Solo PR Pro | Successful Freelance PR Consulting » Twitter

Balance, Google+, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:15:15 +0000

During the August 17 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on establishing a work/life balance, participating in Twitter chats, and diving into Google+. The following questions helped guide the conversation:

1. What steps do you take to help balance family and work? #solopr

2. @jgombita asks, What is your main impetus for participating in Twitter chats like #solopr?

3. Today on the blog, I say it’s time to dive into Google+ – bit.ly/oICB4z – have your clients asked about it yet? #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.

Personal Profiles, Assessing Client Interest, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:15:14 +0000

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, as in private FB/Twitter accts? Can u post about a competitor’s product if on personal acct? #solopr

2. How do you assess prospective client interest and decide to pursue or pass on the opp? #solopr

3. What other cues do you look for re: prospects before you run for the hills? #solopr

4. In the past couple days, a political figure has been accused of buying Twitter followers. Is this ever a good idea? #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.

Twitter Dailies, the Line Between Personal & Professional, and Crisis Communication

Kellye Crane — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:47:32 +0000

During the April 6 #solopr Twitter chat, PR pros shared insight on the value of Twitter dailies, maintaining personal and professional relationships, and handling a crisis such as the current situation with Southwest Airlines. The following questions helped guide the conversation:

1. From the community: What do you think of the *plethora* of Twitter dailies out? Do they help and how?

2. How do you maintain both personal & prof relationships w/clients? Friends become clients; vice versa- can get sticky.

3. Southwest Airlines is a popular brand with a safety crisis – how would you handle?

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 for next week.

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.

Paying for Online Content, PR Measurement, Retweets, & More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:15:51 +0000

During the March 23 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed paying for online content, PR measurement tools, retweets, and information overload. The following questions helped guide the conversation:

1. Interesting post on @spinsucks re: what will people pay for online (inspired by NYT)http://bit.ly/fLB2lZ What do you think?

2. Revisiting this topic: What tools/methods are you currently using to monitor client/ industry coverage?

3. A participant on this chat has said all the RTs make her “cuckoo.” What say you?

4. Information overload seems worse than ever. How do you decide what to read (online and print) and make time for it?

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.

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.

How to Build a Name for Yourself

Kellye Crane — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:09:00 +0000

We’ve talked before about the importance of coming out from behind the curtain with social media, and the usefulness of giving some thought to how you’re perceived. Just as your clients have a “voice” in public communications, so too should PR consultants. As part of that decision, how far should you go with self-promotion?

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.

An excellent example of the difference is Kami Huyse (@kamichat on Twitter), who has written astutely on the dangers of concentrating on personal branding. Kami practices what she preaches, and her quality relationships and stellar reputation have led her to a recently announced position as COO of the exciting new venture, Zoetica.

At the PRSA International Conference, I grabbed Kami on her way to the airport and she shared some excellent insights on how Solo PR Pros can gain visibility in social media without crossing the line (apologies for the background noise at the beginning – it subsides).

(If you have trouble seeing the video, view it on YouTube)

Who are some of the people you admire online, and what have they done that attracted your attention?

Tips on Twitter Lists, Podcasts and More

Kellye Crane — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:17:14 +0000

The #solopr chat on Twitter this week was another excellent example of how the Solo PR Pro community continues to be an excellent source of inspiration, ideas and resources for each other. One of the most lively discussions took place around Twitter’s fairly new List feature.

While many of us (myself included) have yet to find our Twitter List mojo, many independent consultants are finding them very useful. Some of the top tips include:

Twitter lists allow you to watch tweets from a given demographic (a client’s industry, for example) without having to follow each person
By researching the Twitter lists of others, you can easily find large groups of tweeters relevant to a particular project to follow. As Kristie Aylett notes, use “Search or Find People to find one or two that fit the project. Then review the lists they’re on.”
See what lists you’re on to get a feel for how you’re perceived by others on Twitter
Third-party clients, like TweetDeck, are adding support for Twitter lists so you can see the Tweets on screen, alongside your established groups

Be sure to check out the full transcript (here in PDF) to learn more about how leading PR professionals are using Twitter lists (Q1). In addition, the transcript also includes helpful discussions on the following:

Q2: Has anyone used a podcast for PR strategies? If so, how?

Q3: Besides blogging, what types of self-promotion or thought leadership do you (as a solo pr) do?

Q4:What are you doing for holiday gifts for clients?

(Note that this transcript, via Twitter search, is in reverse chronological order.)

What do you think about the Twitter list tips, and what insights would you add? Do you have any experience with podcasts you’d like to share? Let us know your two cents on these and the other topics in the comments, and mark your calendars for the #solopr chat – held each Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. Eastern!