a former teen mom who evolved into a powerhouse businesswoman, having worked with international celebrities, executives and Fortune 100 companies alike.
When Amber is not helping individuals and employers share their unique value, she is "momming so hard," embracing her inner gym rat in the weight room, and entertaining her family and friends. While she is known for being a super extra dog mom and hot wing snob, Amber Hurdle is most known for connecting personal, employer and business brands via her proprietary Velvet Machete® Brand Strategy.
In the episode:
2:44 – Amber explains how she used her unique traits to get ahead in her career.
4:14 – Amber shares her strategy for using public speaking to build a personal brand and authority in your field.
5:19 – Amber talks about redefining the term “bombshell” to make it gender-neutral.
8:44 – Amber describes how her talent recruiting process is data-driven.
16:23 – Amber explains how to effectively combine personal brands, employer brands, and organizational brands.
19:31 – With additional stressors during an interview, Amber talks about how the person you interview is different from who they are once they settle into the job and how to choose the right person knowing this.
23:45 – Amber shares how to collect people data.
26:32 – Amber describes how to make your job applications speak to the target applicants and lets them know what makes your company unique.
30:22 – Amber explains how to integrate company culture into employee behavior and discipline.
Quote
“If I land on a website, that brand specifically wants me to say “yes, this is for me” or “no, this is not for me” in 30 seconds. They don't want to deal with me if I'm not going to give them money in the end. It's the same thing - I don't want to attract people who are going to distract me, be negative energy or take me down a path that's not my path to go.” - Amber Hurdle, CEO of Amber Hurdle Consulting
Links:
amberhurdle.com: https://amberhurdle.com/
Velvet Machete Branding Podcast: https://amberhurdle.lpages.co/newpodcastupdates/
Bombshell Business Podcast: https://amberhurdle.com/bombshell-business-podcast/
amberhurdle.com/predictive-index: https://amberhurdle.com/predictive-index
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Looking to connect:
Email: info@amberhurdle.com
Twitter: @amberhurdle
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/amberhurdle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmberHurdleFan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/amberhurdle
About the guest:
Gini Dietrich is the founder, CEO, and author of Spin Sucks, host of the Spin Sucks podcast, and author of Spin Sucks (the book). She also has run, built, and grown an agency for the past 14 years. She is co-author of Marketing in the Round, co-host of Inside PR, and co-host of The Agency Leadership podcast.
In the episode:
1:29 – While taking a year off from law school, Gini describes how she got a job at a PR agency and never looked back.
2:52 – Gini explains how Spin Sucks got its start.
4:28 – Gini talks about balancing remote learning during COVID-19 with running her own business.
6:38 – While staying at home due to COVID-19, Gini documented the abrupt changes and describes her reasoning for doing so.
9:04 – Gini explains how the Spin Sucks community says connected, both in-person and online.
14:50 – Gini shares some of Spin Sucks’ plans for the future, including the goal of trying to get all communications, journalism and advertising graduates to be PESO Model certified.
16:21 – Gini describes the PESO Model and how public relations has evolved.
19:46 – Nancy and Gini talk about the benefits of analyzing data.
21:07 – Gini describes how content marketing is integrated into the PESO model.
24:05 – Gini shares how her personal brand plays a role in the Spin Sucks brand.
27:21 – Gini describes how PR has changed since she started her career, recalling how she would spend hours making clipbooks.
30:07 – Gini shares some resources she has discovered recently that have helped her stay up to date in her career.
Quote
“Chaos and crisis always create an opportunity for creativity. I think in the beginning we were all just like, “what just happened?” Now it has been enough time that we are starting to settle into a routine. Now you have the ability to be creative again.” - Gini Dietrich, founder of Spin Sucks
Links:
Spin Sucks: https://spinsucks.com/
Slack: http://spinsucks.com/spin-sucks-community
Laura Petrolino: https://spinsucks.mykajabi.com/about-us
Anna’s Recipe Videos: https://www.facebook.com/marshallcommunications/videos/?ref=page_internal
Al Roker’s cooking show: https://www.instagram.com/alroker/?hl=en
StoryBrand by Donald Miller: https://storybrand.com/
The Conversion Code by Chris Smith: https://www.amazon.com/Conversion-Code-Capture-Internet-Appointments/dp/1536692786
The Spin Sucks Podcast: https://spinsucks.com/spin-sucks-podcast
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Looking to connect:
Email: gdietrich@spinsuks.com
Twitter: @ginidietrich
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/ginidietrich
About the guest:
Erin Ovalle is the founder of Maine Life Media (MLM), a boutique production company based in Portland, Maine. MLM creates custom content promoting lifestyle in Maine. The company has produced five, half-hour TV shows, airing both state and New England wide. Erin, her husband Jason and fur baby Baxter love boating, skiing, and trying new restaurants. They are also getting ready to be first-time parents to a human!
In the episode:
1:36 – Erin describes how her career began with an internship at WMUR in New Hampshire.
7:02 – Erin talks about switching gears from being a news reporter to the founder of Maine Life Media and what influenced her decision.
11:01 – Erin lists a few reasons why she loves Maine so much.
13:15 – Erin talks about some of the new shows Maine Life Media has launched recently.
20:19 – Erin shares some of her favorite Maine stories and talks about the benefits of taking advantage of opportunities.
23:52 – Erin describes her vision for the future, including growing her network.
26:45 – Erin explains the role sponsors play in Maine Life Media and how it is different from traditional television programming.
30:26 – Erin talks about growing her network and using #MaineLifer to build her brand on social media.
33:35 – Erin shares some of the resources that have helped build her career.
Quote
“As an entrepreneur, it's important to grow and learn from others. I'm one of the only ones in Maine doing what I'm doing, so it's hard to connect with folks to grow and learn from them. I really want to start connecting whether it be online or, or in-person someday, safely, about how to grow my brand or grow my content.” - Erin Ovalle, host of Maine Life TV Show
Links:
Maine Life Media: https://mainelifemedia.com/
Places and Spaces: https://mainelifemedia.com/places-spaces/
Cheers from Maine: https://mainelifemedia.com/cheers-from-maine/
Dock & Dine: https://mainelifemedia.com/dock-dine/
Katie Shorey: https://www.liveandworkinmaine.com/our-team/
Sugarloaf: https://www.sugarloaf.com/
Newscenter Maine: https://www.newscentermaine.com/
NESN: https://nesn.com/
Discover New England: https://www.discovernewengland.org/
Hannaford: https://www.hannaford.com/
Dolan Flavoring Co: https://www.dolanflavoring.com/
In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney: https://www.amazon.com/Company-Women-Inspiration-Artists-Entrepreneurs/dp/1579655971
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Looking to connect:
Email: info@mainelifemedia.com
Instagram: @erinovalle
Lindsay Skilling, CEO of Gifford’s Ice Cream, is a Skowhegan, Maine native who grew up with a love of ice cream engrained in her genetic makeup. She worked at the fifth-generation family business during summers throughout high school and college. After graduating from Bryant University in 2006 with her degree in Business Management and a minor in Psychology, Lindsay started working full time for Gifford’s as assistant to the controller. To build her skills and learn more about the ice cream business overall, she worked in a variety of positions, including VP of sales and marketing, before assuming her current position as CEO.
Beyond Gifford’s, Lindsay is dedicated to mentoring other business leaders and giving back to her community by serving on numerous boards; she has served on the Institute for Family-Owned Business Board (IFOB) for the last nine years and currently holds the role of vice-chair. Through IFOB she has gotten involved with Women in Family Business Forum, CEO Central, and the Next Generation Affinity Group. Lindsay also currently serves on the Educate Maine Board of Directors. Staying true to her Skowhegan roots, she recently became a corporator for Skowhegan Savings Bank and sits on the Skowhegan Chamber of Commerce Board.
While Lindsay maintains a busy schedule between running her family-owned business with her two siblings and the numerous boards she serves on, at the end of the day - Lindsay is truly about her family. Lindsay and her husband Jay live in Gray with their two young kids, Ava and Jacoby. She enjoys spending her free time with them doing what Mainers do best: spending time outdoors in the mountains and at the lake. The foursome love to cross country ski, snowmobile, snowshoe, bike, hike, run and swim. Lindsay also enjoys watching her daughter play basketball.
