Episodes

Too many words. Do you ever catch yourself muttering this? Communication can easily lose its impact – and miss making the intended point – when the writer or speaker go on and on. It’s not that the information is incorrect but the impact of the message is diluted. We’re all guilty of this from time to time. It often comes out of a desire to ensure a point is being made, or sometimes it’s out of insecurity. As communications professionals, especially as we pitch stories to journalists, we need t...

Jason Falls solves problems. Most of the time they have to do with digital marketing for Cornett, a full-service advertising agency based in Lexington, Ky., where he leads digital strategy and hosts two marketing podcasts (Digging Deeper and Winfluence). His work has touched a number of major brands and has been recognized with several national and many regional awards including a 2020 Shorty Award for his influencer marketing work. He has worked with a number of the world’s most iconic brands i...

Today we welcome Kami Watson Huyse, APR to the That Solo Life podcast. Kami is the CEO and Founder of Zoetica Media, a digital marketing and public relations agency connecting clients with communities that matter most to them and delivering measurable results. Kami is a PR veteran who speaks at social media events and conferences all over the country. Her work in social media has earned her two Society for New Communications Research Social Media awards and IABC's Gold Quill of Excellence Award....

Did you know that Wikipedia is the second most visited website in the United States? We’ll learn about that and so much more in today’s episode, thanks to our guest, Josh Greene of The Mather Group. Josh is the author of Wikipedia for Business: Supercharge Your Business and the newly-released Wikipedia for Business 2021: The Rules & Latest Developments that Businesses & Communicators Need to Know to Succeed. He joins us to discuss all things Wikipedia and its value in our work as PR pros, from ...

A recent Fast Company article, Why Remote Work May Render the 5-day Workweek Obsolete, inspired today’s topic on work-life fluidity. Part of the appeal of working as a solo is the ability to create our own schedules. Of course, we remain available to our clients. But we also get to structure our workflow and our day-to-day in a way that works best for us, results in the best outcomes for our clients. The pandemic is bringing much of corporate America around to this realization, that we can sti...

“If you have the opportunity to do amazing things in your life, bring someone with you.” Simon Sinek We recorded this episode not long before the Inauguration of the 46th President of the United States and the first woman Vice President. So we’re keeping it short and sweet. One of the best ways to prospect for clients? Build relationships now so you are top of mind and an established trusted expert. A great way to do that is to use LinkedIn. What are your tips for getting the most out of Linke...

Here we are, in 2021 – now what? We are thrilled to be joined by Chip Griffin, founder and CEO of the Small Agency Growth Alliance (SAGA) who shares his wisdom on preparing for change and creating a sustainable business in 2021 and beyond. What are your business goals for 2021? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

The arrival of the pandemic early in 2020 threw us into survival mode for most of the year. As the year progressed, we learned how to operate within this “now normal.” This episode is all about resetting your intentions for your business in 2021. Be bold and don’t be afraid to figure out what works best for you and pursuing that path with consistency. Whether it’s business development or self-care, both are equally important to make sure you and your business thrive. Keep us posted on your pro...

Happy New Year! So, are you ready to propose? No, we haven’t watched too many Hallmark Christmas movies or episodes of The Bachelorette. It's a new year and we’re talking proposals for new business. What should you include? How long should they be? When should you present your proposal? We talk about all that and more in today’s episode. Share your proposal tips with us at soloprpro.com.

Client reporting. Do you loathe it or love it? In today’s episode, we talk about how reporting can be a terrific client engagement tool, not just a list of “here’s what we did.” How do you issue your client reports? Share with us at soloprpro.com.

We’re in the holiday zone, those last two weeks of the year where you’re wrapping up loose ends before a few days, maybe even a week, off. It’s the perfect time to talk about lessons learned in 2020. What are your takeaways from 2020? Tell us at soloprpro.com.

Today’s episode was inspired by an article from Mark Schaefer, Why 2021 Will Be the Most Important Year in the History of Marketing. We know that just because the calendar turns the page to 2021, it doesn’t mean our 2020 problems will be over. At the same time, with the arrival of vaccines, we are seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Everything we have been and are going through is informing how communications messaging is received. We need to keep that front of mind and remain ...

