The PR Maven Podcast

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: [email protected]

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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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: [email protected]  

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

Phone: 207-660-0120

Instagram: @lockwoodhotelwaterville

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lockwoodhotelwaterville/

Front & Main

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 207-660-0130

Instagram: @frontandmainwaterville

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frontandmainwaterville/