No one does PR like you. Communication professionals can learn from the same books, utilize the same tools and speak the same language, but each of us will have a unique way of practicing our craft. Running your own business illuminates those differences. You have the...
business
How to Get Paid (On Time) by Your Clients
It's a scenario no solo PR pro wants to find themselves in: getting stiffed on client payments. It happened to two of my dear friends this year alone. In both instances, these clients were referrals from trusted sources where personal relationships existed....
The Marketplace of You: Seeing Your Small Business as a Valuable Asset
When you think of the value of your solo PR business, what do you include? The results you get for your clients, the revenue you bring into the business and the salary you are able to pay yourself and your team are all likely to top the list. But do you ever...
Take a Seat…and Own it!
In episode 15 of the That Solo Life podcast we were joined by fellow Solo PR Pro, Dr. Lori Baker-Schena. In addition to the solo practice she founded in 1987, which she continues to this day, Dr. Baker-Schena is the co-founder of LeadHERship Consortium, working with...
The Case for Consistent Business Development
Independent consultants strike out on their own for a number of reasons from wanting more life balance to being burned out on the politics of corporate work. Yet, on day one, all are confronted with the reality that to be in business, you need clients. Getting that...
Weird Prospective Clients & More
During the June 12 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed weird prospective clients, planning for business support, and working when the weather's nice outside. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most...
Forming an LLC, Mentoring Others, & More
During the June 5 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed becoming an LLC, mentoring other solos, handling a viral embarrassment, and charging for referrals. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most...
Pitching Freelance Journalists & More
During the May 29 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed pitching freelance journalists, handling MIA clients, and sending out new business proposals. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
Content Providers, Hiring Biz Help, & More
During the May 15 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discuss journalists as content providers, hiring subcontractors, and best practices for using LinkedIn ads. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
Replacing Tools for Chat Tracking, Where to Get Top Industry News & More
The specific questions, and top responses, from the May 1 #solopr Twitter chat, include:
Brushing Up on In-Person New Business Presentations & More
The specific questions, and top responses, from the May 1 #solopr Twitter chat, include:
How to Sound as Professional as Your Services When Networking & More
During the April 17 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed ways to convey professionalism at networking events, how to incorporate blogger outreach in PR plans, and thoughts on American Airlines' recent apology video on YouTube. New and established PR...
How to Handle Losing a Client & More
During the April 10 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed experiences working with business coaches, dealing with losing a client, and becoming a more effective delegator. New and established PR consultants alike offered insights on the following...
When to Go Back to Traditional Employment & More
During the April 3 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed remedies for spending too much time on Facebook, how to know if it's time to go back to traditional employment, ways to deal with loneliness as a solo PR pro, and how to compete against larger...
Working As A Subcontractor & More
During the March 27 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed client personnel changes and potential billing issues when working as a subcontractor. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
Tips for Facebook Ads & More
During the March 20 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed cloud-based email, advice for new grads, tips for Facebook Advertising, and working with consultants across time zones. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights...
Travel Tips, Client News, & More
During the March 13 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed travel tips, new business, and client announcements. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: As travelers, do you have any pro tips for dealing with jet lag (also works for time...
Managing Stress & More
During the March 6 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed recommendations for new clients, managing stress, and handling difficult client contacts. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
Blogging, Difficult Clients, & More
During the February 13 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed blogging and working with difficult clients. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat: #SoloPR Chat Highlights...
Taxes, Event Planning, & More
During the February 6 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed taxes, event planning, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat: #SoloPR Chat Highlights – 2/06/2013...
Offering Discounts & More
During the January 30 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed managing client expectations & offering discounts. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat: #SoloPR Chat...
Reasons for Going Solo & More
During the January 23 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed reasons for going solo, the closing of LinkedIn Answers, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat:...
When Things Don’t Go According To Plan & More
During the January 16 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed unexpected client issues, time tracking software, & Lance Armstrong's PR crisis. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: When something isn't going according to plan, do you...
