The Essentials for Working Remotely

One of the most coveted perks of the freelance life is the ability to work from anywhere. With nothing keeping you tethered to a desk in an office, freelancers enjoy the ability to work not only from the comfort of their own homes, but also while seeing the world.

Whether you want to get out and enjoy the weather, visit friends or family in different parts of the globe, or enjoy a fine cup of coffee or a bite to eat in your favorite local haunt during the day, you can do all of this and still take care of business at the same time—with the right tools.

If you have been thinking about changing up your surroundings and dipping a toe into the endless possibilities, but aren’t sure what you might need to bring with you, our Facebook community has stepped in to help. Here are some great tips on how to make working remotely as stress free and enjoyable as possible.

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“Bring a well charged laptop, and a well charged cellphone for internet access. For road trips, I have a car power inverter; a small one was $14 and I use it to charge the laptop and the cell phone. Also, I always carry a good set of headphones for calls or just to hear music.”
– Carlos Ferrera

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“I always bring earbuds! That way, I can tune out other noise and stay focused.”
– Leah Lavelle

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“I always have a notebook and a pen on hand. I like to outline articles, jot down ideas, and make notes to remember. This is also really helpful if I don’t have access to my computer at that moment.”
– Angela Gingerich Brown

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“Anti-reflective eyewear.”
– Sujay Banerjee

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“I bring my Morphie backup battery (works with MacBook), iPhone, iPad, electric travel water kettle, and my pour over coffee kit.”
– Belinda Johnson Bernhard

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“If you are in the Philippines, I recommend getting a pocket Wi-Fi from [several] different providers (i.e. Globe, Smart, or Sun) to be sure you won’t have issues like dead spot or no signal when working away from home or while traveling.”
– Jo T Salud

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“I bring my organizer with me (a planner styled like a Bullet Journal) to keep track of my progress. Ballpoint pen, a small notebook, and highlighter also work..plus a book related to my project or basically something to read to keep me on track.”
– Celine Bernadette Hautea Francisco

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The key takeaway? With technology becoming increasingly more portable, it is possible to work on your business in an infinite number of inspiring locations—whether that be a shaded park bench, a cabin in the woods, the coffee shop at the end of the street, or a dream destination halfway across the world. All you need are your laptop and the portable tools you need to get things done—and your “can-do” attitude.

What remote work essentials would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments!

Editor’s note: Responses edited for grammar, spelling, and clarity. The statements above are those of their authors and do not constitute the views or opinions of Upwork.

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Perspectives on the Future of Work: September 9

Upwork’s biweekly column brings you the latest news on the future of work, including trends, freelancing, and other shifts in the way we work.

This week’s roundup looks at information for freelancers:

• When you’re stressed out, finding ways to calm down can help you regain control of things.
• The advertising world is changing, relying even more than it has on the past on creative freelancers for their specialized skillsets.
• Different cities offer different perks, and some could be advantageous for freelance professionals.

Here’s a look at some of the latest headlines.

The Entrepreneur’s Guide To Freaking Out (Huffington Post)

In every freelancer’s life, a little stress will happen—the question is, how can you manage it without letting it completely distract you? Writer Liz Gutman has some tips for you to try out.

Remembering to breathe is her first suggestion. “I know – it’s a total cliché. But it’s everyone’s number one piece of advice for a reason: it works, as long as you really commit,” she said.

Remembering to move and taking the initiative to ask for help are also on her list—but she also says it’s important to stay in the moment. “Break a task into as many small steps as you can and check them off as you go; it can really help remind you that every little thing you do counts and is moving you closer to your goals.”

Finally, Gutman says taking a few minutes to write everything out can help clear space in your head.

“Remember: it’s okay and completely normal to freak out,” she said. “It can even be cathartic and helpful in the long run.”

How the Freelance Economy is Changing Advertising (The Globe and Mail)

Creative work has always been a strong area for people who wanted to go freelance, but as reporter Susan Krashinsky explains, that preference is becoming the norm as the advertising industry shifts the way it does business to match.

