The PR Maven Podcast

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: [email protected]  

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: [email protected]

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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