Video Production, Google+ Hangouts, & More
During the January 9 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed producing low-budget videos, leveraging Google+ hangouts, managing a sudden workload increase, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the...
Referrals, Personality Traits, & More
During the January 2 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed asking for referrals, the most important factors for clients, personality traits of a PR pro, & goals for 2013. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights...
The Importance of Taking Time Off
It's no surprise that solo PR pros are sometimes guilty of working too much. But continually burning the candle at both ends can have a serious negative impact on both your mental and physical health. That's why we've written several posts over the years on the...
Year-End Purchases, 2013 Goals, & More
During the December 12 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed year-end purchases, effective new business tactics, and goals for 2013. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the...
Pros/Cons of #SoloPR & More
During the November 14 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed scheduling during the holidays, managing client expectations, pros/cons of being a #solopr, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the...
Instagram Web Profiles, Battling Self Doubt, & More
During the November 7 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed Instagram web profiles, AVEs, battling moments of self doubt, and planning for 2013. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
Distributing News, Adopting Social Networks, & More
During the October 17 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed building relationships with non-marketing executives, distributing news online, and adopting newer social media channels. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following...
Advice on Hiring an Assistant & More
During the September 26 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed tools for creating visuals, advice on hiring an assistant, thoughts on turning away prospects, and tips for getting in holiday gift guides. In addition to the downloadable transcript in...
Client Feedback, Staying Fit, & More
During the September 12 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed asking for client feedback, using Storify, staying fit as a solo PR pro, and new social media services/sites to focus on. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following...
Business Planning, Online Newsrooms, & More
During the September 5 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed business planning, online newsrooms, and adjusting to social media changes. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the...
Project Management & More
During the August 22 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed additional income streams, project management tips, time tracking solutions, and more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
Olympic Coverage, the Future of Google+, & More
During the July 25 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed handling aggressive prospective clients, working around Olympic coverage, and the future of Google+. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most...
ROI & Minimum Budgets
During the July 18 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed how to include ROI in a proposal and minimum budgets when working with small clients. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
Finding Inspiration, Weathering Emergencies, & More
During the July 11 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed finding inspiration for stale client accounts, working around non-compete agreements when transitioning from agency to solo, and tips for weathering a family emergency. In addition to the...
Flat Rate vs. Hourly, Email Marketing, & More
During the June 27 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed flat rate vs. hourly pricing, integrated email/CRM solutions, and email marketing for clients. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
Walmart PR, Moving Up the Value Chain, & More
During the June 20 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed the recent Walmart PR fiasco, making time for social media, moving up the value chain, and more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
Reporter Queries on Twitter & More
During the May 30 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed reporter queries on Twitter, prepping for new business pitches, joining women-focused PR groups, & health insurance for freelancers. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the...
Meeting with Clients, Raising Rates, & More
During the May 23 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed meeting with clients, managing a move, & raising rates. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat: #SoloPR Chat...
New to Solo PR? You aren’t alone.
The following is a guest post from Jason Mollica, president of JRM Comm. So, you have decided that it’s time you ventured out on your own… in public relations, that is. In September, I embarked on my solo journey. Although, it wasn't necessarily on the terms I...
Focus your efforts for fun and profit
As consultants, we’re largely in charge of our own destiny – which can be both a blessing and a curse. Most (all?) of us have things we enjoy that we aren’t good at, and things we’re good at that we don’t find enjoyable. For example: I love to sing -- but no one ever...
Late Payments & Promoting Yourself
During the April 18 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed clients who are late paying and promoting yourself to your target client base. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the...
Recovering From A Sudden Client Loss & More
During the April 11 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed working with friends/family members, recovering from a sudden client loss, involving employees from non-communication departments in social media initiatives, and how to best handle a vendor who...
When Face-to-Face Communication Beats the Internet
The following is a guest post from Amanda DiSilvestro, Online Content Editor at Business.com. Along with many other industries, the practice of public relations is changing due to the rapid growth of email and social networking. As a whole, this change is good for...
Conference Call Services, Mistrust in PR, & More
During the March 28 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed working with clients who got "burned," preferred conference call services, and mistrust in the PR industry. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the...
