Today, remote work is found in almost every field. Working from home, the coffee shop, the plane or wherever is one of the most sought after jobs in the job market. For many, it’s living the dream. No longer chained to a desk and stifled by old dusty cubicles, people are now free to work almost whenever and wherever they please. It’s the perfect job for stay at home parents, globetrotters, people who need to make extra money or those just looking for more independence in their lives. But working from home isn’t all fun and games–it’s still a job. A career in remote work is rewarding yet challenging, and you’ll experience some of the same highs and lows in your job. Learn strategies that will help you successfully work from home.
Create a Routine
One of the biggest challenges independent workers face is keeping a schedule. Many newcomers to the remote work game make the mistake of letting their schedule get out of control. You may not work a 9 to 5 office job, but you still have a responsibility to keep up with important deadlines and meetings. Some of your clients will only contact you between those designated hours and others may work in different time zones that require you to be flexible. This means that while you have more control over your time you still have a responsibility to uphold your promises to clients in the time frame they request. After all, they’re the ones signing the paycheck. Create a routine that allows you to maximize your time. If you’re a morning person, schedule the bulk of your work before noon and leave a block of time for Skype meetings in the afternoon.
Network Every Chance You Get
One drawback to freelancing is the lack of networking opportunities. In an office setting, your department manager coordinates networking events to build relationships with clients and draw in more business. As an independent worker, you need to venture out to these events on your own. Stay in the know in your field by attending conferences and seminars that connect you with others. Reach out to your clients for any upcoming events or scan social media for any networking events coming up in your area. Be sure to bring business cards with you wherever you go and put yourself out there to meet others.
Minimize Distractions
When you’re home, it’s easy to find better things to do than to sit at your computer and work. At the prospect of sitting at your kitchen table and grinding out several hours of work, your other household duties might become more interesting. It’s easy to while away the time when you have to do laundry, wash the dishes, dust and sweep the floor. Do yourself a favor and finish all of your chores ahead of time to minimize distraction. If being at home is too distracting, try getting your work done at a coffee shop, a library or another venue that allows you to concentrate.
Maintain Your Relationships with Clients
You may not see them every day, but your clients rely on you to get your work done. Some businesses are wary of offsite workers and have a poor history with remote workers who were inconsistent. Prove them wrong by showing that you care. Reply promptly to e-mails and calls, and meet deadlines, each and every time. Because your main mode of communication is electrnoic, you need to develop excellent verbal and written communication skills. If you’ll be out of work for the day or you need to set strict hours, let all of your clients know ahead of time and quickly follow up when you return. If you fail to communicate to your clients, you’ll find yourself out of a job.
Working independently is one of the most rewarding ways to make a living. Businesses are always looking for freelancers and remote workers who can get the job done. If you think this is the career for you, browse online resources that will get you the work you need. Get started by finding Remote.com online jobs to get the career freedom you deserve.
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