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Solo PR Pros Make the PR Industry Stronger

Kellye Crane — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:04:33 +0000

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 why I believe the “new normal” of our changed global economy and the evolving requirements of our profession mean that independent PR consultants will play an even greater role moving forward.

I’m always honored to have an opportunity to spread the word about the level of experience, professionalism, and expertise available in the Solo PR Pro community. I truly believe 2012 is the year the majority of those who purchase and hire public relations services will recognize that we’re all strengthened by the availability of top notch talent on a contract basis. It’s my mission to have this as part of the legacy of this blog – you all deserve it!

Do you agree with my premise? Was there anything I missed? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

Bookmarking Tools, References, & Holiday Greetings

Kellye Crane — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:00:21 +0000

During the November 30 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed online bookmarking tools, client references, & sending holiday greetings. Specifically, the following questions were addressed:

1. What tool, if any, do you use for online bookmarking/sharing? #solopr

2. If low-profile prospect asks for references from your high profile clients, & you don’t want to share contact info, what to do? #solopr

3. Will you send a snail mail, ecard, enewsletter or other holiday greeting? #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.

Solo For The Long Haul, TechCrunch Drama, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:15:11 +0000

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, the following questions were addressed:

1. How do you respond when a former client, who didn’t take your advice and ended your contract, calls out of the blue? #SoloPR

1a. Would you approach the project differently based on past experience? #SoloPR

2. Are you planning to be solo for the long haul? #SoloPR

2a. What are barriers to long-term solopreneurship? Is it just about client flow or are there other issues? #SoloPR

3. Is everybody familiar with what’s been happening with TechCrunch editorial? http://bit.ly/qkm2Ys As a PR pro, what happens when this kind of dust up happens to such a large target? #SoloPR

4. What’s the most interesting use of PR you’ve seen lately? #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. And a special thanks to Amy Sept for guest moderating!

Blogger Outreach & Earning What You’re Worth

Kellye Crane — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:30:32 +0000

During the September 7 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on blogger outreach strategy and getting paid what you’re worth. The following questions helped guide the conversation:

1. A major PR firm recently lured food bloggers to an “exclusive supper club” and fed them frozen food http://bit.ly/nUkMvv Is it ever OK to do something like this? Did they just misread their audience? #solopr

2. If you feel like you’re working too hard & not getting paid, what can you do? #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.

Blacklisting, Dropbox, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:15:44 +0000

During the July 6 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed media blacklisting, internal vs. external PR, social media & PR for new brands, & Dropbox’s recent change in terms of service. The following questions helped guide the conversation:

1. Post by @vanessacamones said “Say No to Silicon Valley’s Bully” http://ow.ly/5y1Xv re: M. Arrington- thoughts re: blacklisting? #solopr

2. Do you think that PR and social media generated internally are most often more successful than external contractors? #solopr

3. What’s the best thing a young brand can do when starting a new regimen involving traditional PR and social media? #solopr

4. Dropbox changed their terms of service, giving them sweeping rights to access your docs (h/t @cloudspark) http://blog.dropbox.com/?p=846 They also have had security issues. If you use, have you changed? Other tools to rec? #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.

Subcontractors, PR Competitions, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:00:10 +0000

During the June 29 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on finding subcontractors, entering PR competitions, & using group auto-sharing tools. Specifically, the following questions were addressed:

1. Have you used eLance or similar sites to find *subcontractors*? Success/fail? #solopr

2. What is the best way to enter PR competitions without revealing confidential information of your client? #solopr

3. Are you currently using a group-oriented auto-sharing tool for blog posts? Pros and cons? Do they have value for clients? #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.

Social Platforms, Tricky Client Situations, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:15:56 +0000

During the June 22 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed social platforms, tricky client situations, and innovative PR techniques. The following questions helped guide the conversation:

1. With the growing number of online/social platforms, how do you pick & choose your participation? #solopr

2. Some clients say one thing and mean another. How do you deal w/poor communicators? #solopr

3. If a prospective client wants you to something outside your expertise, how do you handle? #solopr

4. What are some of your favorite innovative PR/social media techniques you’ve seen lately? #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.

Measurement, Monitoring, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:15:04 +0000

During the June 1 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros addressed a variety of monitoring & measurement topics, including AVEs, low-cost tools, & time management tips. The following questions helped guide the conversation:

1. What is the difference between monitoring and measurement? #solopr

2. Some in PR feel married to Ad Value Equivalents (AVEs). Why are these bad, and what can replace them? #solopr

3. #solopr pros often don’t have access to expensive monitoring/measurement tools. What are some of the best low-cost options?

4. Have any time mgmt tips for #solopr to handle increasing monitoring/measurement burdens (brought on with social media)?

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.

Social Media Non-Believers, Stubborn Clients, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:15:35 +0000

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. How do you handle clients that don’t believe their targets use Social Media? for ex, one targeting the luxury traveler?

2. If a client wants to pump out 4 press releases a month, whether it’s newsworthy or not, what do you do?

3. As a new #solopr, would you give a big discount to a client who offers to or does actively help you grow your business?

4. Should someone start using a branded account on Twitter before their website is launched, or wait until there is a splash page?

5. PR named the #2 most stressful job: http://bit.ly/eTKXgP (h/t @cubanalaf). Is the #solopr life more or less stressful?

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.