The last few years haven't been easy — for anyone. We have all had tough times as we have confronted unimaginable challenges. With loss, strife and conflict, it's difficult these days not to feel a bit despondent by the state of the world. 

Maybe you've also felt this way and it has impacted your work. It's totally normal — I know I've been there myself. 

However, even in the midst of turmoil, we are resilient. Solo PR pros have been through tough times before. (Our blog archives from 2008 during the financial crisis and recession still offer some pretty solid advice, even more than a decade later.)

And surprisingly, now is actually a really good time to be — or become — a Solo PR pro. As employees leave full-time jobs as part of The Great Resignation, companies are seeking out external talent to fill gaps. The opportunity to bring on new business is bright.

If you've fallen on a tough time, feel uncertain or are on the precipice of starting your solo career but feeling nervous, we've rounded up some of our best resources for you to lean on.

If you're thinking about becoming a solo PR pro…

• Becoming a PR Consultant – You Can Do It! — We all need a pep talk from time to time – here’s one from me to you.
• 7 Myths About Consulting You Shouldn’t Believe — There are a lot of myths about being an independent contractor, so don’t let the ones that aren’t true hold you back.
• Laid Off? Now You Can Consult — Perhaps getting laid off is a blessing in disguise. Now you're free to consult! Here's a primer for getting started. 
• How to Leap: Tips From a PR Expert About How to Reach the Next Step of Your Business — This post with expert tips from Kami Watson Huyse, APR is great for those looking to start a business or hoping to level up an existing one. 

If you're looking for new business…

• Top 10 Ways To Find Clients — This post outlines 10 things you can do in tough times or good times to help fill your new business pipeline.
• 5 Solos Share Best Practices for Writing a Compelling Proposal — Part of winning new business is writing proposals. We asked five of our members to share their best proposal writing tips.
• Not All Clients Are Worth Pursuing: How to Pre-Qualify Prospects – When you’re looking for new clients, it’s always important to ensure you’re getting the right fit (a bad client can end up costing you money!).

If tough times have you feeling frustrated in your business…

• 5 Solo PR Pros Share What To Do When Business is Slow. Facing a tough time in your business? It happens to the best of us. Here are some simple actions you can take today.
• Crisis-Proof Your Solo Business: 5 Tips to Help You When Things Go South. Here are five things to think about as a business owner to ensure your business continuity in case of a personal crisis.

If you need to raise your rates…

• How to Charge for PR Consulting Services — This round-up is really eight posts in one — refer to it to find out what works for the most successful communications consultants.
• How to Raise Your Rates — A Guide to Charging as a Solo PR Pro — It might be time to raise your rates! Here's how to do it.
• Solo PR PRO Premium membership — I hear from members every day who say they wish they had joined Solo PR Pro Premium sooner, especially those looking to increase their fees and revenue. So we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that Premium members have access to dozens of ebooks and community resources that help you zero in on exactly what you should be charging! 

You've got this! And if you need a shoulder to lean on, consider joining Solo PR Pro Premium. Here are three great reasons to consider joining our group.