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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
Episodes
Monday May 18, 2020
Monday May 18, 2020
How’s your support system? During this time of COVID-19 it’s more important than ever to cultivate your existing network and seek to grow it in authentic and meaningful ways.
This is the perfect time to reflect remember how much we gain from connecting with others. We have this opportunity to learn from each other and grow and create community. Community is what will get us through this crisis (Shout out to the savvy smarties at SoloPRPro!)
If you feel as though you don’t have a community to access, why not create one?
We want to know what you think! Let us know at soloprpro.com.
Saturday May 09, 2020
Saturday May 09, 2020
We PR pros love a good tech tool. Don’t you? We are fans of any platform or app that can help us work more efficiently so today we discuss some of our current favorites:
Social Media Management
Transcription
Screen Captures & Screen Video Recording
Virtual Meeting Scheduler
Online Payment (Here is the complete blog.)
I.T. Support
Productivity & Focus
Proposals
What are your current favorite tools? Let us know at soloprpro.com
Monday May 04, 2020
Monday May 04, 2020
With so many options for your business to have a presence online – Facebook, LinkedIn, Medium, Twitter, Alignable, and more – do you really need a website?
We say, “Yes!” A website is the online presence that you own – you pay for the domain name registration and hosting; you have full control over the content.
Social media is space you “rent” in that you rely on that platform to stay in business and allow you to present your information in the way that suits you.
You need both a website as your home base and you also need to use social media in a way that integrates with your content. You want to drive traffic from your social media channels to your website, where, ideally, you’re giving your web visitors something to do like signing up for your e-news or going on your desired buyer’s journey.
What is your favorite website platform? Share with us at soloprpro.com
Monday Apr 27, 2020
Monday Apr 27, 2020
We are still in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis but we are at the point where we are starting to think about re-entry from quarantine. “Normal” is still a long way off so our responsibility as communications professionals is to guide our clients through this and to the opportunities that exist. And yes, there are opportunities to do business in creative – yes, even lucrative – ways and continue creating a loyal community of customers.
Likewise, for our own businesses, how must we pivot to best serve our existing clients and gain new business?
What methods are you having success with as you work your way through this crisis? Please share them with us at soloprpro.com.
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Monday Apr 20, 2020
As PR Pros, we’re used to managing crises. But COVID-19 is a crisis like no other, upending so much in our work and personal lives. How do we make sure we’re providing the leadership our clients, colleagues, and peers need from us while also practicing the self-care we need to keep going?
Ken Byler, a Leadership Guide with his own practice, Higher Ground Consulting Group, joins us to share tactics we can begin using right now as we make our way through this time in our lives.
Ken has been coaching his clients to view this is an opportunity to define who you’re going to become as a leader. We’re PR people so this opportunity is exciting for us!
How are you using this time to help lead your clients? Please share with us at soloprpro.com and if you’d like to receive additional leadership information and news from Ken, sign up for his e-news.
Saturday Apr 11, 2020
Saturday Apr 11, 2020
In today’s episode of That Solo Life, we discuss the various financial resources available to solos and small businesses with the CARES Act, including the Paycheck Protection Program, EIDL, Bridge Express Loans, and other programs from the SBA, and the expansion of unemployment compensation to include the self-employed. Regarding the latter, if anything, we hope this may bring the government up to speed with recognition of impact of the self-employed on the U.S. economy. This is especially true for our fellow solos affected by situations like AB-5 in California, which blocks their ability to access this relief.
Even in the timespan from recording this episode (Wednesday, April 8, 2020) to its release (Monday, April 11, 2020), the availability of these relief programs has been in a state of flux. The EIDL was supposed to provide a grant of $10,000 to small business applicants and now perhaps only $1,000 per employee. We expect that as you read this, things will have changed yet again.
So, what’s a solo to do?
- Consult with this resource from MBO Partners – The CARES Act: What Independents Need to Know
- Consult with your accountant on the best options for your business.
- Let your state and federal representatives know what you’re experiencing and the changes that might benefit your business. Do what we PR pros do best – raise awareness and educate.
- Map out a plan for your current clients. Be proactive as the resource to guide them through this situation.
- Continue to work on business development. Yes, you can still get new clients even in this time.
Tell us your experience so far. Please share with us at soloprpro.com.
Monday Apr 06, 2020
Monday Apr 06, 2020
In today’s episode of That Solo Life, we want to know: How are you? Really. How are you doing? Life is a lot these days with the emotion and uncertainty around the COVID-19 crisis. Economic relief is starting to become available. If you haven’t had a chance, visit the SBA website with the COVID-19 programs.
It’s important to not allow this period of uncertainty to become paralyzing. Believe us when we say there is a way to cultivate business, even now. Be helpful, be empathetic, be open to new possibilities.
And please, please, please, practice good self-care. Be aware of your news diet. Stay informed but try not to marinate it. Get some physical movement in each day. Try an app like Headspace to calm your mind. And if you think you need someone to speak with for your mental health, please do so. There are many online resources available so that you don’t need to feel alone during this time of physical isolation.
We want to hear from you. How are you using this time in positive ways? Please share with us at soloprpro.com.
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Monday Mar 30, 2020
In today’s episode of That Solo Life, we are checking in with YOU! We hope you are well and enjoy this conversation about the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on our business lives, our personal lives, and the world. From the relief available for independent contractors and the self-employed to suddenly having co-workers in the form of spouses now working from home, we cover it all.
How are you navigating this new landscape? We’d love to hear your stories. Please share with us at soloprpro.com.
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Monday Mar 23, 2020
We remain in the thick of a COVID-19 world, where change comes by the day, even by the hour.
Many of us who normally work from a home office as solos have gained new colleagues, with family members working from home and children home from school. How’s that going?
We find ourselves busier than ever working to keep our clients’ constituencies informed yet with an eye on what this means for the economy and our businesses in the long run.
Self-care is more important than ever. Be conscious of your intake – mentally and physically. Let’s face it, we’re stuck at home with snacks. Treat yourself but also take time to get outside.
This is also the time to support our fellow small businesses. Buying gift cards or placing take-out orders is a great place to start. We are also conscious about looking out for our neighbors, especially the elderly.
We are realistic yet optimistic for what these new methods of work and communication might mean for the future. What innovation and opportunity might be in store where businesses can not only bounce back from this, but thrive at higher levels?
Time will tell but until then, we are here with you and for you.
We’d love to hear from you! Please share your experiences with us at soloprpro.com.
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Monday Mar 16, 2020
The arrival of COVID-19 has brought with it unique challenges for the business world and our communities across the globe. What does this mean for our businesses? For the normality of our lives? As of the recording of this podcast (on Wednesday, March 11, 2020), we are in taking things day-by-day mode, dealing with the progressing scenario.
Rather than approach this event with fear, Solo PR Pro’s Karen Swim says, “Every challenge presents an opportunity for growth and improvement.” We hope this episode is helpful to you as we discuss ways to counsel our clients through this global crisis, demonstrating our value as PR Pros, and ways for you to maintain your personal and business health.
SoloPRPro.com is here for you, with the following resources and more to come:
COVID-19 and Crisis Communications
How are you working your way through the challenge presented by COVID-19. Please share your experiences with us at soloprpro.com.