In the episode:
3:31 – Lindsay shares how she because the CEO of her family business, Gifford’s Ice Cream.
7:02 – Lindsay describes the passion and care behind family businesses that make them truly unique.
9:34 – Nancy and Lindsay talk about some of Gifford’s raving fans, including Nancy’s mom and Lindsay’s grandmother.
11:21 – Lindsay describes how she always knew she wanted to work at the family business and how she moved up through the business to the leadership position she has now.
14:24 – As a family business, Lindsay talks about how everyone’s opinions and ideas are taken into account when making business decisions.
16:18 – Lindsay recalls how her parents had to shift their work schedules to look after her and her siblings and how that instilled the value of family at a young age.
21:31 – Lindsay shares some information about Gifford’s, including where they sell their products and the number of flavors.
23:03 – Lindsay describes how COVID-19 has shifted the demand for ice cream.
24:49 – As a differentiating factor, Lindsay talks about how their ice cream is made with “real” ingredients, such as Maine blueberries, M&Ms, real pistachios and local maple syrup.
29:41 – Lindsay talks about how her family gets along while working together.
35:11 – Lindsay describes how her father and uncles taught her to get her hands dirty, even if it was outside of her scope.
38:55 – Lindsay shares how she works to develop her leadership skills and personal brand.
40:59 – Lindsay describes Gifford’s partnership with the Boston Bruins and the New England Patriots.
44:02 – Lindsay lists some of the resources that have benefited her career.
Quote
“Our name is on our package, it's on our road sign at our stands. Everything we do, every decision we make, there is love behind it. There is passion behind it. We think of our overall family, not just those of the last name, but those that work for our family business and alongside us. Every package that leaves our freezer has pride behind it.” – Lindsay Skilling, CEO of Gifford's Ice Cream
Links:
Carrabassett Valley Academy: https://www.gocva.com/
New England Patriots: https://www.patriots.com/
Boston Bruins: https://www.nhl.com/bruins
Power Play Fudge: https://www.giffordsicecream.com/flavors/power-play-fudge/
Dough Your Job: https://www.giffordsicecream.com/flavors/dough-your-job/
Institute for Family-Owned Business: https://www.fambusiness.org/
How I Built This with Guy Raz: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this
Listen to Karl Strand’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
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Looking to connect:
Email: lindsaygifford@giffordsicecream.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-skilling-450b664a
About the guest:
Karl was promoted to the position of Sugarloaf’s general manager in April of 2015. Strand has held a leading role in managing key segments of Sugarloaf's operations, as well as those of its sister resort, Sunday River. He began his career at the resorts in 2004, when he was hired as Vice President of Lodging and Property Management for both resorts. Most recently he was the Vice President of Mountain Operations at Sunday River.
Karl has been a Sugarloafer since 1987 and first realized his love for skiing during his early years when visiting Sugarloaf and areas throughout Maine and Vermont. After graduating from Bryant University, he entered the lodging industry and soon discovered his passion for food and beverage operations, which led him to work in fine dining venues in nearly every region of the United States, and toward his completion of studies at the Culinary Institute of America. That experience and education introduced him to opportunities for various executive positions in the restaurant and resort industry. In 2004, his desire to be in the mountains of Maine led him to Sugarloaf and Sunday River where he has become seasoned in nearly all aspects of resort operations. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Carrabassett Valley Academy and is the President of Ski Maine.
In the episode:
2:46 – Karl describes his career path, stemming from his parents’ love of visiting restaurants.
6:01 – Karl talks about the benefits of having a well-rounded background while in a leadership position.
7:30 – Karl gives an analogy of how the Sugarloaf brand is like running a small town.
10:32 – Karl talks about his transition from studying hospitality management to becoming the general manager at Sugarloaf.
11:41 – Karl describes how Sugarloaf is engaging skiers of all ages and what platforms they use.
13:37 – Nancy and Karl reminisce about Paul Shipper, who never missed a day of skiing for more than 20 years.
16:09 – Karl describes how the Sugarloaf logo is used and how it is a powerful symbol for the brand.
18:14 – Karl shares a story of when Sugarloaf changed its name to Sugarloaf USA.
21:56 – Karl explains how Sugarloaf’s values are instilled in employees during orientation and are reinforced through the way the business is operated.
24:18 – Karl talks about how COVID-19 has impacted Sugarloaf.
27:58 – Karl describes how surveys are used to ensure employees and stakeholders are involved in decision making.
30:59 – Looking ahead, Karl talks about Sugarloaf’s 2030 plan.
35:58 – Karl shares some of his favorite resources that have helped him in his career.
Quote
“It’s really just running a little town, which is exciting. It creates such a sense of community, which I think is what Sugarloafers are all about. They’re so passionate about being a Sugarloafer and not just about the mountain, but the whole community there.”– Karl Strand, General Manager at Sugarloaf
Links:
Sugarloaf: https://www.sugarloaf.com/
Bryant University: https://www.bryant.edu/
Culinary Institute of America: https://www.ciachef.edu/
Daniel Boulud: https://www.danielboulud.com/
Sunday River: https://www.sundayriver.com/
Colby College: https://www.colby.edu/
Carrabassett Valley Academy: https://www.gocva.com/
Killington: https://www.killington.com/
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Looking to connect:
Email: kstrand@sugarloaf.com
Website: https://www.sugarloaf.com/contact-us
Sarah’s email: sstrunk@sugarloaf.com
About the episode:
The world as we knew it ended, ironically, on Friday, March 13. That was the day that businesses, schools and institutions started to shut down due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. Businesses were impacted in countless negative ways, and the Small Business Administration launched loan and grant programs to prevent massive layoffs. In addition, social injustice started to take a front seat with massive protests related to inequality for people of color and sexual orientation. Now, in August of 2020, as businesses start opening up again, the economy is entering a recession, and for many businesses, the Payroll Protection Act money is running out. It is time for businesses to crawl out of the deep hole created by the pandemic in order to avoid long-lasting damage or even failure. Here are ten tips on how to position your business for long-term success.
In the episode:
- Strengthen your “tribe.” Listen at 1:28.
- Why it is important to embrace technology. Listen at 3:04.
- Find ways to touch your customers without actually touching them! Listen at 4:39.
- Make it easy for your clients and customers to find you. Listen at 6:31.
- How to update your marketing plan to reflect COVID-19. Listen at 7:51.
- Infuse empathy in your marketing communications. Listen at 10:43.
- Make sure your website is up-to-date and all your social media posts are current and not offensive. Listen at 12:00
- Not only do you have to abide by all the rules and processes for safety, but you need to tell people about it. Listen at 13:17.
- This summer, people are going to want to be outside and away from it all. Listen at 14:04.
- There is a new sense that life is short. Listen at 14:58.
Quote:
“People love to give feedback, so if you ask them, that’s going to show that you care about them and you honor their opinion and that they are an important part of your tribe.” - Nancy Marshall, CEO of Marshall Communications & The PR Maven®
Links:
Black Lives Matter: https://blacklivesmatter.com/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=d6ef87363d5e6cd7553dbac43f89ee42eb5a7780-1596204461-0-AXlpf4GsNLSwzCS0yhCduA3OCXZHi9oE1PJbyptPAEdjdRa_jlLAAi-d8PllkRU1FGbP8ZixjaH0sjYuxuf2lM0ljwBS05DKnvFkIu2ufY9TNJWN7MMq0hltEGn3K6mVuGKU9MJnDvpk7GKrX8cUqLYiOmLyk4CCcLxDkhQCcv13KvN4XLiPdBwt7_5gqdM8f8lwvT3l6ag1J_YsihrKZSc26RG48Bsagv6k_JTRvEvllcEWw_WAQg1u8xpcH6PI5PsDgHhQAr6ADpqsWE3I7NsOp1QFegKCJ--a1bRkNHngiqL4njY_JedJ2tr9HllIX3tmBIYgcZZYtshXEofjVtc
Hamilton: https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/movie/hamilton
Zelle: https://www.zellepay.com/
Venmo: https://venmo.com/
Stay tuned for the Ten Tips to Promote your Small Business during COVID-19 online course!
