Editor’s Note: Throughout the next two weeks, we will feature PRSA members who also happen to be entrepreneurs, running their own PR firms or consultancies. We’ve asked our guest bloggers to provide insight into the realities of running an agency and how others can get started. Today’s post from #soloPR chat host Kellye Crane is the second in the series.

Most PR professionals have done it, whether they admit to it or not: they fantasize about becoming an independent PR consultant. So why haven’t you taken action?

Solo PR Pros have a great life, and I firmly believe that more people would go independent if it weren’t for the following myths

Myth #1: Being an independent PR consultant isn’t a long-term career path — people just do it between jobs or while building an agency.

Starting a solo business is indeed an excellent way to jumpstart the building of a larger agency. It can also be useful for those who are between positions to generate some side income.

However, many thousands of people spend most of their career as an independent PR professional. I’m happy to say I’ve worked successfully as a solo PR pro for more than 15 years.

Myth #2: To begin, you need to have significant startup funds to secure a brick-and-mortar office, marketing materials, and more.

Though having some basic promotion in place is beneficial, many PR pros start consulting with a budget of . . . zero dollars. A good reputation and a healthy professional network are the foundations of an independent consultancy — if you have that, you can begin. Obviously, the more money you have in savings the better off you’ll be long-term, but you don’t need to spend a lot of funds up front to get started.

Further, the days when a home-based business was considered small-time are over. Working from home has become so commonplace in business today that no one will bat an eye.

Continue reading " 7 Myths About Consulting That May Be Limiting Your Options "

Editor’s Note: Throughout this week, we will be featuring PRSA members who also happen to be entrepreneurs, running their own PR firms or consultancies. We’ve asked our guest bloggers to provide insight into the realities of running an agency and how others can get started. Janet Tyler, APR, president of Detroit-based Airfoil Public Relations, kicks off our series.

Prior to launching Airfoil Public Relations, my partner and I worked together at another firm where we had launched and nurtured a technology practice that grew 100 percent over the course of three years.

Through this experience, I came to understand two significant things that would ultimately make my life and my career fulfilling beyond imagination: first, that my partner and I were very successful at complementing and maximizing each other’s talents and business instincts; and second, that we would need to strike out on our own to fully capitalize upon those strengths.

We also shared a desire to simply have fun doing what we love, and realized we needed to create our own space where we and our team would have the freedom to do that.

So, nearly 11 years ago we did it. We set up shop with five employees, a modest office, a white board and great aspirations of becoming a technology public relations firm of respect and renown.

And we never looked back.

Continue reading " Start Making Cents: Starting a Firm During Economic Downturns "

So you’re thinking about starting your own PR firm. It’s a little nerve wracking, no doubt, but there’s never been a better time to launch. With the economy rebounding, bonus checks and tax refunds on the way, nothing should hold you back from taking the entrepreneurial plunge.

Of course, there are many considerations to contemplate before quitting your job and taking that plunge. Let’s explore.

It’s a State of Mind

Optimism, confidence and a small dose of fear are perhaps the most important qualities for anyone starting their own firm. When I started FRAUSE in 1998, it took me a while to acquire these assets, especially confidence. I knew I could make the jump; but things like paying the bills without an income and putting food on the table were worrisome.

As a matter of fact, it took me 10 years between knowing I was ready and actually doing something. What pushed me over the edge was a piece of advice I received from a long-time colleague and friend who said, “Just do it. You won’t believe how many friends you have out there who want to help until you actually commit.”

He was right.

Continue reading " Start Making Cents — On Your Own "

I’ve always thought of myself as an optimist who could accomplish anything in life. Optimistic euphoria is a personal addiction that’s hard for me to kick. Of course, throw in a few overly optimistic failures and self-doubt begins to erode confidence and dull the drug. So, one of my secrets to remaining positive has always been to draw inspiration from others who are on the same journey. What’s really cool is I that I didn’t have to look too far this year to find a big source of it.

At the recent PRSA Counselors Academy Conference in Asheville, N.C., I was browsing the conference program to select my next workshop of the day. I ran across an interesting session being presented by my College of Fellows colleague, Elise Mitchell, APR, Fellow PRSA, who is CEO of Mitchell Communications Group in Fayetteville Ark.  Something about the title, “Postcards from Dartmouth,” intrigued me.  Not knowing what I was in for, I entered her “class” and took a seat right up front.

Continue reading " On Inspiration, Optimism and Winning "