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This episode is a replay of special podcast hosted by PRWeek about the 2025 USC Relevance Report. This special PRWeek podcast, "AI Activated," brought together three PR industry leaders and PRWeek Hall of Famers to discuss AI's impact on public relations. Hosted by Steve Barrett, Editorial Director of PR Week, the conversation featured:Frank X. Shaw, Chief Communications Officer at MicrosoftMelissa Waggener Zorkin, Global CEO of We. CommunicationsFred Cook, Director of USC Center for Public Relations and Chairman Emeritus at GolinThe discussion centered on research from Microsoft, We. and USC about AI's transformative effects on PR practices. AI's Impact on PR and the Role of Humanity 0:02Balancing AI and Humanity in Storytelling 2:31Fostering an AI-Ready Culture 5:49Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption 12:48AI in Media Relations and Measurement 16:21Preparing the Next Generation of PR Pros 22:17The Future of AI in PR 27:34Key insights include:AI as a Tool, Not a ReplacementThe panel emphasizes that AI should enhance human storytelling and relationships rather than replace them. Frank Shaw compared current AI adoption to the early days of personal computers, suggesting we're just beginning to understand its potential.Creating an AI-Ready CultureMelissa Waggener Zorkin highlights the importance of employer encouragement in AI adoption, noting that organizations should empower employees to experiment with AI tools and celebrate early adopters who can share knowledge across teams.Education and Skill DevelopmentFred Cook shares his experience incorporating AI into USC student projects, revealing how prompt engineering skills significantly impact results. He notes that students who crafted detailed prompts received better AI outputs than those using basic instructions.Practical ApplicationsThe conversation covers AI applications in content creation, data analysis, media relations, and measurement. Frank Shaw discusses using AI for strategic planning and information capture, while Melissa emphasizes AI's democratizing effect, allowing professionals at all levels to contribute innovative approaches.Future OutlookThe panel agrees that AI will make PR more exciting for young professionals by automating routine tasks and allowing them to focus on more strategic and creative work. The podcast referenced two reports for further reading: "Energized by AI" and "The Relevance Report."The USC Relevance Report of 40+ forward-looking essays about the current and future use of AI in public relations is available for free download at annenberg.usc.edu/relevance. A production of the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations at the University of Southern California.Host, Fred CookExecutive Producer, Ron AntonetteSeason 6 Producers, Javiera Contreras, Anahita Mehra, Joe Carreon, Marshall WinfieldCreated by ZaZu Lippert LINKSFollow the USC Center for PR (@usccenterforpr) on Instagram and LinkedIn. Follow Fred Cook on LinkedIn. Find all our reports at annenberg.usc.edu/cpr.
In This Episode What exactly do Solo PR Pros do, and how do companies find and engage with them? Many businesses are on the lookout for talented professionals to help with marketing, communications, and PR, but they often don't know where to start. This week, Karen and Michelle unpack how Solo PR Pros can make themselves more visible and connect with companies that need their services. From networking tips to leveraging LinkedIn and exploring industry forums, they discuss practical strategies to help you stand out. Whether you're a seasoned Solo or new to the game, this episode will inspire you to take actionable steps toward growing your business and increasing your visibility in a competitive market. Tune in and discover how to ensure that businesses not only know about solos—but understand the value you bring to the table. Key Topics Discussed The demand for Solo PR Pros and the uncertainty many companies feel about finding and hiring them. Why some businesses are unaware of what Solo PR Pros do and how this creates opportunities for visibility. The importance of maintaining an active presence in industry forums, local chambers, and online networks like LinkedIn. Creative strategies for meaningful networking, from casual coffee chats to hosting workshops and community events. How solos can repurpose content and boost their own SEO to increase discoverability. The changing landscape of human connection and why face-to-face engagement still matters in a digital world. Why You Should Listen If you've been wondering how to better position yourself as a Solo PR Pro or how to find new opportunities despite economic uncertainty, this episode is packed with advice to help you put yourself out there. Karen and Michelle share personal anecdotes, practical tips, and motivational insights to empower you to take the reins and ensure companies know you exist—and understand the immense value you provide. Resources Mentioned Solo PR Pro Premium Membership Group PRSA Local networking opportunities (e.g., chambers, trade groups, or hosting small events at coffee shops or libraries) Get Engaged We want to hear from you! Have questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to us at soloprpro.com. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with your network. Your support means the world to us, and it helps us reach even more Solo PR Pros! Follow Us: Michelle Kane | Voice Matters Karen Swim | Solo PR Pro Podcast Website | That Solo Life Have thoughts on today's topic? Connect with us on social media and share your perspective. Enjoyed the episode? Please leave a review here - even a sentence helps. Share and tag us (@SoloPRPro) on social media so that we can thank you personally!
What would you do if a client came to you and said they no longer needed your services, because they're going to use ChatGPT instead?This is the situation today's guest, Ana Pista, faced recently.If you don't know Ana, start now! She's the founder and CEO of Ardent Communications based in the Philippines. She's a seasoned PR expert with more than two decades of experience, having honed her skills while working for big companies like HP and Microsoft.In this conversation, we cover how to deal with clients who want to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) instead of our services, using AI in our own practices, the ethical considerations, and so much more.If you work in comms, PR or marketing, and AI is encroaching on your world, you want to listen to this one!Links mentioned in this episode:Follow Ana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-pista-apr-871742108/Ardent Communications Inc. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ardent-communications/Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ArdentPR AI Centre of Excellence (ACE) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aicentreofexcellence/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AICentreofExcellence/ArticlesArdentComm advocates for responsible AI use in PR practices (Inquirer): https://technology.inquirer.net/140011/ardentcomm-advocates-for-responsible-ai-use-in-pr-practicesArdentComm founder and CEO pushes ethical AI in PR (Inquirer): https://technology.inquirer.net/138713/ardentcomm-founder-and-ceo-pushes-ethical-ai-in-pr Say hi!Follow me on LinkedInFind out what I'm up to InstagramCheck out my websiteAsk a question
FleishmanHillard's head of digital reputation for EMEA, Peter Wilson, joins Maja Pawinska Sims in the Markettiers studio to talk about the emergence of AI agents and the impact that automated processes, reports and analysis 'with the human in the loop' could have on many areas of PR practice, including public affairs and policy monitoring, and getting the balance right between off-the-shelf AI and developing and investing in proprietary tools. Wilson also outlines new corporate affairs thought leadership from the agency, and discusses how corporate leaders and communicators can navigate the second Trump era and the growing threat of strategic disinformation. Corporate Affairs Trends 2025
That Solo Life, Episode 284: How PR Pros Can Use an Audit to Unlock Social Media Success In This Episode Today's podcast discussion focuses on the importance of conducting social media audits and targeting specific audience personas when developing marketing and communications strategies. Key takeaways from this episode include: Conducting a social media audit can provide valuable insights to help organizations improve their social media presence and effectiveness, even if the audit process seems daunting at first. It is critical to deeply understand your target audience personas and tailor content and messaging accordingly, rather than trying to appeal to a broad, general audience. Focusing on the social media channels that are working best for your organization, rather than trying to be on every platform, can lead to more impactful results. This year presents a unique opportunity for companies and brands to build stronger, more engaged communities through social media by taking risks, experimenting, and being willing to learn from failures. In this episode of That Solo Life, we are thrilled to welcome Nicole Castro, the principal of Nicole Lauren Consulting, to discuss the importance of social media audits and the power of targeted messaging in public relations and marketing. Public Relations professionals often face the challenge of effectively communicating our clients' stories and connecting them with the right audiences. Nicole brings her expertise to the table, sharing insights from a recent social media audit she conducted for a nonprofit client. The conversation kicks off by acknowledging the common stigma associated with the term "audit." Nicole emphasizes that while audits can seem daunting, they are essential for understanding what works and what doesn't in a client's social media strategy. She recounts how her client, after years of posting on social media, realized they needed to assess their efforts to ensure they were reaching their target audiences effectively. Nicole highlights three key takeaways from her audit experience. The importance of conducting a target audience exercise. This exercise allowed Nicole's client to identify the diverse demographics they serve. By understanding their audience on a micro level, the organization could tailor their messaging to resonate with specific groups rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. The capacity of your team. Nicole points out the common fear of missing out (FOMO) that leads organizations to spread themselves too thin across multiple social media platforms. She encourages clients to focus on the channels that yield the best results for them, rather than feeling pressure to be everywhere at once. Targeted messaging. Nicole emphasizes the significance of being targeted in messaging. She explains that specificity in communication not only helps in reaching the intended audience but also attracts others outside that persona. This targeted approach fosters clarity and effectiveness in messaging. As we delve deeper into the discussion, Nicole introduces the concept of "The Year of the Niche." She believes that brands and organizations will find success by honing in on their audience personas and building content that speaks directly to them. In a time when social media is evolving, she stresses the need for brands to engage in two-way conversations with their audiences, moving beyond mere promotional messaging. Throughout the episode, we explore the idea of failure as a natural part of the growth process. Nicole encourages brands to take risks and try new things, reminding us that failure is not fatal but rather a stepping stone to success. We discuss the importance of measuring success through meaningful metrics that go beyond surface-level engagement. As we wrap up the episode, we reflect on the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for brands willing to connect authentically with their audiences. Nicole leaves us with a call to action: to build a strong communications foundation and embrace the potential for growth through experimentation. Join us for this enlightening conversation that will inspire you to rethink your approach to social media and client engagement. Don't forget to connect with Nicole on LinkedIn to continue the discussion! Thank you for listening to That Solo Life. About Nicole Castro Nicole Castro is the principal of Nicole Lauren Consulting. She has spent the last 10 years cultivating results-driven public relations and marketing experiences for nonprofit and for-profit clients. The agency's main goal is to help others tell their stories and connect clients with an audience that would truly benefit from their offering and mission. Specialty areas of focus include brand development, social media management, competitive benchmarking, multi-platform editorial and content solutions. You can connect with Nicole via her website or LinkedIn. Episode Timeline 00:00:00 - Introduction to That Solo Life Podcast 00:01:15 - Welcoming Nicole Castro 00:02:01 - The Importance of Social Media Audits 00:04:36 - Insights from a Recent Social Media Audit 00:06:09 - Key Takeaways from the Audit 00:10:05 - Understanding Target Audiences 00:12:08 - The FOMO of Social Media Presence 00:14:02 - The Year of the Niche 00:18:49 - Building Community Through Social Media 00:20:41 - The Value of Taking Risks 00:24:53 - Embracing Failure as Part of Growth 00:29:30 - Conclusion and Connecting with Nicole Key takeaways from the einclude: Conducting a social media audit can provide valuable insights to help organizations improve their social media presence and effectiveness, even if the audit process seems daunting at first. It is critical to deeply understand your target audience personas and tailor content and messaging accordingly, rather than trying to appeal to a broad, general audience. Focusing on the social media channels that are working best for your organization, rather than trying to be on every platform, can lead to more impactful results. This year presents a unique opportunity for companies and brands to build stronger, more engaged communities through social media by taking risks, experimenting, and being willing to learn from failures. Enjoyed the episode? Please leave a review here - even a sentence helps. Share and tag us (@SoloPR, @SoloPRPro) on social media so that we can thank you personally!