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Looking to connect:
Email: nancy@prmaven.com
Twitter: @maineprmaven
PR Maven Nation Twitter: @PRMavenNation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancymarshall/
About the guest:
Derek believes passionately that tents don't have to be uncomfortable, so he has done something about it.
Crua has developed the world's first correctly (thermally, acoustically and light) insulated tent or tenting system, and now supplies a range of insulated tents and shelters for both recreational and industrial use. Derek developed the first 'Thermo Tent' in 2014 and with the help of Enterprise Ireland, he has since developed, tested and patented a range of products. Crua's Thermo Tents were launched to the market through a successful Kickstarter campaign in May 2015 and have gone from strength to strength since.
In the episode:
2:29 – Derek describes how his love of camping as a child turned into a career path as he went on the hunt for a comfortable tent.
5:02 – Derek explains the origin of the Crua Outdoors name.
5:57 – Derek talks about using crowdfunding, such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo, and equity crowdfunding to build the Crua brand and the market they serve.
8:48 – As a new and improved version of the Koala hammock, Derek provides details on Crua’s Koala V2 hammock.
11:51 – Derek talks about getting customer feedback on products to help improve product designs.
14:03 – Based on demand from Kickstarter, Derek describes how Crua determined they wanted to start selling their products in the United States.
18:05 - Derek talks about Crua’s connection to the Adirondacks.
20:53 – Derek explains how investors in the Adirondacks have helped support Crua.
22:43 – Nancy asks Derek how he has built his tribe of supporters.
25:40 – Nancy and Derek talk about what is involved in being a successful entrepreneur.
30:29 – Derek shares his goals for the future, including creating a rental program.
36:13 – Derek describes how he uses LinkedIn to stay connected and the wide spectrum of resources he uses to stay up to date.
Quote
“It's hard not to take things personally and get anxious about things. When you're building a brand and you feel it's almost an extension of you but you do need the time to be able to tune out a little bit.” - Derek O'Sullivan, CEO at Crua Outdoors
Links:
Point Positive: https://www.pointpositiveadk.com/
Seedrs: https://www.seedrs.com/crua-outdoors2
Agency Management Institute: https://agencymanagementinstitute.com/
BrewDog: https://www.brewdog.com/uk/
Peak Design: https://www.peakdesign.com/
Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/
Calm: https://www.calm.com/
Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app
Listen to Craig Marshall’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
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Looking to connect:
Email: derekos@cruaoutdoors.com
About the episode:
Today we are sharing an episode from the Fast Forward Maine Podcast, hosted by Rich Brooks and Yury Nabokov, featuring Nancy. This podcast is all about what we need to do collectively to move the Maine economy forward. In this episode, learn how you can differentiate yourself as a professional and a person to make yourself more findable and memorable so that clients and customers remember you when they are looking for someone who does what you do.
This episode was originally produced and released by the Fast Forward Maine Podcast. To listen to the original episode and episodes with other guests or to learn more, visit fastforwardmaine.com.
View episode transcript at fastforwardmaine.com/nancy-marshall.
Links:
Listen to Rich Brooks’ PR Maven® Podcast episode: https://www.marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-15-rich-brooks-president-of-flyte-new-media/
Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand: https://www.amazon.com/Grow-Your-Audience-Brand/dp/B088JS6YL4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=grow+your+audience+grow+your+brand+by+nancy+marshall&qid=1594992460&sr=8-1
Message Mapping Mastery Course: https://prmaven.com/message-course/
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Looking to connect:
Email: nancy@prmaven.com
Twitter: @maineprmaven
PR Maven Nation Twitter: @PRMavenNation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancymarshall/
About the episode:
To celebrate the 100th episode of The PR Maven® Podcast, this episode reflects on some of the most popular episodes in PR Maven® Podcast history. For each of the top ten episodes, Nancy gives an overview of the guest’s key words-of-wisdom and how to’s based on their experience and successful careers. Listen to highlights from original episodes where guests share their advice and anecdotes. Also, hear from the Marshall Communications team as they offer their congratulations for this remarkable milestone.
In the episode:
-
Episode 2 with Lori Highby: How video brings more authenticity to your audience whereas content, such as blog posts, can be more obviously perfected. Listen at 2:09
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Episode 18 with MacKenzie Riley Young: How building a relationship with a local reporter resulted inThomas College being featured on the TODAYShow. Listen at 3:33.
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Episode 3 with Craig Marshall: How social media can be used to organically build an audience or gain followers from industry influencers, like attracting followers from the skiers’ own social media networks. Listen at 4:54.
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Episode 15 with Rich Brooks: How you can keep generating excitement around content by sharing content other people produce, speaking at other people’s events and getting to know their fans and followers so that they will also become your fans and followers. Listen at 6:27.
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Episode 10 with Bill Green: How working hard will be valuable to your career, whether it is building your network or forming relationships with experts that make finding a credible source easier. Listen at 8:03.
A special message from the Marshall Communications team. Listen at 12:15.
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Episode 13 with Anna McDermott: How likes and comments on social media posts are important, but how shares truly signify the best content because people want to share it with their own network. Listen at 14:16.
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Episode 9 about How to Build Your Personal Brand and Network Online: How you need to be memorable when you meet people to advance your career and build your network. Listen at 15:23.
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Episode 8 with Kate Paine: How to localize a national trend and attract media attention by sharing your perspective or your clients’ perspective. Listen at 16:54.
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Episode 60 at the PR Maven® one-year anniversary party with Tim Cotton: How Tim came to manage the Bangor Police Department’s Facebook page and the techniques he used to create more engagement with the followers of the page. Listen at 18:12.
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Episode 36 with Lieutenant Tim Cotton: How the Duck of Justice became the Bangor Police Department’s mascot. Listen at 20:21.
Links:
The TODAY Show: https://www.today.com/news/it-was-meant-be-how-1-teen-found-family-through-t128789
207: https://www.newscentermaine.com/207
Listen to Becky McKinnell’s PR Maven® Podcast episode: https://www.marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-7-becky-mckinnell-president-ibec-creative/
Listen to Greg Glynn’s PR Maven® Podcast episode: https://www.marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-28-greg-glynn-account-supervisor-at-marshall-communications/
Listen to Charlene Williams’ PR Maven® Podcast episode: https://www.marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-12-charlene-williams-president-of-marshall-communications/
Listen to Whitney Raymond’s PR Maven® Podcast episode: https://www.marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-26-whitney-raymond-account-supervisor-at-marshall-communications/
Listen to Emma Dimock’s PR Maven® Podcast episode: https://www.marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-58-emma-dimock-account-assistant-at-marshall-communications/
Listen to Kat Child’s PR Maven® Podcast episode: https://www.marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-98-how-to-take-the-next-step-in-your-career-during-covid-19-with-kat-child-account-coordinator-at-marshall-communications/
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Looking to connect:
Email: nancy@prmaven.com
Twitter: @maineprmaven
PR Maven Nation Twitter: @PRMavenNation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancymarshall/
About the guest:
Piali De, Ph.D. is a co-founder and CEO of Senscio Systems, a technology company developing AI platforms that automatically make sense of varied and voluminous data to support informed decision-making. Senscio’s Ibis Platform applies AI to intelligently integrate self-care at home with community resources to optimize self-management of complex health. The Ibis platform is currently deployed in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
Piali is the co-inventor of Senscio’s patented Scio™ framework, an artificial intelligence inference engine that contextualizes data in any domain into actionable intelligence. She is also the co-inventor of Ibis, a health management system built upon Scio.
Prior to Senscio Systems, Piali was an Engineering Fellow at Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems. At Raytheon, she developed a system called Confluence™, designed to deliver knowledge-based decision support for public safety missions, pandemic crisis, natural disaster responses, military missions, and situations that require multiple organizations to analyze data simultaneously and respond in immediate unison.
