Getting Started

Where the Buffalo Roam – The Power of Story for Solo PR Pros

While Solo PR Pros know the value of storytelling, Lisa Gerber has made it her superpower. In her recent newsletter (you can sign up here) she talked about the power of story. I could not stop thinking about it and am thrilled that she is allowing us to repost on the...

5 Tools to Help You Start Your Solo PR Business

So, you’ve decided to start your own solo PR business. Congratulations! That’s great.  Striking out on your own can be overwhelming as you are faced with a myriad of decisions. You have likely collected volumes of information about starting and running a business, and...

Spotlight on a Solo PR Pro: Meet Sherry Crawley

Sherry Crawley thinks of herself as a translator: taking naturally complex and difficult topics like climate change or housing equity and making them relatable and relevant to a target audience.  “I really see a lot of the work I do and what other PR...

3 Smart Reasons to Join Solo PR Pro Premium

Although you may work as a solo PR pro, you don’t have to go it alone. Maybe you’re in need of some financial advice or you want to grow your client roster. Maybe you’re desperate for some guidance about that seemingly obscure question you’ve been sitting on for two...

Spotlight on a Solo PR Pro: Meet Meredith LeJeune

Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, Meredith LeJeune got her start as a marketing and communications coordinator for Dominion Enterprises — a marketing services company serving the real estate, automotive and travel industries — doing a little bit of everything from...

Spotlight on a Solo PR Pro: Meet Ellen Werther

Ellen Werther graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in English Literature when she was approached by a professor about potentially doing an internship at a small public relations agency recently acquired by Weber Shandwick.  Although she was only somewhat...

3 Ways You Can (and Should) Invest in Your Business

It’s completely understandable if you’re hesitant to spend money on your business.  After all, it’s unlikely you have the hefty cash reserves of a bigger company. Of course, managing spend is critical, as you always want to have a cushion for down times and...

Creating a Timeline for Your PR Campaign: 4 Stages of the Process

If you’ve been keeping up with us, then you’re already aware of how critical an effective PR plan can be when it comes to success. Whether you’re setting yourself up for a busy new year or kicking things off with a brand new client, one of the most fundamental ways to...

How to Set Boundaries with Clients as a Solo PR Pro

When working in an industry like PR (especially as a solo practitioner), it’s easy to feel obligated to go above and beyond the call of duty for every client you work with.  And while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with putting forth your best effort and...

7 Questions Solo PR Pros Should Ask Their New Clients

One of the driving factors behind success in the PR industry is the ability to establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with both members of the media and your clients.  Getting to know your clients from the get-go opens the door for candid dialogues...

Start-Up Advice from 22 Solo PR Pros

Starting a solo public relations business is exciting and a little scary. You know how to do your job, but what don’t you know about running a business? This month we have been tackling some of the common questions and challenges facing those starting a business. We...

5 Questions to Ask As You Plan Your Business Launch

It is the start of a new decade, and for many this is the year that you will take the leap and start your own business. But where exactly do you start? What steps do you take to move from vision to reality? Listed below are five questions to get you started in your...

How to Prepare for Client Year-End Business Reviews

The year-end business review is a great strategic tool to ensure that you and your clients are aligned on goals. It provides an opportunity to recap the value of your work and define plans for the coming year. If you are planning to ask for a rate increase or...

PRO Download: Add Podcasts to Your Pitching 2019

There has been a lot of interest in podcast pitching from our Solo audience. In response to the growing need, we have updated our podcast resource with new stats, tips and resources, exclusively for Solo PR Pro Premium members. Download the PDF: Add Podcasts to Your...

11 Apps that Make Tax Time Easier for Solo PR Pros

With the arrival of spring and longer, warmer days, the last thing a busy Solo PR Pro wants to do is spend more time indoors making sense of receipts, expenses, and other data in preparation for filing taxes. Download these apps now to make your day-to-day business...

Data, Privacy and Why Solo PR Pros Should Care

Data science once the domain of math geeks and academia has moved from the windowless basement to the top floor of organizations. If content is king, data is the emperor. Data has always informed the work of public relations professionals, but the sheer volume of...

7 Surprising Things About Being Your Own Boss

This post was originally published on October 11, 2016 and updated on May 22, 2018. Independent work, once a mere fantasy for weary corporate warriors is a mainstream alternative for millions of people. In fact, independents make up 34% of the US workforce. The ease...

Who Can Be a Solo PR Pro Now?

Ten years ago, we asked "Who Can Be a Solo PR Pro?"  At that time, we noted that while this site has "PR" in the name,  professionals in a wide range of disciplines share common issues and challenges, and all could learn from the insights and success strategies we...

10 Things To Do For Your Business

You have often heard it said that it’s important to not only work in your business but on your business. However, this can be easier said than done for busy communications professionals. Of course, you find time to do invoicing, billing and business development but if...

Chat Recap: Disasters, Perceived Missteps and More

On the second Wednesday in September, we held one of our traditional Q&A chats, where top independent communication professionals shared thought leadership, tips and advice in response to questions submitted by the community (learn how to join us here). On...

Land More Clients: Free Solo PR Pro Webinar

One of the first questions asked by those considering making the leap to a solo career, is "how do you get clients?" As your business progresses you will continue to ask varying versions of that same question. How do I grow my business? What are the best methods to...

For PROs only: Build your Business with Influencers and Referrals

Many solos enjoy a healthy amount of referral business. Yet, we often do not consider it as a business development tactic that can be activated. Adding influencers and referrals to your business development mix can support you reaching your personal growth goals much...

10 Image and Video Tools for PR Pros

Today’s communication professional must be able to tell captivating client stories in words and images. Fortunately, for savvy wordsmiths who feel they lack innate visual creativity, there is a myriad of tools to help. Below are 10 tools to help you create images and...

Registration is Open for the Solo PR PRO 2016 Main Event

We are thrilled to announce that once again, Solo PR Pro has teamed up with with the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Conference for our main event activity for 2016 and registration is now open! This not-to-be-missed event offers an indie-focused Solo PR...

How to Cold Call Effectively

For many consultants, cold calling evokes the image of a call center with endless rows of telemarketers, “dialing for dollars” on landline telephones. However, cold calling can be an effective business development technique for independent consultants. And gone are...

