The PR Maven Podcast

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 t he clutter and help you stand out. Also, someone with a lot of personality will increase the chances of your s...

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 t...

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 experi...

"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 go...

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...

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 case...

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 h...

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...

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 b...

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 roya...

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...

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 mut...

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...

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 t...

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"...

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 mark...

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, litera...

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...

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...

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...

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 n...

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...

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...

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, Kev...

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 – 1...