“Freelancers such as [art director and designer Nicholas Bujnak] have long been a significant engine of the ad industry, sweeping in to add creative heft to a pitch for new business [or] helping to run hard at a client’s demanding deadlines” Krashinsky explained.

But the need for freelance specialists in advertising and PR is on the rise; many current job titles didn’t exist five or ten years ago. Krashinsky notes that nearly 17 percent of people working in that sector in Canada are self-employed.

“We’re not just making TV spots and print and radio any more,” Pete Ross, creative director at Toronto’s Co-Op Advertising, told Krashinsky. “There are all these other types of media. Which means you have to expand your talent roster, and work with different kinds of people on different kinds of jobs.”

Where Are the 10 Best U.S. Cities for Freelancers? (NerdWallet)

For many professionals, a freelance business means freedom of movement—the option to work anywhere you choose. If you want to set down roots in the U.S., however, where’s a good place to go?

“Being a freelancer, rather than a company employee, can mean particular worries about money,” said Veronica Ramirez and Daniel Tonkovich for NerdWallet, noting that many considerations can vary depending on where you live.

Looking at factors like rent, health insurance premiums, and cell coverage, NerdWallet just released their list of the best cities for freelancers.

Topping the list? Austin, TX, Nashville, TN, and Dallas, TX.

What shifts in the future of work have had an impact on you recently? Share your experience in the comments below.

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The Revolution Begins: Highlights from Content Marketing World 2016

The underlying message behind Content Marketing World 2016: Content marketing as an experiment is over; it’s become a critical business function. To be successful, you have to commit and “go all in.”

And yet, a recent Content Marketing Institute (CMI) survey shows only 20 percent of managers are doing this. So what’s a marketer to do?

An army of content marketers 3,500 strong descended on Cleveland this week for CMI’s annual conference to wander the sea of vendors dotting the convention floor, attend sessions on topics such as “Intelligent Content 101” and “Complete Search Optimization,” and hear inspiring calls-to-action from industry leaders, including Joe Pulizzi, head of the Content Marketing Institute (CMI).

“Be all in or get all out. There is no halfway.”
— Joe Pulizzi, CMI

Content marketers know what success looks like and how to measure it—and with this recap of highlights from the conference, you can too.

What do you need to measure content success? According to presenter Ayat Shukairy, start with key questions about your content to drive insights and action. Consider the following:

• Which pages bring the most visitors to your site?
• What content works for visitors?
• What content works for search engines?
• Is your content generating engagement? Getting visitors to take action?
• Which pages have high or low on-page time?

Shukairy noted that different tools can help you track practical information like:

• Directional data on how visitors engage with your content.
• The number of backlinks, social shares, and mentions, so you can gauge the popularity and relevance of your content.

While stressing that content marketing is not the same as content production, Shukairy reminded the audience that “Good marketing isn’t free, but great content is mandatory. And without great content and a marketing strategy, the data is useless.”

In his presentation, Andy Crestodina of Orbit Media highlighted the importance of effective topic selection, a focus on SEO, and promotion—both online and offline—to content marketing success.

Topic selection often starts with keyword research to source ideas and semantically searched phrases, using tools like Google search, Keywordtool.io, SEMrush, or Moz to help. Once you’ve landed on phrases or keywords for your topic, focus on the content itself.

Andy’s recommendation: If you want to create content that achieves a high level of both shares and links, concentrate on content with a strong opinion and original research.

Finally, as much as content is about traffic, leads, visibility, and brand, it’s also about the connections and social interactions that come from sharing content far and wide. Lars Silberbauer of Lego reinforced this message; he explained that commitment to wrapping something “not-so-unique” in content helped turn plastic bricks into a beloved product and valuable brand that’s instantly recognized worldwide.

Ready to elevate your brand and content strategy but wondering how to take the next step? Download your free copy of  “The Content Marketer’s Strategy for Success” >>

On Upwork, you can find the talent you need—freelance writers, illustrators, designers, and developers—to help you go all in and achieve content marketing success.