How to Make Bylined Articles Work for You

The bylined article is a common marketing and communications tactic frequently used to distinguish someone as a thought leader in their field or a company as a credible media source for information and commentary regarding a specific industry. It offers a perfect...

Suspending Activities In the Wake of a Tragedy

A devastating tragedy can happen without warning, and have a powerful local, national or even global impact. Your community may feel shock, fear and distress amplified by the 24 hour-news cycle. In the immediate aftermath of a tragic event, such as a terrorist act,...

#SoloPR Topic Chat: The Future of Work

On the heels of the recent World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland – where the theme was the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ – we contemplate the implications of technological advancements on the workplace, and how this will transform the way we work in the...

Adele, Social Strategy and Brand Management Power

This is a guest post from Dan Farkas, a Solo PR Pro Premium member, who is an Instructor of Strategic Communication at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. He is also the founder of Dan Farkas Interactive, which specializes in social storytelling...

Kick-Off 2016 With These Top Posts

Happy 2016! We’ve decked the halls and dropped the ball and now it’s time to get back to business. Many independent PR and communications professionals have set new business resolutions with plans to take their practice to new levels. For others, 2016 is the year they...

Give Your Business a Boost — Take a Break!

As solopreneurs, gritty determination and a steadfast dedication to our work are typically key factors in our success. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this nose-to-the-grindstone attitude can also be our downfall if left unchecked. This holiday season,...

How to Master the Client Lifecycle

Here at Solo PR Pro, we often hear from communications consultants who are confused about what to provide prospects and clients – and when. To address these questions and more, we've produced this ultimate guide to mastering the client lifecycle. The trajectory of the...

Attention Spans Are Shrinking [Infographic]

Do you have the attention span of a goldfish? According to some sources, human attention spans are shrinking at a rapid rate and topics actually hold our attention for less time than our fishy friends. As PR professionals, we know how difficult it can be to grab - and...

Thanksgiving – A Time to Reflect and Catch Up

The Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. tends to be a slow week, leading many hard-working Solo PR Pros to take advantage of the opportunity to get organized and catch-up on the stack of business reading we’ve been meaning to get to. Though we regularly preach the...

Charting the Course: A Guide to PR Planning

Strategic planning forms the cornerstone of what we do as communications consultants, and provides the foundation that allows us to gain consensus and chart a strategic course for – and with – our clients. What differentiates top consultants from others – including...

My Business Is 20 Years Old! 20 Lessons for Longevity

This month, I’m celebrating 20 years as a Solo PR Pro. I can’t really wrap my brain around it, but there’s one thing I know for sure: that’s a long time! Since founding Solo PR Pro in 2008, I’m often asked how I got my own start as a communications consultant, so I’m...

How to Track Your Time – Strategies and Apps

For independent PR consultants, time is a precious commodity. And not just because we're busy - even for those who don't bill by the hour, effective time tracking has a direct impact on productivity and profitability. Whether you're working on a short-term project or...

How to Focus Your Mornings [Infographic]

With autumn now in full swing and the kids nicely settled into school, we can once again turn our attention back onto our own morning routines and daily work schedules. As solopreneurs, we can sometimes find ourselves in need of a productivity boost, particularly as...

Solo PR Pro Compensation Report Highlights [Infographic]

The groundbreaking 2015 Solo PR Pro Compensation Survey yielded some fascinating findings (be sure to view the full report, if you haven't already). To review the top highlights of the report at-a-glance, view the following infographic (and share with your...

Increase Your Credibility with High Impact Client Testimonials

The cliché about the cobbler’s children having no shoes is overused, but it’s too true — we all know having client testimonials is beneficial, but when was the last time you did anything about it? Asking a client to provide a testimonial or recommendation on LinkedIn...

Behind-the-Scenes PR Tour of Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort includes two theme parks: Universal Islands of Adventure® and Universal Studios Florida®. Dozens of incredibly lucky PR students got a behind-the-scenes look at both during the Florida PR Association conference. Solo PR PRO Premium member...

Navigate Through the Turns – Business Tips from a PR Business Maven

As independent communications consultants, we are both PR practitioners by profession and entrepreneurs by nature. Given these dual roles, it’s essential for us to know how to handle the challenges that come with launching a business, nurturing its growth and ensuring...

Complete the 2015 Solo PR Compensation Survey Today!

Thank you for your interest - the survey is now closed. Results will be published in coming weeks on the Solo PR Pro blog. Want to be sure you’re notified of the results? Click here to sign-up for our free newsletter, In the Know. How much are other freelance...

Get Inspired by Solo PR at the FPRA Conference—Whether Here or Afar

The Solo PR crew works hard and plays hard, and we’re doing plenty of both at Solo PR Pro’s main event activity for 2015—the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Conference, taking place this week (August 9-12, 2015). But even if you can’t be here in person,...

Laid Off? Now You’re Free to Consult!

“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,...

Consultant Know Thyself—Harness the Power of Personality Types

This is a guest post by Kerry Bezzanno. Ever wonder why people do what they do? Has your own behavior ever driven you crazy? Like, why deadlines may be the infernal bane of your existence no matter how many times you swear to yourself—clenching your fist to the sky à...

How to Offer Media Training to Your Clients

If you do any kind of media or influencer outreach for your clients, basic media training should be part of your services. There’s nothing worse than spending countless hours securing the perfect opportunity, and then watching a client blow it in just a few minutes –...

Guest Blogging for PR Pros

This is a guest post by Mickie Kennedy. You’re probably -- scratch that: definitely -- stretched for time. Between clients, research, and keeping on top of your own blog (if you have one), putting the hours and effort into guest blogging for other publications is a...

Register Now to Join Solo PR Pro at the FPRA Conference in August

We’re going to Orlando! The schedule is up and registration is now open for Solo PR Pro’s main event activity for 2015 - the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Conference, being held August 10-12, 2015. As previously announced, we’ve joined forces with the...

The Most Important Word for You to Know

The most important word to any freelancer or consultant is... “scope,” preferably not followed by the word “creep.” Scope creep is the bane of any independent consultant’s existence. It happens when your client adds things to your to-do list that you didn’t foresee....

