I love podcasts. I can load them into my iPod and listen to them in the car when I’m going to and from work or even doing lunch. There are a few that I listen to on a regular basis and a few that I listen to only occasionally.

Last week the podcast “For Immediate Release: The Hobson and Holtz Report” had a live panel discussion on the value of PR for startup businesses.

From Neville Hobson’s website: The live call-in episode on BlogTalk Radio. Panel discussion addressed the value public relations professionals bring to startups. The topic was a response to several posts dismissing PR’s worth, suggesting startup CEOs can handle their own public relations (the post by Jason Calacanis served as the focal point of the discussion).

Panelists included Rob Lane, CEO, Overlay TV; Katie Paine, president, K.D. Paine & Partners; Todd Defren, partner, Shift Communications; Sherrilynne Starkie, from Strive Public Relations; and Michael O’Connor Clarke, from ThornleyFallis Public Relations.

I found this to be a fascinating episode to listen to and helpful for companies who are wondering if they should continue their public relations contracts.

While the focus for this podcast was to encourage companies/startups to continue to work with PR professionals, there is quite a lot of information for the business owners who believes they can go it alone in the PR world, not only in this podcast but in several of the same focused articles and podcasts.

There are certainly contacts and opportunities that you as a business owner won’t have, not being a PR professional, but when times are tough, every bit counts. And if you can get by for a few months by complimenting your toned down traditional PR and marketing efforts with doing a portion of it yourself, then that can have some potentially business strengthening results.

Also check out the podcasts from Vocus.com.  I’ve really enjoyed their recent series of episodes.

‘Chelle Parmele
Social Media Marketing Manager
Palo Alto Software