Inspired by the infamous post-election press conference held at Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Philadelphia, the Fraud Street Run was established as an unofficial, untimed event by friends and runners Jeff Lyons and Chip Chantry, who also co-host the Junk Miles with Chip and Jeff running podcast. Why? Well, it’s a run-worthy 11 miles between Four Seasons Total Landscaping and the Four Seasons Hotel. Although some runners did complete the course in person in Philadelphia over the designated d...

That last bite of pumpkin pie has settled in our bellies. It’s time to think about holiday gifts for clients. What to do in a pandemic, when teams are working from home? How can you best spread the holiday cheer to show your clients you are grateful for their business? Listen to today’s episode for inspiration. How are you handling client gifts this year? Let us know at soloprpro.com.

Nothing is normal right now. And that is okay. The spread of COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate, which we take very seriously. At the same time, outside of taking precautions for our personal safety and for the safety of those around us, we have no control over what will take place in the coming weeks and months. What we can control is how we respond to our circumstances. Take it moment by moment. If you’re not working up to your usual 110%, that is okay! If you’re feeling out of sorts, y...

What happens when your business is inadvertently thrust into the national spotlight? That’s what happened when Philadelphia landscaping company Four Seasons Total Landscaping, a family-owned, woman-owned business, somehow became the location for a presidential campaign press conference. The Four Seasons Total Landscaping team has been handling this newfound fame beautifully, with a sense of humor and the bonus of adding merchandise to their offerings. The situation has even inspired a virtual c...

From the pandemic to the U.S. election to Kendall Jenner’s birthday party (Really? Yes, listen to find out.), there is a lot going on in our world. It’s the perfect time to stop and talk about the importance of the integrity of your brand’s image and the need to maintain truthfulness in communications. You can’t go wrong by doing the right thing in the moment, for the moment. What do you think? We’d love to hear from you – share with us at soloprpro.com.

The big day is finally here for the United States: Election Day. In today’s episode, we talk about the importance of self-care, sanity, and staying positive after a long, tension-filled season. What are your tactics for Election Day sanity? Tell us at soloprpro.com.

“That Fleetwood Mac skater guy video went viral. How can we go viral?” The TikTok video that Nathan Apodaca posted of himself skateboarding to the tune of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” while drinking his Ocean Spray hit the salient points of timing and authenticity. PR pros know that this magic can’t be manufactured. Public relations, despite what people may think, has never been a popularity contest. Public relations that works is based on sustainable strategies, community building, and investing ...

“We get distracted by social media, yet have a pile of books unread. We keep meaning to go outside but somehow never find the time. We’re bored, listless, afraid and uncertain.” Does this sound like you? We certainly can identify, and we suspect that seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic, so can you. This feeling has a name: acedia. As Jonathan L. Zecher explains in this essay, Acedia: The Lost Name for the Emotion We’re All Feeling Right Now, the word “acedia” is a descriptor of emotion tha...

In today’s episode, we go meta and talk about podcasting. Podcasts are yet another vehicle for content. Everyone learns and digests information differently, so adding a podcast to your content marketing can be quite effective in building out your thought leadership. What better way to establish the know, like, and trust factors of business relationships than to allow your or your clients’ audiences to hear your voice and get to know you better? What questions do you have about podcasting? Do yo...

It’s debate season here in the United States, the time of year when we communications pros nerd out as politicians deliver their messaging. Can we “see” them making their points? Or are they crafting a story, drawing us into their narrative? Whether it’s a candidate on the debate stage or a client at a speaking engagement, these unnatural environments can be unnerving. It’s our job to work with our clients on the message and its delivery to ensure it’s delivered as naturally and effectively as ...

We’ve touched on the role of the self-employed professional in the workforce in the past, addressing California’s AB-5 legislation. It is in the news again with a proposed rule from the Department of Labor that would define who is an “independent contractor.” To a large extent public sector, and even private sector, entities do not entirely understand the nuances of what it’s like to work independently. We don’t fit the traditional mold of an independent contractor. Our companies may not fit th...

Today we are joined by fellow Solo PR Pro, Dan Farkas, who joins us to discuss his newest endeavor, Pass PR. Pass PR is customized education to help people accelerate their communication skills. Whether you are a new graduate, a seasoned pro, or a professional starting your own business, Pass PR is a unique and valuable way for you to gain the additional skills you need for success. Dan is a Lecturer of Strategic Communication at Ohio State University, where he teaches courses on research, stra...