International Clients, Being A Better Boss, & More
The March 21, 2012 chat was sponsored by PitchPen, a site that allows social media consultants to get new clients and grow their business. Be the first to join their global network when it launches mid-2012 and get their free guide to getting new clients. ...
SXSW Attendance, Referral Fees, & More
During the March 7 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed SXSW attendance, referral fees, social media commentary as a new business tool, & possible topics for a 2013 Solo PR conference. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following...
Solo PR Pros Make the PR Industry Stronger
When PRSA asked me to participate in their series “12 Trends That Will Change Public Relations in 2012,” I saw it as an opportunity to expose the uninitiated to the benefits of working with a Solo PR Pro. In “Solo PR Pros — The Profession’s Secret Weapon,” I lay out...
Social Media Vacations, Accounting Software, & More
During the December 14 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed social media during the holidays, accounting software, & organizing new business leads. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. How much "social media" presence will you...
New Business, Renegotiating Client Contracts, & More
The November 16, 2011 chat was sponsored by PitchPen, a new service for consultants to pitch companies actively seeking PR help: http://www.pitchpen.com. Consultant participation in PitchPen is invite only- email membership@pitchpen.com with your name/experience/links...
Holiday Press, Increasing Clientele, & More
During the October 5 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on helping clients find value, garnering holiday press, increasing clientele, & more. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. Client's focused on deliverable that may...
Solo For The Long Haul, TechCrunch Drama, & More
During the September 14 #solopr Twitter chat, which was guest moderated by Amy Sept of Nimbyist Communications, independent PR pros discussed handling former clients, being solo for the long haul, the current TechCrunch drama, and interesting uses of PR. Specifically,...
Pricing, Current Events, & More
During the August 24 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed sharing pricing information, using current events in media pitches, and social media referral sources. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. We've seen posts lately from...
Burn Out, Interns, Events, & More
During the August 10 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed client advice, feeling burned out, hiring an intern, and more. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. Would you ever advise a client to blog negatively about a person or...
Personal Profiles, Assessing Client Interest, & More
During the August 3 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on personal social media profiles, assessing client interest, buying Twitter followers, & more. The following questions helped guide the conversation: 1. Can you have a personal profile,...
Work Situations, Inattentive Clients, & More
During the July 27 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed work situations, growth goals, contacting press, and inattentive clients. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. Do you work from home, or an off-site office? Pros/cons? #solopr...
Ponder Your Legacy
Recently, I was asked by PRSA to be interviewed as part of the organization’s Business Case for Public Relations series. Many of the questions are heady, and gave me pause. But perhaps the most difficult question to answer was, “what do you want your legacy to be?”
Blogging, Scandals, & More
During the July 20 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on blog etiquette, overseas scandals, & working with subcontractors. The following questions helped guide the conversation: 1. I have a new personal blog. Not sure if I need to do a...
Media Relations, Dress Codes, & More
During the June 15 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on reporter etiquette, solo PR dress codes, and influencer identification tools. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. Orig asked on the LI group- http://linkd.in/kArPXz -do...
Business Goals, Referral Systems, & More
During the June 8 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed business goals, referral systems, client red flags, and more. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. We're almost at 2011 half-way pt. How is everyone doing on their business...
Extra Costs, Website Leads, Summer Vacation & More
During the May 18 #solopr Twitter chat, solo PR pros shared insight on adding mileage expenses into client contracts, building your own website, getting leads from your website, and taking a summer vacation. The following questions helped guide the conversation: 1....
Competing with Bigger Firms, Selling Social Media, & More
During the May 11 #solopr Twitter chat, solo PR pros discussed competing with bigger firms, tricky client situations, selling social media, & working with clients in complicated industries. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. What is the best...
Unbilled Work, Tracking Client Progress, & New Business
During the May 4 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on responding to clients who ask for unbilled work, tracking client/campaign progress, and speeding up the new business process. The following questions helped guide the conversation: 1. What do...
