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Dear Friends,
As I write this month's newsletter, I find myself feeling an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude. Summer has truly arrived here in Maine, and every day seems to offer another reminder of just how fortunate we are to live and work in such a beautiful place. Whether it's the rugged coastline, the scent of pine trees after a summer rain, colorful gardens in full bloom, or long evenings spent with family and friends around an open fire, the natural beauty surrounding us has a remarkable way of renewing both our energy and our perspective.
Summer also reminds me to slow down just enough to appreciate the relationships that matter most. In our busy professional lives, it's easy to become consumed by deadlines, meetings, and endless to-do lists. Yet when I look back on my career, I realize that the opportunities that have shaped my life didn't come from checking another task off a list. They came from conversations, introductions, acts of generosity, and genuine curiosity about other people.
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Last Monday, Marshall Communications was a sponsor of a golf tournament at the Samoset Resort to benefit the TV show Greenlight Maine. My good friend, Julene Gervais, is the host of the TV show. She is pictured here with me on the day of the tournament. It was a beautiful summer day on the coast of Maine, and the best part was that my two sons both played in the tournament. My son Craig's team was the winning foursome! Life is good! | | |
That has always been the heart of public relations. Long before artificial intelligence, social media, and digital marketing, PR was about helping people become known, liked, trusted, and connected. Those four qualities remain just as important today because technology can generate content, but it cannot replace authentic human relationships.
This month's newsletter is filled with ideas designed to help you strengthen your visibility, credibility, and professional network. My hope is that you'll discover one or two ideas you can put into practice immediately.
Thank you, as always, for being part of the PR Maven® community. I appreciate every email, conversation, referral, and opportunity to connect. Wishing you a wonderful summer filled with sunshine, meaningful relationships, and continued success.
All the best for a great summer!
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Nancy Marshall
The PR Maven®
nancy@prmaven.com
P.S. I'd like to try something new in each issue of the PR Maven® Newsletter. At the end of every newsletter, you'll find "Nancy's Networking Challenge" — one simple action you can take that month to become a little more known, a little more liked, a little more trusted, and a little more connected. I hope you'll join me in making these small relationship-building habits part of your professional routine. I'd love to hear how they work for you!
| | How To Bring Summer Sizzle to Your Networking Game | Even a simple outdoor picnic can create meaningful opportunities for conversation, our guest columnist writes. | |  | Why Unplugging May Be Your Best Career Move This Summer | Just because technology allows us to stay connected doesn't mean we always should, our guest columnist writes. | | | Why Kindness is a Must in Every Workplace | The strongest teams are not made up of perfect people. They are made up of people who are willing to listen, learn, adapt and support one another, our guest columnist writes. | | | How To Turn Personal Connections Into Networking Gold | The real value networking comes from nurturing relationships over time, according to our guest contributors, who reconnected years after their student days at Hebron Academy. | | | Nancy's Networking Challenge | | |
In today's digital world, a handwritten note has become one of the most memorable ways to stand out. Whether you're thanking someone for a meeting, congratulating them on a promotion, welcoming a new client, or introducing yourself after meeting someone at an event, taking five minutes to write a personal note demonstrates thoughtfulness, professionalism, and genuine appreciation.
I've seen the power of handwritten notes throughout my career, and I'm especially proud to see it continue in my own family. My son, Craig, regularly sends handwritten notes to prospective clients in his insurance business. He learned that habit years ago when he faithfully wrote thank-you notes to his grandparents after birthdays and holidays. Those simple gestures helped teach him that people remember kindness, gratitude, and personal attention long after they forget an email.
This month's challenge: Write three handwritten notes. Thank a mentor. Reach out to someone you recently met. Or introduce yourself to someone you'd like to know better. Small acts like these help you become known, liked, trusted, and connected — the very foundation of strong personal and professional relationships.
| | Did you complete this month's Networking Challenge? I'd love to hear your story. Simply hit reply and tell me what happened. I may even share a few of my favorite reader stories in a future edition of the PR Maven Newsletter! | | | | |
