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 have shared tens of thousands of tweets with valuable insights, tips, advice, and of course “smarts and sass” (as frequent participant Daria Steigman is fond of saying).

But just because something has always worked, doesn't mean we can't make it better.

While our community continues to enjoy the ability to submit questions about the sticky situations they face, we've covered many of the most-asked issues in past chats. To stay fresh and bring additional value, we’re evolving our schedule and format, while not losing what's made the #solopr chat a long-running lunchtime destination for anyone interested in public relations and related topics.

The #solopr Twitter chat is moving to a twice-monthly schedule – it will be held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month (at the traditional time, 1-2 p.m. Eastern/10-11 a.m. Pacific).

Second Wednesdays – Q&A Chat

On the second Wednesday of each month, we'll continue to answer your submitted questions in the format everyone has come to know and love.

There are no restrictions or themes for the Q&A chats – if you have a question about public relations, communications, client management, self-employment, etc., send it in! We view this chat as a service to the community – a free opportunity for everyone to get their questions answered by our savvy veteran participants, so @ or DM your questions to @KellyeCrane any time and we’ll put them on the list for the next monthly Q&A Chat.

Fourth Wednesdays – Topic Chat

On the fourth Wednesday of each month, the #solopr chat will offer a new format: we’ll feature a guest and/or focus on a particular topic of interest to independent communications consultants.

This format will allow us to do a deeper-dive into the most important issues, and enjoy the insights and contributions from guests from outside our community. The subject and questions for each monthly #solopr Topic Chat will be published in advance in a preview post (on the Thursday prior) – and as always, input from the community on these topics and questions is welcome.

Kicking Off Topic Chats with a Bang – Health Insurance

On August 27, we’re looking forward to our first Topic Chat, and we’re happy to announce we’ll be addressing one of the most vexing challenges facing many solo and small businesses: health insurance.

Our guest will be Angus McRae, a 25-year veteran insurance broker who specializes in providing individual health insurance, from both private insurers as well as healthcare.gov. Whether you have questions about the Affordable Care Act or want to know what your other options are, the August 27 Twitter chat is for you!

As always, the #solopr Twitter chats are about our community. What subject matter would you like to see us cover during future Topic Chats? Let us know your suggestions – and if you have any insurance questions you want to be sure we cover during our first Topic Chat – please share them in the comments!

Never participated in a Twitter chat? Here's how!

Also, note that tomorrow (7/23), we’ll have our normal Q&A chat (and then the next chat will be held August 13, with a Q&A format).