Piali earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Physics from Hunter College of the City University of New York, with Summa Cum Laude honors, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Brown University. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi and Sigma Pi Sigma honor societies and is the recipient of the National Women of Color’s 2009 Technology Innovation award. In 2005, Piali received the Raytheon CEO Award, Raytheon IDS President’s Award and Raytheon Business Development Excellence Award, for her work with the United States Marine Corps.
In the episode:
3:30 – After finishing her Ph.D., Piali explains how her interest in artificial intelligence began, from the defense industry to health care.
6:11 – While her product is taking off now because of COVID-19, Piali describes some of the challenges she had to overcome by entering the market too early.
8:39 – Piali talks about expanding operations to Maine and how Senscio Systems is helping Mainers in congregate housing.
12:11 – Piali explains how telehealth is more important now as fewer people with chronic conditions are able to visit their doctors due to COVID-19.
13:35– Nancy and Piali talk about the benefits of telehealth for family members who help those with chronic conditions manage their health.
16:30 – As Ibis expands into senior housing, Piali shares how members are taken care of both digitally and through member advocates.
18:50 – Even during COVID-19, Piali describes how many Senscio Systems jobs have been created.
21:57 – Piali shares how digital health will transform healthcare to become more personalized.
25:25 – Piali describes the future of aging in place by taking into account both social interaction and health care.
29:36 – Piali talks about how reading meets her character traits of curiosity and connecting the dots.
Quote
“Keeping the mind more active, albeit assisted by AI, is where I think AI will make significant changes to aging in place. That’s why people will be able to stay in their homes another two or three years.”– Piali De, CEO of Senscio Systems
Links:
Senscio Systems: https://www.sensciosystems.com/
Ibis: https://www.ibisprogram.com/
HUD Senior Housing: https://www.hud.gov/
Avesta Housing: https://www.avestahousing.org/
Southern Maine Agency on Aging: https://www.smaaa.org/
The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/
The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/
The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/
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Looking to connect:
Email: piali@sensciosystems.com
About the guest:
Though not a New England native, Kat has become a Maine enthusiast since migrating from North Carolina four years ago. She is excited to use her ever-growing passion for the state to help serve the Maine Office of Tourism and other regional clients. With valuable experience in the advertising industry under her belt, she strives to showcase clients’ unique values through strategic planning, social media marketing and copywriting.
Kat’s innate curiosity keeps her learning every day, whether that’s listening to a new podcast or reading up on the latest social media trends. She finds creative inspiration from Maine’s picturesque woods and waters and aspires to bring that joyful energy into her work. Committed to client satisfaction and stellar work, Kat seeks to embrace each day with optimism, inquisitiveness, and a strong work ethic.
In the episode:
2:12 – At first, Kat thought she wanted to be a marine biologist and describes how her career path changed after her first semester of college.
4:55 – Nancy and Kat talk about their connection to U.S. Cellular.
7:03 – Kat talks about going through the interview process over Zoom during COVID-19.
9:54 – Based on her experience in digital marketing, advertising and journalism, Kat shares some of the skills she uses at Marshall Communications.
14:15 – Kat provides an example of a project she has found exciting to work on since she started at Marshall Communications.
17:23 – Nancy and Kat explain how their networks brought them together.
23:14 – Kat shares some of the things she likes to do in Maine, whether going to the beach or for a hike.
25:29 – Kat describes some resources she has found helpful to her career.
26:49 – Kat talks about how much she loved using Vine and some of her other favorite social media platforms.
28:37 – Kat encourages listeners to find a career path that they love.
Quote
“In your personal life, having that appetite for reading, listening to podcasts or going to museums, things seemingly unrelated to work, can evoke an inspirational mindset that can really help you in your work. It's very easy for me to get into my habits and routines. I love my habits routines, but there is a benefit to changing things up, seeking out new opportunities and it can impact your work in a positive way.” – Kat Child, account coordinator at Marshall Communications
Links:
Kat’s Bio: https://www.marshallpr.com/who-we-are/our-team/kat-child/
Portland Museum of Art: https://www.portlandmuseum.org/
Farnsworth Museum: https://www.farnsworthmuseum.org/
Cruise Maine: https://www.cruisemaine.org/
Down East Magazine: https://downeast.com/
Maine by Foot: https://mainebyfoot.com/
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Magic-Creative-Living-Beyond/dp/1594634726
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Looking to connect:
Email: kchild@marshallpr.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-child-b144b285/
About the guest:
AJ Wilcox is a LinkedIn Ads pro who founded B2Linked.com, a LinkedIn Ads-specific ad agency, in 2014. As official LinkedIn partners, they manage among the world’s most sophisticated advertising accounts worldwide.
AJ is the author of the LinkedIn Learning course on LinkedIn Advertising as well as the author of the soon-to-be-released book "LinkedIn Ads Demystified."
He's a ginger & triathlete. He & his wife live in Utah, with their four kids, and his company car is a wicked-fast go-kart.
In the episode:
2:01 – AJ recalls watching Star Trek with his dad as a kid and wondering who the target audience of the commercials was, leading him to choose marketing as a major in college and kicking off his career.
4:29 – To increase your social and professional network, AJ describes the benefits of using LinkedIn to stay connected and go viral.
7:38 – AJ explains the process of LinkedIn advertising.
14:00 – Nancy and AJ talk about the budget for LinkedIn advertising.
16:16 – AJ talks about micro-segmentation to determine what messaging is attractive to specific audiences.
19:45– AJ recommends making sure you have a high lifetime value to make sure you get a return on investment.
20:47 – AJ describes the level of importance of up to date profile pages for LinkedIn advertising.
27:27 – AJ give a few examples of clients who have had success with LinkedIn advertising.
33:36 – For his own business, AJ shares the audience that he targets on LinkedIn.
35:20 – Nancy asks AJ how he learns more about what his clients want out of their advertising.
Quote
"Your actual professional name and nature is related to your profile, so people tend to be on their best behavior when they are on LinkedIn. People tend to act very professionally, and with all those benefits together, it’s the perfect network to continue to build a personal brand."– AJ Wilcox, LinkedIn ads expert and founder of B2Linked.com
Links:
B2Linked: www.B2Linked.com
Listen to Kate Paine’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
Listen to Nancy’s solocast about her new book, Grow your audience, grow your brand
Listen to Robert Rose’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
Learn 6 tips from the ‘father of personal branding’
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Looking to connect:
Email: AJ@B2Linked.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilcoxaj/
Twitter: @WilcoxAJ
About the guest:
Jennifer walked into her college radio station as a 17-year-old freshman and never looked back. Even though she was terrified of the microphone back then — and spoke into it as little as possible — she loved the studio, the atmosphere and, most of all, the people who work in broadcasting. She was hooked. Decades later, she’s back behind the radio microphone hosting Maine Public Radio’s flagship talk program, Maine Calling. She’s not afraid of the mic anymore, but still loves the bright, eclectic people she gets to work with every day.
Jennifer joined MPBN in June 2007 after spending more than 13 years at WCSH-TV in Portland as a general assignment reporter and weekend news anchor. She has twice won a regional Edward R. Murrow award: in 1998, for coverage of Maine National Guard and Reserve soldiers deployed in Bosnia and Hungary, and in 2003, for the documentary Citizen King, about then-governor and former Maine Watch host Angus King.
For six years, Jennifer served as host, reporter and executive producer of Maine Watch with Jennifer Rooks. She has moderated more than 20 broadcast debates for Maine Public Television and has produced three television documentaries: Broken Trust: Elder Abuse in Maine and Winds of Change, both Maine Watch Special Reports, and A Matter of Duty: The Continuing War Against PTSD. Co-produced with Charlie Stuart, A Matter of Duty has been shown on PBS television stations throughout the U.S. and in multiple screenings, including at the National Sheriff’s Association national conference.
Jennifer grew up outside Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her BA from the University of Virginia and her master’s in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. She worked at television stations in San Francisco and Monterey, California, before coming to Maine. She and her husband Mike have two teenagers.
In the episode:
1:03 – While in college, Jennifer describes how her career in broadcasting began after being “hired” by Herb Ivy as a DJ on her college’s radio station and interning at CNN.
