5 Tips from a New Coordinator

I’ve been working as an Account Coordinator here at Texas Creative for about 3 months now, and boy, have I learned a lot. So whether you’ve been in the industry for years, are just starting out, or are considering a career in account management, I hope these tips and tricks help you on your way.

1. Write down everything

No seriously, everything. Take a notebook with you to every meeting, because at some point, someone will say something you’ll need to remember. Taking notes at every meeting not only helps you out, but it helps keep your whole team informed on what’s going on, and what the next steps are for whatever project you’re working on.

2. Time management skills are vital

There will be days where you have a million different meetings to get to, all while your inbox is piling up with client feedback, new projects, and creative to review. You’ll eventually figure out how long each task will take you, but at first it can feel very overwhelming. Figuring out how much time you need to tackle each task throughout the day is a skill that’s learned on the job, but once you figure it out, you won’t be so intimidated by your ever-growing to-do list. Which brings me to my next tip...

3. Make to-do lists

Every single day, make time to write down everything you have to accomplish that day. Which meetings you need to go to, which deadlines you have that day, and the feedback on different projects that came into your inbox after you left the office the night before. This will also help you prioritize your duties for the day. Then add to your list as things come up. Not only will to-do lists keep you organized and aware of deadlines, but it will also help you avoid the “what did I do today?” moment when trying to fill out your timesheets.

4. Status sheets are your best friend

With every large account, it’s important to have a status sheet. This is where you’ll record job numbers, project titles, who’s working on the project, and the timeline for when deliverables are due. You can decide on long-term timelines with hard deadlines for larger projects, or record on a revision by revision basis to help you keep track of when the client should expect the deliverable, or if you’re waiting on feedback. Taking the time to keep up with your status sheet is important when you’re juggling several projects for a client, and ensures that everyone is on the same page for project timeline expectations.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been working in this industry for years, don’t be afraid to ask for help. When you don’t ask questions, you’re more likely to make a mistake. Getting clarification on projects, feedback, or anything else is much easier and quicker than asking a designer to rework something because you were unsure about what was supposed to get done.

What are some things you’ve learned working as a coordinator, or think all coordinators should know? We’d like to know, leave us a comment down below with some of your tips.