That Solo Life: The Solo PR Pro Podcast

Episode 79: 2020 - Lessons Learned

We’re in the holiday zone, those last two weeks of the year where you’re wrapping up loose ends before a few days, maybe even a week, off. It’s the perfect time to talk about lessons learned in 2020.

What are your takeaways from 2020? Tell us at soloprpro.com.

 

 

 

Episode #78: Looking to 2021

Today’s episode was inspired by an article from Mark Schaefer, Why 2021 Will Be the Most Important Year in the History of Marketing.

We know that just because the calendar turns the page to 2021, it doesn’t mean our 2020 problems will be over. At the same time, with the arrival of vaccines, we are seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

Everything we have been and are going through is informing how communications messaging is received. We need to keep that front of mind and remain ready to pivot. We still need to plan and research but we also need to be nimble, agile and open to changing course as events of the day may dictate.

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

 

Episode 77: PR Lessons from The Fraud Street Run with Jeff Lyons

Inspired by the infamous post-election press conference held at Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Philadelphia, the Fraud Street Run was established as an unofficial, untimed event by friends and runners Jeff Lyons and Chip Chantry, who also co-host the Junk Miles with Chip and Jeff running podcast. Why? Well, it’s a run-worthy 11 miles between Four Seasons Total Landscaping and the Four Seasons Hotel.

Although some runners did complete the course in person in Philadelphia over the designated dates of November 28-29, 2020, the event was presented as a virtual opportunity due to the pandemic. This not only helped people participate safely, but it helped the event go global.

In this episode, Jeff Lyons joins us to talk about how the event came together and lessons learned about the event that went from a few friends raising some money for charity to a viral sensation raising over $60,000 ($54,000 from registrations and $8,000 from tee shirt sales) for Philabundance, the Philadelphia region’s largest food bank. 

Many thanks to Jeff Lyons for joining us. You can read more about the Fraud Street Run here.

We’d love to hear from you! Have a topic idea? Let us know at soloprpro.com.

Episode 76: Client Gifting in 2020

That last bite of pumpkin pie has settled in our bellies. It’s time to think about holiday gifts for clients. What to do in a pandemic, when teams are working from home? How can you best spread the holiday cheer to show your clients you are grateful for their business? Listen to today’s episode for inspiration.

 

How are you handling client gifts this year? Let us know at soloprpro.com.

Episode 75: Dear 2020, We Are Over You

Nothing is normal right now. And that is okay.

The spread of COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate, which we take very seriously. At the same time, outside of taking precautions for our personal safety and for the safety of those around us, we have no control over what will take place in the coming weeks and months.

What we can control is how we respond to our circumstances. Take it moment by moment. If you’re not working up to your usual 110%, that is okay! If you’re feeling out of sorts, you’re not alone. This pandemic is taking its toll in many ways.

In this episode, we share ways that we are coping, working to keep life light and as productive as possible. Oh, and 2020? We are so over you.

Share your experience with us at soloprpro.com.

Episode 74: PR Hot Potatoes - Four Seasons Total Landscaping Edition

What happens when your business is inadvertently thrust into the national spotlight? That’s what happened when Philadelphia landscaping company Four Seasons Total Landscaping, a family-owned, woman-owned business, somehow became the location for a presidential campaign press conference.

The Four Seasons Total Landscaping team has been handling this newfound fame beautifully, with a sense of humor and the bonus of adding merchandise to their offerings. The situation has even inspired a virtual charity run, which to date, has raised $19,000 for the Philabundance food bank. This whole situation is a textbook case of taking unexpected attention and running with it in a positive direction. It’s a good reminder for us as PR pros to make the best of unforeseen moments when circumstances allow.

Have you handled a similar situation? Tell us about it at soloprpro.com.

 

Episode 73: Image Integrity and Truth in Communications

From the pandemic to the U.S. election to Kendall Jenner’s birthday party (Really? Yes, listen to find out.), there is a lot going on in our world.

It’s the perfect time to stop and talk about the importance of the integrity of your brand’s image and the need to maintain truthfulness in communications. You can’t go wrong by doing the right thing in the moment, for the moment.

What do you think? We’d love to hear from you – share with us at soloprpro.com.

Episode 72: A PR Pro’s Election Survival Guide

The big day is finally here for the United States: Election Day.

In today’s episode, we talk about the importance of self-care, sanity, and staying positive after a long, tension-filled season.

What are your tactics for Election Day sanity? Tell us at soloprpro.com.

 

Episode 71: PR is Not a Popularity Contest

“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 in your customers.

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

 

Episode 70: Acedia - The Ancient Emotion for a Modern Pandemic

“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 that goes back to ancient Greece.

The good thing is that once you can name something, you can deal with it. Sometimes that’s pushing through. Sometimes it’s honoring the feeling, sitting with it, and giving yourself some grace. We could all use an extra dose of kindness right now, so why not start with yourself?

Have you been feeling aspects of acedia? Please share your experience with us at soloprpro.com.