Time-Keeping, Media Connections, & Small Biz Publicity
During the April 27 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed time-keeping systems, connecting with the media, and generating publicity for small businesses. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. What do you use for time keeping...
Social Media Non-Believers, Stubborn Clients, & More
During the April 20 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared valuable insight on social media non-believers, stubborn clients, offering discounts, Twitter best practices, and the stressful world of PR. The following questions helped guide the conversation: 1....
LinkedIn, Solo PR Blogs, Content Aggregation, & More
During the April 13 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed the importance of a LinkedIn photo, solo PR blogging tips, blog design preferences, and balancing aggregated content, third party content, and original content all in one blog. The following...
Upscale Clients, Membership Sites, Firing An Under-Performer, & More
During the March 30 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed dealing with upscale clients, pursuing membership sites, firing someone who's under-performing, and journalists' social media behavior. The following questions were addressed: 1. If client has...
New Clients, PR Platforms, & Twitter Habits
During the March 16 #solopr Twitter chat, solo PR pros shared insight on announcing new clients, using services like HARO and Profnet, and changes in people's Twitter habits. The following questions were addressed: 1. Do you announce new clients? 2. Do you use HARO...
Avoiding Spam, the Definition of PR, & More
During the March 9 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros touched upon avoiding spam, the definition of PR, partnering with non-profits, and marketing your services as a subcontractor. The following questions help guide the conversation: 1. How do you avoid sending...
Ethics & New Business
During the March 2 #solopr Twitter chat, solo PR pros discussed ethical boundaries and new business. Specifically the following questions were addressed: 1. What are some situations where a client rep could cross your ethical boundaries? How would you handle? 2. What...
Biz Partners, Taglines, & More
During the February 16 #solopr Twitter chat, PR pros shared valuable insight on working with a partner, using subcontractors, coming up with a tagline, and doing work while on vacation. The following questions were addressed: 1. When working with a biz partner, what's...
DIY PR, Down Payments, Going Solo, & More
During the February 9 #solopr Twitter chat, solo PR pros discussed the Do-it-Yourself PR mindset, how to handle being dissatisfied with an outside vendor's work, how to prepare for a solo PR career while at an agency, and trying new mobile tactics for PR....
Performance & Proposals & Payments, Oh My!
During the February 2 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros touched upon pay-by-performance, RFPs, and more. Specifically, they weighed in on the following questions: 1. Have you ever worked on a pay by performance basis? e.g., a bonus if you hit X objective, or...
Outreach Methods & Back-Up Plans
During the January 26 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed their preferred methods for contacting media and influencers. In addition, these solo PRs shared their opinions on having a back-up/succession plan in the case of a family emergency, illness,...
Considerations in Q4
With Q4 2010 well underway, this week's #solopr Twitter chat covered some of the key issues we face this time of year: 1. How do you make sure clients feel comfortable when you're out of the office (short term and long term)? 2. How do you mark the holidays with your...
Issues with Subcontracting, and more
On the #solopr Twitter chat this week, we discussed several critical issues related to working with subcontractors, among other things. The questions included: 1) How can you start a virtual firm with other solo PR folks? 2) What if a subcontractor (in this case,...
Business Costs, and more
During the #solopr Twitter chat this week, consultants in PR and social media offered tips on a wide-range of topics, addressing the following questions: 1. How often during the year do you work on the administration and branding of your business? Do you ever center a...
Press Tours, Story Angles, and more
This week during the #solopr Twitter chat, we discussed a variety of subjects of interest to both solos and non-solo PR practitioners alike: 1) How do you qualify the businesses you work with? Budget? Stability? 2) Is the press tour/teletour dead? Do you still...
Proposals, Pricing and More
As part of this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, pros in PR consulting offered advice on two key issues in running your business, addressing the following questions: 1. As discussed in today's Solo PR post, have you used value/fee-based (rather than hourly) pricing?...
Insights on Fees, Employees, and more
This week's #solopr Twitter chat addressed some of the top issues facing independent PR consultants, ranging from when to raise rates, to when to hire employees. We covered the following questions: 1. How do you know when your fees are too low? 2. When it comes to...