This week we published our 200th episode of That Solo Life podcast! As we celebrate this milestone, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at our Top 10 podcast episodes of all time. 10. A Conversation with OnePitch Co-Founder Jered Martin Jered Martin, the...
PR Updates
How Solo PR Professionals Can Use 2021’s Most Buzzed About App, Clubhouse
Clubhouse is a fairly new social app that's taken the world by storm. Part podcast, part TED Talk, the high-profile app can be a great resource for PR professionals. Clubhouse is in its early days, but adoption has been fast and furious and, in my experience...
What Do Communicators Need to Know About Trust in 2021? Findings from the Edelman Trust Barometer
If it were another word “trust” might be considered a buzzword by now, but this is a word that is the very essence upon which the fabric of society is built upon. There are some aspects of it that we take for granted, put into question, or underestimate. And...
The Opportunities You May Be Missing
In our work as communicators we always want to be strategic in how we use our client’s time to achieve the best results. This often means tailoring efforts to tasks, outlets and audiences that will deliver the highest ROI. However, this approach is not always the...
2019 Meeker Report Highlights
Photo by Thom on Unsplash It’s here! Mary Meeker’s report on 2019 Internet Trends. When sharing the report, she stated, “If it feels like we’re all drinking from a data firehose, it’s because we are.” The report focuses on the “impact of the Internet on...
Leading Healthy Teams: Lessons from Leadercast 2019 for Solo PR Pros
Leadercast Live is a one-day leadership event held in Atlanta, Georgia and simulcast to host sites around the world. The Leadercast speakers tailored their talks to 2019’s theme, Leading Healthy Teams, providing actionable information that applies to those of us with...
Digital Marketing Update for Solo PR Pros
Many of us use our clients’ digital channels to further their messages and grow their businesses. Here’s an update on what’s new in the digital marketing world. Facebook Facebook held their annual F8 Developer’s Conference April 30 – May 1, 2019. Here are a few key...
Highlights from the Content Marketing Institute 2019 Benchmarks and Trends Report
Our recent blog covering the relationship between SEO and PR shared the good news that content marketing remains a valid and successful method of supporting search engine ranking. With content ranging from blogs to podcasts to video, what qualifies as the most...
Pro Downloads: 2016 FPRA Conference
The Solo PR Pro Main Event of 2016 was a great success, thanks to all who attended and the great speakers! We are excited to provide Solo PR PRO Premium members with access to presentation downloads and other extras - from the sessions of special interest to indies...
Ultimate Year-End Checklist for Self-Employed Consultants
This post has been updated for 2015. The end of the year is fast approaching, but there’s still time to close out 2015 with a bang! Here are 12 items that should be on any independent consultant’s year-end checklist: Financial 1. Make business purchases now - One of...
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...
The Results Are In! 2015 Solo PR Pro Compensation Survey Insights Report
Self-employed communications consultants often feel as if they’re operating in an information vacuum, especially when it comes to rates and compensation. How much are other freelance communications consultants charging? What factors influence compensation, and how...
Top Takeaways – 2015 Solo PR FPRA Conference Recap
Fun in the sun, brain expanding educational sessions and the camaraderie of your fellow Solo PR members—all in the luxurious setting of a plush resort. What more could one have asked for? Hats off to another fantastic conference where the Solo PR community had an...
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,...
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 –...
Orlando or Bust! Last Chance to Register for Solo PR Event at Discounted Rates
As regular readers of this blog know, each year Solo PR Pro works to provide a one-of-a-kind conference experience for our community – one focused on the unique needs of independent communications consultants and other small organizations (as opposed to the...
Vacation Time!
Members of the Solo PR Pro community know I’m a firm believer that 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 I’m taking my own advice! The...
Ultimate Social Network Cheat Sheet for Image and Video Sizes [Infographic]
The list of social networks used for PR continues to grow and change, and they each have their own requirements for image and video sizing - which also change. Trying to keep up can be maddening! Fortunately, the folks at Prohibition PR put together this handy cheat...
Seeking Engagement and Significance – 5 Business Lessons from a Top Teacher
As independent consultants, we typically steer our own ships – we choose what to focus on, and where to spend our finite time. While it’s easy to get bogged down in the tactical, it’s important we not forget to look at the big picture on occasion. Is what we’re doing...
5 Ways to Gain the Media’s Trust
This is a guest blog post by Jason Mollica. Let’s be honest, we’ve all seen the quotes, tweets and Facebook posts from journalists about public relations pros being sneaky, unethical, or distrustful. It’s something, unfortunately, that comes with the territory. Most...
Checkout Solo PR’s New Design Refresh!
As with many long-standing websites, Google’s announcement that “mobile friendliness” would become a factor in mobile search results was a bit of a jolt for us here at Solo PR Pro. Though the site displayed fine on most mobile devices, Google’s test tool let us know...
