“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us" – Joseph Campbell The first time many people consider PR freelancing or consulting is the day they learn their job is no longer. If you’ve recently been laid off,...
networking
Prepare Your Solo Business for Emergencies – Six Secrets of a Sickie
This is a newly updated version of a previously posted article. I'm still a sickie I'm afraid, and - just as we advise our clients - the time to make contingency plans is before you need them. I must confess one of my least favorite traits about myself: I’m sickly....
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 Spot and Attend Great Conferences
What’s the formula for a great conference? I love going to in-person events and conferences, and in the past 20 years I’ve had a hand in planning more than my share. While preparing for the Solo PR Summit (the full schedule is live today!), I’ve given a lot of thought...
Websites, Biz Cards, & More
During the February 22 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed the need for a website, what to do with all those business cards, and how to handle your work when sick. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the...
Solo PR Community: Be My Valentine
I'm not an overly sentimental gal. I don't like chick flicks, I hate syrupy pop songs, and I rarely cry without good reason. But one thing makes me breakout in sappy declarations on a regular basis: the Solo PR community. Lately, I've been awash in mushy feelings...
Connect the Dots: A Solo PR Success Story
This is a guest post from Davina Brewer, principal at 3Hats Communications. I have been meaning to write this for the Solo PR blog for months, figured it was about damn time I did it! Arik Hanson recently listed some of the best LinkedIn groups for public relations...
Join Us for the First-Ever Solo PR In-Person Meetup
I’m happy to announce a fun opportunity to raise a glass with your friends and colleagues, and expand your network of fellow independent public relations practitioners. All indie PR pros (and friends) are invited to a happy hour meetup, co-hosted by Solo PR and the...
New Business, Networking and more
What are the networking secrets of the top Solo PR Pros? As part of the #solopr Twitter chat held the week of August 23, pros in PR consulting shared their experiences and advice on this and other topics. We addressed the following questions: 1. How do you follow up...
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...
10 Foolproof Excuses to Network and Reconnect
We’ve all been there: one day we look up, and we haven’t done our professional networking in a while. But if you haven’t spoken to a contact since the last millennium, what excuse can you use to reconnect? Of course, if you have a great relationship with one of your...
From Productivity to Interns – #solopr Chat Transcript
During the #solopr Twitter chat this week, veteran Solo PR Pros and newbies alike shared tips on a wide-range of topics, including the following: 1) What are your favorite productivity tools? 2) Assuming many #solopr folks work from home, how do you manage interns and...
When to Tap Your Network
One of the most important issues a PR consultant faces is how and when to bring in help as subcontractors. During this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, reasons to have a robust network of support came up in response to the following questions: 1) How do you handle...
Help PR Pros Find a Job
PR consulting is the best life there is. In fact, just today the Wall Street Journal stated we’re in the “Age of Going Solo.” But this month, I’m issuing a call to Solo PR Pros to participate in an upcoming Twitter event called “Help a PR Pro Out” day. (#HAPPO for...
Key to a Long Career: Ongoing Education
As I arrive in San Diego for the 2009 PRSA International Conference (which gets underway today), I look forward to some exciting educational sessions and invigorating networking with old and new friends. I'm realizing that as independent consultants, we must find our...
Mentors for Each Other – 10.28.09 #solopr Chat
October 28, 2009, the date of this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, was a proud day for me. Why? Because I was unable to participate in the chat due to travel, and it proceeded full steam ahead without me. What a terrific testament to the community of Solo PR Pros that...
PR Consultants: It’s Twitter Time
As PR consultants, it’s our job to be a resource to our clients and stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new strategies, technology and tools. For this reason, the time has come: all PR consultants should be on Twitter… now.
Success Stories: Shonali Burke
Our latest Solo PR Pro success story is the fascinating and always engaging Shonali Burke, ABC. Based in the Washington, D.C., area, Shonali is the IABC-accredited, award-winning principal of Shonali Burke Consulting. She blogs at Waxing UnLyrical, under the watchful...
Join Us for the #solopr Chat on Twitter
We've talked before about using the #solopr hashtag on Twitter. Now, by popular demand, we've scheduled the first #solopr Twitter chat for this Wednesday, September 2, 2009, at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Prominent PR pros Heather Huhman (@HeatherHuhman) and Shonali Burke...
Readying for the Upswing
Some PR consultants are facing challenging times. While there's still lots of work to be had, in this environment clients occasionally slash their budgets mid-stream. Others are putting planned projects on hold for an indefinite period of time. When you get word of...
Why You Need an Online Home Base – and How to Get One
I'm afraid the time has come - some PR pros need a dose of tough love. I know you’re out there: PR and MarCom consultants with no presence online whatsoever. Many of you may have a Web presence, but perhaps it's anemic and a cohesive strategy is lacking. Now let me...
End of Year Tips for Consultants
The end of the year is fast-approaching, but there’s still time to think about some of the items that should be on any independent consultant’s radar: Consider hiring an accountant – Most accountants become insanely busy as soon as the new year arrives, and many do...
Look Before You Leap
Just before Thanksgiving, the brilliant David Meerman Scott wrote a post titled “Quit your job” that garnered quite a bit of attention (most of it positive). I was taken aback, because David is truly a great thought leader in the PR space, but on his point about...
Cherish Your Champions
This week is Thanksgiving, and we’ll all be taking stock of the many things we have to be thankful for. For those of us who love Claire Dalrymple Watkins, this week will also mark one year since we lost this magnificent young woman to breast cancer. But this post...
The Time to Think About Your Solo Career is Now
There’s an elephant in the room – in fact, there’s an elephant sitting on this blog. It’s the economy, and it’s become a central issue for just about everyone. Whether you’re already a PR consultant or currently in a traditional job, we should all take steps now to...