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Dear Friends,
It’s hard to believe that summer is already winding down. Here in Maine, the days are getting a little shorter, the evenings a little cooler, and before long, the first hints of fall foliage will start appearing.
I’ve always loved this time of year. In some ways, September feels more like the start of a new year to me than January does. Maybe it goes back to all those years of heading back to school with new notebooks, new clothes and a fresh start. Whatever the reason, fall always gives me renewed energy and makes me think about what I want to learn, improve and accomplish in the months ahead.
That spirit of growth and renewal runs through the articles we’re sharing in this issue of The PR Maven® newsletter.
One is about something I’ve believed throughout my career: strong relationships with the media are built on trust. If you want journalists to see you as a valuable resource, be responsive. Tell the truth. Provide useful data and statistics when you have them. Make their jobs easier. And when they take the time to tell your story, remember to say thank you. A little gratitude goes a long way, in PR and in life.
We’re also talking about confidence, both our own and the confidence we help build in the people around us. It’s easy to stick with what we already know we can do. But so much growth happens when we’re willing to try something new, even when we aren’t completely sure how it will turn out. As leaders, we have an opportunity to encourage our employees to stretch themselves, take smart risks and discover abilities they may not even know they have.
Finally, we look at how job candidates can send strong signals about their capabilities during an interview. Experience and credentials certainly matter, but so do preparation, curiosity, enthusiasm and the way you communicate your value. The signals we send often speak just as loudly as the words on our résumé.
Whether you’re strengthening a relationship with a journalist, encouraging someone on your team, interviewing for a new opportunity, or simply challenging yourself to do something you’ve never done before, this is a wonderful time of year to ask: What could I do differently this fall?
As the leaves begin to change, maybe we can make a few changes of our own.
Enjoy these last beautiful days of summer, and here’s to a productive, colorful and inspiring fall!
Warmly,
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