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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
Saturday Jun 06, 2020
Saturday Jun 06, 2020
Did you know that an estimated $140 billion remains available in the Payroll Protection Program (PPP)? Or that you can apply even if you operate as a sole proprietor? We did not know this, which is why we are glad that Brent Thompson, CPA, CMA, CGMA of Canon Capital Management Group joined us as our guest this week. He helps us wade through the PPP from the perspective of solo practitioners and small business owners.
During this episode, we discussed the parameters of the PPP and the anticipated passing of the "Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (PPPFA),” which did become law on June 5, 2020. This new legislation has a significant effect on the forgiveness of the PPP loan, including extending the time to use the funds from an 8-week period to 24 weeks and changing the payroll ratio test from 75/25 to 60/40.
The most time-sensitive item of note is that PPP lenders must have the funding in your bank account by June 30. To allow for enough time for the process, it is recommended to apply by June 10.
Keep up with the latest information about PPP and other elements of the CARES Act by following the Canon Capital Management Group blog.
What has your experience been with the PPP process. Have you applied? Were you approved? Let us know at soloprpro.com.
Monday Jun 01, 2020
Monday Jun 01, 2020
Newsroom layoffs, disagreements about wearing masks, concern over how and when to reopen businesses – it continues to be a stressful time.
As professional communicators, how can we make sure our communication is clear, purposeful, and positive, rising above the chatter?
How can we use this time to unleash our creativity and use new ideas to clear through the clutter and reach our clients’ audiences?
Maybe it’s time to revisit the focus of your own business. Do you need to pivot? Or do you feel drawn to a different focus?
Use this time as an opportunity. What do you think? Let us know at soloprpro.com.
Monday May 25, 2020
Monday May 25, 2020
As we enter the third month of varying degrees of sheltering in place due to COVID-19, we are checking in with our friends and colleagues who are working from home as a result of this situation.
Inspired by this article from The Atlantic, we wonder how will a long-term work from home policy affect your day-to-day activities? What is the impact on the sectors supported by people working in office complexes? How will it affect work-life for all of us?
It’s a fun and interesting discussion. Let us know what you think at soloprpro.com.
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.