Are you leveraging the full power of SEO in your PR strategy, or are you leaving potential untapped? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Jade Pruett to uncover the vital connection between SEO and PR—a must-know for any modern marketer. Together, they break down the challenges PR professionals face in navigating SEO and share actionable strategies to bridge the gap.
That Solo Life, Episode 281: What Lies Ahead For PR Pros In 2025 In This Episode In this episode of That Solo Life, co-hosts Karen Swim and Michelle Kane pause to reflect on what trends will shape the landscape for PR professionals in 2025. The hosts kick off the discussion by addressing the importance of cross-cultural sensitivity, especially in light of recent setbacks in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Despite the political climate and the dismantling of formal programs, they emphasize that the need for effective communication with diverse audiences remains critical. As communicators, we must advocate for inclusive brand guidelines and storytelling that resonates with all segments of our audience. The conversation then shifts to the significance of enhanced internal communications. Karen and Michelle highlight how transparent communication fosters trust within organizations, especially in a hybrid work environment. Drawing from personal experiences, they stress the value of keeping employees engaged and informed, as this is essential for maintaining a cohesive and motivated workforce. The hosts then explore the evolving role of influencer partnerships in 2025. Influencers are here to stay, and Michelle and Karen discuss how they can bring creativity and authenticity to brand messaging. Michelle shares insights from a recent panel featuring local influencers, who expressed their commitment to ethical practices and delivering quality work for their clients. This creativity is something we hope to see more of in the coming year, as it can help break the monotony of corporate jargon and reinvigorate our communications. The episode wraps us with hope for a more optimistic and joyful 2025. The hosts acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead, including issues of trust and misinformation, but believe that these challenges will ultimately highlight the value of skilled PR professionals. Our goal as PR professionals is to help brands navigate these turbulent times and connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to continuing the conversation in our next episode! Episode Timeline 00:00:00 - Introduction to Trends for 2025 00:00:18 - The Importance of Cross-Cultural Sensitivity 00:02:50 - The Need for Enhanced Internal Communications 00:05:00 - The Role of Trust in Organizations 00:07:30 - Influencer Partnerships and Creativity 00:10:15 - Looking Ahead with Optimism 00:11:28 - Conclusion and Call for Listener Engagement Enjoyed the episode? Please leave a review here - even a sentence helps. Share and tag us (@SoloPR, @SoloPRPro) on social media so that we can thank you personally!
That Solo Life, Episode 274: Five Things Solo PR Pros Should Do Before The New Year In This Episode The final quarter of the year is here, and we are all sprinting toward the finish line. But before we close the books on 2024, there are a few things to do to prepare for 2025. In this episode of That Solo Life, co-hosts Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane cover five things to do (and think about) before we close the books on this year. Karen and Michelle kick off the discussion by highlighting the Corporate Transparency Act and the BOI reporting requirements that came into effect this year. Many small business owners may not be aware of these obligations, so they emphasize the simplicity of the filing process and encourage listeners to complete it before the year ends. The co-hosts then turn the focus to the importance of defining and understanding your values as business owners. Consumers increasingly prioritize corporate values in their buying decisions. This consideration is not limited to B2C companies but impacts B2B as well.Michelle and Karen discuss having a clear set of values for your Solo PR business. Values can guide decision-making and attract the right clients. The conversation then moves to the critical topic of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and analytics. Listeners are urged to become comfortable with understanding how PR impacts client KPIs and using those metrics to demonstrate value. Pricing models are evolving as companies adapt to marketing conditions. Michelle and Karen discuss the need for flexibility in pricing strategies, particularly in light of changing client needs and economic uncertainties. They discuss the need to have a range of pricing options available such as project-based pricing and flexible retainer options to better align with client expectations and your own financial stability. Finally, the hosts address the integration of AI into our workflows. They discuss the importance of distinguishing between using AI as a tool versus relying on it to produce work independently. We emphasize the need for ethical considerations and transparency when using AI, as well as the importance of verifying information sourced through AI tools. Throughout the episode, Karen and Michelle aim to equip listeners with actionable insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of running a solo business. They encourage everyone to take proactive steps, from filing necessary reports to refining pricing strategies, all while maintaining a focus on values and data-driven practices. We hope you find value in our discussion and encourage you to share this episode with fellow PR pros and marketers. Don't forget to check out soloprpro.com for more resources to help you build a better business. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to connecting with you in our next episode! Episode Timeline 00:00:00 - Introduction and Q4 Reflection 00:01:30 - Corporate Transparency Act and BOI Reporting 00:05:04 - Understanding Your Values 00:10:45 - The Importance of KPIs and Analytics 00:15:12 - Pricing Strategies for 2025 00:20:22 - AI Disclosure and Ethical Use 00:21:33 - Conclusion and Call to Action Resources: Corporate Transparency Act Beneficial Owner Information Filing AMEC Guide to Measurement G2 PR Measurement Post
The support for this episode comes from Leadfeeder - turn anonymous pageviews into concrete sales pipeline.Imagine knowing which companies are checking out your site, tracking their behavior on your site, and integrating all this into your CRM.That's exactly what Leadfeeder does for you. Head to https://bit.ly/4dQVsWe for a FREE demo and get a FREE EXTENDED premium trial by mentioning the Pursuit of Scrappiness podcast.Head to https://bit.ly/4dQVsWe====Julija Jegorova and Mauro Battellini are co-founders of Black Unicorn PR, an agency specializing in helping tech companies reach global media and audiences. With extensive experience working with such companies and friends of the show as Klaus, Nordigen, INZMO, eAgronom and Startupwiseguys, Julia and Mauro have become experts in building trust, awareness, and brand equity for early-stage companies. On this episode we talk about:The importance of PR for startups and how it builds trust and brand equityBasic PR “hygiene” for startupsCommon misconceptions about PRNewsworthiness: What makes a story attractive to journalistsStrategies for startup founders to do their own PR before hiring an agencyHow PR can support fundraising efforts and enhance a company's reputation==Find all episodes on > https://www.pursuitofscrappiness.co/Watch select full-length episodes on our YouTube channel > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6ueaLnjS-CQfrMCm2EoTAConnect with us on Linkedin > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pursuit-of-scrappiness/===============
That Solo Life, Episode 265: How PR Pros Can Leverage that Back to School Energy In this Episode It's back to school season and for Solo PR Pros it's a great time to refresh and reset. In today's episode Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane dive into the topic of embracing a back-to-school mindset as solopreneurs. As the fall season approaches, they discuss the importance of self-care, professional development, and rejuvenation in order to stay sharp and serve clients effectively. The hosts highlight the significance of taking time for personal growth, whether through workshops, online courses, or simply revisiting the basics of our profession. They emphasize the value of setting aside dedicated time for reflection and creative thinking, stressing the need for solopreneurs to prioritize mental well-being amidst the constant influx of information and responsibilities. Karen and Michelle also touch on the idea of incorporating playtime and self-compliments into daily routines, drawing parallels between the joy of back-to-school shopping and the potential for a wardrobe refresh to boost energy and confidence. They encourage listeners to find small ways to infuse excitement and positivity into their work lives, even in the absence of traditional office interactions. Throughout the episode, the hosts share personal anecdotes and insights, underscoring the challenges and rewards of working independently. They invite listeners to share their own back-to-school tips and experiences, fostering a sense of community and collaboration within the solopreneur space. As the episode concludes, Michelle and Karen express their hopes for a successful end to the year, both professionally and personally. They encourage listeners to prioritize self-care and growth, reminding them that the freedom of solopreneurship allows for flexibility and choice in how they approach their work and well-being. Listeners are invited to share their feedback and suggestions for future episodes, as the hosts look forward to continuing the conversation on navigating the solo professional journey. Tune in to "That Solo Life" for more insights, tips, and inspiration for thriving as a Solo PR Pro in today's dynamic landscape. Episode Timeline 00:00:00 - Introduction and Back to School Theme 00:05:30 - Importance of Taking Breaks and Decompressing 00:11:12 - Refreshing Your Wardrobe for Fall 00:14:30 - Importance of Laughter and Mental Health 00:15:26 - Embracing Freedom and Choices in Solo Work Enjoyed the episode? Please leave a review here - even a sentence helps. Share and tag us (@SoloPR, @SoloPRPro) on social media so that we can thank you personally! Your support helps us keep bringing you insightful content every week. Thank you for tuning in!
Send us a Text Message.Double the output – but lose the human touch?From automating media monitoring and sentiment analysis to optimizing content and reshaping billing practices. AI tools are revolutionizing the PR landscape. But while AI can handle many tasks efficiently, there are critical areas where human creativity and emotional intelligence remain irreplaceable. It's not all rosy predictions for AI and PR – there are very real challenges of AI adoption and the surprising inertia many in the field are experiencing. Listen For3:36 An example of AI Adoption Dramatically Increasing Productivity7:44 Why PR and Marketing Pros Will Need to Shift to Value-Based Billing15:29 AI Excels at Certain PR Tasks21:55 Authenticity Will Stand Out in an AI-Saturated World Guest: Michael SmartSubscribe to Michael's popular weekly newsletter on PR and AI tips Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategiesStories and Strategies WebsiteDo you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.Apply to be a guest on the podcastConnect with usLinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | ThreadsRequest a transcript of this episodeSupport the Show.
That Solo Life, Episode 257: How PR Pros Can Stand Strong in Uncertain Times In this Episode The practice of public relations is not for the faint of heart. Whether you are in-house or running your own shop, the work can be challenging. For Solo PR Pros, the challenges extend to ensuring that they sustain their livelihood while serving others. In today's episode Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane, discuss the importance of protecting yourself and your business during times of instability. Instability seems to be the new normal. The economy, political landscape, and climate are just a few of the many things that currently have us feeling like we are doing life on a wobble board. As PR professionals, we recognize the need to be proactive in safeguarding our businesses. Michelle and Karen emphasize the importance of future-proofing our skills and staying ahead of industry trends. Adapting to changing client needs and exploring new service offerings are key strategies to weathering uncertain times. The conversation delves into the evolving landscape of journalism and media relations, highlighting the challenges faced by professionals in these fields. The discussion turns to the impact of sensationalism and the decline of ethical journalism on public trust and the industry as a whole. Despite the challenges, listeners are encouraged to stay engaged and seek opportunities for growth and innovation. By staying informed, adapting to change, and focusing on serving our audiences, we can navigate through the current malaise in the PR world. Episode Timeline: 00:00:18 - Introduction to the Podcast 00:01:05 - Acknowledging Instability in the World 00:03:49 - Importance of Proactivity in Business 00:05:10 - Importance of Upskilling and Future-Proofing 00:07:07 - Paying Attention to Industry Trends 00:08:26 - Embracing Change and Career Shifts 00:10:55 - Concerns about Journalism Integrity 00:12:15 - Impact of Decline in Creative Arts 00:13:07 - Encouragement to Share and Connect Enjoyed the episode? Please leave a review here - even a sentence helps. Share and tag us (@SoloPR, @SoloPRPro) on social media so that we can thank you personally! Your support helps us keep bringing you insightful content every week. Thank you for tuning in!