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....
Are You Ready? Five Crisis Communications Building Blocks
This is a guest post by Fran Stephenson, a Solo PR PRO Premium member who has handled hundreds of crises during her 20+ years in corporate communications, including more than 15 years as a theme park communicator. Her new ebook, “Managing Your Next Crisis: A...
Persuasive Communication – PR, Psychology and the Brain
The best PR pros know that persuasive communication benefits from a healthy dose of psychology. How do people think and process information, and how can we use that understanding to improve our communications? Nobel prize-winning economist, Daniel Kahneman, has...
Tools Rule – Except When They Don’t
A version of this post ran on the Cision blog. I’ve never met a communications professional who wasn’t a tool fiend. Sometimes it seems our appetite for tools and services that can help us do our jobs better is never-ending. And why wouldn’t we be in love with tools?...
How to Develop Modern Key Messages
Roughly six years ago, I wrote a guest post for Kami Huyse’s blog about the role of messaging in public relations - at the time, the term “key message” had developed a bad reputation. Folks were hopping aboard the Cluetrain Manifesto’s proclamation that “there’s no...
Start 2015 Off Right with These Top Posts
Happy new year! The turning of the calendar page has special significance for Solo PR Pros. Many newly independent communications professionals hang out their shingle on January 1, while others already in business choose to redouble their efforts to achieve new goals...
Rewarding Our Supporters – Become a Solo PR Affiliate
Solo PR PRO Premium members are our biggest fans, and we'd like to reward you for what you're doing already - recommending Solo PR PRO Premium membership to your friends and colleagues. Today we're unveiling our new affiliate program, which pays $25 for every new...
Join Solo PR Pro at the FPRA Conference in August 2015!
The wait is over – we’re excited to announce Solo PR Pro’s main event activity for 2015! We’ve joined forces with the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Conference to sponsor and help organize an indie-focused Solo PR Pro track. This arrangement comes with...
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...
7 Ways to Stop Wasting Money on Professional Development
Ongoing education is critical to success in our business, but with so many “gurus” online – from individuals to big name trade publications – peddling conferences, advice and information products, how can you be selective and avoid falling victim to mediocre...
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,...
The Rise of the Independent Nation – Follow the Money
When I first opened my business as a solo PR pro in 1995, independent communications consultants were a rare breed. While forward-looking clients (primarily at PR agencies) embraced the benefits of working with experienced and flexible outside counsel, other...
5 Tips to Build Client Partnerships
This is a guest post by Heather Whaling, president of Geben Communication. The people who hire you – are they clients or customers? Do they see you as a partner or a vendor? A consultant or a freelancer? Just semantics or is there an actual difference? I see the new...
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,...
My Face Freaks Me Out – But I Need to Get Over It
Some people obviously love to post pictures and videos of themselves online. I am not one of those people. I’m a card-carrying Gen-Xer who predates selfie mania. I’d rather veg out than take snaps of myself in a new outfit. And if you ever see a picture of me...
The #SoloPR Twitter Chat Evolves – New Schedule and Format Updates
The #solopr Twitter chat is one of the longest continuously-running regular chats on Twitter - this September, the #solopr Twitter chat will be five years old! Nearly 250 chats later, participants in this top Twitter chat for independent communications professionals...
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...
Get It In Writing! Free eBook from Solo PR Pro
Legal contracts can be one of the most daunting aspects of running an indie business. You know you need them, but where do you start? What format should you use? How do you determine what to include? The free ebook, Get It In Writing! The Communications Consultant’s...
Hitting the Pause Button
For most Solo PR Pros, we’re always experimenting with our businesses. That’s part of the fun! We’ve talked before about the importance of taking time off, but when you’re out there pushing the envelope, it’s also OK to occasionally hit the pause button, adjust, and...
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 Get to the Top of the Blogging Heap
In this dog eat dog world, do people really cooperate to get to the top? Of course they do, and the world of blogging is one of the most obvious examples. Solo PR Pros support each other on a regular basis, and today we're unveiling a resource to help you easily find...
5 Reasons Blog Comments Are Still Important
Whither the blog comment? Recently, popular blog Copyblogger announced they were removing the comment section from their blog, and encouraged readers to instead write their own posts in response, or comment on Google+ and Twitter. Mark Schaefer shared his thoughts on...
Spin Sucks – But You Don’t Have To
Can you clearly articulate the difference between paid, earned, owned, and shared media, and how to capitalize on each? Do you know how to use your love of reading fiction for better storytelling in your day job? If you know you (or your clients) could use a primer on...
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...
Building a Successful Community – The Solo PR Story
If you’re a community manager, what do you need to keep in mind as you try to build a passionate niche community like #SoloPR? If you’ve ever wondered how and why Kellye Crane started Solo PR, and how the Solo PR Summit went from idea to real-world event, this...
