That Solo Life: The Solo PR Pro Podcast

Episode 69: Podcasting: Is It for You?

In today’s episode, we go meta and talk about podcasting. Podcasts are yet another vehicle for content. Everyone learns and digests information differently, so adding a podcast to your content marketing can be quite effective in building out your thought leadership. What better way to establish the know, like, and trust factors of business relationships than to allow your or your clients’ audiences to hear your voice and get to know you better?

What questions do you have about podcasting? Do you host a podcast? Let us know at soloprpro.com.

 

Episode 68: Communicating Clearly

It’s debate season here in the United States, the time of year when we communications pros nerd out as politicians deliver their messaging. Can we “see” them making their points? Or are they crafting a story, drawing us into their narrative?

Whether it’s a candidate on the debate stage or a client at a speaking engagement, these unnatural environments can be unnerving. It’s our job to work with our clients on the message and its delivery to ensure it’s delivered as naturally and effectively as possible.

As always, we’d love your feedback. Share with us a soloprpro.com.

Episode 67: The Definition of Work

We’ve touched on the role of the self-employed professional in the workforce in the past, addressing California’s AB-5 legislation. It is in the news again with a proposed rule from the Department of Labor that would define who is an “independent contractor.”

To a large extent public sector, and even private sector, entities do not entirely understand the nuances of what it’s like to work independently. We don’t fit the traditional mold of an independent contractor. Our companies may not fit the definition of a small business. And yet we are businesses. This results in rules and legislation crafted to address the freelance and gig economy that does not consider those of us who are self-employed, running micro agencies.

While this rule may not affect us directly, it’s important that we keep an eye on it and future ideations like it to prevent it from harming our ability to retain work. The only way for our legislators to know how we operate is to educate them. Introduce yourself to your legislators – send a letter explaining who you are and what you do. At the hyper-local level – state legislature, municipal representative – invite your rep for a cup of coffee to help them understand how your business functions.

This “future of work” has been here for quite some time. The ability to complete our work outside of the traditional 9-to-5 spent in a corporate office has grown with the onset of employees working from home. How that affects the valuation of our work from hours clocked to quality of work product remains to be seen.

As always, we have hope for a bright future. What are your thoughts? Share with us a soloprpro.com.

Episode 66: Pass PR with Dan Farkas

Today we are joined by fellow Solo PR Pro, Dan Farkas, who joins us to discuss his newest endeavor, Pass PR. Pass PR is customized education to help people accelerate their communication skills. Whether you are a new graduate, a seasoned pro, or a professional starting your own business, Pass PR is a unique and valuable way for you to gain the additional skills you need for success.

Dan is a Lecturer of Strategic Communication at Ohio State University, where he teaches courses on research, strategy, content creation, measurement, and analytics. The BBC and Mashable are some of the media outlets that have featured Dan as a thought leader on the changing landscape of strategic communication and how we can make the most of it. 

Dan is also a business owner who practices the craft when not chasing late homework assignments or his two kids. His campaign efforts have earned recognition from PRSA and the Ohio Society of Association Executives. He helped clients received media coverage with the Washington Post, Huff Post, and Associated Press. 

In a former life, Dan earned more than 20 awards for his work in television news. His work appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and SI.com.

As always, we’d love your feedback. Share with us a soloprpro.com.

Episode 65: Professional Development in a Pandemic

Keeping up with professional development in a COVID-19 world is a challenge, especially with in-person events either cancelled or held virtually. Screen fatigue is real, so we need to create ways to stay sharp. In today’s episode we talk about how creating community can fit the bill. Whether it’s a virtual book club, an accountability partner, or seeking out professionals outside your industry to interact with and learn from, any interaction that can wake up our minds and our senses during this time of isolation will be beneficial.

We’d love to hear your ideas. Share with us a soloprpro.com.

Episode 64: Boundaries - A Reminder

We covered boundaries in an earlier episode but we also know creating and keeping good boundaries is an ongoing work in progress. We need that gentle reminder – whether it’s scope creep or establishing limits on accessibility (especially in our current work from home era) – that boundaries are essential to performing at our best.

What is your biggest struggle with boundaries right now? Share with us a soloprpro.com.

Episode 63: Review to Renew

When was the last time you reviewed your progress in achieving your goals? Are those goals still in line with what you would like to achieve personally and professionally, or do your goals need to be updated?

In today’s episode, we talk about reviewing our progress, about getting in the habit of checking in with ourselves, not just on an annual or monthly basis, but weekly or even every day.

We can be our most productive, and that’s not the same as overly busy, but working with purpose and staying aligned with our goals if we check in with ourselves on a more consistent basis.

In this blog post from RescueTime, they ask three questions to help with this process:

• Did you complete what you set out to do?
• Does your calendar and your commitments match your priorities and values?
• What was your allocation of $10/hour work vs. $10,000/hour work?

Get in the habit of regularly taking stock. You may be surprised at the time you find, and how it will increase the joy and purpose you have in your work.

Can you relate? Tell us how at soloprpro.com.

Episode 62: Rituals

Today’s episode was inspired by an article in Psychology Today by Nick Hobson, Ph.D., How Rituals Alter the Brain to Help Us Perform Better.

Rituals can be grounding and comforting. They can also prepare us for performance. Dr. Hobson explains that rituals help us to reduce anxiety associated with potential failure by changing how your brain responds to failure.

We need to incorporate ways to refuel and refocus ourselves to enable us to do what we do well and maintain our physical and mental health, not just during this pandemic but afterward too.

What are your favorite rituals? It can be for relaxation or for getting powered up to get to work. Share with us at soloprpro.com.

 

Episode 61: COVID Communication Fatigue

We are in the sixth month of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we know that you as a communicator and the audiences you serve are tired. And yet, we need to continue crafting and sharing messaging effectively, to cut through the (sometimes subconscious) inclination of our audience to tune out.

In today’s episode we talk about ways we can approach our communications strategies and messaging with a new perspective.

How about you? How are you keeping your messaging fresh and effective right now? Tell us at soloprpro.com.

Episode 60: Communications Clichés

Today’s episode was inspired by Nicole Schuman’s recent article in PR News, The Top Communications Clichés and How to Avoid Them. As communicators, we need to craft messaging that is authentic to those we are writing for and to make sure we are always reviewing our work with an eye on eliminating the use of clichés and overworn phrases.

 

What is the cliché you love to hate? Tell us at soloprpro.com.