That Solo Life, Episode 255: The Powerful Reasons PR Pros Must Vet Everything In this Episode In episode 255 of “That Solo Life,” Karen Swim and Michelle Kane discuss the role of vetting in public relations, and the need to thoroughly research clients, client partners, collaborators and more. The hosts discussed how the recent news of Justin Timberlake's DWI arrest highlighted how one misstep can bring up a person's entire history of mistakes. The incident serves as a reminder of the significance of vigorously researching individuals or organizations before committing to work with them or to work with your clients. Karen and Michelle emphasize the need for due diligence in researching the history and reputation of any person or organization before entering into a relationship. This also applies to any information that you might share from a third party such as quotes or data studies. PR Pros must be fully informed to protect their consultantices. and clients. Throughout the episode, the hosts stress the value of preparation and being proactive in anticipating any potential issues that may arise from working with certain clients or partners. Karen and Michelle share personal experiences of discovering problematic histories of individuals they previously supported and the importance of learning from those instances. Additionally, the hosts discuss the benefits of seeking insights from PR colleagues or industry peers when vetting prospects, as they can provide valuable information and warnings based on their experiences. Episode Timeline: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Weather Chit-Chat 00:01:26 - Importance of Vetting Prospects 00:02:03 - Learning from Justin Timberlake 's DWI Incident 00:03:21 - Being Prepared for Potential Fallout 00:04:39 - Second Chances and Being Informed 00:06:11 - Impact of Unprepared Responses in Media 00:07:20 - Reflecting on Past Mistakes in Sharing Information 00:08:18 - Seeking References and Insights from PR Colleagues 00:09:46 - Evaluating Opportunities and Self-Reflection 00:11:17 - Role of PR in Guarding Against Risk 00:11:43 - Wrapping Up and Summer Plans Enjoyed the episode? Please leave a review here - even a sentence helps. Share and tag us (@SoloPR, @SoloPRPro) on social media so that we can thank you personally! Your support helps us keep bringing you insightful content every week. Thank you for tuning in!
Welcome to another episode of That Solo Life, where we dive into the world of PR and marketing for independent professionals. In this episode, we discuss the power of personal branding in the PR industry. Publicists have recently been in the spotlight, from the Oscars to various articles highlighting their work. This recognition serves as a reminder for solo PR professionals like us to also focus on promoting ourselves, not just our clients. Karen and Michelle delve into the importance of personal branding and how it can impact our businesses. While some may feel uncomfortable with self-promotion, they emphasize the need to market your skills and expertise in order to attract clients and stand out in a competitive industry. The discussion offers practical tips for building a personal brand, from updating headshots to engaging on platforms like LinkedIn. We stress the value of sharing our knowledge and experiences, whether through writing articles, speaking engagements, or social media posts.
That Solo Life: Episode 247 Everything Old is New Again In this Episode Karen Swim, APR, of Solo PR, and Michelle Kane, of Voice Matters delve into the importance of getting back to basics in our PR and marketing businesses. Today's conversation is sparked by an email from Peter Shankman, the founder of the original "Help a Reporter Out" platform, which was eventually sold to a large corporation. Shankman has now launched a new platform called "Help Every Reporter Out," and in his announcement he shared his “back to basics” inspiration and how it led him to return to something he was no longer doing. As PR professionals, we often find ourselves constantly reinventing our workflows, tools, and client work in an effort to keep up with the ever-evolving industry. But new is not always better. Sometimes returning the old things can improve not only how we do our jobs but how we feel about them. We delve into the topic of technology, staying true to our natural skill sets and passions in our careers, and how the basics include having a supportive community of fellow professionals. Episode Highlights: [00:00:18] - Old but new. The value of getting back to basics and the importance of realigning and retooling. [00:02:09] - Be a hero. How Peter Shankman, Help Every Reporter Out inspired us to be a hero to ourselves by focusing on our areas of expertise. [00:05:04] - Reevaluating Tools and Subscriptions. All the shiny new tools hold so much promise and you can accumulate a pile of clutter. [00:09:35] - Recognizing Natural Skillsets. It is important to recognize and focus on your natural skillsets and passions in order to maintain satisfaction and success in a career. [00:10:29] - Scaling Back for Success. Karen and Michelle discuss the idea of scaling back team members or business models to maintain a manageable workload and find fulfillment in solo work. Resources: Help Every Reporter Out (HERO) - free sign-up for PR Pros and Journalists Back to basics in your business model -From Solo PR to Agency and Back Again Enjoyed the episode? Please leave a review here - even a sentence helps. Share and tag us (@SoloPR, @SoloPRPro) on social media so that we can thank you personally! Your support helps us keep bringing you insightful content every week. Thank you for tuning in! Looking for more insights and support for your solo PR biz? Head over to Solo PR Pro and become part of our community. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter for the latest tips and trends.
That Solo Life: Episode 246 Ethical and Legal Challenges of the Modern PR Pro with Special Guest, Cayce Myers New episodes every Monday In this Episode "That Solo Life" podcast hosts Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane sit down with Cayce Myers, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., APR, an experienced public relations professional and author. In this episode, Myers discusses his latest book, "The Rules of Public Relations, Legal and Ethical Issues and Contemporary Practice," which tackles the intersection of public relations, law, and ethics. Myers emphasizes the importance of understanding the legal implications of PR crises and the need for transparency when using artificial intelligence (AI) in PR. He stresses that PR professionals have a responsibility to navigate the challenges of disinformation and misinformation during election years. Brands are advised to align their communication strategies with their mission, vision, and values. Throughout the episode, Myers draws from his extensive experience in the field to offer valuable insights into the ever-changing landscape of PR. Whether you're a seasoned PR professional or just starting out in the industry, this episode is packed with practical advice and thought-provoking conversations about the legal and ethical challenges surrounding public relations. Don't miss out on this fascinating discussion! Cayce Myers, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., APR Cayce Myers is a professor of public relations and director of graduate studies at the School of Communication at Virginia, where he researches and teaches about the legal, regulatory, and ethical aspects of public relations. As a lawyer who also holds a Ph.D. in mass communication, Myers has authored five books and sixty publications including peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, law review articles, and trade press pieces, covering topics such as public relations history, strategy, political campaigns, and related laws and policies. His newest publication, "The Rules of Public Relations," delves into the current laws and ethical challenges in the field of PR practice. The release is scheduled for this July. Episode Highlights: [01:58] Risk and reputation. Lawyers and communicators view crises through a different lens, but do not have to be in opposition. [06:37] Oh my AI. The murkiness of AI and what PR pros need to navigate this new technology. [11:27] I'll just wait it out. PR Pros are reluctant to use AI, fearing it could create issues. [14:29] Embracing the future. The bright future of PR and what companies need to know when they hire younger workers. [18:56] The politics of it all. Elections, elections all over the globe and the impact on PR pros in 2024. Resources: The Rules of Public Relations: Legal and Ethical Issues in Contemporary Practice (Publisher) (Use RLFANDF25 to save 25% off print book ) The Rules of Public Relations: Legal and Ethical Issues in Contemporary Practice (Amazon) Enjoyed the episode? Please leave a review here - even a sentence helps. Share and tag us (@SoloPR, @SoloPRPro) on social media so that we can thank you personally! Your support helps us keep bringing you insightful content every week. Thank you for tuning in! Looking for more insights and support for your solo PR biz? Head over to Solo PR Pro and become part of our community. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter for the latest tips and trends. Say Thanks to Cayce Myers! If you liked this episode with Cayce Myers, please say thanks on LinkedIn and follow his author page on Amazon. Listen to the episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. You can watch the interview on YouTube here.
That Solo Life, Episode 244: Language, Landmines And The Peril Now Facing PR Pros That Solo Life, a podcast dedicated to PR professionals, marketers, and individuals who work for themselves. In this episode hosts, Karen Swim of Solo PR Pro, and Michelle Kane from Voice Matters delve into the topic of avoiding generation gaps and cultural miscommunications. In our discussion, we highlight how the emergence of a multigenerational workforce and multicultural society has made communication more complex. Together, we explore examples of misunderstood terminology, redefined norms, and quickly shifting cultural contexts. All of which could potentially influence the reception of our messages and client communications. We also bring to the table the reality that not everyone has the same bank of references or base of knowledge. The universality of business references, iconic books, or even pop culture references is no longer a given. We navigate this landscape by encouraging PR professionals to provide context, or use universally understood language, thus facilitating clear and effective communication. We also examine political influences, shedding light on how political parties or global events can assign new meanings to well-known terms, creating potential pitfalls for those unaware. We encourage communicators to be savvy, removing barriers, biases, and assumptions to truly connect with diverse audiences. Closing the conversation, we impress upon our audience that everything communicates – the things we say and do (or don't do), often carry a message. PR professionals and communicators need to be involved in all sectors of an organization, as their insights could safeguard against reputation damage. Episode Highlights: The modern communicator's conundrum. We can never assume that words have a universal meaning. It is important to check everything. Multi-generations and the mix-ups that can happen.Each generation has shaped language in their own way. PR Pros have to be careful to ensure that they are saying what they mean to say across all generations. The predicament of politics. How politics has influenced the way we communicate. Why PR needs a seat at the table. Why PR should never be siloed in companies. More on this topic: Managing Across Generations Talking About My Generation Call to Action: Looking for more insights into the PR world? Head over to Solo PR Pro and become part of our community. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter for the latest tips and trends. --- Enjoyed the episode? Give us a rating and share the episode with a colleague. Your support helps us keep bringing you insightful content every week. Thank you for tuning in!