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.
Full Schedule and New Speakers Announced for 2014 Solo PR Summit!
Being held February 19-20, 2014, at the Georgia Tech Learning Center in Atlanta, the line-up for the 2014 Solo PR Summit – the only event specifically for independent communications consultants – just keeps getting better! Today we're excited to share that joining...
Photowalks for Profit and Fame
In this guest post, Betsy Decillis discusses the concept of photowalks and provides some advice to get started using this social strategy. Photowalks - walking with a camera for the purpose of taking pictures – have long been popular with photographers. However, the...
20 Top Tips on Using Video for PR Pros
With ongoing advancements in technology, video capabilities continue to change and increase in importance for PR professionals. I recently attended an excellent session on video organized by my fellow Atlantans, Mitch Leff and Brennan Robison, co-chairs of the PRSA...
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...
Press Releases and Google – What PR Professionals Need to Know to Promote Without Penalty
Recently Google updated their guidelines on links specifically calling out press releases. The update has caused some confusion among PR professionals. We asked SEO pro, Jon Rognerud to help explain the changes. Keywords, content, and links are paramount to success in...
Free Yourself from Business Development Hell
This is a guest post by Solo PR PRO Premium member, Diane K. Rose. Chances are one reason you love the solo PR life is the flexibility that comes with being one’s own boss. Instead of working on projects imposed by corporate honchos, you pick topics and clients that...
How to Organize a New Partnership – Before You Sign the Papers
This is a guest post by Steven Spenser, Principal, Praxis Communication. Steven is a frequent, valuable contributor to the Solo PR Pros group on LinkedIn – we asked him to provide this blog post, based on one of his helpful LI answers. If you have any insights or...
Bigger Isn’t Better – What the Omnicom-Publicis Merger Really Means for PR Clients
While much of the media coverage to date has focused on the advertising implications of the Omnicom-Publicis merger announcement, the fact is many of the top public relations agencies in the world are in the portfolios of these massive conglomerates. In the initial...
Save the Date for the 2014 Solo PR Summit!
Back by overwhelming demand, we’re pleased to announce that the Solo PR Summit – the only in-person conference hosted by Solo PR Pro – will return to Atlanta February 19-20, 2014, and it will be even bigger and better than ever! Mark your calendars now to join us at...
5 Facts About Working with Solo PR Pros
There are many advantages to working with independent PR consultants, and thousands of organizations every day select the benefits of working with a Solo PR Pro over the alternative options. Members of Solo PR PRO Premium recently had fun brainstorming around this...
Karen Swim Joins Solo PR as Director of Development
Today, I'm excited to share that Karen Swim is now consulting with Solo PR, serving in the new role of director of development. Karen's accomplishments have made her widely respected across the communications industry, and for those of us who participate regularly in...
Tools to Promote Clients, Dealing with Heckler Reporters and More
The specific questions, and top responses, from the June 19 #solopr Twitter chat, include:
Weird Prospective Clients & More
During the June 12 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed weird prospective clients, planning for business support, and working when the weather's nice outside. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most...
Chat Lovers and the Shifting Sands of Twitter
Today is the day Twitter makes significant changes to its service by retiring version 1 of its API (which, for the non-techies, stands for Application Programming Interface, and is what add-on services use to access tweets). Since its launch almost four years ago, the...
Forming an LLC, Mentoring Others, & More
During the June 5 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed becoming an LLC, mentoring other solos, handling a viral embarrassment, and charging for referrals. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most...
Pitching Freelance Journalists & More
During the May 29 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed pitching freelance journalists, handling MIA clients, and sending out new business proposals. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
10 Steps to a Winning Success Story
The demand for content has never been greater, and PR professionals are typically tapped to meet content needs in most organizations. For solo PR pros, content strategy and creation can represent a significant portion of our business. As you seek to feed the content...
Freemium Tools, Summer Workloads, & More
During the May 22 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discuss freemium tools, summer workloads, and summer vacation plans. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat. [View the story...
Content Providers, Hiring Biz Help, & More
During the May 15 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discuss journalists as content providers, hiring subcontractors, and best practices for using LinkedIn ads. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
Replacing Tools for Chat Tracking, Where to Get Top Industry News & More
The specific questions, and top responses, from the May 1 #solopr Twitter chat, include:
Brushing Up on In-Person New Business Presentations & More
The specific questions, and top responses, from the May 1 #solopr Twitter chat, include:
You Have a Monkey Brain – and Other Truths PR Pros Should Know About Data
Even if you’re not a statistics whiz, everyone in public relations today needs to understand the big picture challenges of looking at data. As PR pros, part of our job is to analyze the success of strategies and tactics (our own and those of others) and make...
