That Solo Life: The Solo PR Pro Podcast

Episode 109: Good Clients. Bad Behavior.

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 108: Mind(set) Over Matter

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 107: Free Yourself from the Grind

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 106: The Lies They Tell and Other Current PR Topics

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 105: Those Who Know, Teach

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 104: Once Upon A Time

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 the catalyst for change and we’re so glad she’s here today to talk about this topic.

How does story impact your work? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

Episode 103: Summer Time

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 opportunity.

What are you looking forward to working on this summer? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

 

 

Episode 102: Here After

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, curated resources, and ideas around making the end of life process less worrisome and conversations about death, dying, and aging more normalized in today’s society. We are so happy she is joining us in this episode.

Tell us at www.soloprpro.com if listening to Leslie has inspired you to begin making your plans?

Episode 101: Cool in a Crisis

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.

That Solo Life Celebrates 100 Episodes

We’re celebrating our 100^th 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:

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 you.

Josh is the author of Wikipedia for Business: Supercharge Your Business and the recently-released Wikipedia for Business 2021: The Rules & Latest Developments that Businesses & Communicators Need to Know to Succeed.

9. #81: Are You Ready to Propose? 1/4/21

No, it’s not about The Bachelor. This episode covers what to include in a new business proposal or RFP reply.

8. #89: Too Many Words 3/1/21

We PR pros love our words. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves not to overdo it. Like Coco Chanel’s policy with accessories, check your writing to see if you can remove a few words and make your point more effectively.

7. #77: PR Lessons from The Fraud Street Run with Jeff Lyons 12/7/20

Who says PR can’t be fun? We had a great time talking with Jeff Lyons, co-host of the Junk Miles with Chip and Jeff, a running podcast, about the charity run inspired by that event that time at that landscaping place, not the hotel.

 

6. #84: Client Prospecting by Building Relationships 1/25/21

We say this all the time -- build relationships. Meet new people, ask for the introduction. Introduce yourself! The seed you plant today may never see the sun or it might one day be your mightiest asset.

5. #71 PR is Not a Popularity Contest 10/26/20

This episode was inspired by the TikTok from Nathan Apodaca posted of himself skateboarding to the tune of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” while drinking his Ocean Spray - leading brands across the country to ask us: “That Fleetwood Mac skater guy video went viral. How can we go viral?” But we know that PR, despite what people may think, has never been a popularity contest. Public relations that works is based on sustainable strategies, community building, and investing in your customers.

4. #88: Winfluence with Jason Falls 2/22/21

Jason is an amazing digital strategist who joined us to discuss his third book - Winfluence - taking a look at the world of influencer marketing and how to be smart about it.

3. #83: Now What? Business Development in 2021 with Chip Griffin of the Small Agency Growth Alliance 1/18/21

We refused to allow 2021 be 2020 two-point-oh. Our friend Chip Griffin, who has successfully coached many agencies and solos on how to build their path to success through his Small Agency Growth Alliance, joined us to talk about preparing for change and creating a sustainable business.

2. #87: Just Get Started with Kami Huyse 2/15/21

Who says there are no guarantees in life? We promise, spend time with fellow solo Kami Huyse and you will come away inspired. In this episode, she tells us to not let perfection stop us from getting started. Make sure you sign up for her Smart Social Secrets newsletter.

1. #52: PPP Loans & The Solo PR Pro with Brent Thompson of Canon Capital Management Group 6/6/20

Brent Thompson is a CPA who guided us through the early stages of PPP loans and other life preserver funding opportunities. You can find more information about PPP loans and more at his company website, www.canoncapital.com.

Do you have a favorite That Solo Life episode? Is there a topic you’d like us to cover? Let us know at www.soloprpro.com.