Episodes

“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...

Keeping up with professional development in a COVID-19 world is a challenge, especially with in-person events either cancelled or held virtually. Screen fatigue is real, so we need to create ways to stay sharp. In today’s episode we talk about how creating community can fit the bill. Whether it’s a virtual book club, an accountability partner, or seeking out professionals outside your industry to interact with and learn from, any interaction that can wake up our minds and our senses during this ...

We covered boundaries in an earlier episode but we also know creating and keeping good boundaries is an ongoing work in progress. We need that gentle reminder – whether it’s scope creep or establishing limits on accessibility (especially in our current work from home era) – that boundaries are essential to performing at our best. What is your biggest struggle with boundaries right now? Share with us a soloprpro.com.

When was the last time you reviewed your progress in achieving your goals? Are those goals still in line with what you would like to achieve personally and professionally, or do your goals need to be updated? In today’s episode, we talk about reviewing our progress, about getting in the habit of checking in with ourselves, not just on an annual or monthly basis, but weekly or even every day. We can be our most productive, and that’s not the same as overly busy, but working with purpose and sta...

Today’s episode was inspired by an article in Psychology Today by Nick Hobson, Ph.D., How Rituals Alter the Brain to Help Us Perform Better. Rituals can be grounding and comforting. They can also prepare us for performance. Dr. Hobson explains that rituals help us to reduce anxiety associated with potential failure by changing how your brain responds to failure. We need to incorporate ways to refuel and refocus ourselves to enable us to do what we do well and maintain our physical and mental h...

We are in the sixth month of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we know that you as a communicator and the audiences you serve are tired. And yet, we need to continue crafting and sharing messaging effectively, to cut through the (sometimes subconscious) inclination of our audience to tune out. In today’s episode we talk about ways we can approach our communications strategies and messaging with a new perspective. How about you? How are you keeping your messaging fresh and effective right now? Tell us...

Today’s episode was inspired by Nicole Schuman’s recent article in PR News, The Top Communications Clichés and How to Avoid Them. As communicators, we need to craft messaging that is authentic to those we are writing for and to make sure we are always reviewing our work with an eye on eliminating the use of clichés and overworn phrases. What is the cliché you love to hate? Tell us at soloprpro.com.

It’s midsummer and we’re living through a pandemic, so on this week’s episode we’re taking a stress break. It’s important – with looming uncertainty about the school year, work, vacation (vacation?) – to take the time to find calm for ourselves and to seek out what makes us laugh. Doing so is restorative and we need to take care of ourselves, perhaps now more than ever. What is your favorite way to relax? What’s making you laugh right now? We want to know! Visit us at soloprpro.com.

Fundamentally, what we do as communications professionals does not change. What does change is the way we do it. Is it time to change our approach to our work, our methods, and our tactics, given the state of current events? Now is an ideal time to reexamine and find new opportunities in the value we offer our current and prospective clients. Have you changed how you approach your work in PR? Let us know. Visit us at soloprpro.com.

Everyone is dealing with a lot these days. A LOT. Work life is different, home life is different. While it seems like this COVID-19 era will go on, we know from past pandemics that this is only temporary. That’s why in this episode we refer to this time in our lives as the “now normal” instead of the “new normal.” How can we as communicators continue to add value to our clients and our own businesses as we work our way through this? Join us for this conversation. And, as always, we want to hea...

You did it! You’ve made it through the first half of 2020. Sit for a moment. Exhale. Congratulate yourself! This year has been challenging on so many levels, all at once. In this episode we talk about how to head into the second half of 2020 with hope, determination, and joy. Tell us your thoughts. We truly do want to hear from you. Visit us at soloprpro.com.

Conferences are among the many in-person experiences facing challenges thanks to COVID-19. Conferences can still bring value, even when they cannot take place in person. As with many situations we are dealing with during the COVID-19 pandemic, conference planners have an opportunity to invent new ways for attendees to connect and experience value while avoiding “virtual fatigue.” Listen to this episode of That Solo Life where we discuss this and ways attendees can get the most out of their exper...

Setting proper boundaries is crucial, especially for communications professionals. As solos, we have the freedom to work whenever we like but that does not mean, outside of the requirements of certain projects, that we are on call and available 24/7. We need time to replenish our minds and bodies. We need to make sure we are at our best for our families, friends, our clients, and ourselves. Don’t feel guilty about saying, “No” and for using boundaries to build your best life. After all, isn’t th...

An incredible social justice movement has risen following the devastating murder of George Floyd. As PR pros, we craft messaging all the time for clients. Our challenge now is to provide the traditional strategic guidance and crisis preparation while also having those hard conversations about what is happening. This may be new territory for some of us, for some of our clients. This is a moment for PR professionals to build a better future. Let’s step into these challenges and be a part of the ...

Did you know that an estimated $140 billion remains available in the Payroll Protection Program (PPP)? Or that you can apply even if you operate as a sole proprietor? We did not know this, which is why we are glad that Brent Thompson, CPA, CMA, CGMA of Canon Capital Management Group joined us as our guest this week. He helps us wade through the PPP from the perspective of solo practitioners and small business owners. During this episode, we discussed the parameters of the PPP and the anticipate...

Newsroom layoffs, disagreements about wearing masks, concern over how and when to reopen businesses – it continues to be a stressful time. As professional communicators, how can we make sure our communication is clear, purposeful, and positive, rising above the chatter? How can we use this time to unleash our creativity and use new ideas to clear through the clutter and reach our clients’ audiences? Maybe it’s time to revisit the focus of your own business. Do you need to pivot? Or do you fee...

As we enter the third month of varying degrees of sheltering in place due to COVID-19, we are checking in with our friends and colleagues who are working from home as a result of this situation. Inspired by this article from The Atlantic, we wonder how will a long-term work from home policy affect your day-to-day activities? What is the impact on the sectors supported by people working in office complexes? How will it affect work-life for all of us? It’s a fun and interesting discussion. Let u...

How’s your support system? During this time of COVID-19 it’s more important than ever to cultivate your existing network and seek to grow it in authentic and meaningful ways. This is the perfect time to reflect remember how much we gain from connecting with others. We have this opportunity to learn from each other and grow and create community. Community is what will get us through this crisis (Shout out to the savvy smarties at SoloPRPro!) If you feel as though you don’t have a community to a...

We PR pros love a good tech tool. Don’t you? We are fans of any platform or app that can help us work more efficiently so today we discuss some of our current favorites: Social Media Management Loomly Post Planner Hootsuite Facebook Creator Studio Transcription Temi.com Otter Screen Captures & Screen Video Recording Nimbus Virtual Meeting Scheduler X.ai Online Payment (Here is the complete blog.) Checkbook Plastiq Remitly Stripe Aeropay I.T. Support Instant Housecall Productivity & Focus ...