In This Episode: Join us as we dissect the implications of the Department of Labor's recent rule changes and what it means for solo PR professionals. We welcome Nathan Gibson, an authority in Employment Law and Independent Contractor Compliance, who is the Senior Director at MBO Partners. Nathan provides in-depth insights on staying compliant and the potential impacts on solo public relations businesses. Episode Highlights: Understanding the Rule Change: Explore the specifics of the Department of Labor's new guidelines with our expert guest. Impacts on Solo PR Pros: Learn what solo PR professionals need to do differently to stay aligned with the new rules. Strategies for Compliance: Discover actionable strategies to maintain compliance without compromising on flexibility and freedom as an independent professional. Featured Guest: Nathan Gibson, an expert in: Employment Law Independent Contractor Compliance Current Position: Senior Director, Risk Management at MBO Partners Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn for more insights and personalized advisory. Resources Mentioned: Join the Solo PR Pro Community: Solo PR Pro Premium Membership Signup MBO Partners: For additional tools and expertise to manage your solo PR business, visit MBO Partners. Free Resources: Stay informed with the latest solo PR trends and tips by signing up for our newsletter at http://eepurl.com/deC06f. --- Be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more episodes packed with expert advice and the latest updates affecting solo PR professionals. Share your thoughts on this episode using #SoloPR and stay connected with us on our social media channels. Thank you for tuning in, and keep thriving in your solo PR career! Note: This podcast episode is not intended to serve as legal advice. For specific legal concerns related to the topics discussed, please consult a qualified attorney.
Today we're talking about the challenges we face as self-employed professionals in a world where certain sectors of the business world and governmental policies just don't get us, favoring traditional employment over independent work. From pricing of tools and products to respecting the value solos bring to the table, it's time to give solo PR pros our respect. Special Offer for Solos: Lettuce is teaming up with Solo PR Pro to offer you a free, game-changing Business Assessment Program. Be one of the first 1,000 savvy PR pros to join. Get News from Solo PR Pro: Join our email list. Transcript Michelle Kane (00:02): Thank you for joining us for this episode of That Solo Life, the podcast for PR pros and marketers who work for themselves, people like me, Michelle Kane of VoiceMatters. And my ever steady co-host, Karen Swim with Solo PR Pro. Hey Karen, how are you today? Karen Swim, APR (00:19): Hey, Michelle. I forgot how to turn on the recording and use my mic and all those things and it hasn't been that long. Just my brain's all over the place today. Other than that, I'm great. How are you? Michelle Kane (00:32): Yeah, if I'm going to be honest, it's a little bit of a discombobulating day. I don't know. I didn't, some days are just like that, right? You make sure you read the email two or three times before you send, just to make sure Karen Swim, APR (00:46): I'm telling you. I mean, February is the shortest month, but it is really like it's gotten Napoleon syndrome this year. It's like, yes, I'm short, but I'm the big guy around here. I mean, it's really been shoving us around and showing us who's boss. Michelle Kane (01:03): I'm going to show you what's up. You're going to rue the day you talked crap about me. Karen Swim, APR (01:09): Yeah, call me the shortest month. Michelle Kane (01:12): Yeah, I'll show you. I'm going to stick around for a while. Oh my goodness. Yeah, for real, for real. And I think everyone is feeling it. It's always one of the most difficult months to just get through. Karen Swim, APR (01:26): Yeah, and it's short, but boy has it been jam packed and Michelle Kane (01:31): Yes, it's a lot. Karen Swim, APR (01:36): Yes, I'm ready for a spring break or something. Yeah, Michelle Kane (01:40): Well, and of course it has to be rude and be a leap year this year, so it's like I'm even going to add a day. Yeah, take that. Karen Swim, APR (01:49): Well, Michelle Kane (01:52): How can I flip this? Speaking of Napoleon complexes? No, (01:56): No. Maybe a little David and Goliath. Anyway, what we're going to talk about today or attempt to is just how, I don't think economy's the right word, but how our business world is set up really to favor the employed as opposed to the self-employed. We saw that with the pandemic where for the first time ever self-employed people, even though if you're a corporation of someone who is self-employed, you still pay unemployment tax. And yet what for the first time, oh, we could file for unemployment. Oh, well, gee, thank you very much. We too contribute to the economy, whatever. But we see it a lot as solos in the tools we use, and we've talked about that, touched on that before of course, but just how, oh, the enterprise version of this is only $12,000 a month. Well, thanks. Karen Swim, APR (02:57): Yeah. So it feels like this is one of the areas of discrimination that we never ever talk about, and it really is discriminatory because it's not just in the pricing, it's really the recognition and respect that many of us choose to be self-employed, and we're going to tackle that whole issue with the Department of Labor very, very soon with an expert. But to put it into context of where we're going with this is from the government. The US government does not like people that are self-employed. They don't understand people who are self-employed. When you say independent contractor, which is a big broad category and definition, the government thinks about Uber drivers and now technicians and other people, they do not think about strategic consultants like us who have really chosen to build a business of one who are very happy working on our own until we aren't, because some people go back and forth, and that is okay too. (04:07): So they don't understand, I'm going to say the flavors of independent work, and there's no good definition that takes into account the people who are truly independent and want to be, and the people who might be forced into being contractors because we know that there are a lot of companies out there that quite frankly just don't want to pay people as employees. Nail technicians are a great example, and they're one of the industries that is under target because your nail technicians show up at the same place every day. They have work hours, they're not working for other people, they're not marketing themselves to other people, and yet they are considered contractors. Construction workers is another category, and we could argue about Uber and Lyft because these are people that work on a platform, but even in that category, there are people that truly want to be independent. What you can't do though is say, I want to be an independent contractor. I don't want to work for a company, but I do want benefits and I want to unionize because now you're mixing. So again, the United States has a very murky view of this. Michelle Kane (05:23): Yes. Karen Swim, APR (05:24): The disrespect continues with how we're treated by companies just all around organizations, when they do content for public relations people, it's largely geared towards people that are employed traditionally, not people like us. Michelle Kane (05:43): Right. That's so true. And it's interesting, even as you talk to people who are in larger corporations, well, what do you do? I'm like, well, I run a public relations and marketing agency. Well, what do you mean? I'm like, well, what do you mean? What do I mean? Do I need to have 30 people standing behind me? And what I like to say is, I mean, to be honest, I've done the same job in essence my whole career. And whether that was in an ad agency or leading comms in a nonprofit, whether I'm running up the old metal staircase to my art department in my agency days, or I'm emailing someone saying, Hey, can you jo that over and make the logo bigger? Tell me the difference of what I'm doing. And I did that in varying degrees a little bit as employee, now I run my own company. And it's just interesting just the mental shift, not just amongst perhaps colleagues and acquaintances, but yeah, the government, although they seem to understand it at tax time very well, how you're organized. It's amazing to me. Karen Swim, APR (06:52): Technically, it's always a little bit frustrating, for example, when even you go to take some industry surveys and it's all skewed for people who have an employer, and it's like, what about the rest of us who have valid opinions and have experiences? You're not taking into account that we work a little bit differently. And then people automatically looking at us as though we're not businesses. We are, we're entrepreneurs. We founded a company, and it doesn't matter if your company has zero employees, it's still a company, and we don't always get treated that way, but things are not sized for us. So conferences are not sized for us and content is not sized for us. And definitely the price of technological tools are not size for us because these companies forget about a big segment of the public relations and marketing industry by only targeting people that are in these corporations and those big fat dollars. (08:04): But sometimes, and we've seen this in Solo PR Pro, which is why we don't do special offers anymore with new companies. We're very, very, very, very, very, very strict about it these days because too many companies have built their company on the back of solos, and so they give you a great price that's priced for us, and then as soon as they get on the map, they raise those prices and forget that we ever existed. I just won't allow that anymore. I just don't go for it. No, thank you. I'm not interested in giving you access to our audience, only for you to snatch the rug from up under us a year from now. Michelle Kane (08:42): Yeah, in many ways, I mean, I don't want to sound too pompous here, but in a lot of ways, solos, we experience whatever the next wave is going to be. We experience it first. We're like the college radio of the marketing and PR industry, or Bob, I'm going to stay in our industry silo because I liken it to, Hey, I love my radio station, WXPN in Philadelphia, and I will hear a song on there, songs on there. Next thing you know, oh, suddenly, maybe eight months later I'm hearing this song on satellite or commercial radio and everyone's saying, oh, did you hear that new song? I'm like, WXPN has been playing this for a while. So I see the solos that way, and it's not to be all full of ourselves, but it's because we are the ones, whether we have people working under us or not, we're the ones who experience this stuff first, whether it's something new in social media or just a new way that you have to operate your business. We literally feel the pain or the pleasure of the certain things, whatever the thing is. And so we have that much more experience at running the business because face it, a lot of larger businesses kind of run themselves in many ways, Karen Swim, APR (10:05): And the responsibilities are decentralized that everyone doesn't get the perspective of the whole. Whereas as solos, we really do, and we get that insight into organizations as well. And I think that that's a valuable contribution for people to seek out our viewpoint because we do get exposed to more, and it's no slam on people that work in companies. You guys are doing great work, and we respect you as colleagues. Our jobs often though, require us to learn things and to upskill a little bit faster because there isn't anybody that's telling us that we can't. Whereas in corporate America, your career track is often defined by the position you're in, the department you're in, and you're doing that in collaboration with your employer. As a solo, though, we are often the ones that adopt in demand scales very quickly because we have to. We don't have a backup, we don't have a department behind us. It's us. We're a very, very small team. So yeah, again, and with that, sometimes I have attended educational opportunities and the stuff that is being taught is not at our level. And then I think, and I know that that doesn't just pertain to solos, but you want to say, well, what about the seasoned public relations professionals among us employed and self-employed? Are we always only going to scratch the surface at the beginner and mid level and not go above that? And I understand they need to learn as well, but then we want to keep learning and growing as well. And often that's just not taken into account. Michelle Kane (12:02): Yeah, excuse me. That's so very true. I mean, even back to what you said about surveys. I can't tell you how many times I've started a survey and I get four or five questions in and I'm like, eh, you're not really talking to me, but I am still, yeah, but I'm still a segment of your audience. So what's up with that? Karen Swim, APR (12:23): Right? We want to be sane and we want to be heard. We want to be included. And I think we're past time, and let's be realistic. It is 2024. If the pandemic taught us nothing, it's that people in this country know how to start a business and there are a number of people that want to be in business for themselves. Can we not in this year in age, acknowledge that we exist, that we're economic engines, that we actually create jobs, that we have money, that we spend it, and that we're valuable sometimes being self-employed and then being a woman of a certain age too. I just feel like I'm completely invisible to the world. It seems like no one cares. No one cares about you, girl, you don't matter because you're not our target demographic. I don't care that they don't treat me that way. I'm going to insert myself in the conversation or I'm going to start a whole new conversation anyway, but we solo should not have to build that. I'll also say though, this is exactly one of the reasons why Solo PR Pro exists, because we do see Michelle Kane (13:31): You. Karen Swim, APR (13:33): This is why we can't create all the technological tools that you need, but we can fight for you Michelle Kane (13:39): And validate your experience, validate the idea that you had. If not for Solo PR Pro, I probably wouldn't have been brave enough to take a step forward. It is you and I'll name check her. Gloria Bell, I don't know if you're out there, but I saw her speak on a panel and she had her company at the time, and I thought, oh, she's doing it. And I was at a place where I knew I could see the bottom starting to fall out, where I was the safe space where I was getting paid. And that's another thing that whole experience taught me. Yes. Is it scary being on your own and having your own company sometimes? Heck yeah, but you know what? That direct deposit isn't the a hundred percent surety that you think. But yeah, those two things. And I went, oh, oh, okay. So I'm not a weirdo for having this instinctive notion that maybe this is a possibility. So if you are hearing this, you are not alone. And it does bogle my mind that in a country where we pride ourselves on our whole bootstraps thing and forging out on your own and being an American went really, because in some ways it's like, oh, how is it? Oh, we're not like that. Well, too bad because we're here doing it Karen Swim, APR (14:59): Enterprising Americans, but we don't really want you to do enterprising. We want you to be employed because it feels like America's just like an old school rusty model of work in so Michelle Kane (15:13): Many control freak ways. Karen Swim, APR (15:15): Yeah, Michelle Kane (15:15): It's a control freak. Karen Swim, APR (15:17): We built this whole tax system, and it's really designed for you to work for a company and just stay there and retire from there and get your gold watch. And I know we don't do pensions anymore, but we need it to be this way. This is how our system works, and we don't want to build a new one, but I say time to build a new one America. Michelle Kane (15:39): Wouldn't that be nice? Well, hey, we hope we've inspired you, even made you giggle a little bit because goodness knows we need that. But please do go to Solo PR Pro, check out the ongoing offer from lettuce even though we don't do special offers. There is this opportunity through lettuce. And just get on the mailing list too, because there is good information that will come your way. And please do share us around. And until next time, thanks for listening to That Solo Life.
