How Remote Working Has Changed
Okay, so the world is starting to open up. Kids have been back in school for a while now, and slowly we’re all emerging from our homes and learning how to interact with humans again. That means we’ve seen a huge amount of discussions going on about the future of work, what it might look like and what people might want to see. For some, they can’t wait to get back to the office, at least part-time. But for this post, I want to chat about a couple of things I learned from being a remote worker (before it was necessary).
Communication is key
I’ve been working remotely since I founded Specky Scribbler in 2016. For a while, I worked in the same building as some of my clients but that was because they just so happened to be in the same coworking space as me. Which is also how I got the gig, but I digress. What matters more than anything else in all relationships is communication.
More often than not, relationships fail when communication breaks down. Therefore, it's pretty obvious that you can't have a good working relationship with a client if you're a poor communicator. This doesn't mean you need to check in everyday (please do not do that, it's annoying and suggests you don't trust us), but it means that if there's a problem, flag it. Equally, if you're seeing delays, tell us.
Communication is a two way street, but there used to be a perception that freelancers were poor at communicating, or that they won't meet deadlines, etc. In my experience of working with other freelancers and larger companies, I can 100% tell you that freelancers are the better communicators. We have to be, or else we don't get more work. But please, please return the favour.
Pre-pandemic, video calls weren't a thing
Before the pandemic hit, I worked with clients who were all over the world. I still do now but the way we work together has changed. Before the pandemic, we had group calls that were audio-only. We all dialled in and we would discuss things over the phone. This was for tone of voice projects. Other projects were done, believe it or not, over email alone.
Video calls have been normalised now, which can be handy to really read the facial expressions of a client. However, they're over-used. Many Zoom calls don't need to be Zoom calls, and many phone calls don't need to be phone calls. The pandemic led to a massive rise in the number of meetings my clients requested, which is great for branding work, but not always helpful for feedback.
Personally, I like video calls. I like being able to read a client's reactions to my ideas. Also, I swear a lot, particularly if I'm excited or passionate about something. This can be awkward over the phone when there's no way to gauge whether or not the swearing was okay. I don't mean to do it, it's just the type of person I am. I also like seeing who I'm working with, particularly if I am helping them to shape their brand identity. I want to know who you are.
Remote working leads to more opportunities
The pursuit of talent shouldn't be dependent on the geographical location of that talent. This is why so few people stay living in the country and more and more people flock to the cities: it's where the jobs are. However, as any freelancer will tell you, location doesn't matter. To do our jobs we need a computer of some kind, an internet connection, some software. So, really, the world is our oyster.
By offering my services remotely, clients all over the world are able to contact me, and I'm able to work with them - if it's the right fit. This is wonderful but is a double-edged sword; it can lead to a disparity in pricing for people who live and work in areas/countries with a lower cost of living. That's potentially another blog post but basically, no physical restraints means no opportunity restraints.
Since 2016 I've managed to work with clients in the US, Germany, Ireland and the UK. I've also probably forgotten some, but you get the idea. Remote working allows me to find the right clients for my skill set, but, more importantly, it allows employers to hire the right people for the job, whether that's a full-time job or freelance contract. Your physical location doesn't matter, just your talent and communication.
In Conclusion
Remote working is cool. It’s a much more accessible way of working. It allows you to get the right person for the job. It allows for flexibility and opportunity. It’s a chance for channelling communication skills and thriving. It’s a whole new world.
If you’d like to know about whether or not I can work with you, please email me and we can arrange a chat.