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Dear PR Maven® Community,

I hope you're having a wonderful summer!

This month's featured article is one that is especially personal to me because it tells the story of a pivotal moment early in my career that changed the direction of my professional life.

When I was 24 years old, I worked in the mailroom at Sugarloaf during the summer. My job was to sort mail and prepare bulk mailings. It was important work, but I found myself counting the hours until the end of the day.

There was one bright spot, though. Every afternoon, the UPS driver would arrive, and I looked forward to that visit more than anything else. We would chat for a few minutes, laugh, and catch up. It finally dawned on me that it wasn't the break from work that I loved. It was the human connection.

That simple realization helped me understand something that has guided my career ever since: I am happiest when I'm building relationships, communicating, and connecting people. Those interactions energize me. They don't drain me.

Looking back, I can see that those daily conversations pointed me toward public relations long before I realized it myself.

In this month's featured Mainebiz column, I explore the idea that the work that brings you genuine joy may actually reveal your greatest strength. So often, our superpower isn't something we're struggling to develop. It's something that comes naturally and leaves us feeling energized instead of exhausted.

I hope the story encourages you to think about your own career. Pay attention to the moments you look forward to each day. They may be telling you something important.

As always, thank you for being part of the PR Maven® community.

Warmly,

Nancy Marshall 

The PR Maven®

nancy@prmaven.com

Tip of the Month

Use stories to make your message stick.

People may forget a list of recommendations, but they almost always remember a good story.

I could simply tell you, "Find what brings you joy at work." That's good advice, but it's easy to forget. Instead, by sharing the story of waiting for the UPS driver each afternoon at Sugarloaf, you can picture that young woman in the mailroom discovering what truly energized her. Stories create emotion, and emotion creates memory.

Here's a simple exercise to help identify what brings you joy at work:

• What task or conversation gave me energy today?
• What activity made time seem to fly by?
• If I could repeat one part of today tomorrow, what would it be?

After a week, look for patterns. Are you energized by solving problems? Teaching others? Brainstorming? Meeting new people? Writing? Leading a team?

The activities that consistently leave you feeling energized rather than depleted often point to your unique strengths and, quite possibly, your superpower.

And when you're telling your own organization's story, remember this lesson as well. Facts inform, but stories inspire. If you want people to remember your message, don't just tell them what to do. Tell them a story they'll never forget.

Nancy's Networking Challenge

August 2026 Challenge

The next time you go to a networking event, like a Chamber of Commerce meeting or a school fundraiser at your kids’ school, make an intentional effort to introduce yourself to three new people. Get their contact info and connect with them either on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram, wherever they are most active. Try to connect with them online either right away or the next day, otherwise you will forget their names. Once you connect, make an effort to comment on their content on a regular basis in order to stay top of mind. 

prmaven.com

nancy@prmaven.com