How to Make a Client Trust You After Being Burned by Others & More
During the April 24 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed ways to gain a skeptical new client's trust, avoid being blamed for the previous agency's mistakes, and recommendations for social media metrics when measuring and reporting. New and established...
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 Handle Losing a Client & More
During the April 10 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed experiences working with business coaches, dealing with losing a client, and becoming a more effective delegator. New and established PR consultants alike offered insights on the following...
When to Go Back to Traditional Employment & More
During the April 3 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed remedies for spending too much time on Facebook, how to know if it's time to go back to traditional employment, ways to deal with loneliness as a solo PR pro, and how to compete against larger...
Working As A Subcontractor & More
During the March 27 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed client personnel changes and potential billing issues when working as a subcontractor. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
Tips for Facebook Ads & More
During the March 20 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed cloud-based email, advice for new grads, tips for Facebook Advertising, and working with consultants across time zones. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights...
Sharp Insights from Journalists on Reporting in the Social Media Age
During the South-by-Southwest session, Sources in the Social Media Age, Joe Ciarallo, senior director of PR at salesforce.com, moderated a lively discussion with an all-star panel that included Greg Galant, CEO of Sawhorse Media (the group that brings us Muck Rack),...
SXSW: The good, the bad, and the ugly
After a two year hiatus, I returned to South-by-Southwest (SXSW) Interactive for the 2013 event. As in the past, next week we'll start a series of posts sharing session insights and key takeaways so you can benefit from the experience, without the big price tag! But...
Travel Tips, Client News, & More
During the March 13 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed travel tips, new business, and client announcements. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: As travelers, do you have any pro tips for dealing with jet lag (also works for time...
Managing Stress & More
During the March 6 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed recommendations for new clients, managing stress, and handling difficult client contacts. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
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 Enjoy the Solo PR Summit, Even If You Can’t Be Here in Person
As you may know, the first-ever Solo PR Summit, which kicks off today in Atlanta, is sold out! There are a number of ways you can follow along and participate, which are beneficial to both attendees and those unable to be here in person: Watch our usual #solopr...
Blogging, Difficult Clients, & More
During the February 13 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed blogging and working with difficult clients. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat: #SoloPR Chat Highlights...
Mark Schaefer on Intrepid Radio: The New Rules of Power and Influence on the Web
We have a full roster of exciting thought leaders coming to speak at the Solo PR Summit, not the least of which is our fascinating keynote speaker, Mark Schaefer, who blogs at {grow} — one of the top marketing blogs of the world. Mark is truly an authority on the...
Taxes, Event Planning, & More
During the February 6 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed taxes, event planning, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat: #SoloPR Chat Highlights – 2/06/2013...
Sarah Evans on Intrepid Radio: Getting More Done In Less Time
As we head into the final stretch before the Solo PR Summit (which kicks off just two weeks from today - grab one of the few remaining seats!), top business podcaster Todd Schnick of Intrepid Radio just published his recent interview with Summit featured speaker Sarah...
Offering Discounts & More
During the January 30 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed managing client expectations & offering discounts. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat: #SoloPR Chat...
The Pros and Cons of Facebook Mobile vs. Desktop
Facebook’s mobile platform is fast-growing and offers unique opportunities, and many marketers are learning to capitalize on this dramatic change in use. Using paid tools or the Facebook Power Editor Chrome Extension, you're able to specifically target mobile users...
Reasons for Going Solo & More
During the January 23 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed reasons for going solo, the closing of LinkedIn Answers, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat:...
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...
When Things Don’t Go According To Plan & More
During the January 16 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed unexpected client issues, time tracking software, & Lance Armstrong's PR crisis. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: When something isn't going according to plan, do you...
Video Production, Google+ Hangouts, & More
During the January 9 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed producing low-budget videos, leveraging Google+ hangouts, managing a sudden workload increase, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the...
Referrals, Personality Traits, & More
During the January 2 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed asking for referrals, the most important factors for clients, personality traits of a PR pro, & goals for 2013. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights...
Year-End Purchases, 2013 Goals, & More
During the December 12 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed year-end purchases, effective new business tactics, and goals for 2013. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the...
LinkedIn Premium, Holiday Schedules, & More
During the December 5 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed LinkedIn Premium, the impact of Klout scores, clients' holiday schedules, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
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....
Fake News, Tech Support, & More
During the November 28 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed what the fake news incident means for PR, how to handle clients who expect you to act as tech support, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights...
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...
Pros/Cons of #SoloPR & More
During the November 14 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed scheduling during the holidays, managing client expectations, pros/cons of being a #solopr, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the...
Who you like on Facebook impacts your personal brand
On Facebook: -Do you want to declare your love for household product samples on a daily basis via “Women get it free”? -Would you tell all your friends to "SHOP SALE" at Levi’s online store? -Do you want everyone (including people you don’t know) to be aware you’re...
