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At The PR Insider, we’re thrilled to bring you insights from passionate PRs, and today we’re featuring Damon Culbert, Digital PR Manager at Add People. With three years of experience in Digital PR and a background in link-building, Damon understands the high demands of securing coverage and surpassing client expectations. In this blog post, he shares his journey to finding work-life balance, along with actionable strategies that help maintain effectiveness without compromising well-being.
What we’ll talk about in this blog post:
• Actionable steps to achieve a sustainable work-life balance, tailored for PR teams and individuals
How to Navigate the Challenges of Work-Life Balance in Digital PR
In the high-pressure environment of Digital PR, the drive to secure media coverage, build valuable links, and exceed client expectations can feel relentless. Every campaign is a race against time, where the stakes are high, and the pressure to deliver results can quickly become overwhelming. After three years in Digital PR and a background in link-building, I've experienced firsthand how this constant push for success can take a toll - both professionally and personally.
The PR industry often demands instant results and continuous growth, leading PRs to stretch themselves too thin in pursuit of the next big win. For much of my career, I allowed work to dominate my life, believing that success in Digital PR meant giving everything I had, all the time. But as I've grown in this field, I’ve come to realise that balance isn’t just a luxury - it’s a necessity.
Understanding how to manage this balance has been key to maintaining both my mental health and my effectiveness as a PR. I want to share the lessons I've learned about achieving a sustainable work-life balance in Digital PR, along with practical strategies that can help others navigate the unique challenges of our industry.
These Are The Signs To Look Out For To Recognise An Imbalance
Work-life imbalance is often a silent issue - it can creep up on you gradually until it’s too late. In my experience, some of the key signs of imbalance include persistent stress, difficulty sleeping, trouble switching off from work, overworking, and feelings of impostor syndrome. As a manager, I’ve seen these red flags in my team, and I’ve learned that it’s crucial to address them early before they lead to burnout or other serious issues.
How to Manage Stress and Prevent Burnout in PR
Here’s how I approach recognising and addressing imbalance:
1. Identify Stress Triggers: The first step is to pinpoint the tasks or situations that are causing the most stress. Once identified, these can be broken down into more manageable parts, making them less overwhelming and easier to tackle.
2. Time Management Strategies: It’s important to acknowledge that everyone works differently. In our team, we regularly share and experiment with different time management techniques to find what works best for each person. This collaborative approach not only creates a supportive environment but also helps individuals discover strategies that genuinely align with their work style.
3. Address Overservicing: Overservicing is a common issue in PR that can lead to significant time leakage. We regularly review our workload to identify where time is being lost and adjust our approach accordingly. Setting clear, achievable expectations with clients is key to maintaining boundaries and ensuring that our time is used effectively.
How to Use Time Management Techniques for Better Work-Life Balance
Maintaining balance in Digital PR requires intentional strategies that are tailored to both individual and team needs. Here are some actionable strategies that have worked well for me and my team:
1. Flexible Scheduling: Giving your team the flexibility to set their own work hours within a reasonable framework can lead to higher productivity and better work-life balance. This flexibility allows individuals to structure their day in a way that suits their personal needs, whether it’s starting earlier to enjoy a morning workout or starting later to accommodate other responsibilities.
2. Team Values and Communication: Establishing clear team values and communication practices is essential. By defining how we work together and how we respect each other’s time, we create an environment where everyone feels supported and empowered to maintain their own balance.
3. Client Expectation Management: Working closely with your customer experience team to set realistic expectations with clients can significantly reduce pressure on your team. When clients understand what’s achievable within the time and resources available, it helps prevent overwork and ensures that your team can deliver quality work without compromising their well-being.
How to Achieve Sustainable Work-Life Balance in Digital PR
The most important lesson I’ve learned as a Digital PR manager is that everyone works differently, and a one-size-fits-all approach to work-life balance doesn’t exist. By offering a range of strategies, you can help your team tailor their work schedules to their personal styles, leading to a more balanced and effective work environment.
Beyond work, it’s crucial to cultivate hobbies and interests that motivate you and provide a clear boundary between your professional and personal life. Prioritising your personal well-being not only improves your quality of life but also allows you to bring a more focused, creative, and balanced version of yourself to work every day.
In the end, finding balance in Digital PR involves managing your energy effectively and ensuring you’re taking care of yourself so you can continue to excel in your career.
Make sure you follow Damon on LinkedIn to check out more about his insights and work.
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