That Solo Life: The Solo PR Pro Podcast

Episode 92: How to Get Lucky in Business

Since we just celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, we decided to devote this episode to getting lucky in business. As the saying goes, “You make your own luck.” Solos should always be in business development mode. That could mean keeping a consistent online presence, attending events (online or in-person), joining committees, and any number of ways to position yourself.

What is your favorite way to seek new business? Share with us at www.soloprpro.com.

Episode 91: A Royal Mess

In this episode, we discuss the PRO Act, the federal version of California’s recent AB5 legislation. While there are many positive aspects to this bill, it holds serious implications for those of us working as independent contractors. Even if your solo business runs as a corporation, the ABC Test portion of this legislation could have a negative effect on how you access opportunities and secure work.

Then, we dig in on “the” interview, Oprah’s exclusive with Harry and Meghan. Alongside the jaw-dropping moments were key takeaways for us comms pros.

And yes, we did go live on YouTube for this episode! We’re committed to trying new things and stretching our comfort zones. Watch here.

We want to hear from you – please share your feedback with us at www.soloprpro.com.

 

Episode 90: Women's HERstory

March is Women’s History Month, so in today’s episode we have a conversation ranging from women in PR and the gender pay gap to diversity. Join us as we reflect on the progress we have made and discuss the work that still must be done.

Thoughts? Share with us at www.soloprpro.com.

Episode 89: Too Many Words

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 to lead the way in making the most of our message with the economy of our words.

Thoughts? Share with us at www.soloprpro.com.

Episode 88: “Winfluence” with Jason Falls

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 including Buffalo Trace, Weller, 1792, Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbons, GE Appliances, AT&T, Valvoline, Humana, Rawlings, Tempur-Pedic, Fireball Whisky, General Motors, and more. It should be noted that Jason also loves the kick-ass state of Kentucky, sports, and bourbon.

We are thrilled to have Jason join us today. It’s always an engaging – and fun – time! Today he’s here to speak with us about his third book, Winfluence: Reframing Influencer Marketing to Ignite Your Brand, which releases February 23rd, 2021, from Entrepreneur Press. In Winfluence, Jason presents marketers with this challenge: ‘Do brands want instagrammers and YouTubers to post about them? Or do they want to influence an audience to try or buy their product? The term “influencer marketing” has become how we refer to the former. Winfluence is a strategic guide to help us more adequately define the latter. That is what smart marketers hope to accomplish.’

Challenge accepted, Jason.

We want to hear from you! What are your main takeaways from this episode? Tell us what you think at www.soloprpro.com.

 

Episode 87: "Just Get Started!" with Kami Watson Huyse

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.

Most recently, Kami launched Smart Social Secrets, a resource to help you keep up with all the latest updates in social media. Sign up here: https://www.smartsocialsecrets.com/sparks

In today’s episode Kami shares how she grew her team and the value of taking that leap. She’s also full of inspiration on the importance of standing out as a solo.

Her challenge: “Just get started!” Don’t overthink it. Take the plan that you have and start. You’ll find that you will make changes as you go along anyway.

Kami sure got us fired up – we hope she has the same effect on you!

Tell us what you think at www.soloprpro.com.

Episode 86: Wikipedia for Business in 2021 with Josh Greene

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 research to spotting trends as well as how to guide our clients through the Wikipedia process.

Learn more from Josh by joining us February 9, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. eastern time for the What the Wikipedia! webinar.

How often do you use Wikipedia? Share with us at www.soloprpro.com.

Episode #85: Work-Life Fluidity

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 still bring value to the bottom line and not chain ourselves to our desks for eight consecutive hours a day.

This is a huge behavioral change that requires a significant mind shift but it is possible. Learning to master your productivity and your schedule and not putting life on hold for work but rather seeing it as a fluid rather than siloed way of living can work in your favor. Solos can set the tone, leading our clients into this new landscape.

What do you think? We’d love to hear from you. Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

 

Episode 84: Client Prospecting by Building Relationships

“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 46^th 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 LinkedIn? Tell us at www.soloprpro.com.

Episode #83: Now What? Business Development in 2021 with Chip Griffin of the Small Agency Growth Alliance

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.