Chat Recap: When Should You Subcontract?

On the second Wednesday in April, we held one of our traditional Q&A chats, where top independent communication professionals shared thought leadership, tips and advice in response to questions submitted by the community (learn how to join us here). On April 08,...

10 Basic Rules for Successful Infographics

Love them or hate them, highly-sharable infographics have become an enduring part of the content marketing landscape. While there was a time when the rush to create infographics resulted in a lot of crazy-looking .jpegs with no purpose, we now have tools (such as...

Are You Pretending To Be Busy?

We all do it on occasion. Sometimes we fool even ourselves, we're so good at pretending to be busy -- and independent consultants are especially vulnerable. It can be a form of procrastination (as in the illustration above). Or perhaps we just can't find the muse that...

Demystifying the Home Office Deduction

Disclaimer: This post is newly updated, and is not a substitute for the guidance of a tax professional. If you’re still working on your tax preparations, we’re not judging. Hopefully, you’re striving to keep as much of your hard-earned income as possible. An...

29 Ways to Stay Creative [Infographic]

  I don't know about you, but I always have a harder time getting going in the winter. Gray skies and heavy clothes can make me feel lethargic and uninspired. Fortunately, I found many of the ideas in the following infographic, produced by the no longer active...

23 Creative Holiday Gift Ideas for Clients

It's hard to believe, but the holiday season is upon us! Many businesses, large and small, choose to include clients and colleagues in holiday gift giving, which means now is the time for the (sometimes dreaded) task of gift selection. Independent communications...

Modern SEO Cheat Sheet for PR Pros [Infographic]

In recent years, Google has made a number of important updates to its algorithm that impact many aspects of PR and marketing (not just Search Engine Optimization, or SEO). Did you know distributing press releases via a wire service no longer positively impacts SEO,...

How to Optimize a Business YouTube Channel

According to a Pew Internet study the majority (78%) of adult internet users watch or download videos, and among the most watched content is educational and how-to videos. With YouTube being the top site for video (and with the benefits that come from being...

The Best Tools For Consultants to Manage and Promote Your Business

Welcome to the next installment of Solo PR Pro’s Tool School series! Designed to fight overwhelm, all this month we’re offering specific recommendations for services that are cost-effective for indies, and aren’t enterprise-focused or overkill for our needs. Last...

54 Tools for PR and Digital Success

Welcome to Solo PR Pro’s Tool School series! Designed to fight overwhelm, all this month we’re offering specific recommendations for services that are cost-effective for indies, and aren’t enterprise-focused or overkill for our needs. In this, our second installment,...

Half Price Discount on Inkybee Small Team Plan! Learn More.

The Inkybee service focuses on one of the most vexing aspects of PR, digital, and social media outreach: blogger and influencer relations. It offers a suite of powerful tools for research and discovery, outreach, and reporting that includes everything from detailed...

Ultimate Guide to Productivity Tools

Welcome to Solo PR Pro’s Tool School series! Designed to fight overwhelm, all this month we’re offering specific recommendations for services that are cost-effective for indies, and aren’t enterprise-focused or overkill for our needs. First up, we look at Productivity...

Tool School Series: Find the Tools to Build Your Consulting Business

It’s hard to believe, but the back-to-school season is upon us. There’s the excitement of starting new classes, getting new outfits, and buying school supplies. Fortunately, as adults we can enjoy the fun and excitement of learning without a dress code. In August,...

One No Closer to a Yes – 5 Tips for Overcoming Setbacks

Does any of this sound familiar? You meet with a prospective client, and get to know their business. After spending hours customizing a proposal to fit their needs, they come back and say “no.” You felt confident about your plans for media relations outreach on a...

11 Grammar Mistakes That Make You Sound Like a Pompous Jerk

I’m a firm believer that rules are meant to be broken, and stringent members of the grammar police tend to be an annoying bunch. But truly bad grammar can diminish your reputation, make you appear careless, and cost you money through lost opportunities. While the...

The Peanut Butter Cup Guide to Inspiration

There's an adage that says “everything old is new again” but as an independent professional there are times when everything old just feels old! Every industry has its conventions and rules of the road that work for providing governance and facilitating measurement,...

A Solo by Any Other Name

With sweaty palms and a fire in your belly, you decide to make the leap into a solo career. You know you’re boss at what you do and now you’re ready to be the boss. You may have been consulting as a side hustle or starting from ground zero with nothing more than a...

How To Get Your Blog Post Shared 1,000 Times

Independent communication pros know that creating great blog content is only half the battle. A blog post that does not get visibility with your audience is like the proverbial tree in the forest that falls when no one is around! This  infographic from Canva provides...

Solo PR Pro Vacation

Regular readers of this blog know that I believe regular breaks are critical to enjoying a long-term, successful career as a Solo PR Pro. The importance of taking time off on occasion cannot be understated, and this week we're leading by example. J We're on vacation...

Working with Subcontractors – Everything Entrepreneurs Need to Know

When a new business owner first begins to experience a snowball of success, it’s exciting – until the realization sets in that you have more work to do than you can handle by yourself! Before you rush to hire an employee, first consider the interim step most solo PR...

Chat Recap: Twitter Profiles, Believing in Your Clients, and more

During the April 22 #solopr twitter chat, a diverse group of independent communication pros from across the country gathered to discuss the following topics of interest: Should I continue to subcontract with an agency that gives me lame media pitches, won't accept...

How to Create Your Own Logo in 5 Minutes

Logos are central to an organization’s visual brand identity, and as communications consultants, we’re trained to give them a great deal of importance. But in fact, if you need a logo quickly and with minimal hassle (for invoices, letterhead, business cards, etc.), you can actually create your own logo in 5 minutes, no special design software required!

Tax Time Tips – and a Little Fun

In the U.S., tax day is just three weeks away, and every year consultants wonder if there are deductions they haven't thought about. This  infographic (a couple years old, but most is evergreen), highlights some of the top tips and things to think about: Of course,...