Instagram Web Profiles, Battling Self Doubt, & More
During the November 7 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed Instagram web profiles, AVEs, battling moments of self doubt, and planning for 2013. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
Newsjacking, Video Skills, & More
During the October 31 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed timing announcements, newsjacking, video skills, and advice for a solo PR newbie. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from...
No Tricks, Just Treats – More Top Speakers Announced for Solo PR Summit
The line-up for the Solo PR Summit, being held February 20-21, 2013, at the Regency Suites Hotel in Atlanta, Ga., just keeps getting better! Today, famed Bad Pitch Blog co-author Kevin Dugan joins Mark W. Schaefer, Sarah Evans, Arik Hanson, Kami Huyse, and Heather...
The Most Valuable Social Media Tool & More
During the October 24 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed new business research, the most valuable social media tool, and how to market your product. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
Distributing News, Adopting Social Networks, & More
During the October 17 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed building relationships with non-marketing executives, distributing news online, and adopting newer social media channels. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following...
Crisis Comm Resources, Avoiding Social Media Mishaps, & More
During the October 10 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed crisis communication resources, media contact lists, & ways to avoid social media mishaps. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most...
Tweeting Executives, Story Matching Services, & More
During the October 3 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed tweeting executives, project management solutions, story matching services, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
Advice on Hiring an Assistant & More
During the September 26 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed tools for creating visuals, advice on hiring an assistant, thoughts on turning away prospects, and tips for getting in holiday gift guides. In addition to the downloadable transcript in...
Crisis Communication, Humor in Social Media, & More
During the September 19 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed crisis communication, rookie mistakes to avoid as a new freelancer, and using humor in social media. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the...
Client Feedback, Staying Fit, & More
During the September 12 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed asking for client feedback, using Storify, staying fit as a solo PR pro, and new social media services/sites to focus on. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following...
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,...
Business Planning, Online Newsrooms, & More
During the September 5 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed business planning, online newsrooms, and adjusting to social media changes. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the...
Project Fees, Timing, & More
During the August 29 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed setting project fees, timing announcements around holidays, building connections with media, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the...
Project Management & More
During the August 22 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed additional income streams, project management tips, time tracking solutions, and more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
Mac vs PC, Social Media Trainings, & More
During the August 15 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed Mac vs PC, social media trainings, and must-read professional books. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat:...
Wikipedia Entries, Professional Associations, & More
During the August 8 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed overactive social media users, tips on creating Wikipedia entries, best practices for promoting a book online, and the benefits of joining professional associations. In addition to the...
New Business, Reducing Stress, & More
During the August 1 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed avoiding a media crisis, prospecting for healthcare clientele, following up during the new business process, and how to reduce stress as a solo PR pro. In addition to the downloadable transcript...
Olympic Coverage, the Future of Google+, & More
During the July 25 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed handling aggressive prospective clients, working around Olympic coverage, and the future of Google+. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most...
ROI & Minimum Budgets
During the July 18 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed how to include ROI in a proposal and minimum budgets when working with small clients. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets...
Finding Inspiration, Weathering Emergencies, & More
During the July 11 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed finding inspiration for stale client accounts, working around non-compete agreements when transitioning from agency to solo, and tips for weathering a family emergency. In addition to the...
Flat Rate vs. Hourly, Email Marketing, & More
During the June 27 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed flat rate vs. hourly pricing, integrated email/CRM solutions, and email marketing for clients. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
Walmart PR, Moving Up the Value Chain, & More
During the June 20 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed the recent Walmart PR fiasco, making time for social media, moving up the value chain, and more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
Building Your Personal Brand, Twitter Journalism, & More
During the June 13 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed building your personal brand, event-specific pages on Twitter, & using tweets when working with journalists. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of...
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...
Contacting Media During the Summer Months & More
During the June 6 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed leaked LinkedIn passwords, entrepreneurship, and contacting media during the summer months. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
Reporter Queries on Twitter & More
During the May 30 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed reporter queries on Twitter, prepping for new business pitches, joining women-focused PR groups, & health insurance for freelancers. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the...
Meeting with Clients, Raising Rates, & More
During the May 23 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed meeting with clients, managing a move, & raising rates. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat: #SoloPR Chat...
Attention social media types: the tech industry is about to eat your lunch
This isn’t our first time at the rodeo, but for those who’ve never had a ring-side seat for the kind of massive technology consolidations we’re about to witness, allow me to fill you in with my predictions, based on more than 20 years in the tech industry. All the...
PR Journalism, Infographics, & More
During the May 16 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed taking vacations, thoughts on PR journalism, creating infographics, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the...