8:43 – Jennifer talks about her connection to Maine and how she got to know news directors to get her first job in Maine.
12:00 – Nancy talks about the parallels her career has with Jennifer’s.
16:23 – With such a tremendous following, Jennifer shares what she does to increase brand engagement, including diversity.
19:34 – Jennifer gives a how-to tip for PR professionals pitching Maine Calling.
26:26 – Jennifer answers what makes a good call-in radio show.
30:58 – Jennifer and Nancy Bob Elliot’s legacy.
36:20 – Jennifer describes how she realized that the difference between public and traditional media is service.
42:09 – Jennifer describes how her network has grown on its own.
44:06 – As one of her most useful resources, Jennifer tells how important her dictionary is.
Quote
“We’re kind of the opposite of every other organization that I’ve worked at. We’re not really doing a news story. We’re not doing stories. We’re having a conversation about something.” – Jennifer Rooks, host of Maine Calling on Maine Public Radio
Links:
Maine Calling: https://www.mainepublic.org/programs/maine-calling
Maine Public: https://www.mainepublic.org/
PR Works! by Nancy Marshall: https://www.amazon.com/PR-Works-implement-leverage-relations/dp/1511641614
Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand by Nancy Marshall: https://www.amazon.com/Grow-Your-Audience-Brand-ebook/dp/B0892R9PXF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1P549BP2R3CUJ&dchild=1&keywords=grow+your+audience%2C+grow+your+brand+by+nancy+marshall&qid=1592249821&s=books&sprefix=grow+your+aud%2Cstripbooks%2C173&sr=1-1
10% Happier by Dan Harris: https://www.amazon.com/10-Happier-Self-Help-Actually-Works/dp/0062265431
Bob’s Basement: https://www.newscentermaine.com/section/entertainment/television/bobs-basement
talk@mainpublic.org
Cindy Han: chan@mainpublic.org
Jonathan Smith: jpsmith@mainepublic.org
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Email: jrooks@mainepublic.org
About the guest:
Nick Davidson is a freelance writer based in the New Mexico high desert. After a master's in writing and publishing at Emerson College, Nick began his journalism journey as an intern, fact-checker and then online editor at Outside magazine. After his stint at Outside, he broke out of the office for a bit of wandering and a few far-flung adventures, landing in the wide-open, muddy terrain of freelancing (emphasis on free).
The chances and choices of the particular paths he took led him to a variety of work in fact-checking, research, web production, editing, radio storytelling, reporting and writing. He has tended toward reporting stories that, in some way, funnel toward any of the many facets of an active outdoor lifestyle: adventure, environment, travel, science, gear, movement in nature. But at heart, the stories he aims to share are ultimately centered on people and our complex relationship to the world we inhabit, our ever-shifting understanding of that world, and the constant endeavor to find our place in it. Because there's an overabundance of pessimism, destruction, and despair, he always tells stories that, in the weighing of the scales, dip toward optimism, creative problem solving, and inspiration.
Nick is also a martial artist, yogi (of sorts), and musician, all aspects of his life that have shaped him and his pursuit of good stories.
In the episode:
2:50 – Nick describes how a publishing course he took in college opened his eyes to non-fiction writing and inspired his career as a journalist.
7:21 – While Nick does use social media, he recommends focusing on making sure your work aligns with your ikigai, a Japanese concept meaning your reason for being.
11:57 – Nick describes the understanding writers have with editors about sharing their stories on social media.
13:30 – Rather than using numbers to measure success, Nick describes how he measures success by determining if the work he does aligns with the things he cares about.
17:15 – Nancy and Nick talk about the joy of finding the career path you enjoy every day and cannot imagine retiring from.
21:49 – To store his ideas, Nick simply uses a word processing app.
22:52 – Nick explains the difference between content marketing and storytelling.
30:38 – Nick talks about how risk-taking is necessary to your career and how you can learn from failure.
37:02 – Nick shares how he has grown his network organically by trying to uplift others.
38:43 – For freelance writers and editors, Nick recommends UPOD, a group of freelancers who share their experiences and learn from each other.
Quote
“If you home in on your ikigai, your personal genius is another word for it, and if you do work that inhabits that, then I think your followers come naturally. They kind of come the way that moths tend to flutter to the brightest lights.” – Nick Davidson, freelance journalist
Links:
Outside Magazine: https://www.outsideonline.com/
Emerson College: https://www.emerson.edu/
Ray Bradbury: https://raybradbury.com/
Michael Mead: https://www.mosaicvoices.org/
Neil Gaiman: https://www.neilgaiman.com/
TapeACall Pro: https://www.tapeacall.com/
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Looking to connect:
Email: nickgdavidson@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-davidson-90977113/
Twitter: @NickGDavidson
Instagram: @nickgdavidson
Website: www.nickgdavidson.com
About the guest:
If you want to know where agri-marketing is going, ask Sara. She’s already seen it, studied it and figured out how it’s digital. As president, Sara inspires clients, partners and staff to continuously learn, grow and innovate. Her strategic vision keeps Paulsen on the leading edge of ag marketing thought, digital and creative leadership.
Sara is also the host of Spark: Careers in Agribusiness, a podcast where leaders in ag share advice for a successful career.
Prior to taking over the agency reins, Sara was vice president of digital services. She joined Paulsen as a graphic designer in 1991. Sara is a graduate of the University of South Dakota and was raised on a row-crop and livestock farm in southeastern South Dakota. Because she doesn’t have enough on her plate, she and her husband also own and operate a rural bed-and-breakfast.
In the episode:
4:18 - Sara describes how you need a passion for what you do and an appetite for learning to succeed in your career.
5:19 - Sara tells about studying search engines and how they work.
5:52 - Nancy and Sara chat about the two-day workshop Nancy did at Disney with Agency Management Institute which Sara attended and how she learned to incorporate PR into her advertising programs.
10:25 - Sara shares how she looks at engagement rates to measure success.
13:30 - After having a client that was worried about losing control of their brand on social media, Sara explains why thanking people for their comments and acknowledging their participation is important.
15:16 - Sara describes the techniques Paulsen has used to build their audience over the past ten years.
17:28 - Nancy and Sara talk about the benefits of having a niche.
24:23 - With recent privacy changes, Sara talks about the importance of building your own assets in terms of data.
30:11 - Based on the power of relationship building, Sara describes how to be intentional, helpful and memorable online.
34:54 – Sara shares a book that has helped her career.
Quote
“It really doesn’t matter where you reside. We all have access to great information and its really more about your attitude, willingness to work and again that appetite for learning and applying what you have learned. Sharing what you know.” – Sara Steever, president of Paulsen Marketing
Links:
Paulsen Marketing - https://www.paulsen.ag/
Marketing Over Coffee: https://www.marketingovercoffee.com/
Sharpspring: https://sharpspring.com/
TILT by Niraj Dawar: https://www.amazon.com/Tilt-Shifting-Strategy-Products-Customers/dp/1422187179
Spark: Careers in Agribusiness - https://www.paulsen.ag/thinking/spark/
Listen to Drew McLellan’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
Listen to Stephen Woessner’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
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Looking to connect:
Email: sara.steever@paulsen.ag
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarasteever/
Twitter: @ssteever
About the episode:
Ever wonder how Nancy is so good at networking and building her brand? With lots of experience and tricks up her sleeve, Nancy is an expert when it comes to building brands by growing audiences for both her clients and herself. You can learn some of her tips in this episode as she describes a few of the key topics and themes throughout her new book, Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand. From handwritten notes to networking events, Nancy shares how to stay connected with your network and how to make new connections. In addition to tips, Nancy’s new book includes personal vignettes, one of which she shares in this episode.
In the episode:
1:04 – Nancy announces that her new book, Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand, is available on Amazon.
4:00 – As one of the most personal ways to strengthen a relationship, Nancy talks about the importance of sending hand-written notes.
4:35 – Nancy describes the importance of consistent content and the different forms of content you can produce.
5:06 – Nancy thanks the people, many of whom have been guests on the podcast, who provided testimonials for her book.
7:18 – Chapter by chapter, Nancy provides an overview of the topics included in her new book.
