I graduated with a BA in Strategic Communications, a couple minors and a loose idea of my career path. A few weeks before graduation, my professor emailed me that PR agency Belle Communications was looking to hire a part-time account assistant. Being an open-minded (and unemployed) student, I decided to apply—not knowing that the position was virtual.
Five months, one promotion and roughly 1 billion hand cramps later, I love working in a virtual environment.
PR pros with the proper drive and discipline can find that working remotely fits their lifestyle and enables them to thrive professionally.
Here are five tips to make the most out of a remote PR position:
1. Be accountable and accessible.
If working in a virtual environment were a sport, it would be competitive swimming.
You train and perform on your own to contribute to the overall success of your team. You must be accountable in your role so that your team members can rely on you to meet deadlines, contribute fresh ideas and produce the highest quality of work.
Another crucial component of a virtual work environment is ensuring that you are accessible to your team in case anyone needs you for anything throughout the day. Constant communication is a key element to a successful virtual position.
2. Go the extra mile.
I am incredibly fortunate to work on a team of conscientious and motivating individuals who support and challenge me to reach my full potential. However, there are times when you need to keep yourself motivated and on task when you work in a virtual environment.
You’re not sitting in a cubicle with someone circulating to discourage binging on YouTube videos or filling online shopping carts with things you’ll never buy. To excel in a virtual environment, you have to be self-driven and self-motivated to think outside the box and go the extra mile.
3. Prioritization and time management are absolutely necessary.
Time management is arguably one of the most important skills to possess in just about any job, but it takes on new meaning when you work in a virtual environment.
Start each morning by creating a daily to-do list and decide which tasks take priority. Organize a timetable based on how long each task will take to make sure you can meet your deadlines.
4. Be resourceful.
Technology is a magical thing, but most of us do not take advantage of the tiny computers we carry around in our pockets.
In a virtual office, the power of the internet is quite literally at my fingertips. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that I have the resources I need to answer many questions that come up throughout my day.
Being resourceful doesn’t only help you to execute your role in a company; it also conserves your co-workers’ time so that you can maximize your productivity as a team.
5. Figure out what works for you.
Spotify or silence, coffee shop or couch—working remotely presents several options for creating your own work environment.
To thrive, you must set yourself up for success. Pay attention to what elements help you focus and be productive.
Working remotely is like anything else in life: It requires balance. Switching up the elements of your work environment and re-locating keeps things fresh and can help you maintain a clear and focused mind throughout the day.
What tips would you add to the list, PR Daily readers?
Laura Rankin is an account assistant at Belle Communications. A version of this article originally appeared on the agency’s blog.
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