Episodes

There’s no doubt that technology continues to have an impact on the PR industry. So much so that the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism issues an annual Global Communications Report based on survey results from PR professionals and students and, new this year, CEOs of small, mid-size, and large organizations. In this episode of That Solo Life, we discuss their findings and what they mean for our industry and the way we do our work. Look for more takeaways from this report on t...

A recent Money.com article by Laura Belgray, I Spent $300 on One Uber Ride (And Would Do It Again in a Second). Here's Why I Don't Regret It, led to a discussion here at That Solo Life about what aspects of our work and lives in general cause us significant stress and how can we offset it. In the article, Belgray shares about her experience as she prepared to attend a writing retreat. The destination was accessible by train but the more she thought about getting to the train on time, switching ...

Have you taken your vacation? If your response is “No,” you are not alone. Taking time off is a challenge as a solopreneur. Sometimes it’s because we’re too busy to get away. Often we’re either reluctant to step away from our business or simply never get around to making the plan to take time off. It is important to take time off because we need to regain perspective, get inspired, and simply rest. These summer months are the ideal time to plan a getaway. Corporate life tends to slow down in th...

Today’s episode was inspired by a recent MuckRack article pointing out the two major ways PR pros can be annoying to journalists: PR agencies requiring staff to use pitching techniques that no longer suit the current journalism landscape and client expectations focused on producing call logs over long-term results. Rather than become another barrier to journalists doing their jobs, how can we improve on this? Education: help clients understand the value of moving away from a focus of activity ...

The secret to managing it all? Don’t. Wait, what? It’s true. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s a signal to stop and do an evaluation. You may even want to schedule a business retreat so you can truly focus on your business. You may have too much on your plate. Take a look at whether your clients are profitable. Is it time to raise your rates, expand your team, or turn away business? As a business owner, you get to choose. Choose what is best for you. Some tips to keep your work life in ch...

In this episode of That Solo Life we discuss the situations where it would have been wise to take the time to think things through and seek feedback from colleagues before moving forward with an idea. We get it, life moves fast in PR and in the business world, but maintaining credibility – yours and your client’s – is key.

Does it feel as though every holiday is used as either a branding opportunity or an excuse to sell something? A recent article in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, How Earth Day Became Public Relations Day, prompted this question. Newsjacking or creating a promotion aligned with a holiday isn’t necessarily wrong but as PR practitioners we want to be mindful that it is the most authentic way to have a voice within the context of the particular holiday. Join us as we discuss how to best navigate ...

Today we’re joined by our guest, Dr. Glenn McElhinney. He is president and CEO of Transformed 4 Life, a company helping people to experience wholeness through change in mind, heart, and behavior. He brings over 35 years of experience in counseling and consulting individuals, couples, families and organizations. Dr. McElhinney was an associate professor of psychology for over ten years, holds a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary and a Master of Divinit...

Going solo in business is scary, no matter your career path. In today’s episode, we talk about fear, what it means to us, and what it might mean to you. Know this: Fear never really goes away, and that’s okay. The fear that you don’t know enough or you’re not doing it right is more common than you think. (And guess what, you DO know enough and you ARE doing it right.) Embrace the things you’re not as good at and move on. Take those cues as openings for collaboration. Welcome the “good scare...

What is That Solo Life? It’s a podcast all about keeping it real and talking about the topics that affect solo business owners, especially those in the public relations and communications world. Co-hosted by Karen Swim, founder of Words for Hire and owner of Solo PR Pro and Michelle Kane, founder of VoiceMatters, the goal of this podcast is to bring the community and knowledge of Solo PR Pro to a new channel. Listen to this first episode to learn more about the origins of Solo PR Pro and what i...