Thanks to technology, a physical office is no longer necessary for many occupations. Cloud-based communication apps, such as Slack and Basecamp, allow collaboration across the globe. Remote teams and digital offices offer many benefits for both employees and employers. Workers aren’t stuck commuting to and from one location every day. Additionally, companies can hire from a global pool with reduced overhead. If you’re ready for a positive change, a work from home set-up could be ideal for you. More so, you may want to freelance on the side and then transition to working from home full-time.
Freelancers may experience a learning curve when starting remote work. If you are used to in-person conversations at the office (e.g. walking to a nearby co-worker’s desk to ask a question), you will have to make some adjustments. Video-conferencing during remote work is a possibility, but online chat and e-mail are much more common. Embracing chat is essential when working from home. The ability to communicate with multiple co-workers at once, via chat rooms and individual messaging windows, is a major benefit.
Freedom is another upside to remote work. Without a physical office, you are free to work wherever you wish. This type of flexibility has led to nearly half of American employees working remotely. According to the recent Gallup poll, the growing remote workforce is increasing its hours, too. Nearly every industry from the study experienced an uptick in remote work since 2012. Taking matters further, certain freelancers embrace digital nomadism. There are plenty of companies around the world that give their employees freedom to work online. A good example is Poki with its headquarters in Amsterdam that is moved to a tropical island every January.
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Whether you want to work for a company remotely or you want to run your own freelance business, here are some ways you can create an efficient set-up.
Top tips to successfully work from home
Small steps can make a big difference. Here are the top work from home tips you that will set you on the right path.
1. Learn
Education is invaluable at the beginning of any new endeavor. Learning should be an endless journey. Thankfully, the internet hosts an endless wealth of information. There are plenty of great resources for freelance writers. Spend a bit of every day in “learning” mode, and you will benefit. You might spend more time reading than writing at the beginning of your freelancing journey, and that’s okay.
2. Schedule
There is always work to do. Schedule every part of the day: writing time, learning time, and breaks. The freedom of freelancing is a double-edged sword. You can work anytime, anywhere. But, as the saying goes, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Follow these scheduling guidelines to maximize efficiency. Planning each day might seem counterintuitive to new freelancers, but it’s one of the most important aspects of being successful.
3. Network
Networking doesn’t have to be sleazy. As a freelancer, you represent yourself. Explore the many writing communities online, and make friends. Get involved in conversations about remote work, and share your experiences with others. As your network grows, so will your potential for work opportunities. Plus, you can learn a lot from veteran writers and freelancers. Ask questions and become part of the community.
4. Blog
There are many benefits to having a personal blog. First and foremost, it can double as your portfolio. A blog is the perfect place to showcase your work. You don’t have to post every piece of writing, and you shouldn’t. Post your best pieces only, and start discussions to grow your audience (this goes along with Tip #3). You can also write daily or weekly posts to consistently stay engaged and sharpen your skills.
5. Diversify
As a freelancer, you shouldn’t rely on one employer for 100% of your income. If you do, you’re not working freelance. Diversification is essential in maintaining a steady stream of income. Much like savvy stock market investors, you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. Maintain relationships with multiple clients to ensure you stay busy and profitable.
6. Set Goals
“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” isn’t the easiest question to answer. Nor is it the most actionable for a freelancer. Instead, you should ask yourself more directly applicable questions. How much of your income is based on freelance work? If 100%, how much money do you need to make? As a long-term goal, how much money do you want to make? Set SMART goals to get to where you want to be.
7. Review
As your own boss, you must audit your own work. This includes attempting to maintain an unbiased, third-party perspective. Become the editor, and analyze your work as such. Client feedback should weigh into overall reviews, which you will ideally perform on a regular basis. Freelance work is work. Treat it like a normal job and prosper.
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