Episodes

Even though we’ve made a lot of progress with vaccines and treatments, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our lives in many ways. We’re faced with breakthrough cases, supply chain issues, and general crisis fatigue. Let’s talk about how we take care of ourselves and continue to move forward in a positive way. How are you doing? Share your story with us at www.soloprpro.com.

Every year we look forward to the MBO Partners State of Independence Report. This year is no different, especially considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the way we work. Read the preview of the 2021 report here. The full report will be released later in the fall. What is your big takeaway from this past year? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

Mentorship. No matter where you are in your career, or in life, there is great value in both mentoring someone and seeking a mentor. Mentoring helps us learn about ourselves, each other, and helps everyone involved bring the most value to their everyday lives. What is your mentorship experience? Share with us at www.soloprpro.com.

New business is great! New business that isn’t properly vetted? Sometimes not so great. In today’s episode we talk about taking the time to get to know a potential client, their goals, work styles, expectations, before diving in and sealing the deal. Is it like dating? Yes, sort of! How do you vet your potential clients? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

We PR pros are always working to craft the perfect pitch. Clients want great placement, journalists are busy. If only there was a way to help us refine our pitches – or as Karen likes to say, do a “sanity check” to make sure it’s as focused and well-placed as possible. And wouldn’t it be great to have a tool that matches our pitch with journalists who are a great fit? We’re happy to share that this exists in OnePitch, a tool with a mission is to change the way publicists and journalists connect...

“I’m always behind.” “I’m exhausted.” “Will I ever catch up?” If this sounds like you right now, you’re not alone. Summer, which usually moves at a slower pace, has been anything but a time to relax. Not to mention that we are still grappling with COVID on many levels. Thankfully, this era has also brought new transparency to conversations about mental health, including avoiding burnout as well as taking depression seriously and without shame. You’re no good to anyone – family, loved ones, work...

“Work smarter, not harder” is one of our many mottos at Solo PR Pro. Part of that equation is to make the most of our time. In this episode, we talk about our favorite time-saving tips. What are your go-to time-saving tips? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

There’s power in numbers, even to those of us with solo PR and marketing practices. Finding ways to partner with other solos is a terrific way to grow your business. In this episode, we talk about the benefits of working this way and how to start making it happen. Have you partnered with fellow solos on client work? Share your experience with us at www.soloprpro.com.

What makes your customer service sizzle? In today’s episode we discuss how you can bring even more value to client engagements with great customer service. How do you make sure your clients feel completely covered? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

We know the value of checking in with fellow practitioners about trends and developments in the PR and marketing field. This is especially true for solos. So, this week we are diving into the 2021 annual JOTW Strategic Communications Survey. Created by Ned’s Job of the Week (JOTW) newsletter and Sword and the Script Media, the survey compiles responses from 300 communicators, with commentary on the results from a panel of professionals, including our own Karen Swim. How do these trends line up ...

In today’s episode we talk about those client relationships that maybe aren’t going so well. Whether the client is new to you or new to the notion of working with a solo or micro agency, the relationship can usually be improved with setting expectations and clear communication. Have you had this experience with clients? Share with us at www.soloprpro.com.

As solos, we spend a lot of time with the thoughts in our heads. It’s important to make sure what we’re thinking about, and how we are thinking, is productive, positive, and sustaining. It’s a key component to our success. No one knows that better than our guest today, Tracey Piechocki. Tracey Piechocki is the marketing strategist and second-generation owner of Illustrated Designs, a certified woman-owned small business. With over 25 years of experience in design, marketing, events, and strateg...

Since this episode hits around Independence Day here in the U.S., we wanted to remind you of the freedom you have as a solo. Working as a solo gives you the opportunity to do the work you love and create the life that is right for you. To truly enjoy this freedom means we need to take the time to set up some structure and systems. How do you create freedom in your business? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

We’re here with the latest in PR hot topics. From a certain company deciding it’s ok to invent a fake spokesperson to athletes looking out for their mental health and deciding to say “no” to press conferences, we talk about what it all means for our industry and us as solo practitioners. Give it a listen and tell us what you think at www.soloprpro.com.