Business Insurance Isn’t Scary – What Consultants Need to Know

The first time a potential client says you must carry $1 million in general liability coverage (or more) to win their business, the tendency is to freak out! But there's no need to worry - the most commonly required insurance is probably much cheaper than you imagine,...

Top Takeaways from the 2014 Solo PR Summit

The 2014 Solo PR Summit in Atlanta has just concluded, and we're proud to say it was a huge success! Furthering Solo PR Pro's mission to provide the tools, education, advocacy and community resources needed for communications consultants to succeed and grow, the...

Final Solo PR Summit Details and Last Chance to Register!

Today is the last day to register for this week’s Solo PR Summit – I’ve had a chance to see the presentations, and believe me when I tell you I learned a ton reviewing them! If you can make it to midtown Atlanta Wednesday and Thursday for this unique in-person event,...

Get SMART: Setting Goals that Work

To some of us, the goal-setting process may seem like a tiresome chore, but in reality it can be the key to having fun in your business. Goals give us focus and can contribute not just to the success of our business, but also to our enjoyment of our work. A goal can keep you engaged and energized.

Chat Re-cap: PR Tricks and Treats

During the October30 #solopr Twitter chat, independent communications professionals were full of PR tricks and treats as we discussed the following topics of interest: What tool did you think would be a treat, but turned out to be tricky? #solopr On your blog, how can...

Brand It Like Beckham

Have you ever been in this scenario? A client hires you to improve brand awareness, but in your assessment you discover a mass of brand confusion!  You discover there are numerous variations of the company and product logos – used inconsistently – and the company name...

7 Tools to Help You Showcase Your Social Media Presence

  Social media has become an integral tool for independent communication professionals and their clients. Most professionals use more than one platform to reach their audience adding to the challenge of managing and promoting a social presence. Fortunately there...

Should You Reconsider Blogging?

 This post is by Karen Swim. Communications professionals often commiserate over the myths surrounding our profession. Our publics have a great deal of misinformation about the scope of our work and the demarcation of duties.  Yet, when there is an opportunity to...

Register Now for 2014 Solo PR Summit – Top Speakers Announced

The moment has arrived – registration is now open for the 2014 Solo PR Summit! The only in-person conference hosted by Solo PR Pro is returning to Atlanta, February 19-20, 2014, and it will be even bigger and better than ever. We’re happy to share that this year’s...

Cision Offer FAQ

NOTE: Cision has notified us that on April 30, 2015, it will cease offering the Solo PR PRO discounted rate. Cision will continue to write one year contracts for Solo PR PRO Premium Annual members at the significantly discounted rate until that date. Members can view...

Special Cision Discount is Here!

  NOTE: Cision has notified us that on April 30, 2015, it will cease offering the Solo PR PRO discounted rate. Cision will continue to write one year contracts for Solo PR PRO Premium Annual members at the significantly discounted rate until that date. Members...

Knock ’em Dead with SWOT Analysis

Labor Day marks the unofficial end to the summer season. This means many solo professionals are kicking it into high gear to finish the year strong and set the stage for a better-than-ever next year. Whether you’re putting together new business proposals or engaging...

How to Join Forces with Other Solos

This post was written by Karen Swim. As a solo pro, you enjoy the benefits of controlling your work life. You can work from a home office, a remote island (with WiFi of course!) or your own office space. Working independently gives you complete control. However, being...

Uncovering Insights Using the New Facebook #Hashtag

This is a guest post by Michele Blood, Ph.D. In early June of 2013, Facebook began rolling out a brand new feature that is making business owners, public relations folks, content marketers and others drool. Facebook’s newest feature involves clickable, searchable...

Solo PR Summit Recap

By all measures, last week's first-ever Solo PR Summit was a rousing success! The event brought internationally-known speakers and solo PR pros from across North America together in Atlanta, Ga., for two days of unparalleled professional development, networking,...

How to Plan and Manage Complex Events with Templates

Most PR pros know how to plan a basic event, with one or two collaborators, where the tasks can be handled within a collaborative project management tool. But what if you’re asked to manage a large-scale happening (like a multi-day conference or cross-organization...

Your Guide to the Challenging Client

Clients are the best - except when they aren't. For your reference when you're out "in the wild," the following infographic offers a fun guide to the challenging variety, including  look at what to look for, and how to handle. Thanks to the folks at Ciplex, a digital...

The Best Content and Social Media Calendar Templates

Managing content and the conversations around it have always been part of the PR job description. But today, there are many more communications vehicles, with advanced content marketing and management increasingly falling into the PR domain for many organizations....

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...

How to Charge for PR Consulting Services

What fee rates should public relations consultants charge? If there’s one key question for freelance PR consultants, both newbies and veterans alike, it’s this one. Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and over the years we've addressed many aspects of...

Solo PR Summit Registration Open, Speakers Announced!

The moment we've been waiting for has arrived: registration for Solo PR Summit is now open! Being held February 20-21, 2013, at the Regency Suites Hotel in Atlanta, Ga., the first-ever in-person event and conference hosted by Solo PR Pro is already attracting...

The Contract is Signed, Now What?

This is a guest post from Solo PR PRO member Makasha Dorsey.  You've spent weeks, maybe even months, courting a potential client and then finally you get a commitment in the form of a contract. After the happy dance that you would only do in the privacy of your...

Save the Date: Solo PR Summit to be held February 20-21, 2013

Finally, an event specifically for us! Mark your calendars now for the Solo PR Summit – the first-ever in-person event and conference hosted by Solo PR Pro, being held February 20-21, 2013, at the Regency Suites Hotel in Atlanta, Ga. With an emphasis on real world,...

Staying Afloat on Stormy Seas

In my most recent post, Secrets of a Sickie, I talked about what to do if you’re ill, and mentioned that many of those tactics also apply when other emergencies arise. My personal posts on this blog are typically few and far between, but (in an ironic twist), since...

Public Listings Now Available Via Solo PR PRO Premium

We’re always looking for ways to help the best independent PR consultants – and the clients who seek to hire them - find each other. Today, we’re happy to unveil our new Public Listings and PR Pro Search feature, which offers members of Solo PR PRO Premium a...

New to Solo PR? You aren’t alone.