Connecting with Hard to Reach Media Contacts & More
During the May 9 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed connecting with hard to reach media contacts, pitching radio shows and podcasts, and minimizing distractions when working from home. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following...
How To Join the Visual Revolution – For Free
This post was co-written with Solo PR community specialist Jennifer Spivak. Between Pinterest’s rise to fame as the third most popular social network in the U.S. by some accounts and Facebook’s $1 billion acquisition of the mobile photo sharing app Instagram - a...
Firing Clients, Basic SEO Tips, & More
During the May 2 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed firing clients, basic SEO tips, managing a busy schedule, & more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat: [View...
Online Research Tools, Proposals, & More
During the April 25 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed online research tools, creating proposals, & dream speakers for a 2013 Solo PR conference. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular...
Late Payments & Promoting Yourself
During the April 18 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed clients who are late paying and promoting yourself to your target client base. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the...
Words matter, except when they don’t – ending my ban on personal branding
Yesterday, I spoke at the Public Relations Council of Alabama's annual conference on personal branding. Except I asked them not to call it that. I’ve always shied away from the term “personal branding,” primarily because some of my early influencers in the online...
Recovering From A Sudden Client Loss & More
During the April 11 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed working with friends/family members, recovering from a sudden client loss, involving employees from non-communication departments in social media initiatives, and how to best handle a vendor who...
When Face-to-Face Communication Beats the Internet
The following is a guest post from Amanda DiSilvestro, Online Content Editor at Business.com. Along with many other industries, the practice of public relations is changing due to the rapid growth of email and social networking. As a whole, this change is good for...
Press Release Distribution, Belvedere’s Facebook Problems, & More
During the April 4 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed press release distribution, the Belvedere Vodka Facebook issue, and finding inexpensive graphic design services. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of...
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...
Conference Call Services, Mistrust in PR, & More
During the March 28 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed working with clients who got "burned," preferred conference call services, and mistrust in the PR industry. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the...
11 Must-Watch Diverse Marketing Influencers
Lists of people to watch in marketing often come under fire for being light on diversity. Here’s the thing: including those with ethnic, cultural and religious differences is not hard to do! Some say there’s a diversity deficit, and that may be true, but as with many...
International Clients, Being A Better Boss, & More
The March 21, 2012 chat was sponsored by PitchPen, a site that allows social media consultants to get new clients and grow their business. Be the first to join their global network when it launches mid-2012 and get their free guide to getting new clients. ...
SXSW Attendance, Referral Fees, & More
During the March 7 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed SXSW attendance, referral fees, social media commentary as a new business tool, & possible topics for a 2013 Solo PR conference. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following...
Facebook Timeline for Pages, Blog Commenting Systems, & More
During the February 29 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed Facebook's Timeline feature for brand pages, the best (and worst) blog commenting systems, and what solo PR pros are doing this year to leap forward. In addition to the downloadable transcript...
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...
PR and Sales, Finding Subcontractors, and more
During the January 18 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed the relationship between PR and sales, finding subcontractors, the Italian cruise ship disaster, and much more. In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some...
Social Media Vacations, Accounting Software, & More
During the December 14 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed social media during the holidays, accounting software, & organizing new business leads. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. How much "social media" presence will you...
News Wire Services, Controlling Clients, & More
During the December 7 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed news wire services, controlling clients, and slower work periods. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1a. What news release/news wire services get your high ranking? Free or...
Bookmarking Tools, References, & Holiday Greetings
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...
What Can Brands Do After The Facebook “Like”? [video]
I had the pleasure of speaking with Matt Hicks, former Social Media Manager with Facebook. As you can imagine, Matt is full of insight into how brands can better use their Facebook Pages to connect with audiences with the goal of developing relationships. This...
New Business, Renegotiating Client Contracts, & More
The November 16, 2011 chat was sponsored by PitchPen, a new service for consultants to pitch companies actively seeking PR help: http://www.pitchpen.com. Consultant participation in PitchPen is invite only- email membership@pitchpen.com with your name/experience/links...
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.
Generalist/Specialist, Image Consulting, & More
During the October 12 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed bad PR stories, image consulting, & more. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. Is it better for a #solopr pro to be a generalist or a specialist? 2. Recently, a PR pro...
Holiday Press, Increasing Clientele, & More
During the October 5 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on helping clients find value, garnering holiday press, increasing clientele, & more. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. Client's focused on deliverable that may...
Failed Expectations, Facebook Changes, & More
During the September 28 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on failed expectations, paying for premium services, Facebook's recent changes, and marketing books. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. How do you handle not...
Blogger Outreach, Klout Scores, & More
During the September 21 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on blogger outreach programs, Klout scores, the Netflix saga, & more. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. When you build a blogger outreach program and compile...
Solo For The Long Haul, TechCrunch Drama, & More
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,...