Feature image by Patricia Salgado, “Letter man” (CC BY 2.0)

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Tips for Finding Top Freelance Talent

Talented freelancers are everywhere these days, thanks to the ongoing rise of independent contractors. Even so, finding the right person to suit your specific project needs is often a hands-on process that requires care and attention.

The good news is a little intuition and insider info can dramatically speed things along.

If you’re looking to find high-quality freelancers in the near future, these articles from the Hiring Headquarters—Upwork’s resource for businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs—will arm you with useful tips to help optimize your search process.

Know What to Look for in a Top-notch Freelancer

The best freelancers can be like Swiss Army knives: versatile and multi-faceted in their skills and capable of tackling a wide variety of tasks efficiently. Regardless of the specific skills you’re looking for, however, there are some common hallmarks to watch for in your search for top talent.

“Grow Smart: 4 Traits to Look for When Hiring Remote Workers” takes a closer look at four important elements to gauge when you want to work with a freelance professional. It provides great tips to make the hiring process easier when you’re left with making a tough choice between multiple qualified candidates.

These four traits are invaluable assets to find in a prospective freelancer.

1) Smarts and trustworthiness. Find people who are “smarter than you,” so you can benefit from their expertise and be confident about the people you work with.

2) Collaborative spirit. An eagerness to collaborate is a must for anyone who will be working on a project as part of a distributed team.

3) Personal investment in project success. Do they care about the project’s success and feel personally invested in producing a positive outcome for your business?

4) Excellent communication skills. Good communication is essential for a smooth professional relationship. Without it, even seemingly simple tasks can become bumps that cause progress to grind to a halt.

Write Laser-targeted Job Descriptions

In a competitive freelance market, the most effective way to find someone who can meet your needs is to create a project description that enables independent contractors to self select—attracting more people who will be a potentially good fit while reducing enquiries from people who aren’t a match.

“Finding the Right SQL Developer with a Good Job Description” may focus on how to write a great project description to attract a high-quality freelance SQL programmer, but it also contains tips that can be applied to descriptions for any role you want to fill.

Here are three useful insights from the piece.

1) Pin down the job parameters and tool requirements. Identify the objectives for the project, outline any special tools or skills needed to complete it, and describe the appropriate level of experience you’re looking for.

2) Outline deliverables and deadlines. Including details about the results you’re looking for, in the form of deliverables and timeframes, can be great for attracting serious applicants. It also gives them a clear sense of what to expect.

3) Balance detail with brevity. Freelance project descriptions should be thorough, but they don’t need the same level of detail and complexity needed when you’re conducting a traditional employee search.

Stick to the key details needed attract the type of freelancers you’re looking for.

Learn From Other Top-level CEOs

If you’re new to working with freelancers, it’s helpful to learn from other CEOs about what they’ve found valuable in the search for high-quality contingent workers.

“Tips on finding top talent—from job post to interview” offers excellent advice from several CEOs to help you identify and hire top freelancers on Upwork. This short video features several insights from Pixc founder and CEO Holly Cardew, though you also can find lots of additional tips in the full 10-video series.

Here are few top strategies from CEOs who use Upwork to source skilled freelancers.

1) Use a “tell” in your job description. By including an unusual or obscure question in your project posting for freelancers to answer, you’ll quickly be able to tell which freelancers thoroughly read the description. This can help weed out freelancers who don’t pay attention to directions or detail.

2) Hire freelancers who have an entrepreneurial mind. If you’re looking for self-starters and business-savvy freelancers, ask questions to determine what candidates do in their spare time and watch for indications they’ll be self-motivated and reliable.

3) Give prospects a trial run. The fastest way to know well you’ll work together is to engage a freelancer for a small project and deadline before engaging them to tackle larger projects. This will let you see how well they budget their time and let you gauge the quality of their work.

Eager for even more insights on how to find top freelancers to meet your business needs? The Hiring Headquarters has lots of articles to help you out.

