The world of freelancing has gained a lot of traction in the last few years, particularly when people realise that they can work from anywhere in the world, providing that they have an internet connection and a laptop (depending on the area of business you’re in, of course). If you are wondering how to work remotely as a freelancer, we have wrote this article just for you.
Whether you’re just starting your journey into remote working as a freelancer, or you’d like more information on the pros and cons of it to help you decide whether it’s for you or not, check out these helpful tips below.
Throughout this guide, you’ll find advice on the advantages and disadvantages of working remotely and our top tips for working remotely.
How to work remotely as a freelancer – the advantages
There are dozens of pros of working remotely, so it was hard to narrow it down to just a couple to share with you, but I’ve included my top three favourite advantages of working remotely that I think you’ll love too.
You get to work from anywhere
Arguably the most obvious pro of remote working is that you can work from pretty much anywhere in the world. Bearing in mind the exact area of freelancing that you intend to go into, you can work from anywhere given that you’ve got a laptop to hand and a decent Wi-Fi connection.
This means that you can work on the beach in the Philippines, from your hotel room in New York City or while backpacking around Australia. The point is, the world is literally your office.
You get to pursue your creative side
Another great plus to working remotely is that you get to pursue your creative side. Now that you’re no longer chained to your desk with the expectations of following the typical employment norm, you have the creative freedom to pursue any and all projects you see fit.
You’re in charge of your schedule
Being in charge of your own employment also means that you’re in charge of your schedule; basically, you work when you want.
How to work remotely as a freelancer – the disadvantages
In my opinion, the advantages vastly outweigh the negatives when it comes to freelancing, but it’s imperative to be aware of both sides of the coin before you commit to a life of working for yourself.
If you don’t work, you don’t get paid
On the flip side of overseeing your own working schedule as a remote worker, if you don’t work, you don’t get paid.
You’re no longer under the comforting knowledge that if you miss a day of work, you still get paid. Now that you’re freelance, every working minute/day counts, so it’s important that you keep this at the back of your mind when deciding when/how often to work.
You’re accountable for your own taxes
Taxes and general accountancy are something that fills many freelancers with dread, particularly remote workers who aren’t entirely sure who they’re accountable to pay taxes to/for.
If you’re going to delve into the world of remote working as a freelancer, this is a skill that you’ll need to brush up on. Failing that, make sure you hire a good account who can take care of things for you.
You won’t be working as part of a team
Another downside that comes with remote working is that you’ll no longer be part of a team. This means that your workdays, and potentially even your days ‘off’ can become lonely.
Working remotely is a path that’s best suited to those who work well on their own and who don’t rely on a big team to keep their motivation high and work standards up to scratch.
If you’re worried about this element of remote working, try joining some online freelancing forums or Facebook groups which will give you that sense of co-working with other people.
Top tips for remote working success
Now that you’re aware of some of the pros and cons that come with working remotely as a freelancer, it’s time that we filled you in on some of our top tips for remote working success.
Be passionate about what you’re doing
In the world of freelancing, passion is the number one key to success. If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, then chances are that you’re not going to last long in this game.
You’re completely in charge of the work you’re doing, and no one can ‘make’ you do it, so being passionate about every project you undertake is very important to ensure your success as a freelancer.
Try and establish a routine
While working on a beach with a cocktail in hand sounds utterly idyllic, it’s not always entirely feasible every single day which is why it’s important to try and establish some sort of a routine as a remote worker.
While you certainly don’t have to oblige by the usual 9-5 work life, you should try and develop a working schedule that suits you and your working habits, even when you’re off gallivanting around the world.
Create a daily to-do list
Regardless of where you’re working from, on the days that you commit to actual work, you should create a daily to-do list to hold yourself accountable for all the things you want/need to accomplish that day.
It’s great to be in charge of your work life and it’s such a rewarding part of being a freelancer, but at the end of the day, you’ll still have work to complete for clients in a timely manner so it’s imperative that you hold yourself accountable to the tasks that need to be undertaken.
If working remotely as a freelancer is something that appeals to you, it is worth reading our other post about online freelance jobs that can be done from anywhere in the world. You may also want to ask yourself if freelancing is right for you in the first place before you go ahead and jump right in.
