Google Analytics is a treasure chest of information, but it can intimidate even the most seasoned professional. It can be difficult to understand all of the metrics and more importantly how to apply them to our work. In this infographic from Salesforce Canada, you'll...
marketing
Chat Recap: Rush Jobs, Dual Roles and PR vs Marketing 3.0
A savvy group of independent communication pros from across the country gathered for the May 7 #solopr Twitter chat. The group enjoyed a lively, fast moving chat as they discussed the following topics of interest: When you work w/a client on a project basis, how do...
Marcom, Free Work and Spotting the Fakes
This week highlighted that, as an independent pro, you not only get to color outside the lines but decide where the lines are drawn. During the March 26 Solo PR chat, independent communication pros discussed the following topics of interest: What's the difference...
The Most Valuable Social Media Tool & More
During the October 24 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed new business research, the most valuable social media tool, and how to market your product. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
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...
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....
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...
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...
Holiday Pitching, Renegade Spokespeople, and More
This week’s #solopr Twitter chat was once again a fast-moving hour full of useful tips from some of the top pros in PR consulting nationwide. We covered some timely topics this week, covering the following questions: 1. Is there a "dead zone" around the US 4th of...
New Business, PR Timing, and More
As part of this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, pros in PR consulting offered insights on a wide-range of topics, addressing the following questions: 1. When in between projects and working to gain new business, what are the best practices? 2. I graduated in December and...
Thinking Big Picture
During the #solopr Twitter chat this week, we addressed questions from the community that centered around looking at the big picture for your business. The topics included: 1) How do you know when it's time to start hiring staff and turn your solo practice into an...
What Are You?
During this week’s #solopr chat on Twitter, we had a lively conversation that included the pros and cons of the various labels we use for ourselves. Is it better to position oneself as a consultant, freelancer, independent contractor, or some other title? This...
Parting Ways with a Client, and More
As part of this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, PR consultants offered insights on a variety of important issues, including the following: 1) Do you provide a client with a variable rate sheet, or just say "this is what I charge?" 2) How are other #solopr pros creatively...
PR Consulting Clients Want Specialists
This is a guest post from Kevin Dinino, Founder & CEO, KCD Public Relations Inc. I started out like many in the PR field, as a generalist Account Executive at a mid-size PR agency pre-Internet bubble. Once the sky started to fall and clients such as Neopets.com...
Do You Have Ugly Stuff?
Design plays an important role in establishing credibility — especially important for independents.
How to Build a Name for Yourself
A lot of consultants (PR, social media, and others) come on strong to build a name for themselves, and then flame out. In some cases it may be because they can’t walk the talk, for others perhaps the intensity of their self-promotion can’t be sustained long-term. Those with staying power are less concerned about raising their profile, and more focused on building a reputation.
Consultants: Celebrate Independents’ Day!
As the U.S. prepares to observe its Independence Day holiday, it’s an excellent excuse for consultants to pause and celebrate the many joys of being independent in business. Even in today's sometimes difficult market, being your own boss is extremely gratifying. Among...
What Disclosure Issues Mean for PR
Controversy has been swirling in online and blogging circles for some time about the thorny issues of disclosure and conflicts of interest. When it comes to blogs’ coverage of products and services, there are gray areas all over the place – some of them intentional,...
Success Stories: Narciso Tovar
Having recently established himself as full-time Solo PR Pro, Narciso Tovar of Big Noise Communications has more than 13 years of public relations expertise with a remarkable track record. He considers himself both a teacher and student in external communications and...
Success Stories: Jen Wilbur
Solo PR Pro successes come from all walks of life, and everyone's story is unique. Since each PR and MarCom consultant makes his or her own rules, there's much we can learn from the experiences of others. To that end, I'm thrilled to unveil our first interview in what...
Modern PR: The Next Wave
Whether you call it PR 2.0, New PR, or some other catchy moniker, it’s clear that public relations is moving into a new age. As we’ve noted, Modern PR means evolving, adapting and embracing new challenges. At the forefront of this evolution is PR’s incorporation of a...
Modern PR: The Media’s Changing… with You or Without You
Despite some reports to the contrary, the media is not dying. But there are dramatic changes taking place and, chances are, this is not completely news to you. As PR pros, most of us have seen long-time relationships with key reporters end as they get laid off and...
Modern PR Series: What You Need to Know About Public Relations Today
The times they are a’changin. If you’re working in marketing communications or PR, you’ve no doubt encountered this already. With the now fast-changing media landscape, in many ways we’re in the Wild Wild West. The rules have yet to be established, and not everyone...
Should PR Pros Be Reading Blogs?
As I talk to friends and colleagues, I’ve found that a number of PR and marketing communications professionals are not reading many blogs. Those they do read are often related to clients, and quite a few folks have confessed to me that they don’t use RSS to keep up...
Welcome to Solo PR Pro!
I decided to start Solo PR Pro because I’m often asked to recommend online resources that focus just on independent PR and Marketing Communications consultants… and I realized there really aren’t any. Solo PR Pros have a great life, and I firmly believe that more...
Why Public Relations Consulting?
Are you looking to break free of the cubicle? With the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicting that public relations as a field will continue to grow by 18 percent from 2006 to 2016, there are many opportunities to do just that as an independent PR consultant....
Who can be a Solo PR Pro?
While this blog has “PR” in the name, I believe professionals in a wide variety of disciplines can learn from each other here. Yes, I know many of these occupations don’t fall under the banner of public relations, but independents in these fields share many issues,...