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Upwork Newswire: Why We Don’t Have the Entrepreneurial Society We’re Reaching For—Yet

This biweekly column features the latest freelancing trends and Upwork’s role within them.

We’re Still Missing the Mark on Being an Entrepreneurial Society (Harvard Business Review)

Over the last 30 years, we’ve seen an explosion in freelancers, a rise in startups, and entrepreneurs treated like celebrities (think Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg).

On the surface, it seems entrepreneurialism is warmly embraced and widely practiced. But in reality, we’re still just dabbling in it.

According to Julian Birkinshaw, professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at London Business School…

“We are using industrial-age rules to oversee information-age business practices, and that is what is holding us back.”

Despite a growth in technology-enabled platforms helping freelancers find steady work that fits their skills and their schedules, “the institutions that govern capitalism are still stuck in the late 19th century,” says Birkinshaw.

See the obstacles delaying us from being an entrepreneurial society >>

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How Combrr’s Non-Technical Founders Brought Their Beach Delivery App to Life

Protecting Your Freelance Business

Everyone makes mistakes; we’re all human. But in the professional world, even minor slip-ups can take a costly toll if you’re unprepared—even if the cause is something you couldn’t have anticipated.

Many business owners find the protection that comes with a good liability insurance plan is far more affordable than the cost of doing damage control when something goes awry. As a business owner, there are also other steps you can take to minimize the risk to you and your business.

Wondering where to start? These articles from the Hiring Headquarters—Upwork’s resource for businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs—are a great place to start.

Why Freelancers Benefit from Liability Insurance

Freelance projects don’t always go as planned. Sometimes the impact is limited, but at other times, the consequences of issues like equipment failure or miscommunication can be significant—for you and your client.

That’s where liability insurance comes in. Paying a monthly premium can give you vital protection if a client ever initiates a lawsuit or seeks compensation.

“Liability Insurance 101: Why Freelancers Need Protection” outlines the importance of having this protection in place and how it can be beneficial to freelancers. It covers several key bases, including the nuances of what liability insurance entails and the steps to setting it up.

The piece recommends doing thorough research when seeking insurance, and suggests asking numerous questions before deciding on a plan, including:

1) What are the coverage boundaries? Understand which situations a given plan will or will not cover, and what types of exceptions might be in place.

2) What’s the deductible? Always remember to ask how much, if anything, you have to pay above and beyond your monthly premiums before the insurance company will cover the remainder of a claim.

3) How do claims work? It’s also good to familiarize yourself with the process of working through a claim, what that entails, and how much support is available should you need it.

Minimize Your Risks Early-On

Liability insurance can help protect you from many types of unexpected situations, but what about some of the other inherent risks that come from running a business?

From how you manage money to how you classify your operation, a little careful planning early in your businesses’ life can help ensure your continued future success as an entrepreneur. Knowing the most common stumbling blocks that trip up new business owners will help you avoid them in the long run.

“7 Ways to Make Your Startup Less Risky” identifies key areas that can cause problems for news business owners and outlines tips to help you avoid stumbling over these common pitfalls. The article explores how these challenges can affect your business, while suggesting ways to reduce their impact in the long run. Additionally, it’s full of links to useful resources for any business owner seeking to create a strong, stable foundation to build on in the future.

Here are three of the top risk-reducing suggestions:

1) Set aside enough for taxes. Many experts recommend business owners set aside roughly 30 percent of every incoming check they receive. This helps to create a financial buffer so you can pay your quarterly estimated taxes without the temptation to spend it before you need it.

2) Keep your debt in check. Avoid scaling up too quickly if you don’t have the income to support it. Whenever possible, it’s always smart to build a cash reserve savings buffer and keep your loans to a minimum.

3) Take care of yourself. What sounds like an obvious no-brainer is actually something many busy entrepreneurs tend to neglect when they’re hyper-focused on maintaining and growing their business. Without setting aside proper time to keep your physical and mental health in good shape, your business and personal wellbeing can falter.

To learn more about how to protect and expand your business, check out the many expert insights and helpful articles over at the Hiring Headquarters.

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