Welcome to the next series from our 2023 PR Essentials Summit - Public Relations hot trends in 2024. What's going be the hot trends in the new year? How can you get published in The New York Times? Or, perhaps TechCrunch? What's the best way to drive sales and get your message out to consumer? Not sure? Needing help? Then tune in and listen up...Your host, Ronjini Joshua, interviews April White with Trust Relations & Mary Elizabeth Elkordy with Elkordy Global Solutions. Our panel of PR experts are providing key insights into what's going to be the hot PR trends in the new year. You might be surprised to learn that Affiliate Marketing could be a gold mine for generating sales and spreading your branding message to consumers. Tune in for more hot tips and tricks used by the PR Pros! Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to The PR Playbook Podcast on your favorite podcast platform and join our community of forward-thinkers in the tech industry. For more insights and resources, visit www.thesilvertelegram.com and follow us. Elevate your business journey with The Silver Telegram today! Support the showwww.thesilvertelegram.com
Why is normalizing asking for feedback so helpful and 360 reviews so awful for Communications and PR Pros? In this episode of The Communication Business Advisor podcast, Tara McDonagh explains: How to normalize getting feedback continuously and why - as an entire team. Asking for feedback without using the word feedback The biases that come with a 360 review How to counterbalance a 360 review If you have enjoyed the Communications Business Advisor Podcast so far, please take a moment to drop a rating or review. We can't ignite a movement, without sharing the message. Help us spread the word. Visit taramcdonagh.com to learn more about the work Tara is doing. Or connect with her on LinkedIn at: Tara McDonagh where she posts five days a week on comms.-focused topics. The Communications Business Advisor Podcast is brought to you by Raise the Tide, the unique coaching, community and professional development program that elevates corporate women communications leaders and emerging leaders in the communications field.
How do you write about the travel industry when people can't fly on airplanes? That's a question Kelsey Ogletree had to ask herself in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. By that point, she had worked for several years as a freelance travel writer, and like many of her colleagues, she didn't know how the travel restrictions would affect her own career. So she decided to do something about it. She announced on her newsletter that she was hosting a live Zoom call about the future of the travel industry, and hundreds of people signed up to join her. That call was so successful, in fact, that she began hosting several more of them. Eventually, this ad hoc service grew into Pitchcraft, a paid membership community that costs thousands of dollars a year to join. In a recent interview I spoke to Kelsey and her husband Derrick about how they built their platform, what benefits they offer to paying members, and how they attract new customers.
Today on the PR Wine Down, April and Laura welcome Rhiannon Ruff to the show! As Founding Partner & Wikipedia Expert at Lumino, Rhi is here to deliver a crash course in Wikipedia tips, tricks and policies for PR pros to know. In today's episode, Rhi discusses: what it takes to have a new Wiki page created or updated for a brand; what brands should do if their page contains false information; how brand crises can play out on the Wikipedia platform; and more. Later in this episode, April and Laura discuss a PR ethics conundrum with an analysis of the recent scandal involving Anita Dunn, White House advisor and co-founder of the communications firm SKDK. Tune in for a chat about conflicts of interest, crisis (mis)management, and how to avoid ethical missteps as an agency owner or PR practitioner. Learn about Rhi's work with Lumino here: https://www.kitehillpr.com/ Learn more about CommsWeek 2023 here: https://www.commsweek.com/ Watch the PR News of the Week, from user @emiliemacfie, on TikTok: https://bit.ly/3tPDdyJ Connect with Trust Relations: Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at contact@prwinedown.com. You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio. You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com. Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown/message
What can you expect this week? Everything from PR work-life balance to influencer marketing, working with clients, picking case studies for content creators and more. Once again we're delving into the new era of PR. In this episode with Nathan Miller of Miller Ink Inc. a Los Angeles-based PR and comms firm, we discuss a huge number of topics including:- - Authenticity in Influencer Marketing: We talk about the need to redefine influencers to clients from traditional makeup and fashion stars to anyone who can influence online. - We talk about how B2B comms is being done on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. - We discuss a way of using AI for brainstorming while out jogging. - We discuss client-PR relationships and getting the best out of them. - We have questions from listeners including how to find good case studies and the importance of spotting trends. It's a packed show.
PR pros, communicators, we work in a unique environment. In an industry where we feel compelled to always be “on” and available, it's challenging to make the time to work on our mental health. Know that you are not alone and know that taking that time is not only worth it, it's essential. Mental health is a topic we've addressed in a previous episode and in this Solo PR Pro blog post. Transcript Michelle Kane (00:02): Thank you for joining us for this episode of That Solo Life, the podcast for PR Pros who work for themselves like me, Michelle Cain, and my company VoiceMatters, and my wonderful co-host, Karen Swim of Solo PR Pro. Hi Karen, how's your day today? Karen Swim, APR (00:19): Oh, I'm so good, Michelle. How are you? Michelle Kane (00:22): I'm good. I'm good. I'm a little bit toast. Had some major client events happen this weekend, and towards the end of the week, it seems like everything is decided to happen in the same two week period, which in this business is often beyond our control, so we tend to roll with it and get through as best we can. So yeah. How about you? Karen Swim, APR (00:51): Same. It feels like October has been, we know that, well, for us, the fall is usually busy, but I agree with you. It feels like there's all of a sudden 10 things happening on every day. There's meetings. There have been so many more meetings to go to so many more events, some of them all happening within the same set of days. And I think that that's probably a good segue into our topic today too. Michelle Kane (01:22): Yes, yes, it is. We're going to talk about which something we touch on often, and we're pretty sure there's reasons for that mental health, especially for those of us who work in the PR industry, the personality type that it takes to do this job. You're someone who's conscientious, always concerned about getting the details correct, and usually the one balancing all of the plates in the air and the many moving parts of things, not just for yourself and your business, but on behalf of your clients. So after a while, that tends to take a toll and we need to be cognizant of that. I speak more from more of a viewpoint of hopefulness about this, but try and plan for that as part of the planning process that we do for our work. Karen Swim, APR (02:25): I think it's so helpful to also have people that can help to pull you out of a spiral sometimes just saying things out loud to another human being who truly gets the work that you do in the same way that we talk to our friends, but many of us have friends that are not in our business, and so they can empathize on one level, but it really does help. So even if it means just hopping on a Zoom meeting with a fellow colleague and just having a virtual coffee and just chatting about stuff, just voicing it out loud, it can make you feel like you're not the only one struggling. It reaffirms us and it has a way of energizing us. And I know I recently just came to a whole new understanding that I am a big overthinker. I overthink everything, and in my head I'm always writing scenarios, and I have been like that since I was a kid, which makes me great for pr, but it's not so great when you are trying to have a peaceful stress-free life. It means that I have to work at that and I have to sometimes tell myself to stop overthinking everything and stop running scenarios and just enjoy life. Same. Take somebody else to say, don't overthink it because I'll overthink everything. And I'm always like, okay, but what if this happens? And what if this happens and I want to plan for all of it, all of us do because that's who we are. Michelle Kane (04:01): Oh, totally, totally. Always thinking through, okay, well if this happens, then what all the “if thens” and to be ready for as much of anything as you can. And yeah, and that totally bleeds into my personal life too. I like to have a plan because I like the rest in knowing how a day is going to unfold. Not that I don't enjoy being spontaneous, so it can be loose. It can just be, oh, we're going to go to Philly, hang out and have dinner. Then I know, okay, that's enough of a plan for me at the moment. Karen Swim, APR (04:38): I read the stat, and it's from a study last year, and they were saying that, or maybe it was 2021, they were saying that PR people feel guilty about taking time off from work for mental health reasons. And that breaks my heart because as business owners, as communication professionals, we should never treat mental health like it's separate from our overall health. And I know that many of us are also guilty of powering through everything. Looking at my wonderful co-host over here who recently worked through illness, we will power through it all, covid, pneumonia, broken bones, I mean seriously. And we have to stop doing that. It brings to mind Simone Biles, who at the top of her game, the GOAT, and she had to walk away from her job to take care of her mind, and she did. She lived her life. She walked away. No one even knew if she was coming back and I that maybe some of you are thinking, well, she had the financial resources to be able to do that, but it still is a matter of being strong enough to choose yourself and to prioritize your own health and not continue to risk it day after day by showing up with just fragments of yourself. And so maybe you don't take, what did she do, take like a year or two off? Michelle Kane (06:24): Yeah, she got married… Karen Swim, APR (06:27): She came back and she blew through every record and became even greater. And I think that we need to keep that story in mind that it's okay to walk away. What does that look like for us who are solos? It means maybe it means sharing work with another person. Maybe it means teaming up with a colleague. And even if you're not teaming up to work on every single account together, maybe it means teaming up as backup. Maybe you backup each other up. Maybe you form an agreement where it's like, Hey, can you take the lead for me for a week and make sure that you keep the communications going? And I mean, it will take some work for you guys to develop a system, but take some pressure off. If you have a junior person that's working with you, let them handle communications. Tell them, train them how to do things in your absence. A lot of times it's not about, because you don't have to set strategy every single day. There's a lot of tactical things that can keep trains running and on the tracks while you take some downtime. Do not be afraid to walk away because I promise you it's better to pull back and to care for yourself than to show up broken. Michelle Kane (07:47): Yeah, it's so true. And it was funny, I was speaking with someone last week. We both recently had Covid. They got over theirs much more quickly. And I said, well, you