Blogger Outreach & Earning What You’re Worth
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...
Sub-Contractors, Collective Power, & More
During the August 31 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on motivating sub-contractors, hiring a full-time assistant, the collective power of #solopr, and more. The following questions helped guide the conversation: 1. Do you have any tips for...
Pricing, Current Events, & More
During the August 24 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed sharing pricing information, using current events in media pitches, and social media referral sources. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. We've seen posts lately from...
Balance, Google+, & More
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...
Getting on Board with Google+
Regular readers will recall that I suggested a taking a wait-and-see approach to Google+ when it first launched (especially since the search giant has a less than stellar track record when it comes to social). Though it’s no panacea, the verdict is in: if you haven’t...
Burn Out, Interns, Events, & More
During the August 10 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed client advice, feeling burned out, hiring an intern, and more. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. Would you ever advise a client to blog negatively about a person or...
Personal Profiles, Assessing Client Interest, & More
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,...
Work Situations, Inattentive Clients, & More
During the July 27 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed work situations, growth goals, contacting press, and inattentive clients. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. Do you work from home, or an off-site office? Pros/cons? #solopr...
Blogging, Scandals, & More
During the July 20 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on blog etiquette, overseas scandals, & working with subcontractors. The following questions helped guide the conversation: 1. I have a new personal blog. Not sure if I need to do a...
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...
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...
It Pays to Wait
You may have heard that Google+, a new social media service from Google, was unveiled last week (not to be confused with the +1 button, which Google also released recently). In the wake of an avalanche of press coverage, you may want to do what I always do: take a...
Subcontractors, PR Competitions, & More
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...
Let’s Vote Triberr Off the Island
I don’t usually do an entire post on one particular tool, but on the recent #solopr Twitter chat (held each Wednesday, 1-2pm ET), we discussed group automation tools, specifically Triberr. I’ve shared my feelings about Triberr via comments on numerous posts, and –...
Social Platforms, Tricky Client Situations, & More
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...
Media Relations, Dress Codes, & More
During the June 15 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on reporter etiquette, solo PR dress codes, and influencer identification tools. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. Orig asked on the LI group- http://linkd.in/kArPXz -do...
Business Goals, Referral Systems, & More
During the June 8 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed business goals, referral systems, client red flags, and more. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. We're almost at 2011 half-way pt. How is everyone doing on their business...
Measurement, Monitoring, & More
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...
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...
Radio, ProfNet, Measurement, & More
During the May 25 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed radio placements, ProfNet Connect, PR as a dirty word, and biggest measurement challenges. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. This article (by a radio person) on "Why Radio...
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...
Extra Costs, Website Leads, Summer Vacation & More
During the May 18 #solopr Twitter chat, solo PR pros shared insight on adding mileage expenses into client contracts, building your own website, getting leads from your website, and taking a summer vacation. The following questions helped guide the conversation: 1....
Competing with Bigger Firms, Selling Social Media, & More
During the May 11 #solopr Twitter chat, solo PR pros discussed competing with bigger firms, tricky client situations, selling social media, & working with clients in complicated industries. Specifically, the following questions were addressed: 1. What is the best...
Unbilled Work, Tracking Client Progress, & New Business
During the May 4 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros shared insight on responding to clients who ask for unbilled work, tracking client/campaign progress, and speeding up the new business process. The following questions helped guide the conversation: 1. What do...
Time-Keeping, Media Connections, & Small Biz Publicity
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...
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...
Social Media Non-Believers, Stubborn Clients, & More
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....
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...
LinkedIn, Solo PR Blogs, Content Aggregation, & More
During the April 13 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed the importance of a LinkedIn photo, solo PR blogging tips, blog design preferences, and balancing aggregated content, third party content, and original content all in one blog. The following...
Twitter Dailies, the Line Between Personal & Professional, and Crisis Communication
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...
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...
Influence Flows from Relevancy
I had a lot of reasons for going to SXSW, but here’s the truth: the chance to be roommates with the amazing Valeria Maltoni sealed the deal for me. While most blogs are at the undergrad level (if that), regular reading of ConversationAgent is like getting a Ph.D. My...
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...
An Influence Throwdown at SXSW
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! One of the more thought-provoking panels at SXSW was titled,...
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...
Avoiding Spam, the Definition of PR, & More
During the March 9 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros touched upon avoiding spam, the definition of PR, partnering with non-profits, and marketing your services as a subcontractor. The following questions help guide the conversation: 1. How do you avoid sending...
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...
7 Lessons PR Pros Can Learn from Bruce Buschel
Before, during and after last week’s flurry of posts in response to the New York Times piece, the excellent Solo PR Pros LinkedIn Group continued the conversation with insightful comments and observations. Community member Christa Miller (who was the first to post the...