8:27 – Nancy shares the benefits of building a network and how to build one.
13:19 – Nancy provides listeners with a way to win her new book.
Links:
Your Network Is Your Net Worth: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/12/04/your-network-is-your-net-worth/#5deb8237140a
Listen to Emma Dimock’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
Listen to John Lee Dumas’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
Listen to Julene Gervais’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
Listen to Drew McLellan’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
Listen to William Arruda’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
Listen to Robert Rose’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
Listen to Rick Saucier’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
Listen to Stephen Woessner’s PR Maven® Podcast episode
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Looking to connect:
Email: nancy@prmaven.com
Twitter: @maineprmaven
PR Maven Nation Twitter: @PRMavenNation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancymarshall/
About the guest:
Rick Saucier has been teaching in higher education for 28 years, including the last eight at Thomas College in Waterville. He was a first-generation college student, earning his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 1982. He went into the retail management business with KMart Fashion, starting in Waterville, then to New York, and then back to Maine. Five years after graduation he decided to pursue his M.B.A. at UMaine. He was recognized by the program, In 1991, he pursued a career ambition of teaching business in higher ed - first with Eastern Maine Technical College (EMTC). While at EMTC, he pursued his D.B.A from California Pacific University. In 2001 he moved to central Minnesota to teach at St. John's University. In 2012, hearing the call of family, he moved back to Maine to teach at Thomas College. He currently teaches a variety of marketing courses, the business capstone class, and for the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation.
Along the way, Rick has published three books covering a variety of marketing topics on retail store design, marketing ethics, and the experience of teaching in higher education. He has also written on a number of topics ranging from the ethics of stealth marketing to the responsibility that marketers have for consumer happiness to curricular issues facing colleges. Rick is a member of the Marketing Management Association, and the Society for the Advancement of Management (S.A.M.) He has presented at several conferences.
Rick believes Maine's students can compete with anyone in the country which came to fruition in March 2019, when a team of Thomas College students he coached won 2 first-place honors at S.A.M.'s international conference in Orlando, Florida.
He resides In Etna, Maine with his wife of 35 years.
In the episode:
3:30 – After graduating from college, Rick describes how he worked in retail management before pursuing his life interest of teaching higher education.
7:53 – Rick tells about the success Thomas College students have had competing nationally at the annual Society for the Advancement of Management (S.A.M.) competition.
10:20 – Rick shares three pieces of advice that he likes to tell his students.
17:25 – Rick suggests viewing marketing as an investment and stresses the importance of measuring success because of how expensive marketing is.
21:27 – Rather than always focusing on sales, Rick recommends focusing on other customer behaviors in addition to sales as they are vitally important as well.
23:12 – Rick returns to his point about focusing on the fundamentals because of how fast the marketing landscape is changing.
26:50 – As a life-long learner, Rick shares some of the resources and thought leaders he learns from.
34:54 – While students today look to get a better job with their business degree, Rick describes how he tries to teach them how to communicate effectively, which is one of the top qualities employers look for.
39:14 – Nancy and Rick talk about building brands through storytelling.
42:09 – Rick describes how his childhood and being a first-generation college student is reflected in his work.
44:23 – Rick tells how his network grows, whether it is the students he teaches or the organizations he is a part of.
50:43 – Rick talks about the books that he has written about marketing and teaching higher education.
55:04 – To keep college education more affordable, Rick explains how he is creating course curriculums that do not require a textbook.
Quote:
“I try to tell my students that why I focus on fundamentals and basics in their class is that there's a good chance, whatever job that they're going to engage in after they graduate, that the same job may not even exist today. If you understand the basics, you can take those basics with you and apply them in whatever position that you'll be engaged in, going forward.” – Rick Saucier, professor of marketing at Thomas College
Links:
Thomas College: https://www.thomas.edu/rick-saucier/
PR Works! by Nancy Marshall: https://www.amazon.com/PR-Works-implement-leverage-relations/dp/1511641614
Grow Your Audience, Grow Your Brand by Nancy Marshall: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088JS6YL4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
Influencing Sales Through Store Design by Rick Saucier: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0773475982/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
Marketing Ethics by Rick Saucier https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0773451161/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Reflections on Life in Higher Education: https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Life-Higher-Education-Saucier-ebook/dp/B0189BC1QC/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=rick+saucier&qid=1589574233&s=books&sr=1-2
Bernadette Jiwa: https://thestoryoftelling.com/
Seth Godin: https://www.sethgodin.com/
Jonah Berger: https://jonahberger.com/books/contagious/
Marketing Management Association: http://www.mmaglobal.org/
Saint John's University: https://www.csbsju.edu/
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Looking to connect:
Email: saucierr@thomas.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saucier-rick-b2203927/
Twitter: @RickSaucier
About the guest:
Ed McKersie is the Founder of Live and Work in Maine, a statewide initiative to increase awareness of career opportunities here in Maine. The website and related efforts are focused on keeping young people here in Maine, and marketing Maine as a career destination to job seekers around the globe – and to those already here. The website was launched in November 2015.
Ed is also the Founder and President of ProSearch, Inc., a staffing and recruiting firm. Established in 1994 in Portland, the firm is now the largest locally owned firm of its kind in the State of Maine, and as of 2017, is an employee-owned company.
He is past President of the Human Resources Association of Southern Maine. He also served on the Maine Society of Human Resources Management Council where he was charged with establishing the Best Places to Work in Maine program. This program, launched in January 2006, recognizes Maine based employers that adhere to “best practices” when it comes to employee relations and human resource issues. He was inducted into the SHRM Maine Human Resources Hall of Fame in 2012.
Ed has served on the University of Southern Maine Foundation Board since 2011 and was its Chairman from 2016 through 2018. He also serves on the Boards of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southern Maine (where he is also on the Executive Committee) and is Board Chair of Rippleffect. Ed is also a Board Member for Martin’s Point. He is a Corporator for both Maine Health and Gorham Savings Bank.
A Massachusetts native, Ed graduated from Bentley University with a dual major in Economics and Finance in 1983 and moved to Maine in 1989.
In the episode:
3:14 – Ed talks about his career in recruiting and staffing.
6:08 – Ed shares how Live and Work In Maine was founded to change the conversation about working in Maine.
8:38 – Nancy and Ed discuss how COVID-19 will change the future of Maine’s workforce, whether moving to Maine for a better quality of life or working remotely.
11:11 – Ed and Nancy talk about how the generation entering the workforce today has been raised to work remotely.
14:15 – Ed shares how to work remotely by over-communicating and making sure employees stay happy.
19:37 – Ed describes how ProSearch is giving back to their community and their employees.
22:48 – Ed talks about measuring success and building the ProSearch brand through social media platforms, such as Facebook Live.
28:36 – Ed explains the tax break people with student loan debt can receive.
36:30 – With the great team at ProSearch, Ed shares why he decided to transition the company the be employee-owned.
41:43 – While his network grows more organically, Ed describes how early in his career he would try to make connections that he could learn from and that would be mentors to him.
45:03 – Ed shares his best resource for applying personal values to your career.
46:54 – Ed leaves PR Maven Nation with a parting thought about the upsides of COVID-19.
Quote:
“We're all in this together, whether it's COVID-19 or just life in general, right? I've been involved in several startups and one of the things we always say is, yeah, we want to be successful, but more importantly, we want to have fun doing it.” – Edward McKersie, founder and president of ProSearch, Inc. and founder of Live and Work in Maine
Links:
ProSearch Inc. - https://www.prosearchmaine.com/
Live and Work in Maine - https://www.liveandworkinmaine.com/
Maine Voices: Our state’s social distancers can’t afford to be Luddites - https://www.pressherald.com/2020/05/07/maine-voices-our-states-social-distancers-cant-afford-to-be-luddites/
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey - https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/0743269519
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Looking to connect:
Email: ed@prosearchmaine.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-mckersie-0953061/
About the guest:
Jaclyn Schiff is the founder of PodReacher, a done-for-you service that transforms podcast episodes into high-quality articles.