took off. I didn't. And I know that. I know that, and I think it's one of the reasons I do that is because you think, ah, what's my work? I'm sitting at a keyboard that's kind of restful. Karen Swim, APR (08:12): It's not. Michelle Kane (08:13): No, no, Karen Swim, APR (08:14): It's not. Michelle Kane (08:15): So as I say, not as I do, Karen Swim, APR (08:20): I'll share in full transparency that the past couple of years are really hard for me. I lost a brother and I spiraled, I was having panic attacks, and then I went through a really bad depression. I just wasn't myself. And I made a decision with my colleague Carolyn, because she also had back to back. She lost both of her parents back to back. We were just at the end of ourselves. And so we made the decision not to do any business development and we didn't took care of the clients that we had. We backed each other up. We do have other team members that we can tap into, but we just took care of ourselves. I needed every single second of that. And I share this because I'm not only a solo, I'm single and I am my only source of income. So it's kind of a big deal to pull the brakes and to let the chips fall as they may. During that time, we did have clients that fell off. We had projects that ended. We had clients that had to pull back because of budgets. And rather than operating in a place of fear and lack, I just trusted that it would all work out because I knew that I wasn't there yet. I wasn't ready. Michelle Kane (09:40): Well, and I think you knew deep down you were doing the right thing. And it does come to a point, and I'll hold myself accountable to that too. It's like at some point you can be doing a disservice by pushing yourself too hard, also being single, it's scary to make that choice because it's like, Hey, it's just me pulling this wagon up the hill. But you can take breaks. Karen Swim, APR (10:09): And I shared that because I want people to know that that thing that you are so afraid of is really not that scary. Was my bank account exactly where I wanted it to be? Not exactly, but I also didn't end up homeless. I was able to still pay all of my bills. Life kept moving on and it was fine. And Mike, many of you where I had that fear where I thought, oh, and a lot of times we push ourselves for those reasons I can't take off. I got a kid in college or kids in college or Oh my God, what am I going to do? It's just me. I need to do. Sometimes you don't. You really don't. And you need to just take the time. And I took an extended time and I let a lot of things fall to the ground, unfortunately. And you have to let go of the guilt too, because it is what it is. I'm a human being. I'm not perfect. I didn't have it all together. I wasn't ready. I was not okay at all. I really was not okay. Michelle Kane (11:13): I think that was the wisest thing that you could have done for yourself. And we do talk about this a lot too, the difference in the generations. I think us being X and silent, we still have that workhorse mentality of you got to do the things to get things done. And also speaking for myself, growing up in the faith community I grew up in, there was a lot of talk of grace and rest, but a whole lot of, well, we got to do all the things and we got to do 'em today and don't slack and blah, blah, blah. And I am still actively unlearning that aspect because I know it. That is not correct. You shouldn't be grinding yourself into the ground for others. That's not the whole point of this life. Karen Swim, APR (12:12): Something desperately wrong. And I came to say this to myself, if you're nicer to other people than you are to yourself, there's something wrong. Because even the way that sometimes we speak to ourselves, we're not very nice and we're not very good bosses to ourself. And if you think of yourself as would I tell another person to work wounded? Would I tell someone, I don't care that you don't feel good today, I need you to just show up anyway. You would never say that to another human being. So why do we treat ourselves? I'm so horrifically, it's not okay. We should be kind to ourselves. And again, it's like some of us won't even take two days off to just breathe. The world will not fall apart if you take two days off. It just will not. Maybe something will get a little messy. Maybe you'll miss something. Maybe you'll have to shift something around, but I promise you'll survive it. It won't all die. You didn't build a business that is on sand. Hopefully you didn't. Is it that fragile that if you take two days off, the world is going to fall apart? It really isn't. That's just in your own head. Michelle Kane (13:24): No, no. And if you tell yourself, oh, but it'll be so inconvenient on the other side, trust. I've said that to myself. That's out of proportion too. It really is. We are not air traffic controllers. It may feel like we are sometimes, but we are not heart surgeons. We are not ER physicians. And guess what? Even they have someone on call for them after hours. Karen Swim, APR (13:52): They do. Michelle Kane (13:53): They will say, okay, I see you are not going to die in 36 hours. We will operate on you on Monday. And it's so true that recording in your head that you play for yourself is so important. And the way that you motivate yourself is so important because I used to do that too. I used to negatively motivate myself if I don't then. And that would give me what I needed to get through. And one day I just said, oh God, that's so stupid. Why am I doing this? This is ridiculous. And like you said, I would never dream of treating anyone else like that. I would quit. I'd be like, oh, sorry. Okay. You won't see me tomorrow. See me? Never. Karen Swim, APR (14:47): And I mean, sometimes I went through pretty serious things. Maybe it's not that serious. Maybe you're just feeling burnt out. By the way, I went through that too. So after I got through all of the other hearts, then got a full on whatever stage of life I'm in, crisis full on. It was not pretty. And I was feeling super burnt out from my job, and I thought that I just wanted to walk away. It just didn't even care. I'm like, I hate this. I cannot wait to be done with this. So there's a trick for that too. And I think one of the common things is listening to that voice, listening to yourself, listening to your body, and taking some time to get to the root cause in dealing with it. So for me, the burnout was because there were just things that I didn't like doing anymore. I didn't hate my whole job. I just didn't like certain tasks. And I could then look at them clearly and say, okay, well, I think I want a new plan and there's a new direction that I want to take. And so then understanding what really energized me and paying attention to the things that I could just put my head down and do and time would just disappear because I was enjoying it. And I listened to what other people were telling me when they were saying, oh my God, you're so good at this. So I found that light, and then I started walking towards the things that gave me that light. And so if that's you, I encourage you to pay attention to what other people are saying, how you're feeling throughout your day as you're doing your day-to-day job. Are there things that you're just avoiding and you're just like, Ugh, God, I hate this. But then are there things that you're like, I love this. I love when I get to do this because lean into the things that make you passionate and it's okay. We talked about this last week. Michelle said it perfectly that when you're in traditional jobs, you change jobs every couple of years. Some people every year. You don't do the same job year after year after year in the same exact way. It's okay to change it up. It really is lean into things that really make you happy. And that is going to be different in different years of your life, in different parts of your life, there are things that you're going to love and then maybe you don't love them anymore and it's okay to change. It's fine. You'll be fine. Michelle Kane (17:14): Yeah. I mean, we all change. You were a different person when you started your business, and I'm sure there were different reasons that we started our businesses. So we're going to change and give yourself that space. And even if you do need to hunker down and just get her done for a time, that doesn't have to be become your standard mode of operation. It's that huge adage, we train people how to treat us and just surmounting that is so big. Karen Swim, APR (17:52): So big. Michelle Kane (17:52): Especially in a business where you feel like you must be available and always at the ready. Karen Swim, APR (18:02): Not always. Michelle Kane (18:03): No, not everything's a crisis. It's not horrible to establish those boundaries and to just give yourself the space that you need. Karen Swim, APR (18:16): I completely agree. And listen to other people who have been through this that are outside of this profession. If you want to Google Clarence Bethea, he is a former client and a friend and has been such an inspiration because he is an entrepreneur who really went through a period of depression. And he is so open about what he went through as a founder, the pressure of building a company and everything that was on the line. And he's one of the most inspirational people that you will ever meet. He's fantastic. So even people that are not in the communication industry, they get it. Draw strength from what others have been through. Somebody else has walked a mile in your shoes already and can provide that guiding light. But we don't want people to just be out there alone and hurting. I would also say that one of the big reasons that we created Solo PR Pro in the first place is that so that you had community. So you really are not alone. You do not have to be a paying member of our community to reach out to us and get support. We're still colleagues. We get it. And again, just sometimes sitting down with somebody or reaching out to somebody to say, Ugh, I just feel over it. What can I do? How do I get past this? Really helps to get past it. And Michelle, you talked about hunkering down. I feel like hunkering down to do the things that are necessary becomes a lot easier when you're planning to lean more into that thing that makes you happy. Because you can always flip that switch right away, but you can make the mental switch where you're like, oh my God, I found it. I found the thing that is making me so happy right now. And as you're working on that thing and working on the pivot, the other thing sort of then become less important. And I think it's because in our mind, we know that we're not with it. Like, okay, I'm not stuck doing this forever, so I can get that. Michelle Kane (20:20): Yeah. And it all comes down to just a basic notion of always have something to look forward to. How often don't we do that? How often don't we just make those little plans of, even if it's one thing a week, and again, I'm not saying it because I'm an expert at it, I'm saying it because I need to do it too. Karen Swim, APR (20:40): There's a proverb that says, okay, now I forget where it is. But it's basically that the absence of hope makes the heart sick. So what you just said is 100% true. Without hope, we can become super depressed and burned out, and we lack hope when we allow ourselves to get down and tired, and then we spiral, and then that's all that we see, and we just keep circling the drain, and that's not good. So we want you to be recharged, re-energized, and excited about your professional life and your personal life. Michelle Kane (21:16): Absolutely. We so do well. We hope this has helped you. If you're nodding your head through it all, just please keep on keeping on and really carve out time for yourself. Just sit back and think. You don't have to spend a whole day on it, even 15, 20 minutes. Just have a little mental reset and reprioritize to get you through the day and then the week and on and on, and know that we are always here for you and Solo PR Pro is here for you. And until next time, thanks for listening to That Solo Life.