We are here to debunk that old phrase, “Those who can’t do, teach.” Our guest, Kelly Davis, MMC, APR, Fellow PRSA is proof that those who know, teach. Kelly is a public relations instructor and the head of the public relations sequence in the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Before that, she spent more than twenty years in public relations, where she developed expertise in strategic communications planning, brand development, issues management and grass...

We are all storytellers. Everyone has a story. Story draws us in, creates connection, and change. We are thrilled to have one of the best storytellers we know with us for this episode, Lisa Gerber of Big Leap Creative. Lisa is a fellow “solo,” a story strategist, and communications expert who also has a podcast called, Breaking Trail. Lisa works with purpose-driven leaders who want to make the world a better place, helping them articulate their ideas and get others on board. She knows story is t...

With Memorial Day comes the unofficial start to summer. (Cue DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince.) Life shifts to a different pace, even for us solos. It’s the perfect season to revisit how we’re spending our time and energy. Where can we realign? Where can we delegate? In what ways can we balance our work and play so that we are energized and fulfilled? Living through the past 15 months of a global pandemic, what change do we want to keep and where do we want to improve? Use this summer as an o...

We solos are planners. But how many of us have made known our end of life wishes? Have we shared with a trusted loved one where our passwords are located or our plans for our businesses should we become incapacitated? These tasks can be daunting. We may not even want to address them. Thankfully, there are people like Leslie Jennings Rowley, or as we like to call her, “The Death Lady!” Leslie formed Hereafter Partners in 2019 as an umbrella for a variety of conversations, events, programs, curate...

As communications pros, we’re used to preparing our clients for a crisis. But what about us? How can we be prepared to lead? Join us as we discuss this and how providing ongoing strategic guidance can grow your business. How have you used strategic communication to grow your business? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

We’re celebrating our 100th episode by revisiting our top 10 most downloaded episodes from the past year. We are so grateful for the guests who have joined us and for you who take the time from your busy day to listen. We continue to work on bringing valuable content to you. And now, on to the Top 10: #86: Wikipedia for Business in 2021 with Josh Greene 2/8/21 Who knows that Wikipedia is the second most visited website in the United States? Josh Greene of The Mather Group knows and now so do ...

Today’s episode was inspired by a recent blog post on Solo PR Pro by fellow solo, Maren Minchew: What Are Agency Partnerships? Why It May Be Smart as a Solo PR Pro to Work With an Agency. Partnering with agencies is a terrific way to strengthen your network and grow your business. Join us as we talk about the benefits and how to get started. Have you partnered with agencies? Tell us about it at www.soloprpro.com.

We’ve seen them, the articles that cycle through, declaring the end of outsourced PR. Is it true? Not according to this article from PR Newswire, stating that “80% of small businesses plan to outsource in 2021, citing the ability to save time, grow their business, and work with experts.” The pandemic has taught employers – or as we like to call them, future clients – that remote work is possible, effective, and profitable. Join our discussion and get excited about growing your business in 2021! ...

This past week, we all learned of the Guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. As with many major cultural events, brands and organizations began to weigh in via their social media channels. When these things happen should brands and organizations say something? When is it performative posting and when is it appropriate and aligned with your organization’s messaging? Join us for a discussion and let us know what you think at www.soloprpro.com. Resource: PRSA...

Baseball season has returned! It’s great to see fans back in stands and those of us who follow the game know that having good pitching is the way to win games. Needless to say, pitching in PR is also the key to success for our clients. Whether you’re new to PR or a seasoned pro, it’s beneficial to check in with ourselves and our pitching style. Here’s a link to the Muck Rack 2021 State of Journalism Report we mention in this episode. What are your pitching tips? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.