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Independent Practitioners: A Special Breed of Public Relations Professionals
2/17/15
Submitted by Nathan Hokama, IPA Past President 2014
Launching any business is a big challenge. It may be even more difficult if that business involves selling professional services. It’s simply not the same as selling tangible products. Independent public relations practitioners are a special breed who face even greater obstacles. We must not only sell intangible services, but also explain what the public relations function entails. We may find ourselves having to respond to two questions. First, there is the perennial question that’s all too familiar: “What exactly is public relations?” This may be followed by a new question: “You mean, you get paid to do that?!”
January 12/60 a popular topic! Am I ready to hang up my own PR shingle? Eight questions to ask before going solo.
2/2/15
Submitted by: Amber Shulman, APR – Candid Virgo Communications
The Public Relations Society of America’s Independent Practitioner’s Alliance (IPA) held its first Indie 12/60 teleseminar series with a discussion about starting a business as an independent practitioner. The event featured three panelists, each at a different stage in their independent practice.
Panel members:
J.W. Arnold, principal of PRDC. For 16 years J.W. has worked as independent practitioner in Washington, DC, and Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He has mentored many professionals as they transitioned to a solo practice. He currently serves as the IPA executive committee’s membership chair.
Introducing the new IPA 12/60 Teleseminar Program!
January 10, 2015
In a couple of weeks, PRSA’s Independent Practitioner’s Alliance (IPA) is going to launch “12/60,” an exciting new professional development program designed for indies by indies. Each month, leaders in our section will offer 60-minute teleseminars on topics that are important to indies. And did we mention the series is included in our PRSA/ IPA membership? Not sure if becoming an independent practitioner is for you? We’ve got that covered in the first of our series, and we hope you’ll join in!
More indie tips from Phoenix IPs
More independent practitioner tips from the Arizona Independent Communicators & Creatives Tribe (azICCT) in Phoenix:
Read ’em and reap! Then, add your own…
Want to know what elements should be in a Communication Plan?
Pete Faur offers you access to a Ten-Step Strategic Communication Plan guide. Just email him for a copy at peterfaur@peterfaur.com.
Want to see what sections of a Web page users look at most by tracking the mouse movement?
Andy Ptacek suggests clickdensity.com.
Want to know how to use WordPress more effectively?
Charlotte Shaff recommends attending WordCamp Phoenix, http://phxwordcamp.com/. Tickets are going fast!
Indie business tips: Client-proposal best practices
Our group of Phoenix-area indies — the Arizona Communicators & Creatives Tribe (azICCT, pronounced “AZ Iced Tea”) — meet twice a month to connect and support one another. Today, we gathered in Peoria, AZ, and shared these business tips:
• CLIENT PROPOSALS – Best Practices
1. Prequalify each client with a letter or document stating what you expect (before you even get together for a fact-gathering meeting). Include:
• A certain budget per month
• The required length of a contract
• The ownership of media names
• Access to a high-resolution photo
• Whatever else is important to your success together