PIC Newsletter Archives
Everything you want to know about PIC in one place
 
Personal Branding. Financial advice for independents. Stellar advice from the pros on pricing, improving your business practices and promoting your business. And so much more!
 
That's what you get from IABC/Toronto's Professional Independent Communicators, or PIC. The benefits of membership in PIC include reduced rates for workshops, access to contract job opportunities, a listing on PIC's website, networking opportunities and more.

The PIC newsletter, The Buzz (see the archives below), alerts you to upcoming events, shares tips from past meetings and keeps you connected with other PIC members.
 
Inquiring about membership?
 
Did you know that membership in PIC is free for IABC/Toronto members? To join PIC, first become an IABC/Toronto member and then contact us at pic@iabc.to to sign up.
 

  • Highlights from The Buzz
  • PIC's e-newsletter keeps independent communicators informed about our activities and provides professional development tips from past meetings. The Buzz is published almost monthly (we have a combined July/August issue). Here's some feedback on The Buzz from PIC members: "Packed with interesting, relevant and timely information, The Buzz is the best association newsletter that I receive." "As always, a great read. Thank you for consistently producing an interesting and relevant snapshot of PIC."
  • PIC newsletter - July/August 2016
  • - Summer socials were a hit
    - IABC Silver Leaf Award refresh
    - Meet Eric Bergman, BPA, ABC, APR, MC, FCPRS
  • PIC newsletter - June 2016
  • - Mortgage and money tips
    - Maryjane Martin, APR named CPRS Fellow
    - Meet Susan Diaz
  • PIC newsletter - May 2016
  • - Invite to join the PIC executive
    - Congrats to new Fellow Priya Bates
    - Meet Claudine Kapel
  • PIC newsletter - April 2016
  • - Prospecting tips
    - Link to the Storify of our first Tweetchat
    - Meet Katherine O'Brien
  • PIC newsletter - March 2016
  • - How PIC members are using blogs
    - Get known, get remembered recap
    - Meet Chris Davies
  • PIC newsletter - February 2016
  • - A mentoring success story
    - Upcoming events
    - Meet Susan Nakhle
  • PIC newsletter - January 2016
  • - Secure your sensitive digital data
    - Productivity tips
    - Meet Carolyn Black
  • PIC newsletter - December 2015
  • - Goals for 2016
    - Report on a goal-setting workshop
    - Meet Linda Ambos
  • PIC newsletter - November 2015
  • - Factors to consider when quoting
    - Brainstorming session recap
    - Meet Ellen Keeble
  • PIC newsletter - October 2015
  • - Plain language resources
    - Program planning update
    - Meet Sheila Gregory
  • PIC newsletter - September 2015
  • - Recap of podcasting session
    - Meet MJ Martin, APR
    - Feedback on the e-book and the newsletter
  • PIC newsletter - July/August 2015
  • - New executive, new members, new events
    - Our new e-book is out
    - Meet Heather West
  • PIC newsletter - June 2015
  • - Summer slowdown tips
    - Check out IABC/Ottawa's indie podcasts
    - Meet Irene Bakaric
  • PIC newsletter - May 2015
  • - Capture attention with your perfect pitch
    - Feedback
    - Meet Heather Gramlow
  • PIC newsletter - April 2015
  • - Why PIC members value our meetings
    - Networking tips from the late Donna Messer
    - Meet Tracy Chisholm, ABC
  • PIC newsletter - March 2015
  • - Tax tips
    - Recap of pricing panel discussion
    - Meet Diane Fearn
  • PIC newsletter - February 2015
  • - Thoughts on pricing
    - Mitch Joel's thought-provoking talk
    - Meet Sohini Bhattacharya
  • PIC newsletter - January 2015
  • - Mentoring tips
    - Events
    - Meet Kendell Duthie
  • PIC newsletter - December 2014
  • - Business resolutions
    - More details about the mentor program
    - Meet Carolyn Morris
  • PIC newsletter - November 2014
  • - 5 things learned about collaboration
    - Markups and finder's fees
    - PIC introduces a mentor program
  • PIC newsletter - October 2014
  • - Insights on how to succeed
    - Welcome new member
    - Meet Alix Edmiston, ABC
  • PIC newsletter - September 2014
  • - Where to find professional development
    - Welcome new members
    - Meet Yvan Marston
  • PIC newsletter - July/August 2014
  • - Networking tips from our Chair
    - Resources to help you raise your rates
    - Meet Deana De Ciccio, PIC Personality
  • PIC newsletter - June 2014
  • - Fee survey report
    - Notes from IABC14
    - Meet Brant Males, PIC Personality
  • PIC newsletter - May 2014
  • - Use content to drive reputation
    - Sneak peek at fee survey results
    - Meet Yvonne Catty, ABC, PIC Personality
  • PIC newsletter - April 2014
  • - Reports on April social and March event
    - #IABC14 tidbits
    - Meet Michela Pasquali, ABC, PIC Personality
  • PIC newsletter - March 2014
  • - Indie fee survey is now live
    - Volunteer opportunities at #IABC14
    - Meet Georgie Binks, PIC Personality
  • PIC newsletter - February 2014
  • - Digital Day insights
    - Telesummits one way to build your business