Ethical Voices Podcast: Real Ethics Stories from Real PR Pros
Kelsey Bohl, the Senior Manager of Corporate Communications Press Office at Walmart, discusses a number of important ethics issues, including: 1) Why corporations need to be careful they aren't the oones spreading misinformation 2) Ethics of data analysis 3) Why PR pros need to change their definition of media
The Writer's Guild of America strike has come to an end with the approval of a deal effective September 25, 2023 through May 1, 2026. The writers secured significant gains in one of the major areas of concern, use of AI in their work. In this episode we talk about the implications of this deal for creatives and PR pros. Transcript Michelle Kane (00:03): Thank you for joining us for this episode of That Solo Life, the podcast for PR pros and marketers who work for themselves, people like me, Michelle Kane, with VoiceMatters, and my ever wonderful co-host Karen Swim of Solo PR Pro. Hi Karen, how are you doing today? Karen Swim, APR (00:19): Hey, Michelle. I'm doing great. How are you? Michelle Kane (00:22): Good. Rolling along. Rolling along. It's all we can do these days. Karen Swim, APR (00:27): It's rolling pretty quickly. I cannot believe, even though we have been so focused on calendars and all of the things, I swear it feels like we weren't from July to here we are end of September in a day. That's what it feels like. Michelle Kane (00:44): Yes, yes. It feels like as I near the close of every month, I say, what a ride. Karen Swim, APR (00:51): Yeah. Michelle Kane (00:53): So yes, definitely. We are in interesting times as ever. It just seems like the items of interest are the things that change, which leads us to our topic today when this podcast has hit, I believe in fact, well, I believe they have voted, but the WGA, the writer's strike is over after, gosh, what was it, over 140 days. It was since May of this year they have been on strike. Karen Swim, APR (01:28): Yeah, it was 146 days. Very long strike. Michelle Kane (01:33): Yes. But in their holding on, they reached what you could call historic gains regarding the use of AI in writing, which is something we've touched on a lot here and we enjoy the many good things about using AI. But as this writer strike has definitely brought to light, there are of course some concerns about how is this going to affect how they do their work, how they are fairly compensated for their work. So we're going to dive in a little bit about that today and just AI and tech in general. So let's do it. So the big takeaway that the writers gained was that they can choose to use AI when performing writing services with consent from their production partners, but they can't be forced to do so, which I thought was a pretty big gain. It's not like they can just say “Here, just AI this script for the next sitcom.” Karen Swim, APR (02:39): Yeah, I think it's historic in that we are in this time where automation technology is really taking front and center in many industries. Surprisingly, technology is also a big negotiation point in the UAW strike, which living here in Michigan that looms very large and is very much front page news. And as with, I think, back to other times when there were big technological leaps like the internet, when that became accessible and we started to be able to read news and gain information on the internet. When you have these big shifts in the way that you do work, unfortunately laws rights are not keeping pace with the speed of innovation. And so there's always this tension point between moving from the past and moving toward the future. What I think is really interesting about this is that we're learning and the writers' strike. They're not saying that AI is terrible, don't use it, don't ever use it. (03:58): Let's go backwards. They're embracing the future and grappling with, okay, yes, we want to use this tool. We think that it has some efficiencies, it has some greatness, but they're fighting to keep the humanity and their talent and their skillset. And as sophisticated as AI is becoming right before our very eyes, I do not think that we should ever be so lax to believe that a technological device, no matter how well trained it is, can replace the creativity of the human mind, period. Whether that's working visually, strategic planning. I mean, there are things that AI can and cannot do. And so I think that this strike the spillover to every industry has really put workers' rights front and center, but also front and center, that we need to value what people really bring to the table. Michelle Kane (05:04): That is so, so true. I mean, not that we want to think back to the pandemic, but what got us through it was the art that these creators created to at a time when we could not be together as we were used to being, we at least got to still think and have emotions thanks to binging Netflix for weeks on it. So I am very glad that they got this deal because not that I have any say, but I think it is a good deal because it's like you say, AI is not the devil. It can be a great tool and as we've been saying all along, rather than just closing off to it and thinking, Ugh, this tech is going to take my job, it's going to be terrible. We need to embrace it because those of us who do it learn how to use it well, learn how to incorporate it into our everyday are going to be the ones that can still see a living and success and don't be afraid of it. It's certainly not perfect. And like you say, anything, regulations and laws lagging far behind. I mean, my goodness, we still, social media is still this ever evolving thing that our Congress and the US is still talking about. Maybe we should regulate this. I'm like you think maybe a little bit. Karen Swim, APR (06:39): I mean, I completely agree. There have been some disturbing ethical things that have come up. So for PR practitioners, I think it's really important. And here's the alarm that I absolutely will sound, and I may say this so much that you all will get sick of hearing that, but the alarm that I will sound is not to be afraid to use ai, not to be afraid to incorporate it into your work. I would say the alarm is really digging deep and being able to clearly articulate and demonstrate what your value is to clients. Because let's all be honest about this in the short term, AI is going to shift some budgets. It just will. This is what happens when innovation comes into play. Have already heard anecdotes from people where their budgets have either been cut or they have been eliminated because clients believe that AI could be a replacement. (07:41): And with the shifting media landscape and the shifting social media landscape as well, there are actually a lot of threats that I don't think that we can ignore. So if you're in the PR camp of everything's fine, everything's fine, we'll all be fine. Don't worry about it. All of the stuff has happened before true, but we should not be asleep on this one. We really shouldn't. We have to really dig down, really spend some time saying, okay, what is it that I really offer clients? We know this, but I feel like we really do struggle to both articulate it and demonstrate it. That means coming up with custom measurement dashboards, being able to put numbers and metrics to what you do and showing it to clients and making sure that it's the things that matter most to them. Putting together custom dashboards is not that hard. We've talked about this in the past for so many years at Solo PR Pro. We've had example custom dashboards. There's lots of examples out there. If you want us to do some type of a workshop on this, we're happy to bring in other experts and to do that. But I think that we should be taking this seriously and understanding that what our understanding and our perspective may not necessarily mirror those that are hiring us, Michelle Kane (09:09): Right? Especially if they are not of the creative mind or they're not communicators. So even though it's a punch in the gut to us perhaps, or wounds our ego, we've also been through this before with the rise of creative tools of well, everyone can design and everyone can write, and we can all do social. Yeah, maybe they can get by with it. Maybe they can get by with badly written copy that doesn't really communicate, but one day they will write something that could be damaging to them. Karen Swim, APR (09:49): I love that example that you brought up about designers because let's be honest, how many of us embrace Canva, like our life depended on it and stopped paying designers to do social media graphics or to do simple designs because we had a tool. And so I think that it would be irresponsible of us to rest on our laurels and say, but we're different. We're protected. That's not necessarily true. And so again, I do think that we're in this weird part right here between old and new and shifting over where it's going to be more important than ever that we become better about communicating what we do. And if you think that you're doing this, I would challenge you to think a little more deeply because I spend a lot of time in PR forums and groups, and I see what people are saying, and I see the questions that they're asking, and I hear the client struggles that people are having, and we're not that good at it. (10:55): We really are not. And please know that as I encourage you all to do that, that I am doing the same exact thing, doing that deep work and really going levels deeper and saying, okay, am I doing the best job of really articulating what I do? And I'm also rethinking what I actually sell to clients. There are some things that maybe are going to go away for me, and that's okay, but I think that we all should be doing that work right now. And right now our clients are budgeting, so you want to think about this quickly and make sure that you're ready for the next year because this is real. And unfortunately, unlike the writers and the actors and the UAW where technology is also factored into their negotiations, we don't have a union. It's just you. Our union is, hey, so we'll support one another, but we don't have that collective bargaining power. So we've got to get it together for ourselves and be ready to advocate for ourselves. Michelle Kane (12:06): Right? And also, I think it comes back a lot to checking in with your clients and saying, “Hey, here's what we've been doing so far this year. How's that tracking with you? Have your needs changed?” And that may help you get an inkling of where they are and what they're thinking without, if you're not comfortable with calling it right out, which might not be a comfortable conversation, but just checking in and saying, “What are your goals? Have your corporate goals shifted?” Because a lot of times, hey, some companies, depending on their size, they don't even have kind of like a solo shop. You don't often have the opportunity to even evaluate that you're just keeping going, but others are, and it depends to what degree they are paying attention to what's going on, but I assure you they are and how to properly incorporate it into what they're doing to make sure that you can still be an asset for them. Because I know this, we all can still be assets. It's just making sure they realize that Karen Swim, APR (13:07): For sure. And thank you so much for calling that point out because I do want our communicators to walk away knowing that we truly are valuable and that we do have a valuable skillset, but we have to take the personal out of it when we're talking about clients and what they think and what they see. Because we all know that there are so many things that we do that clients do not even understand why that's valuable. All of the moving parts that we manage, the things that we prevent from going wrong, they don't always get that or don't appreciate how that takes skill to do, and they never will because no one's ever going to fully understand anyone else's job unless they've done it. We can kind of understand it in a way, but all of the nuances are impossible to know. The other thing that I think the Rider Strike brought out, which is a good point for us to all consider, is not only protecting our jobs, but having the conversations about how you're using ai. (14:17): I don't think that you should shy away from AI conversations with your clients, ask them how they're incorporating it, and also you want to think about protecting your work. Is that important to you? So if you write a blog post for a client, are you okay with that blog post then being repurposed by ai? This was something that came up in the rider strike. So if you're writing materials, do you want those materials to be used indefinitely without you for no pay? In our world, it works a little bit different, but again, you need to be thinking along the lines of what AI can do and how comfortable you are. And if necessary, have conversations with your legal counsel and ask, what things should I be putting into my contracts to address ai? Do you need to disclose that you use AI as a tool? I am iffy on that one because I do not believe that we should just take AI and whatever they produce and then use it as is without any of our input and then hand it over. Because then that's not really, it's a tool, it's a work. (15:36): Do you disclose to the clients that you use MuckRack for reporting? I mean, I do, but not in my contracts. I'm pretty transparent with clients like, oh, we use this to gather this. Here's what we can gather. But I think that we have to come to a place where we're comfortable. Is AI just another technological tool like your email system because it should just be another tech tool that you use? Michelle Kane (16:03): Agree, agree. Karen Swim, APR (16:04): I need this coming up a lot about do I put this in my contracts that I use AI? And I'm not sure why we would do that. Why? Because they're listing absolutely everything you list all of the technological tools that you're using in order to produce your work. But again, these are the kinds of things that I do think it's important to think about it and think about how we're using things and what needs to be disclosed and in what way, and what needs to be protected and what those protections should be. Because we are in a new era and I don't want any of us to be taken advantage of or to be devalued in this transitional time. Michelle Kane (16:48): And actually, I think that's an opportunity to bring it up to help frame it for the client, because I certainly wouldn't spell out to a client. Well, I wrote this in Word, so I use spellcheck for sure, and then I ran it through Grammarly just to check for plagiarism, even though I didn't plagiarize, but I just wanted to be sure. I mean, it could be exhaustive, but since AI is such a new, big, hairy thing, it's worth a conversation to say, Hey, I consider this a tool, which honestly makes me more efficient for you. But also, even though as AI is getting smarter, I mean the tool that I use, I've noticed some blips, the quality's taken a little hit. There's a lot of flowery pros in there that I'm like, Ugh, depending what I feed it. So all these things factor in to the conversations. And I think it's about having those conversations with your client, because again, being a PR practitioner, we're communicators, but we're also sometimes therapists and we're educators. We're all the things, whether they realize it or not. Karen Swim, APR (17:58): And here's a little AI hack for that, by the way, Michelle. And for our listening audience, when you are using ChatGPT to generate content and you're not happy with the style first, you can prompt it differently with the style, but then you can ask it to rewrite it in several different styles. So you can tell it specifically. You can say, rewrite this in conversational style or rewrite this. Give me three different styles, and it'll tell you what style it's using and rewrite things. And so sometimes you'll find that there's a mix of styles that kind of works for you and gets you thinking and able to pull it together. So yeah, you can get away from the AI-ness of it all, Michelle Kane (18:44): Lose the flowery prose. Karen Swim, APR (18:47): Yeah, Michelle Kane (18:48): That was junk. Try again. Karen Swim, APR (18:51): Although I have to tell you that sometimes it's really fun to give AI a little bit of license and give it some fun prompts and tell it to do something weird, because what you get back can be surprisingly just so creative. Michelle Kane (19:08): That's true. Yeah. So as we've been saying, we can have fun with it, but it is a serious development in all of our worlds and who knows what's to come. But as always, we want you to be as ready as possible, and we know that our solos are savvy smarties to begin with. So that already puts you steps ahead. So don't be afraid of it. But if you found value in this time together, please pass it around. Please share the Solo PR Pro love. And until next time, thanks for joining us for That Solo Life.