The following is a guest post from Jason Mollica, president of JRM Comm.  So, you have decided that it’s time you ventured out on your own… in public relations, that is.  In September, I embarked on my solo journey. Although, it wasn't necessarily on the terms I...

Working all the time to get ahead is a fool’s game

As self-employed consultants, we have to take breaks and vacations whenever we can get them (something I’ve been remiss in doing for a while). So when I was invited to speak to the Coastal Carolinas chapter of the American Advertising Federation this week, I made sure...

Focus your efforts for fun and profit

As consultants, we’re largely in charge of our own destiny – which can be both a blessing and a curse. Most (all?) of us have things we enjoy that we aren’t good at, and things we’re good at that we don’t find enjoyable. For example: I love to sing -- but no one ever...

Need Facebook Timeline Cover or Logo Help? Emergency Cheats Here

As you probably know, Facebook’s new Timeline design went live for everyone – like it or not – this week. If you're like me and you got a panicked phone call from a client at the last minute, asking for help on their Facebook timeline images, or you procrastinated on...

Announcing New Find a PR Consultant Feature, and more

Today, we're proud to unveil our new no-cost Find a PR Consultant feature that will help those seeking assistance from a solo PR pro locate the help they need. It's also the last day for independent consultants to get in on the beta Solo PR PRO Premium membership. In...

On Benefit and Bonuses, or How I Let Down My Only Employee

The following is a guest post from Jenny Schmitt, founder of CloudSpark. I’ve had the same boss for nearly seven years now. In that time, I’ve had one pay raise, I’ve worked nights, weekends, holidays and compromised on vacations and family time. To be fair, my boss...

Cash Flow, New Biz Trends, & More

During the March 14 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed managing cash flow, current new business trends, & tracking earned media impressions. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...

Members Only Content

  Sorry, this content is exclusively for members of Solo PR PRO Premium.     To learn more about the many time- and money-saving benefits of PRO membership, click here to get access. Already a member? Sign in below: %%LOGIN_FORM%%      ...

Story Arcs for Social Media

The following is a guest post from Lisa Sirkin Vielee, owner of Gracie Communications. Heather Rast’s recent blog about creating a conversation (or social media) calendar provided a great planning tool for integrating social media into an overall communications...

LEAP Forward

Every four years, we get a bonus day – an extra day to do with what we will. On this Leap Day, doesn’t it seem like a good moment to pause and think about our goals, and what we’re leaping toward? For me, I purposely selected this day to release some new deliverables...

Client Branding & Planning the 2013 Solo PR Conference

During the February 15 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed client branding & plans for a 2013 Solo PR Pro conference. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat:  ...

Online Newsrooms, Pitching, & More

During the February 8 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed online newsrooms, best practices for pitching, and tips for staying on top of blogging and social media. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the...

Gifting Reporters, When Life Gets In the Way, & More

During the February 1 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed handling new employees of a long-time client, giving gifts to reporters, and managing your workload in the wake of a family tragedy . In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the...

Why are consultants’ fees so high?

Independent consultants typically don’t have the overhead of a larger firm, and while they are usually an excellent value by comparison, why do their rates still sound so high? Not only is this a question some clients may ponder, but those new to consulting often...

Managing Social Networks, Moonlighting & More

During the January 11 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed keeping abreast of new social networks, balancing 9-5 along with consulting work, and the best conferences/events to attend in 2012. In addition to continuing to provide a downloadable...

Building Media Lists, Managing Clients’ Social Media Needs, & More

During the January 4 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed building national media lists on a budget, using mindmap software, handling a client's social media presence, and 2012 PR resolutions. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. How...

Advice on Setting Fees [video]

What do you charge? How do you set your fees? These are the most daunting - and among the most important - questions PR consultants ask. Though a one-size-fits-all answer would be nice, unfortunately there isn't one. There are many variables that go into setting the...

Have A Hero In Your Corner You’d Like To Thank?

This post is by Solo PR Pro Content and Community Specialist, Heather Rast. Last week, Kellye celebrated her 16th year as an independent PR practitioner. Her post, “Celebrating 16 Years And Counting,” called out three key lessons for those wishing to commit to a solo...

New Business: Is There A Right Time To Say No?

This post is by Solo PR Pro Content and Community Specialist, Heather Rast. In last weeks’ #SoloPR chat, we talked about the circumstances in which an indie consultant might elect to decline a work offer and the best ways to handle communicating a “No, thank you”...

Get In Early On Our New Solo PR PRO Member Site!

We’re happy to unveil the premium Solo PR PRO membership site, now in public beta (at special beta pricing). Specifically for us, this premium PRO content offers road-tested deliverables and downloads, a members-only Forum, a special upcoming Show Me the Money! series on setting rates, and much more.

5 People Who Should Never Be Solo

Not everyone is cut out to work independently, and and there’s nothing wrong with recognizing that solo life isn’t for you.. While most of us wouldn’t trade this career path for anything, if you’re considering taking the leap to self-employment, ask yourself if you...

Top 10 Ways To Find Clients

As most successful solos will tell you, networking is the key to your long-term viability as an independent consultant. We've talked about some foolproof excuses to reach out to your network, but where do you go to make new contacts? You don’t have to attend every...

This Was Only a Test

This was a test, this was only a test. If this had been an actual announcement, you would have been instructed.... If you subscribe to the Solo PR Pro RSS feed, you may have seen a strange test post over the weekend. As sometimes happens when you're pushing the...

Becoming a PR Consultant – You Can Do It!

It can be scary to take the leap to independence. Unfortunately, it’s this fear that keeps so many paralyzed and stuck in jobs they don’t like, dreaming of the day they can get up the guts to take the leap. Rest assured: you can do it! When I resigned from a PR agency...

Three People You Must Read

When I attend conferences and events, read blog posts, and watch others’ pontifications, I always pay attention to who they are quoting/citing. Having done this in the social media marketing space for several years, I’ve noticed that there are three people from whom...

Business Strategy, Insurance, and Tact

During the July 13 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed business strategy, insurance, and branching out. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. Do you use tact, bluntness, or both for business? #solopr 2. Do you have errors and...

