Communication Skills: for Remote Workers and Freelancers

I have been working 'out of the office' since 2015. Even in different timezones for the last 2+ years.

My experience taught me a few things about how to maintain communication with my clients and co-workers when we are not in the same place.

Even though I am quite busy these days, I want to share this newsletter as I see it is needed to share experience to help newbies in freelancing or remote working. But I will keep it short.

Let people know about the process

The concept has a bit of trust issues. When we are not working together physically, we don't really know what's going on for the other parties. How do they feel? What are their living conditions and health conditions? Can they spare time to work really? Are they responsible? Can they focus on working as much as they planned (especially if they are new to the concept)?

Personally, I care about well-being a lot. More than the tasks.

• If they don't feel like completing a task in the given time, it's OK.
• If they cannot focus on the work, it's OK.
• If they get confused about the task, it's OK.

Many other conditions preventing them finish the task as planned are OK.

One thing is not so OK!

We need to communicate if that's the situation.

Sometimes it's annoying to spend too much time on communication, but it's necessary.

When we get an email, it's nice to respond as soon as possible. I am not saying immediately, but asap.

If you think that you need to change the deadline, just share it with the other party. So, you can find a solution together. If the other side does not - or cannot- accept your request, you can still find a solution that is better than letting them know after the deadline.

Even if all is good and you'll deliver the job as requested, just let them know so they will not need to think about it the next day. It may create stress if you don't.

It's also helpful to be able to build relationships in your business life. Especially for freelancers, it's critical. When the communication is weak, but the work is good, people may stop working with you as you make them worry too much. Freelancing is all about networking. Care about it. Just saying.

Gizem