Welcome to another episode of School PR Drive Time, a podcast produced by NCSPRA. In today's episode, we're getting to know Kathleen Kennedy, APR. Kathleen is the President of the Center for Communication and Engagement Kathleen works with schools across the country on everything from Crisis Communication to Bond referendums. She also provides professional development for educators and school PR Pros alike. Today, we are going to cover two relevant and relatable topics-Leadership in Education and Leadership in Chaos. Find Kathleen here: Website www.okcce.com Twitter Handle @KennedyAPR Instagram Handle Alwaysontherecord Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/okcce LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/company/okcce YouTube Channel @centerforcommunicationenga2159 Today's episode is sponsored by Voly. Call 214-818-9855 or email schools@voly.org to learn more. Music: "Hip Jazz," www.bensound.com, all other content © 2023, NCSPRA
Are You Using Instagram Threads to Build New Media Relationships in Your Niche?
This week, the PR Wine Down is back to our regularly-scheduled programming! Your favorite co-hosts, April and Laura, are back in the virtual recording booth. Today's guest is Peter George, author of "The Captivating Public Speaker" and CEO of Peter George Public Speaking. He's here to cover the top three tips to help PR practitioners train (and become) better spokespeople. April and Laura also dive into a new Anonymous PR Horror Story from the listening audience, about an account executive struggling to find an effective mentor. Listener Note: We've missed you! We're back to a bi-weekly cadence. Tune in every two weeks as April and Laura share the latest trends and issues impacting the PR landscape. Learn more about f Peter George Public Speaking here: https://petergeorgepublicspeaking.com/ Connect with Trust Relations: Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at contact@prwinedown.com. You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio. You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com. Send in a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/prwinedown/message --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown/message
The proposal. That key to landing new business for public relations professional and the tool that we love to overthink and get just right. Solo PR Pros often work alone and wonder if the proposal has the right elements. Is it comprehensive enough to win business? Does the proposal have the right look and feel. Today, we talk about how you can rock that proposal without wearing yourself out.
There have been a few developments I want to share with public relations folks that raise some more questions about using A.I. It's over A.I. image generators. If you would like the full article which currently comes in at 2600 words, then it's free. Subscribe at thepublicrelationspodcast.com/subscribe
The recent system failure at Southwest Airlines is a nightmare we don't wish on anyone. In today's episode, we talk about how solos can help their clients prepare for these scenarios and what we can do to exceed customer expectations every day.
This is a time of great opportunity for PR pros working as solos. We know this is true from our own experience and it's recently been confirmed thanks to recent reports from Axios and MBO Partners. Join us for a conversation about how to seize the possibility for your business.
It finally happened. Elon Musk now owns Twitter and change is already underway. What does this mean for PR pros?
In less than a month voters head to the polls for the Congressional midterms and municipal elections. Talk to local officials running those elections and they'll tell you their job has become busier in the past few years and complicated by the fight against misinformation. Mallory Noe-Payne has this look at how local registrars are turning […]
Mis-, mal- and disinformation is one of the greatest threats that PR pros are facing. In today's episode Karen and Michelle discuss how to help steer the narrative, how to be ready to help clients navigate these times, and how we as PR pros can be a positive influence.
Professional pet peeves. We all have them. Listen to today's episode to see if Karen and Michelle mention one of yours.
✨ Kaleigh DeHart, PR Manager @ Bath & Body Works☁️ Why creative storytelling can be one of the most powerful forms of PR☁️ Pros and cons of in-house vs agency life☁️ How to become a better applicant for PR roles☁️ Interviewing tips to help you get more offers Join the Sky Society Women in Marketing private LinkedIn Group.Follow us on Instagram @skysociety.co
It's almost here! The hazy, un-lazy days of summer for PR Pros. While client work often slows the pace for many PR pros, we spend the time working on the business, preparing for the remainder of the year, learning new things, and squeezing in a little fun in the sun. How do you switch gears in your business over the summer? Share with us at www.soloprpro.com.
This week, two incredibly accomplished ladies join the podcast. Jamie Wolf is the founder of the Million Dollar Story agency, which helps folks to get out of their own way + finally write the book they've dreamed of. We vibed so much + I found this conversation so enlightening. Lindsay Pinchuk also stops by. Lindsay hosts the Dear FoundHER podcast, where she tells each week the incredible stories of female founders.
We know that health is critical to business owners. Jessica D'Angelo, founder of Shine Yoga in Perkasie, PA provides simple tips to keep you healthy and calm. Whether or not you are a yoga aficionado, Jessica encourages intentional movement, simple stretches, and hydration. In this episode, Jessica describes a few easy movements as well as a 4-step breath process that will have you relaxing in no time. Jessica is a 22-year veteran of the health and fitness industry and shares her own pivot into creating her own business. She can be found at www.shineyogaperkasie.com
Many client problems stem from miscommunication. In this episode, we will discuss how to avoid challenges and successfully communicate with your clients from Day 1. What processes do you have in place for client communication? Share with us at www.soloprpro.com.
Spring is a great time to throw open the windows, let the fresh air in and deep clean those areas that have lingered in the long, dark winter season. Spring cleaning is great for your Solo PR business too. On today's episode we talk about spring cleaning your business finances. Here are some of the resources we discussed: Truebill Mint Bobby MileIQ FreshBooks QuickBooks Do you have a spring cleaning plan for your finances? Tell us about it at www.soloprpro.com.
Jen Person is the President and Founder of Jeneration PR, an award-winning public relations and creative studio. Her mentorship and direction as Founder of the Profitable PR Pros community has led thousands of international boutique PR agency owners to quickly scale their businesses to six-figures and beyond. www.jenerationacademy.com www.brandgroupies.com
Hosts April and Laura are joined this week by Jay Jaye, founder of the Ace of Spades PR and social media agency. He's here to share his professional journey from world-class magician to accomplished agency owner, including advice for entrepreneurs, common branding blunders and an inside scoop on how to best position your application for Instagram verification. April and Laura also weigh in on the factors at play in Joe Rogan's recent clash with Spotify, and offer advice for business leaders seeking to build a healthy and vibrant workplace culture. This week's Anonymous PR Horror Story comes from a listener whose top-tier media placement fell flat — in the middle of a strategy dispute between client contacts. Read the PR News of the Week here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardsegal/2022/01/30/how-spotify-is-responding-to-their-unfolding-crisis/?traffic_source=Connatix&sh=41913ecf5d71 Learn more about Jay's work here: https://aceofspadesagency.com/ Connect with Trust Relations: Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at contact@prwinedown.com. You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio: https://www.em-radio.com/ You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website: https://www.trustrelations.agency/ or on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustrelations/ https://twitter.com/trustPRelations https://www.facebook.com/trustrelations https://www.instagram.com/trustrelations/ Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com. Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/prwinedown/message --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/prwinedown/message
Thirty years after "the trip that changed their lives," Briana, Amy, and Sarah get together to talk about the positive impact traveling abroad had on each of them. All three were students of the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University when they were offered the opportunity to tour the Communications Capitals of the World - NYC, Paris, and London. Beyond the excitement of seeing the cities and meeting the amazing professionals at top news, advertising, and PR organizations, they also discovered things about themselves that changed the course of their futures. Plus, they dish on what it was like for one man - nicknamed Kliesch lightning for the speed at which he walked from appt. to appt. - to travel with 12 women for nearly three weeks in three major cities. It only makes sense that this show be dedicated to Professor Ralph Kliesch.
Gini Dietrich discusses the trouble of an unregulated industry that leaves the Code of Ethics by the wayside and what communicators can do to hold others accountable. Continue Reading → The post Spin Sucks 185: PR Pros Behaving Badly appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
Social PR Secrets: public relations podcast for entrepreneurs by Lisa Buyer
Breaking news today: Public relations reporting just got a makeover thanks to CoverageBook. Originally launched in 2014, the latest update gives public relations measurement and reporting simple yet supersonic powers and metrics to prove value and ROI. PR reporting like it’s 1999? Proving the public relations ROI has always been a challenge, until now. Say hello to CoverageBook 2 and goodbye to wasting time and energy with boring power points, reporting with manual screenshotting, and creating excel sheets that nobody opens. Two SEO-PR geeks talk publicity, search behavior, and media coverage like it’s the beginning of a new era of PR reporting and metrics. Domain authority? Yes, please. Social shares? Hit the like button. Online readership and estimated coverage news? High five. CoverageBook Stella Bayles on PR Reporting News Lisa Buyer met up with Stella Bayles, Director at @coveragebook & @answerthepublic, and Host of the #PRresolutionPodcast to share the breaking news about the latest new and improved CoverageBook The PR past The unfortunate truth is PR, SEO, and digital marketing teams typically don’t speak the same language and tend to gravitate to silos. This makes reporting on the impact of public relations campaigns a challenge, especially awareness campaigns. It seems everyone gets the attribution except public relations. The PR present with CoverageBook “What I love about CoverageBook is it's letting us actually use real data to report public relations results, with the drop of a link” said Buyer. More time for happy hour! In this Social PR Secrets podcast episode, you will learn Search behavior and PR - what’s the big deal? PR reporting views with every stakeholder in mind including the CEO, sales, marketing and more. Which credible metric sources we should be using What metrics and innovations you’re using to communicate with clients and partners Build leadership messaging with the potential to influence our industry publicly New sources of data for target audience insights Digital marketing measurement PR needs to know about (& compare with) Think discussions on how to measure “share of search,” New ways to visualize and communicate data & PR success Sources Discussed in the Episode CoverageBook 30-day Free trial AnswerThePublic PR Resolution Podcast The PR future - Stella Bayles Advice to Brands and PR Pros “I just want more PR people to be confident in measurement. the unknown can be scary and sometimes it puts people off. I was there! But, I put my hand up and asked ppl in the know to simplify - so I (and probably others in the room) could understand better. Those small movements forward in learning measurement in other areas of marketing really propel your work and offering. If nothing changes, nothing changes. We have to take the leap of faith to take our measurement and business to the next level” Prediction from Gary Preston CoverageBook Founder “In 2023 digita
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