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.

That Solo Life: The Solo PR Pro Podcast

Are We There Yet? Episode 119

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.

Independent Work Study - Episode 118

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.

The Value of Mentorship - Episode 117

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.

Is That Prospect a Good Fit? Episode 116

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 - meaningfully and relevantly with one another. Today we get to have a conversation with Jered Martin, he’s the co-founder and chief operations officer of OnePitch and he shares how this “Match.com for PR pros” can help us. Learn more about OnePitch at onepitch.co/ and download their State of Pitching report here. And make sure to keep up with them via their podcast, Coffee with a Journalist. Have you used OnePitch? Share your experience with us at www.soloprpro.com.  

A Conversation with OnePitch Co-Founder Jered Martin - Episode 115

“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 – if you are completely drained or facing a medical issue like depression. It’s important – essential – to check in with yourself. Seek help and take some time to process, recharge, and rediscover what lights you up and brings joy to your days. Start with this CBS This Morning interview where Laurie Santos, a Professor of Psychology at Yale University and host of “The Happiness Lab” podcast, talks about the importance of having fun. How do you keep burnout at bay? Share with us at www.soloprpro.com.    

Business Burnout - Episode 114

“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.  

Episode 113: Time-saving Tips

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.  

Episode 112: Soloing Together

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.    

Episode 111: Steak, Sizzle, and Service

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 with your experience this past year? Share with us at www.soloprpro.com.

Episode 110: The Survey Says...

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.    

Episode 109: Good Clients. Bad Behavior.

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 strategy, she and her team of graphic designers, content writers, fabricators, and marketing & event specialists serve a wide range of clients. None of which would be possible – especially as we’ve been navigating a pandemic – without a healthy mindset. Tracey recently gave a talk on the topic as part of a recent program on Resilience (which you can view here). We're excited for her to share her wisdom and insight as a business owner and communications pro. Are you aware of your mindset? How do you maintain clarity and purpose in your work? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

Episode 108: Mind(set) Over Matter

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.

Episode 107: Free Yourself from the Grind

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.

Episode 106: The Lies They Tell and Other Current PR Topics

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 grassroots advocacy. Her professional experience includes positions in the corporate, government, nonprofit and agency sectors. She is also a solo at heart, having owned one of South Carolina’s most decorated independent public relations agencies, Davis Public Relations and Marketing, for more than a decade. In 2020, Kelly was inducted into the prestigious PRSA College of Fellows. We are so happy that she is joining us today for a conversation about her career path and the future of PR. We’d love to hear your feedback. Share with us at www.soloprpro.com.

Episode 105: Those Who Know, Teach

That Solo Life: Co-hosted by Karen Swim, founder of Words for Hire, LLC and owner of Solo PR Pro and Michelle Kane, founder of VoiceMatters, LLC, we keep it real and talk about the topics that affect solo business owners in PR and Marketing and beyond. Learn more about Solo PR Pro: www.SoloPRPro.com

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That Solo Life: The Solo PR Pro Podcast

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