Are you a solo freelancer who has been noticing challenges in working remotely? Have you been having feelings of isolation and zero motivation?

These are common things remote workers have been feeling since they started working from home. For all the advantages and conveniences remote work offers, a lot of people end up missing the feeling of being in an office where they can get to be around their coworkers. Being physically around team members to bounce ideas off of, go through deadlines together, and bond in the way only colleagues can are just hard to replicate in a remote work setting.

However, it’s not impossible! The closest thing to feeling like you’re back in the office while still enjoying all the benefits of remote work is by joining a remote team. Read on to find out why you should consider being part of one.

Challenges of working by yourself

We mentioned that some remote workers who work alone (that is, they’re not part of a team and deal directly with their client) can feel lonely and isolated. This can lead to a loss of motivation and a decrease in productivity. Other challenges can be

• Finding it difficult to maintain a strict schedule or work routine. Most clients who work directly with a freelancer don’t require a 9-5 type schedule. Without some structure in your day, your work and home life can blend and make it difficult to focus and be productive.
• Not having opportunities for promotion or more training. Single clients usually have small budgets and require only a specific type of skill for a long period of time, like graphic design or copywriting or social media management. They aren’t looking to promote you, nor do they have time to train you with new skills.
• No stable salary. Sometimes clients don’t have a project in the works at the moment. No work means no pay. You can even get scammed for work you’ve already done and not get paid at all

Benefits of working with others

One of the great things about joining a team is that the lessons and soft skills you’ve learned working alone are very much appreciated in a team setting. Remote managers don’t want to have to micromanage their team any more than a regular face-to-face manager does. The fact that you can work on your own is a plus. However, being part of a team also requires collaboration, constant communication, and conceptualizing. Being in a remote team is a good balance between having autonomy when doing your tasks and contributing to the company’s bigger goals. You get to:

• Exercise your social skills without having to commute to the office
• Share your ideas and learn from others
• Make new friends
• Have opportunities for growth and promotion
• Gain more confidence
• Have a semblance of a normal work life
• Have a steady salary
• Still choose to have flexible hours if that’s what you prefer

Tips for working with a team successfully

Like any relationship, your success with your team is a two-way street. A big part of it will also depend on you. Here’s how to work with your team effectively:

• Know what you contribute to the team and take pride in it! A team is only as great as its members. It wouldn’t function without your role.
• Constantly communicate. A team works together, but also by themselves. Don’t wait for your team members or manager to come to you and ask if you need anything. Anything that concerns your work and the team’s, let them know.
• That being said, you should also know your team’s communication standards. What is their preferred method, how often, what time, etc. Know when it’s appropriate to get in touch.
• Set expectations and boundaries. Can your home life affect your work schedule? Are there times you won’t be available? Make sure these are clear from the get-go so there is no dropping of the ball.
• Get to know your teammates outside of just work talk. Learn their interests and you might find something in common with them! Having a friend at work is always a great motivator for doing your job and doing it well.
• Be kind to yourself! Know that this is a new environment for you and that making mistakes is normal. Don’t forget that we’re still in a pandemic and we should all cut ourselves some slack.
• Take every opportunity to learn and grow. Actively participate and work proactively.
• Lastly, enjoy it!

Join a remote team now

If it’s been a while since you worked with a team and you’re feeling a little awkward and nervous, that’s totally normal. You can help alleviate these feelings and set yourself up for success by choosing to join a company with experience in remote work and managing remote teams. When you interview for one, ask about their remote work culture such as:

• Whether they have standard processes and guidelines in place
• How often the team meets and does check-ins
• How they deal with coming from different time zones (if a lot of team members are from different countries)
• Their expectations on communication, work submissions, work-life boundaries, etc.

Remote Workmate prides itself on matching Filipino remote workers with the right clients. We support our Workmates from onboarding to the rest of their professional relationship with our clients. We make sure both sides are happy and satisfied with one another.

Staying motivated and positive is a good way to hype yourself up for working with a remote team. Keep in mind that it’s in the best interests of the company that hires you to make sure you stay, so they will make sure you’re given the tools and right management to succeed with them. You will learn a lot and with time, you’ll feel more comfortable with your team. We at Remote Workmate guarantee that happens!