During recent conversations with more than a dozen early-career professionals, I asked about their work routines—home-based, fully remote, or hybrid. While many firms are trying to get workers in the office more frequently, it is clear that the PR world will remain largely remote or hybrid for the foreseeable future.
Many of us have grown accustomed to work-from-home arrangements, with an occasional appearance in the office. But almost everyone — management and employees (and me)– realizes that young PR professionals are missing out on a lot of growth experiences, mentoring, and team building by not trekking into an office regularly. Without the hallway conversations, shoulder-tap mentorship, or in-office visibility that previous generations relied on, you have to be more intentional. The good news? The skills that make a great PR pro — communication, relationship-building, adaptability — are exactly what remote work demands.
Here’s how to stand out when your office is your laptop.
Build Your Visibility on Purpose
In a physical office, people notice you. Remotely, you have to show up deliberately.
- Send concise, proactive updates to your supervisor — don’t wait to be asked
- Contribute meaningfully in video calls rather than staying on mute
- Share wins (campaign metrics, media placements, client praise) in team channels
- Volunteer for cross-functional projects to get exposure beyond your immediate team
Master Async Communication
Most remote PR work runs on written communication. Get good at it fast.
- Write emails and Slack messages that are clear and complete — minimize back-and-forth
- Follow up on pitches, client requests, and media inquiries promptly and professionally
- Document your processes so colleagues can collaborate with you seamlessly
- Use subject lines and message headers that make your intent obvious at a glance
Protect Your Focus and Energy
PR moves fast, and remote burnout is real — especially when your home is your office.
- Set hard start and stop times for your workday, and stick to them
- Create a dedicated workspace, even if it’s just a corner of a room
- Batch reactive tasks (emails, Slack) rather than staying in constant notification mode
- Take real breaks — away from screens — to maintain the creativity PR demands
Invest in Relationships Like Your Career Depends on It (It Does)
Remote work makes relationship-building harder, but not impossible.
- Schedule regular one-on-ones with your manager and key colleagues
- Connect with journalists, peers, and industry contacts on LinkedIn consistently
- Join PR associations like PRSA or PRSSA to build your network
- Find a mentor — remote or in-person — who can advocate for your growth
Remote PR jobs reward professionals who communicate clearly, manage themselves well, and build relationships with intention. The young pros who treat visibility and connection as skills to practice — not things that just happen — are the ones who advance fastest.
My advice: Match your office in-office presence to that of your supervisor. Never leave the office before asking a busy-looking supervisor or co-worker if you can be of any help. I guarantee these in-person relationships will boost your career.
Photo by Microsoft Copilot on Unsplash