Solo PR Pro | Successful Freelance PR Consulting » media relations

News Wire Services, Controlling Clients, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:15:00 +0000

During the December 7 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed news wire services, controlling clients, and slower work periods. Specifically, the following questions were addressed:

1a. What news release/news wire services get your high ranking? Free or for a fee. What has worked for you? #solopr

1b. Do you ever get inbound media interest solely from an announcement over the wire these days? #solopr

2. How do you handle a client that thinks they can control the media’s coverage (the angle, or picking the shot, for example)? #solopr

3. Does your work slow down at any point in December? If so, when? #solopr

Be sure to check out the transcript in PDF for the full discussion. Note that the transcript is in reverse chronological order.

If you weren’t able to join us this week, please let us know how you’d respond to the chat questions below!

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!

Thanks to Jennifer Spivak for compiling this post.

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Generalist/Specialist, Image Consulting, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:15:05 +0000

During the October 12 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed bad PR stories, image consulting, & more. Specifically, the following questions were addressed:

1. Is it better for a #solopr pro to be a generalist or a specialist?

2. Recently, a PR pro got caught using f-bomb, etc. re: blogger: http://bit.ly/ospMji Do these stories make us all look bad? #solopr

3. What place does image consulting have in PR world, or how closely does it relate to PR? #solopr

Be sure to check out the transcript in PDF for the full discussion. Note that the transcript is in reverse chronological order.

If you weren’t able to join us this week, please let us know how you’d respond to the chat questions below!

Thanks to Jennifer Spivak for compiling this post.

Pricing, Current Events, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:15:39 +0000

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 @MackCollier, @spinsucks and @ericamallison on this lately: do you post your prices online? #solopr

2. @KeithTrivitt of @prsa reminded PR pros today not to use the earthquake in unrelated pitches. When do current events make sense? #solopr

3. Reported that StumbleUpon drives half of all social media traffic to sites (with Qs around quality of traffic). Experiences? #solopr

Be sure to check out the transcript in PDF for the full discussion. Note that the transcript is in reverse chronological order.

If you weren’t able to join us this week, please let us know how you’d respond to the chat questions below!

Thanks to Jennifer Spivak for compiling this post.

Work Situations, Inattentive Clients, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:15:35 +0000

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

2. Do you know how much you want to grow? How do you decide? #solopr

3. What’s the best way to find contact info for press that you haven’t work with before? #solopr

4. How do you handle when clients have other priorities, not paying attention to PR program. deadlines etc.? #solopr

Be sure to check out the transcript in PDF for the full discussion. Note that the transcript is in reverse chronological order.

If you weren’t able to join us this week, please let us know how you’d respond to the chat questions below!

Thanks to Jennifer Spivak for compiling this post.

Media Relations, Dress Codes, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:15:04 +0000

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 you send a thank you email to reporters who cover your clients? #solopr

2. Do you “dress” for work (like @KarenSwim)? #solopr

3. Klout recently announced the integration of LinkedIn, and +1 (vote up-type function). What do you think? #solopr

Be sure to check out the transcript in PDF for the full discussion. Note that our previous transcript service is down, so this week’s transcript is in reverse chronological order. We’re working to find an easier to read format.

If you weren’t able to join us this week, please let us know how you’d respond to the chat questions below!

Thanks to Jennifer Spivak for compiling this post.

Radio, ProfNet, Measurement, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:15:29 +0000

During the May 25 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed radio placements, ProfNet Connect, PR as a dirty word, and biggest measurement challenges. Specifically, the following questions were addressed:

1. This article (by a radio person) on “Why Radio Still Matters” http://ow.ly/52xFx inspired me to ask, do you think it does? #solopr

2. @TexAnne recently asked, are any #solopr pros are using ProfNet Connect with success?

3. Has PR become a dirty word in social media? #solopr

4. @Shonali is going to be our guest next week to talk measurement. What are your biggest challenges in that area (for next wk) #solopr

If you weren’t able to join us this week, please let us know how you’d respond to the chat questions below!

Thanks to Jennifer Spivak for compiling this post.

Time-Keeping, Media Connections, & Small Biz Publicity

Kellye Crane — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:15:56 +0000

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 programs/systems?

2. How can you make connections with the media when they don’t know who you are?

3. What are some creative/low-cost strategies/tactics to generate publicity for sm biz?

If you weren’t able to join us this week, please let us know how you’d respond to the chat questions below!

Thanks to Jennifer Spivak for compiling this post.

Upscale Clients, Membership Sites, Firing An Under-Performer, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:15:25 +0000

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 w/an “upscale” product but unwilling to give any away, what would you do? They’re an unknown.

2. What’s the upside/downside to appearing in paid, premium content for our clients? Are membership sites worth pursuing?

3. From a community member: How do you fire someone who’s not performing? (as a solo I’m out of practice w/this one!)

4. Whether or not employed in your target media, what behavior/engagement do & don’t you like to see from journos in social media?

Be sure to check out the transcript in PDF for the full discussion. What’s your take on these important PR topics?

Thanks to Jennifer Spivak for compiling this post.

New Clients, PR Platforms, & Twitter Habits

Kellye Crane — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:15:10 +0000

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 and/or Profnet? Have you ever had success with either?

3. Do you think people are slower to follow on Twitter these days? Are people branching out less?

Be sure to check out the transcript in PDF for the full discussion. How would you answer these interesting questions?

Thanks to Jennifer Spivak for compiling this post.

Avoiding Spam, the Definition of PR, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:15:38 +0000

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 spam emails when you need to blast news/reach a large audience?

2. Can a crowdsourced definition of #PR have any carriage & authority? What bodies do we look to for guidance in defining our work?

3. Has partnering with non-profits assisted your business development. If so, which ones?

4. How is the best way to market your services as a subcontractor to larger agencies?

Be sure to check out the transcript in PDF for the full discussion. What’s your take on these important topics?

Thanks to Jennifer Spivak for compiling this post.