Secret Method to Tracking Time

There are many electronic systems available to help independent consultants track their time. But here's a secret: some of us still find that we like our old-school paper-based methods best. Many in the Solo PR Pro community have asked what I use -- in this video, I...

Blacklisting, Dropbox, & More

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...

Gone Fishing

    Those of you who have followed this blog for a while know that I believe regular breaks are critical for preventing burnout and enjoying a long-term, successful career as a Solo PR Pro.  I've been preaching the importance of vacations for years. For the...

Foolproof Formula for Handling Brain Pickers

We all know they're out there -- reminiscent of zombies, they issue a common refrain: "Can I pick your brain?" Perhaps these brain pickers have no idea how many requests of this type the typical solo PR pro gets in a given month. Regardless, the next time someone...

Why You Need a Little Google Analytics in Your Life

This is a guest post by Fabiola Fleuranvil of Blueprint Creative Group. Let's face it. There's so much for a Solo PR pro to be concerned about- business development, marketing, client management, networking, social media, and the list goes on. And now, you can add...

Keep Reaching

A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for? -Robert Browning   Some days, reaching for what’s beyond our comfort zone feels too difficult. It’s hard to push the boundaries, and often situations outside our control test our patience and...

New Look – New Newsletter!

Independent PR consultants have their own issues, and it’s high time we had our own newsletter. For PR and consulting news, tips, special deals, and previews, signup today for the new Solo PR Pro e-Newsletter. This free email newsletter will come to you every two...

Do You Need a Blog?

There are many people who suggest that all business professionals should be blogging. But what does Mack Collier, founder of the hugely popular #Blogchat and long-time blogger at MackCollier.com (previously The Viral Garden), think? I had a chance to interview Mack...

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

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...

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

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...

Getting Your Idea Approved

We’ll be sharing notes from some of the most useful South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Conference sessions I attended, so you can live and learn vicariously – and save yourself the big price tag! As independent PR and social media consultants, we’re frequently in...

New Clients, PR Platforms, & Twitter Habits

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...

Pondering Pay for Performance

This is a guest post from Alison Kenney of KPR Communications. Recently I met and won over a new client (thank you) but was surprised when presented with a contract that offered bonus payments for achieving media coverage (in addition to a decent monthly retainer). I...

Enchantment is in the Eye of the Beholder

The introduction of the book Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions states: “This book is for people who see life for what it can be rather than what it can’t.” I believe everyone who’s taken the leap to become a Solo PR Pro falls into that...

6 Ways to Make the Most of a Conference Experience

The reasons to attend an event like South by Southwest (SXSW) are varied, and sometimes seem a bit obtuse to those not in attendance (“I have better things to do than go to a lot of parties,” many say). However, as we discuss on a regular basis in the Solo PR...

From Journalism to PR

This is a guest post from Ed Van Herik of Van Herik Communications. When I made the decision 15 years ago to move from journalism to public relations, I had the opportunity to sit down with the owner of a small PR firm. He had been a business reporter at a defunct LA...

PR Apps, Relocating, Time Management, & More

During the February 23 #solopr Twitter chat, PR pros shared valuable insight on PR apps, relocating to a new city, covering production costs, and favorite time management tips. The following questions helped guide the conversation: 1. What is the best smartphone...

Sarah Evans on Becoming a Solo PR

For many of us, Sarah Evans needs no introduction. Sarah's Twitter innovations include the popular #journchat weekly chat (the model on which our #solopr chat is based), and she's never afraid to try something new. But few realize that Sarah hasn't always been a free...

DIY PR, Down Payments, Going Solo, & More

During the February 9 #solopr Twitter chat, solo PR pros discussed the Do-it-Yourself PR mindset, how to handle being dissatisfied with an outside vendor's work, how to prepare for a solo PR career while at an agency, and trying new mobile tactics for PR....

Project Management, Social Media Opportunities, and More

During the January 19 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed issues relating to project management, awards programs, and the opportunities in social media for finding work, speaking gigs, and more. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1....

Finding Partners, Staying Motivated, and more

During the January 5 #solopr Twitter chat, pros in PR consulting offered insights on a wide-range of topics, addressing the following questions: 1) How do you find good and loyal consultants to partner with? 2) How do you get more social network followers for new...

Year-End Considerations

As part of this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, top pros in PR consulting offered insights on a wide-range of topics, addressing the following questions: 1) What are your favorite year-end tax tips? (always room to know more on this) 2) What other year-end activities do...

Weigh In on Future Solo PR Offerings

As we look toward 2011 and find ourselves in the third year of this blog, there are many options under consideration to take the services and resources here at Solo PR to the next level. And who better to help make the decisions for Solo PR than you - the Solo PR...

A Chat Re-Cap Twofer

Thanks to the ongoing woes of favorite chat transcript site WTHashtag, there was a delay in compiling the  recaps for our two most recent #solopr Twitter chats. I'm happy to say the wait is over -- transcripts and overviews for the December 1 and December 8 chats...

Social Media for Clients

The November 10 #solopr Twitter chat addressed one of the most pressing issues facing all PR professionals today: how to handle social media. We discussed the following questions: 1. If a client tells you they want to fully leverage social media, where do you start?...

Chatting About Qualities and Resources

As part of the November 3 #solopr Twitter chat, we discussed the key characteristics of successful Solo PR pros, addressing the following questions: 1) From @JGombita: What are the attributes of #solopr that work so well? Can we make use of these in our professional...

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...

Issues with Subcontracting, and more

On the #solopr Twitter chat this week, we discussed several critical issues related to working with subcontractors, among other things. The questions included: 1) How can you start a virtual firm with other solo PR folks? 2) What if a subcontractor (in this case,...

Business Costs, and more

During the #solopr Twitter chat this week, consultants in PR and social media offered tips on a wide-range of topics, addressing the following questions: 1. How often during the year do you work on the administration and branding of your business? Do you ever center a...

Press Tours, Story Angles, and more

This week during the #solopr Twitter chat, we discussed a variety of subjects of interest to both solos and non-solo PR practitioners alike: 1) How do you qualify the businesses you work with? Budget? Stability? 2) Is the press tour/teletour dead? Do you still...

