While remote work may seem like a dream- pjs all day and no small talk- it comes with challenges that can trip you up if you’re not prepared.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your team, struggled with productivity, or dealt with an unreliable internet connection right before a meeting, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about the biggest challenges of being a remote marketer and, more importantly, how to fix them.
Challenge #1: Staying Aligned with Your Team
One of the hardest parts of remote marketing is keeping everyone on the same page. When you’re not in an office, it’s easy for messages to get lost, deadlines to be misunderstood and strategies to feel disorganised.
How to fix it:
- Overcommunicate. If you think you’ve explained something enough, explain it again in an email, a Slack update and a project management tool.
- Set up recurring check-ins. Weekly syncs help keep projects moving.
- Use project management tools like Trello, Asana or ClickUp to track tasks and deadlines.
If you feel out of the loop, speak up. It’s better to ask for clarification than to assume and miss the mark.
Challenge #2: Feeling Disconnected from the Brand and Culture
Without office events, company-wide coffee runs or quick brainstorming sessions, it’s easy to feel like you’re just another name on a Slack channel. This can make it harder to fully immerse yourself in the brand’s voice, values and long-term vision.
How to fix it:
- Attend (or create) virtual culture events. A monthly marketing team coffee chat or a Slack channel for book recommendations can help build connections.
- Stay updated on company wins. Read press releases, case studies and customer feedback to stay engaged with the brand’s impact.
- Ask leadership for clarity on goals. Understanding the bigger picture makes it easier to create meaningful marketing campaigns.
If you miss spontaneous brainstorms, schedule casual coworking calls with teammates to bounce ideas off each other.
Challenge #3: Managing Time and Productivity
Remote marketing means no one is watching over your shoulder, but it also means distractions are everywhere. Without structure, it’s easy to fall behind or feel like you’re working all the time.
How to fix it:
- Set clear work hours. Just because you work remotely doesn’t mean you should be answering emails late at night.
- Time-block your day. Assign deep work hours for writing, meetings, and creative brainstorming.
- Use the “Eat That Frog” method- tackle the hardest, most important task first thing in the morning before distractions take over.
Challenge #4: Collaborating Across Time Zones
When your content writer is in New York, your designer is in Bali, and you’re somewhere in between, getting things done on time can be tricky. Managing global teams means dealing with delays, missed messages, and scheduling conflicts.
How to fix it:
- Establish a shared work window where teams have at least a few overlapping hours.
- Use async tools like Loom videos, Notion updates, and Google Docs comments to keep work moving when teams aren’t online at the same time.
- Set clear expectations for response times. If you need feedback within 24 hours, communicate that upfront.
When scheduling meetings, use World Time Buddy or Google Calendar’s time zone feature to avoid confusion.
Challenge #5: Getting Visibility for Your Work
When you’re remote, your wins don’t naturally get noticed. There’s no one casually walking by your desk to see the campaign you launched or the engagement spike you pulled off. If you don’t actively showcase your impact, your work can go unnoticed.
How to fix it:
- Share wins in team meetings. If a campaign performs well, mention it.
- Keep a personal “brag doc” to track achievements so you have data to back up your contributions during performance reviews.
- Loop leadership in on major milestones. If you worked on something impactful, let your manager know- no one will advocate for your success better than you.
If your company has a Slack channel for wins, use it. If not, start one.
Remote marketing has its challenges, but once you have the right systems in place, it’s easier to thrive. Got any remote marketing hacks of your own? Let me know below!