    - Meet Karen Luttrell, PIC Personality
  • PIC newsletter - January 2014
  • - New year, new look
    - 12 questions to start your year right
    - Meet David McPherson, PIC Personality
  • PIC newsletter - December 2013
  • - Twitter tips
    - Please comment on IABCWC14
    - Meet Lisa Goller, this month's PIC Personality
  • PIC newsletter - November 2013
  • - Magic shows how tricky our brains are
    - How to craft a good tweet
    - Meet Janna Stam, this month's PIC Personality
  • PIC newsletter - October 2013
  • - Twitter tips
    - Things you might learn at our networking exchanges
    - How to use social media to find clients
  • PIC newsletter - September 2013
  • - Learn how to make the most of your LinkedIn profile
    - Meet Alan McKenzie, this month's PIC Personality
  • PIC Newsletter - July/August 2013
  • - IABC/Toronto is looking for help with Communicator
    - Meet Andrew Wright, a new PIC member and first "PIC Personality" profile
  • PIC Newsletter - June 2013
  • - Learn how to use online marketing to attract, convert and keep customers
    - Helpful suggestions about pricing were among the tips shared at our June networking exchange
  • PIC Newsletter - January/February 2013
  • - Networking queen Donna Messer shared 3Cs of networking
    - Marketing and website advice from the Feb. network exchange
  • PIC Newsletter - November/December 2012
  • - New PIC member Heather West picks up tips on setting up her business at PIC's first formal networking event
    - Get tips on estimates and proposals from Marketing Mentor Ilise Benun in Sue Horner's program report
  • PIC Newsletter - September/October 2012
  • - Hate marketing? Then get a few tips from Steve Slaunwhite on "Practically painless marketing," a proven email marketing technique
    - Call for advice on 'dreaded scope creep'
  • PIC Newsletter - August 2012
  • - Clarity Girl Rhonda Page provides tips on how to "Know your difference" in Heather West's program report
  • PIC Newsletter - Spring 2012
  • - Learn about the Secrets of Successful Communicators in Sue Horner's program review
    - Live the life you want by using tips from Ann Max of Productive to the Max
    - Introducing commVERSATIONS, IABC/Toronto's new blog
  • Fall 2011 newsletter
  • - Show off your business at "Show, share & socialize" on Dec. 7
    - Sales and marketing trainer Tom Kaufmann provides tips on "Marketing on a Tight Budget"
    - Does social media bring in business? Panelists Susan Crossman Andrew Schiestel and Amy Sept describe how they use social media in their businesses
  • Spring - Summer 2011 newsletter
  • - Sales trainer Tom Kaufmann on "Taking the fear out of cold calling"
    - Presenter and actress Tsufit tells independents to "Step into the spotlight" and let their businesses shine
  • January - February 2011 newsletter
  • - Experienced communicators Kevin Hanson, Donna Papacosta and Marcia Ross provide tips on how to get paid what you're worth
    Need help with your business? - IABC/Toronto members can check out the Independents Toronto blog for information on running a successful communications practice
  • November - December 2010 newsletter
  • - Rona Birenbaum, co-founder of Caring for Clients, provides practical financial advice for independents
    - Renowned body language expert Mark Bowden on how to engage your audience and earn their trust
  • September - October 2010 newsletter
  • - Martin Buckland of Elite Resumes describes what employers look for in a resume
    - Susan Gregory shows how to use Mind Mapping for presentations and jogging one's memory
    - PIC members find membership provides added value
  • June 2010 newsletter
  • - PIC launches marketing program "When cloning is not an option" at 2010 World Conference
    - 2010 IABC World Conference highlights
    - IABC/Toronto awards first Mentor of the Year Award to PIC program director
  • May 2010 newsletter
  • - SMOjoe teaches us to "feed the humans and robots" with effective social media marketing practices
    - 2010 World Conference preview
  • April 2010 newsletter
  • - Personal Branding expert Paul Copcutt on success from self-packaging
    - Success tips for introverts
  • March-April 2010 newsletter
  • - Launching Professional Independent Communicators
    - Focusing on critical success factors for independents by business coach Judi Hughes
  • AIP January/February 2010
  • - Tips on setting and achieving business goals from independent pros

IABC-logo.buzz

PIC is a special interest group of IABC Toronto. As the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, IABC Toronto provides access to products, services, activities and networking opportunities in Toronto and around the world. IABC helps people and organizations achieve excellence in corporate communications, public relations, employee communication, marketing communication, public affairs and other forms of communication. For more information, visit the IABC website.
Join our Mailing List!
PIC   21 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 802     Toronto,  Ontario   M4T 2L9   Canada