Proposals, Pricing and More

As part of this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, pros in PR consulting offered advice on two key issues in running your business, addressing the following questions: 1. As discussed in today's Solo PR post, have you used value/fee-based (rather than hourly) pricing?...

Setting Rates: A Field Guide

This is a guest post from Greg Brooks, principal of West Third Group. What should you charge? More to the point: Why aren’t you charging more? It’s a surprising blind spot – not just because otherwise smart practitioners get it wrong, but also in the sheer breadth of...

Insights on Fees, Employees, and more

This week's #solopr Twitter chat addressed some of the top issues facing independent PR consultants, ranging from when to raise rates, to when to hire employees. We covered the following questions: 1. How do you know when your fees are too low? 2. When it comes to...

Chatting About PressWiki

During this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, we primarily discussed PressWiki - http://www.presswiki.org – a new, free tool for aggregating media contact information. We were joined on the chat by Amy Mengel of readMedia, that company that created PressWiki. In keeping...

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...

Discussing Video and Social Media

During the August 11 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR consultants offered their insights on topics submitted by the community. We addressed the following questions: 1. Are you using video with your press releases?  How? 2.  As a follow-up:  How much old-school...

Business Plans, Rush Jobs, and more

During the August 4 #solopr Twitter chat, Solo PR Pros shared tips and tricks on a wide-range of topics, including: 1. Do you have a business plan? What format, and how did you develop it? 2.  What do you think about (the PR/journo networking site)? 3.  Do you take...

Solo Self-Promotion, and More

This week’s #solopr chat on Twitter was a lively discussion (as always!). Questions included the following: 1. Do you have recommendations for the best ways to track radio and TV PSAs? 2. How important is it for PR pros to promote their own (personal) image, i.e....

First Steps, Marketing, and more

The #solopr Twitter chat this week was once again a varied discussion, with expert advice in response to the following questions: 1. What do you do for tech support? 2. What do you do when a potential client calls, then calls two more times & sends two emails...

New PR Tactics, and More

As part of this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, top pros in PR consulting shared their thoughts on a wide-range of topics, including the following: 1) When trying to estimate hours for a blogger outreach program, how do you handle? 2) Has anyone used CNN's iReport.com or...

Superheroes Don’t Exist

Family emergencies can serve as a reminder that there is much more to life than work - these times can offer an amazing opportunity to pause and reflect on our own priorities. Unfortunately, even during periods of grief or illness, we tend to measure ourselves against...

No Freedom without Independence

This weekend the U.S. will celebrate the July 4th holiday, and we'll all pause to appreciate the freedoms we often take for granted. In fact, there is no freedom without independence, and those of us who’ve chosen to ply our public relations trade independently know...

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...

Whores, Pimps and the People Who Love Them

When you see people successfully grabbing for accolades, do you find it admirable or whore-ish? At what point does the sharing of one’s information become pimping? Is sensationalistic writing just more punchy and exciting, or does it make you feel nauseated? With...

Sharing and Support

In addition to offering the usual practical tips, during this week's #solopr Twitter chat participants shared some of their personal stories about why they became Solo PR Pros, and what keeps them inspired to stay independent. Both new and long-term solos drew...

Handling Sticky Situations with Journalists

Each week the #solopr Twitter chat – held Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m. Eastern - addresses topics and questions submitted by the community of Solo PR Pros.  Though the chats attract primarily independent PR consultants and those interested in learning more, information...

May 19 Chat Transcript

During the #solopr Twitter chat this week, PR consultants shared their top tips on topics that are key to running an independent PR business successfully. The questions included: 1)  Does anyone have a co-op, biz partner or share office space? How's that working out?...

Managing Your Solo PR Business

As part of this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, pros in PR consulting offered insights on a wide-range of topics, including the following: 1. A community member wanted to discuss @ginidietrich's post: It's Time to Rid PR Firms of the Billable Hour. What do you think of...

Raising rates, Monitoring and More

We discussed some of the hottest topics now facing #solopr pros during this week's Twitter chat. The questions included: 1) When do you decide to raise rates, and how do you do it? 2) What applications/services do you use for media coverage or social media...

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...

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...

Why Did You Go Solo?

During this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, we discussed some of the most important questions that face independent PR consultants, especially those just starting out. Read the transcript (in PDF) for answers from top Solo PR Pros to the following questions: 1. Are your...

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...

Fish or Cut Bait

This week’s #solopr Twitter chat was once again a fun and informative hour. In honor of the former (and the fact that it's April Fool's Day), I couldn't resist including an image that relates to an inside joke among chatters - the transcript reveals why this week's...

Keep a Positive Attitude

This is a guest post from Alan Cohen of Acts of Balance Executive Coaching The life of a solo PR practitioner can be isolating. Alone in your office or home, without the stimulation of colleagues and the energy of a busy office or institution, it can be a challenge to...

Wire Services, Unpaid Bills, and More

As part of this week’s #solopr Twitter chat, top PR consultants discussed a wide-range of topics, addressing the following questions: 1) What wire services have you used, and which do you prefer? Is wire distribution important these days? 2) How do solos collect on...

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...

To Free, or Not to Free

During a recent #solopr chat on Twitter, I made the following statement: Remember: it's worse to work for free than to not work at all. While many pros agreed with me, some had serious questions about this advice (below). But aside from new business opportunities...

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...

How a Cog Breaks Free – an Interview with PRCog

For those of you who are active on Twitter, @PRCog needs no introduction. One of the few examples of social media anonymity done right, PR Cog expresses – with trademark humor – many of the frustrations that exist for a mid-level PR pro. These generalized beefs can be...

Lessons Learned

This week’s #solopr Twitter chat covered a wide-range of topics, with some of the top pros in PR consulting weighing in on the following questions: 1) Do you take credit cards or some sort of online payment vehicle? 2) Have you ever relocated your biz to another...

The Solo PR Pro Community Grows

I’m pleased to announce that, by popular demand, we now have a Solo PR Pro Facebook fan page! Why a Facebook page? Though social media is what participants make of it (this means you), in my mind I see our Solo PR Pro community breaking out like this: Solo PR Pro blog...

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...

