Solo PR Pro | Successful Freelance PR Consulting

Solo Self-Promotion, and More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:42:31 +0000

This week’s #solopr chat on Twitter was a lively discussion (as always!). Questions included the following:

1. Do you have recommendations for the best ways to track radio and TV PSAs?

2. How important is it for PR pros to promote their own (personal) image, i.e. w/personal blog, tweets etc?

3. For an upcoming article on PR Conversations, what do you get out of #solopr that you don’t get anywhere else (industry assoc., etc)?

4. Last week there was a side discussion re: business plans… Do you have one, how did you develop it?

Download the transcript in PDF to read the savvy insights from your fellow Solo PR Pros (note that due to technical difficulties with wthashtag.com, this week the transcript is in reverse chronological order, so start at the bottom to better follow the conversation).

Be sure to let us know what you think — share your two cents in the comments!

The #solopr chat – held each Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. Eastern – is a weekly ritual for some of the most savvy Solo PR Pros on Twitter. Anyone with a Twitter account is welcome to participate – see Join Us for the #solopr Chat on Twitter to find out how!

First Steps, Marketing, and more

Kellye Crane — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:15:26 +0000

The #solopr Twitter chat this week was once again a varied discussion, with expert advice in response to the following questions:

1. What do you do for tech support?

2. What do you do when a potential client calls, then calls two more times & sends two emails before you can respond?

3. How do you take credit on your website or marketing materials for blog posts on behalf of a client? Or not?

4. What are some ways to stay in touch with former, occasional or once prospective clients?

5. What’s the first thing you did when you decided to go solo?

Be sure to check out the transcript in PDF for insights, and be sure to add yours in the comments!

New PR Tactics, and More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:34:30 +0000

As part of this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, top pros in PR consulting shared their thoughts on a wide-range of topics, including the following:

1) When trying to estimate hours for a blogger outreach program, how do you handle?

2) Has anyone used CNN’s iReport.com or Allvoices.com on behalf of clients? How?

3) How do you “find” long-term clients who value PR and are willing to pay for services?

4) There’s been talk about civility on Twitter/blogs this week. How would you advise a client respond if called out by influencer?

Find out what the savvy chat participants had to say by downloading the transcript in PDF. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Superheroes Don’t Exist

Kellye Crane — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:00:11 +0000

Family emergencies can serve as a reminder that there is much more to life than work – these times can offer an amazing opportunity to pause and reflect on our own priorities.

Unfortunately, even during periods of grief or illness, we tend to measure ourselves against others who appear to have achieved superhero status.

As social media has become a part of our daily lives, we see images of superheroes all around us – their plethora of blog posts, never-ending networking and dizzying schedules are on public display. For the rest of us, those who seem to never slow down (and never fail) often are used as the measuring stick of success.

The Real Deal

Most of us know that when you see someone else’s marriage, you don’t really know what goes on “behind closed doors.” The same is true for professional dynamos – those who seem to have superhero stamina and smarts are actually real people with real problems and real failings.

What’s more, sometimes we assign superhero status to those who would readily admit they are far from it, if asked. Fellow Solo PR Pro, Laura Scholz (whose energy has always been a marvel to me), bravely recounted her struggles on her blog recently.

This is not to say the world isn’t filled with heroes – I’m sure we all have many heroes of the human, mortal variety who inspire us daily and keep life interesting. But superheroes only exist in comic books and movies, and constantly trying to be one will only leave us exhausted, unsatisfied and empty.

I loved it when Stuart Smalley, the old self-help-addicted character on Saturday Night Live, said, “I’m should-ing all over myself.” How often do you catch yourself should-ing? What are your tips for avoiding superhero syndrome?

Image credit: Carla216

No Freedom without Independence

Kellye Crane — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:30:46 +0000

This weekend the U.S. will celebrate the July 4th holiday, and we’ll all pause to appreciate the freedoms we often take for granted.

In fact, there is no freedom without independence, and those of us who’ve chosen to ply our public relations trade independently know this well. Exempt from external control and empowered to manage our futures without restraint, Solo PR Pros know the true meaning of freedom in our own lives.

So, let’s take a moment to enjoy Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness on your own terms! If you aren’t independent yet, let this be an occasion where you develop a plan for your own declaration of independence.

Last year, I shared my favorite perks of freedom – what are yours?

Image credit: Techhie