Ethics & New Business
During the March 2 #solopr Twitter chat, solo PR pros discussed ethical boundaries and new business. Specifically the following questions were addressed: 1. What are some situations where a client rep could cross your ethical boundaries? How would you handle? 2. What...
10 Foolproof Ways to Waste Money on PR
There's yet another anti-PR article making the rounds, and this time it was printed in none other than the New York Times. When I first saw it, I thought it lacked substance and hoped it would go away. But like any anti-PR article in a major publication, this thing...
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...
Biz Partners, Taglines, & More
During the February 16 #solopr Twitter chat, PR pros shared valuable insight on working with a partner, using subcontractors, coming up with a tagline, and doing work while on vacation. The following questions were addressed: 1. When working with a biz partner, what's...
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....
Mobile and Public Relations: Making the Most of this Untapped Duo
As regular readers of this blog know, I'm a big believer in integrating public relations across the previously entrenched silos of marketing communications. Because our job is to shine a light on marketing initiatives and communicate with our publics, PR can play a...
Performance & Proposals & Payments, Oh My!
During the February 2 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros touched upon pay-by-performance, RFPs, and more. Specifically, they weighed in on the following questions: 1. Have you ever worked on a pay by performance basis? e.g., a bonus if you hit X objective, or...
Outreach Methods & Back-Up Plans
During the January 26 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR pros discussed their preferred methods for contacting media and influencers. In addition, these solo PRs shared their opinions on having a back-up/succession plan in the case of a family emergency, illness,...
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....
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...
Questions on Volunteering and Social Media
During the January 12 #solopr Twitter chat, independent PR professionals discussed issues around both volunteering and social media management, addressing the following questions: 1. As a freelancer, I get asked to serve on volunteer committees in my town a lot! How...
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...
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...
Client relations, Forecasting, and more
During the #solopr Twitter chat this week, top consultants in PR and related fields offered insights on a variety of topics, addressing the following questions: 1. How do you make all of your clients feel important and valuable with your limited time? 2. How do solos...
How to “LINC” PR with Social Strategy
This is a guest post by Ann N. Videan, APR, Business-Tribe Architect/Owner, vIDEAn Unlimited, LLC. You can wish for that ever-so-valuable buzz about what you, and your clients, do. But do you actually have a strategy to make word-of-mouth (WOM) happen? Do you know the...
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?...
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,...
Facebook Announcement Recap Roundup
Of all the social networks, Facebook has always been the fastest-moving target, with changes and feature updates sometimes coming on a monthly - and even daily - basis. Love it or hate it, this channel continues to grow at an astonishing rate - which means it's worth...
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...
Blogger Research, Expectations, and more
During the #solopr chat on Twitter this week, top pros in PR consulting offered insights on a wide-range of topics, addressing the following questions: 1. Media and industry publications are quick to use the term "PR disaster." In your experience, what really...
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...
Geographical Reach, Wardrobes, and more
The #solopr chat on Twitter this week once again gathered a terrific crowd of top independent PR pros, and the discussion was both informative and fun. We addressed the following questions: 1. How much credibility do you place in recommended "PR blog" lists (are they...
Social Media Integration with PR
This interview was recently published by The Center for Sustainable Journalism, and readers of this blog can join me at the upcoming Social Media Integration Conference for 20% off the early bird rates! See below for details. Center for Sustainable Journalism: What...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Freelance PR Consultants – 2010 is Our Year
Public relations is listed as one of the top careers for 2010, and this year, consultants are in the catbird seat.
Joining forces with other solos, and more
During the #solopr chat on Twitter this week, all of our questions submitted by the Solo PR Pro community. Here's what's on the mind of your colleagues: What are your topics of interest for professional development? PRSA-IPA needs ideas for teleseminars, speakers for...
New Tool for Media Relations Collaboration
Those of us who’ve worked at agencies remember joining forces with co-workers to develop combined pitches before conducting media relations for feature coverage. Pitching a trend is much more meaningful when you have three or more spokespeople from different companies...
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...
Blogger Relations – from a Blogger’s Perspective
Blogger relations is an activity only growing in importance for PR pros as the media landscape continues to shift. When bloggers speak on the topic, we often hear cranky pronouncements about the uselessness of PR people, which can too easily be written off as the...
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...
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.
Why Entrepreneurs Should Hire Solo PR Pros
In the world of entrepreneurial ventures and startups, there are frequent discussions of whether Public Relations is necessary (in fact, a Google search for the phrase “pr is dead” [in quotes, lowercase] returns 119,000 entries!). The question resurfaced this week as...
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...
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...
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...
What Disclosure Issues Mean for PR
Controversy has been swirling in online and blogging circles for some time about the thorny issues of disclosure and conflicts of interest. When it comes to blogs’ coverage of products and services, there are gray areas all over the place – some of them intentional,...
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...
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...
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,...