Time management, monitoring and more

This week’s #solopr Twitter chat was once again jam-packed with helpful tips. New and established PR consultants alike offered insights on the following topics: When budgets are small, what methods do you use to track clips (both online and print)? How do you "fire" a...

How PR Consultants Can Switch Industries

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: What advice do you have for switching industries- e.g. B2B to consumer PR? How do you balance the tax/financial planning...

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...

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...

Subcontracting, SEO and More

Experts in PR consulting once again offered hundreds of pieces of sage advice in this week’s #solopr Twitter chat. During the discussion, there was a universal sentiment that subcontracting or outsourcing non-core services is important for long-term success as a PR...

Do You Have Ugly Stuff?

Design plays an important role in establishing credibility — especially important for independents.

Tips on Finding PR Consulting Clients

How did successful PR consultants find their first clients? That was just one of the many interesting questions covered in this week’s #solopr Twitter chat. Interestingly, many of the top pros participating did not have clients before taking the leap toward...

Don’t Be PR Roadkill

How can a public relations professional become PR roadkill? By continuing to ignore social media. Like an old Looney Tunes cartoon, there are throngs of pros about to stampede by and leave you in their dust. I wanted to offer up one final tough love post on the...

How to Charge for Social Media Services

During this week's #solopr Twitter chat, top independent consultants shared invaluable information on what they're doing with social media, and how to bill for these services. The following questions were addressed: Are your clients getting more serious about social...

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.

Business Insurance for PR Consultants

The January 6 #solopr Twitter chat kickedoff 2010 with a bang! Top PR consultants from around the country engaged in such a lively and informative discussion, the group addressed just two questions (with a wealth of info): What kind of business insurance types and...

Let Your Conscience (or Business Coach) Be Your Guide

This is a guest post by Charity Lacey, the creative and strategic principal of Virtue Integrated Marketing Communications – a San Diego-based full service marketing communications agency specializing in mom-/family-centered products and services. In January 2008, I...

Planning for 2010

This week’s #solopr chat on Twitter focused on year-end planning and getting ready for 2010. This is an important period in planning for your business and setting the stage for an even better 2010! As always, the Solo PR Pro community had some excellent tips to share...

Tips on Twitter Lists, Podcasts and More

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...

How do you distribute news?

This week’s #solopr chat – held each Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. Eastern on Twitter – got into the nitty gritty of one of the top issues facing PR professionals today: news distribution. Be sure to check out the transcript here in PDF, or online, for astute insights from...

Wisdom of #solopr Chatters

The November 11 edition of the #solopr Twitter chat took on a life of its own (as all good chats do). We tackled tough topics, including the extent to which agency experience is helpful to Solo PR Pros, and whether PRSA membership is useful to an independent...

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...

Planning for the Future – 11.04.09 #solopr chat

Addressing issues/questions submitted by the community, the  #solopr chat – held each Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. Eastern – is becoming a weekly ritual for a host of savvy Solo PR Pros on Twitter.  Anyone with a Twitter account is welcome to join us! This week’s...

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...

Transcript for the #solopr Chat – 10/21/09

Starting this week, we'll be posting the transcript from the weekly #solopr Twitter chat (Wednesdays, 1-2 p.m. Eastern) here on the blog. Why? Because each week the chats are chock-full of free advice, tips and interesting discussions on the future of PR, social...

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.

Tapping the Collective Wisdom

The many ways the Solo PR Pro community can interact goes far beyond this blog. We're starting to have weekly #solopr chats on Twitter, and please join the brand new Solo PR Pro group on LinkedIn for yet another way we can ask questions and share ideas with each...

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...

Using Social Media – Come Out from Behind the Curtain

Most PR consultants have been trained from early in our careers to work behind the scenes. We've typically served clients or company executives as the spokespeople, and it's deeply ingrained that the spotlight should shine on them alone.  Today, it's time to come out...

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...

PR Consulting Questions? Let’s Share

I'm frequently asked all kinds of questions about becoming a PR consultant. Though we cover the full spectrum of being a Solo PR Pro on this blog, it has occurred to me (perhaps belatedly) that it would be beneficial to publish answers to the specific questions I...

Can You Leave Your Job to Consult Today?

To me, being a PR/MarCom consultant is the greatest job in the world. I'm so passionate about the virtues of working for yourself versus someone else, I started this blog! But I don't advocate everyone take the leap willy nilly. The truth is there are times when a...

A Humorous Look at Client Maneuvering

When you're an independent consultant, eventually you'll experience one or more of the "negotiating tactics" hilariously illustrated in this video (hat tip to Brad Fitzpatrick, where I first saw it). In this economy, unfortunately such tactics become even more common....

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...

We’re a Band of Brothers (and Sisters)

Those who aren’t independent consultants might think there is rivalry and discord among our ranks. After all, aren’t we competing against each other? Wouldn’t a little back-stabbing be expected? In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is...

Guest Post on PRos in Training

I was thrilled to be asked by leading PR academic Kelli Matthews to write a guest post for her blog, PRos in Training. In it, I propose that the changes in public relations create a unique opportunity for emerging and experienced PR pros to join forces. The result can...

Are You Ready for Faster PR?

This is the first guest post on Solo PR Pro, and it comes from popular PR blogger Scott Hepburn. Scott is a copywriter for PRstore, a full-service marketing and PR company with franchises nationwide. He blogs at Media Emerging and plays devil’s advocate on Twitter as...

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 Pros and the Breaking News Dilemma

Perhaps you’ve seen the controversy around embargoes in recent months, or you may be blissfully unaware. But the issue of how best to handle important news (a big product rollout, for example) is always an important one. What does the recent commotion mean for...

Modern PR: New Incentives to Behave Professionally

We know they’re out there. The people who say they’re in PR, but they really just play a numbers game – sending as many emails as possible, in hopes of getting a small percentage of recipients to cover their clients. In fact, most of us have probably competed for...

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...

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...

44 Tools for the PR Consultant’s Toolbox

Technology has made it easier than ever for small fries like us to provide big-league service. I’m often amazed how many Web-based applications are available now – it can actually be mind boggling and overwhelming at times. Here, in an attempt to help you wade through...

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...

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,...