Before starting PodReacher, she worked as a journalist for leading healthcare publications in Washington, D.C. and Chicago and also served as director of communication for a global health research association. As a writer, she's published in a range of publications, including NPR, NBC News, Thought Catalog, The Muse, and her ghostwriting skills were noted in a 2017 article in Marie Claire.
In the episode:
1:42 – Jaclyn describes her career in journalism and communications, giving her a unique perspective from working on both sides.
4:58 – Nancy and Jaclyn talk about how well-written content based on podcasts can boost SEO, starting with the keywords determined before the podcast is recorded.
8:40 – Jaclyn suggests have a repurposing strategy for good marketing in 2020.
12:01 – Nancy and Jaclyn discuss how you can build your network as a result of creating shareable content based on the podcast episodes you have been a part of.
16:46 – Jaclyn shares how her team focuses on content but graphical elements can be helpful as well.
20:06 – Jaclyn describes how she measures success in repurposing content based on accuracy, proper target audience positioning and mirroring the tone of the hosts and guests.
24:11 – Jaclyn describes how the content her team creates can be used to help land media placements.
27:24 – Jaclyn talks about the power of email marketing.
33:58 – Jaclyn points out the importance of having “About” content to let people know what your podcast is all about.
39:09 – Jaclyn provides an overview of how to repurpose content from podcasts.
43:49 – With her journalism background, Jaclyn prefers to meet people in person and build her networking organically.
50:01 – Jaclyn shares some of her favorite resources.
51:51 – Jaclyn leaves a parting thought recapping the importance of repurposing content.
Quote:
“When you create a podcast, you're trying to reach a really specific audience so when you're writing up an article based on a podcast conversation, you want to have a really good sense of who your audience is and what they can gain from the conversation.” – Jaclyn Schiff, founder and CEO of PodReacher
Links:
PodReacher: www.podreacher.com
Podcast Movement: https://podcastmovement.com/
Temi: https://www.temi.com/
Otter: https://otter.ai/login
Hot Pod: https://hotpodnews.com/
Podnews: https://podnews.net/
@MathewPassy: https://twitter.com/mathewpassy
@johnny3terson: https://twitter.com/johnny3terson
Special offer for PR Maven Nation: Jaclyn and her team will turn an episode into an article for just $50.
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Looking to connect:
Email: jaclyn@podreacher.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynschiff/
Twitter: @j_schiff
About the guest:
Labrini Nelligan was appointed Executive Director of the Lunder-Dineen Health Education Alliance of Maine in November 2012. Labrini has served as a principal on the Lunder-Dineen team since the inception of the program and has led the development of this first-of-its-kind program between an academic medical center and a neighboring state. To assist in building an infrastructure for LunderDineen, Labrini identified and convened the membership of an Advisory Committee and three Pilot Advisory Teams to represent broad-based stakeholders from Mass General and Maine.
Working in concert with the Lunder-Dineen Co-Chairs and Chief Learning Officer, and guided by Labrini’s leadership, the Lunder-Dineen Team designs, develops and launches interprofessional, blended learning health education programs. These programs are selected to address identified public health, workforce and health disparity needs impacting residents across the state of Maine.
Previously, Labrini served as Associate Director of Development Campaigns and Logistics at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She continues to work in concert with the Mass General Development Office, to ensure a coordinated approach and to advance program sustainability and fundraising focus for Lunder-Dineen, by developing and implementing fundraising strategy. Prior to her work at Mass General, Labrini served as scheduler for Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly and later as a fundraiser on his gubernatorial campaign.
Labrini earned a B.A. in Political Science from Boston University and an M.S. in Political Science from Suffolk University.
In the episode:
3:19 – As a first-generation immigrant, Labrini describes how she took a different route than most by studying political science and how that lead to her position today.
14:10 – Nancy and Labrini talk about the importance of making mistakes.
15:19 – Labrini shares how her campaign and fundraising experience has helped her throughout her career.
16:29 – Labrini explains how Lunder-Dineen typically starts with developing relationships in person first.
20:56 – Labrini gives a how-to tip for always looking at what is in it for their audience (WIIFM).
25:12 – Labrini shares how Lunder-Dineen’s blended approach to communicating benefits the programs they offer by targeting the different learning styles of each audience or generation.
26:25 – Labrini describes how Lunder-Dineen’s vision was founded through a relationship.
29:14 – By taking a data-informed approach, Labrini shares how Lunder-Dineen’s programs were developed.
36:27 – Labrini explains the family-first culture at Massachusetts General Hospital and how COVID-19 has impacted everyone who works there.
40:24 – Labrini tells about how she networks differently personally and professionally.
44:21 – While Labrini has a number of resources, one thing she has learned is to simply read memos that cross her desk because many others may not have.
47:10 – Labrini says thank you as Lunder-Dineen turns ten this year.
Quote:
“As we wanted to get our messages out a little faster, we started to really embark on building our social media platforms and our websites as really complimentary tools to what we were doing in person.” – Labrini Nelligan, Executive Director of Lunder-Dineen Health Education Alliance of Maine in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital
Links:
Lunder-Dineen - https://lunderdineen.org/
Lunder-Dineen’s e-newsletter - https://lunderdineen.org/e-newsletter
Lunder-Dineen’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lunderdineen/
Lunder-Dineen’s Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lunderdineen
Time to Ask - https://lunderdineen.org/alcohol-use-time-ask
Association of Fundraising Professionals - https://afpglobal.org/
Maine Hospital Association - http://www.themha.org/
Canva - https://www.canva.com/
Mailchimp - https://mailchimp.com/
Cvent - https://www.cvent.com/
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Looking to connect:
Email: lnelligan@partners.org
About the guest:
William Arruda is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, author and the world’s leading authority on the topic of personal branding. He has been at the forefront of the field since its inception, teaching everyone from young adults to senior executives how to harness the power of authentic personal branding.
William is the creator of 360Reach – the personal branding survey, which has been used by nearly two million professionals. He also created the Reach Personal Branding Certification Program which has certified over a thousand career and executive coaches in his methodology.
William’s true passion is spreading the message of personal branding through motivational speeches and interactive workshops. Over the past two decades, he has delivered 1,500+ keynotes and workshops in 31 countries. His clients include Adobe, BP, Disney, Garnier, Google, Gucci, IBM, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Target, Warner Bros. and hundreds of other companies, universities and associations. He’s the bestselling author of the definitive books on personal branding: Career Distinction and Ditch. Dare. Do! His latest book, Digital YOU, takes his proven strategies to exciting new levels – helping readers translate their real-world brand for the digital world. William regularly shares his thoughts on the future of personal branding in his Forbes column. He holds a Master’s degree in Education.
In the episode:
3:18 – Nancy talks about how thankful she is of William’s help in distinguishing The PR Maven® and enabling her to become certified in personal branding.
5:38 – William describes how he started his career in branding, communications and marketing at IBM.
6:39 – William tells a story of the Fast Company article that inspired his company and how LinkedIn played a role.
8:36 – William lists the different ways to build their virtual brand based on what you love to do.
10:23 – Nancy and William talk about the power of an up-to-date LinkedIn profile that blends credibility with likability.
13:06 – William explains how important it is to create goals before starting a campaign or joining a social media network.
19:51 – William talks about how personal branding has changed since 1997, most notably with the growth of social media.
25:27 – William describes how professionals need to emphasize their uniqueness to make great impressions.
34:59 – William describes how he works with companies to improve their employee’s talents.
40:43 – William talks about how video has changed with COVID-19.
43:10 – William explains that he has built his network by offering value to his audience.
48:31 – William shares the resources he likes to use, such as using YouTube for learning something new.
50:16 – William leaves a parting thought to be yourself and not conform.
Quote:
“Every single person has this unique ingredient to offer the world and when they're willing to do that and just put it out there, they're going to be happier, and the world's going to benefit from that.” – William Arruda, Personal Branding Guru
Links:
Reach Personal Branding: https://reachpersonalbranding.com/
The Brand Called You: https://www.fastcompany.com/28905/brand-called-you
Deb Dib: https://www.careerthoughtleaders.com/debdib
The Powerful Way Onboarding Can Encourage Authenticity: https://hbr.org/2015/11/the-powerful-way-onboarding-can-encourage-authenticity
Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/
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Looking to connect:
Email: williamarruda@reachcc.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamarruda/
Twitter: @careerblastme
Forbes Column: www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/#51889e00668d
Website: www.williamarruda.com
About the guest:
Becky Robinson is the entrepreneur and founder/CEO of Weaving Influence, Inc., an online influence building company. She works with authors and thought leaders to help them show up online in the same powerful ways they show up in real life.
Becky is also a mom to three wonderful daughters. She has been married since 1993. Work, family, and faith are her three top priorities, not necessarily in that order.
Becky lives in Lambertville, Michigan, across the border from Toledo, Ohio. She works both in Weaving Influence’s local office and remotely from her home office. Working from a home office allows her the ability to be present with her daughters. Weaving Influence exists as a core employee team and a virtual, dispersed team. Becky’s job is to mobilize her team as a unified whole to serve their clients with consistent excellence.
In the episode:
2:15 – Becky explains how she started Weaving Influence after taking a break from her career to stay home with her daughters.
3:25 – Becky talks about how she was more interested in picture books than business books before working with business book authors.
4:21 – When promoting a book, Becky recommends building the network of people interested in your book first.
6:13 – Becky says that how she measures success depends on the goal of her client.
10:10 – Nancy and Becky talk about what services authors get when they work with publishers.
13:14 – Becky shares the mission of Hometown Reads.
16:49 – Becky tells how she attributes a lot of her success to generosity.
19:28 – Not coming from a business background, Becky talks about the challenges of leadership and company culture.
27:14 – As a digital marketing organization, Becky shares that Weaving Influence is unique because of its niche market.
28:26 – Becky describes how her company’s name came to be.
31:54 – Becky talks about making a consistent effort to build her network.
36:12 – Becky talks about the tools she and her team use.
38:27 – Becky encourages listeners to give back and offer value to others.
Quote:
“I like to try to think about what's on the other side and the stories that we'll be able to tell someday about, ‘Wow. It was hard, but I got through it.’” – Becky Robinson, founder and CEO of Weaving Influence Inc
Links:
Gary Vaynerchuk: https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/
Jay Baer: https://www.jaybaer.com/
Scott Stratten: http://www.unmarketing.com/
Hometown Reads: http://www.hometownreads.com/
The Daily Connection: https://cl182.infusionsoft.app/app/form/daily-connection?fbclid=IwAR2jYJJbScIoL7qM6Q8We4N5LDnQfZhS9LmTTjtFiA03dn-fq62H5HAtEKU&cookieUUID=bf390d48-bee5-434a-a5c4-7b1cdf96d21b
Madison Reed: https://www.madison-reed.com/
Basecamp: https://basecamp.com/
Buffer: https://buffer.com/
HARO: https://www.helpareporter.com/
ProfNet: https://profnet.prnewswire.com/profnethome/what-is-profnet.aspx
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Looking to connect:
Email: becky@weavinginfluence.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/beckyrbnsn
Twitter: @beckyrbnsn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeckyRbnsn
Instagram: www.instagram.com/beckyrbnsn/?hl=en
Blog: www.beckyrobinson.com
Website: weavinginfluence.com
About the guest:
Martin Grohman is the Executive Director of the Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech), a statewide nonprofit focused on growing Maine’s clean technology economy. Marty is a former state representative and holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer.
Marty also hosts a podcast for Maine entrepreneurs called The GrowMaine Show which can be heard on WGAN on Sunday mornings and is a trustee of The Betterment Fund.
In previous roles, he co-founded DuraLife Decking, a composite decking manufacturing company in Biddeford, and was Director of Sustainability at GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. As a state representative, he was twice named American Legion Legislator of the Year, an honorary life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, and won the 2016 President’s Award from the Maine Sheriffs Association for his work on jail funding.
Marty grew up in Carthage, Maine, where his family still runs a small farm keeping Jersey cows. He and his wife, Amy, and their two children live in Biddeford.
In the episode:
2:23 – After growing up on a farm in Maine, Martin describes how his career evolved away from the farm.
5:13 – Martin talks about being an entrepreneur in Maine, including how his network helped him during hard times.
8:20 – Martin talks about ways to connected, including handwritten notes and LinkedIn.
11:47 – Nancy and Martin talk about the benefits of growing up on a farm.
13:16 – Martin shares his top tips for marketing and public relations, such as exporting your connections contact information on LinkedIn.
16:51 – Martin shares how E2 Tech is hosting Google Hangouts for students in STEM.
20:07 – Martin describes how E2 Tech builds educational forums without appearing before the legislature or advocating for a particular bill.
32:03 – Martin talks about the Maine Climate Council and finding opportunities to grow environment and economic benefits in business.
37:44 – Martin talks about the GrowMaine podcast, growing successful businesses and changing perceptions of business.
44:14 – Nancy and Martin discuss how processes and procedures help keep a business running.
46:05 – Martin shares the resources that have helped him in his career.
49:54 – Martin talks about setting up a Zoom account.
Quote:
“Our members are going to be the ones that build this comeback. I'm reaching out to them constantly. I'm doing handwritten notes. I'm sending people messages on LinkedIn. You name it, I'm doing it.” – Martin Grohman, executive director of E2Tech and host of the GrowMaine Show
Links:
E2 Tech - https://e2tech.org/
GrowMaine Show - https://growmaineshow.com/
Tumbledown Mountain - https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/tumbledown-mountain-and-little-jackson
DuraLife Decking - https://duralifedecking.com/
Achieving Maine's Climate Goals: How Do We Get There From Here? - https://e2tech.org/event-3651870
Maine Climate Council - https://www.maine.gov/future/
Maine Technology Institute - https://www.mainetechnology.org/
Score Maine - https://www.scoremaine.org/us/
WorkFlowy - https://workflowy.com/
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Looking to connect:
Email: marty@e2tech.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martingrohman/
Twitter: @mgrohman
Podcast: https://growmaineshow.com/
About the guest:
There is no such thing as “business as usual” these days. Now is the time to put plans in place for the time when the world returns to normal. It’s a very good time to reflect on your business and how you are serving your customers or clients. Now is also the time to show compassion, reach out to your network and help in any way you can. In this special podcast episode, Nancy shares her perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic and ten tips small businesses can use for communicating during a crisis.
In the episode:
1:04 – Nancy defines a pandemic and shares a story of a paper her mom, known as Oma, wrote on the Bubonic plague.
3:17 – Nancy shares her gratitude and well wishes.
3:46 – As a result of the pandemic, Nancy tells how she is staying clean.
5:53 – Rather than having FOMO, Nancy talks about how she is being productive while working remotely.
8:47 – Nancy shares her ten tips for communicating during a crisis:
- (9:08) Show compassion for the victims of the crisis.
- (9:57) Make a network map.
- (12:35) Create a message map.
- (14:38) Keep your social media current.
- (16:16) Think about the message your physical plant is sending.
- (18:18) Make plans to coming back stronger than ever.
- (19:41) What can you do to help the cause?
- (20:57) Communicate, Communicate, Communicate. Now is not the time to go dark.
- (23:06) Is your website up to date?
- (24:55) Stay calm.
Quote:
“That’s really the thing we need to be most concerned about is the health of our family, our friends, our customers, our vendors and the people in our network.” – Nancy Marshall, CEO of Marshall Communications and The PR Maven®
Links:
Calm - https://www.calm.com/
PR Works! - https://www.amazon.com/PR-Works-implement-leverage-relations/dp/1511641614
Women Presidents’ Organization - https://www.womenpresidentsorg.com/
Agency Management Institute - https://agencymanagementinstitute.com/
Harbor Fish - https://harborfish.com/
Dog Not Gone - https://www.dognotgone.com/
Tabitha Swanson - https://www.yourmainecpa.com/
Lila East End Yoga - https://livelila.com/
Look forward to:
Nancy’s online courses starting with Message Mapping
Nancy’s new book
Learn more about message mapping in Episode 82
Greg Glynn’s PR Maven® Podcast Episode
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