What are you working on?

Interview with Deborah, a remote entrepreneur changing perceptions about remote work

I'm currently working on a couple of client research projects - one for a charity and one for a global TV network (so the work I do can vary quite a bit, but it's what keeps it interesting for me).

As well as that, I am continuing to work on what I'm most passionate about at the moment —and that's becoming a remote work consultant and advocate.

I've experienced—and am still experiencing, first hand—what it can be like when a project ends up being awarded to someone else—not because I'm not capable of getting the job done—but because the client doesn't feel comfortable with me working remotely.

Early on in my foray into remote working, it became very apparent that this is a real issue faced by remote workers—and digital nomads in particular. With this in mind, I spent much of my Remote Year experience conducting a longitudinal research study into the digital nomad movement and the trials and tribulations of remote working.

The purpose of it was to help people to understand the lifestyle, the motivations, the benefits, and the challenges so that businesses designing for this audience have some solid insights to design around.

It's aimed at start-ups, developers, coworking and coliving spaces, and travel companies like Remote Year. I've also today been invited to be a keynote speaker at a conference focusing on trends in urban design in Helsinki later in the year.

Since returning, I've continued my work in this area and am now about to launch a series of workshops to support businesses making the transition from a traditional office-based model to a distributed (remote) model.

There is still so much hesitation and misperception around remote working, and I am committed to being a force for change. It's something I believe in so strongly—for the benefit of the business and the individual.

There, I'll get off my soapbox now.

Deborah has traveled the world sharing her research about the pros of remote work. See how she is helping companies and clients understand the importance of location independence.

Read full interview from Interview with Deborah, a remote entrepreneur changing perceptions about remote work.

Interview with Emma, a freelance marketing consultant

With my background in tech, I’m now working across a number of different clients, mostly tech and all B2B. Most of my regular clients are UK based, but some ad hoc stuff comes up across the rest of Europe and even the US.

I do a broad range of activities for my clients – from setting out marketing plans and content strategies, to then executing against targeted campaigns, and even some copywriting thrown in as well.

I like the variety that freelance work brings, and also that it allows me to work on a little side hustle too!

Plus I think that all good marketers should have a good grip of both the strategic and the tactical. How do you know what to put in a strategy if you don’t know what’s working, right!?

Emma is thriving as a freelance marketing consultant—see her tips on managing client demands & making yourself marketable as a freelancer.

Read full interview from Interview with Emma, a freelance marketing consultant.

Interview with Audrey, a military wife thriving as a marketing manager

My favorite focus right now is leading our recruitment efforts. Because all of our positions are W2 positions with flexible schedules as well as 100 percent remote, we're a dream company for a lot of people — especially my fellow military spouses.

I love working with our military partners to help people find our company and enjoy flexible work options that let them live their life the way they want to and still build a rewarding career.

We've found that for many people, remote work is not a 'want' it's a 'need.'

I have hundreds of examples for this, but the one that touches my heart most is a member of our team who sought to work for us so she could be more available to her two special needs children.

With a more flexible schedule, she can make it to their therapy appointments and be home with them more often, while still contributing financially to her family.

My company believes that's the way it should be.

If you hire great people whom you trust, and give them the autonomy to do their jobs in a way that works best for them, they will give you their best. And my team is truly the best.

Marrying an active-duty army officer sent Audrey on the search for a remote work position—see how she has established her career while staying on the move.

Read full interview from Interview with Audrey, a military wife thriving as a marketing manager .

Interview with Cecilia, a content writer managing her remote career in Dubai

I'm working with a few wonderful clients at the moment. I'm working with the marketing agency Adapt Worldwide writing content for one of their clients, moderating content for the educational platform Skillshare, and helping Wonderbly's customers over social media and email.

I'm also working on a couple of personal projects. I update my blog Remote Millennial once a month and am currently setting up a newsletter on Substack and another blog to put my short stories out there.

Finally, I'm doing my best to remain involved in the remote work community. You'll probably see me on Twitter chats about freelancing and social media sharing what I've learned over the years and gaining valuable insights from people with more knowledge and experience.

Cecilia got her start translating blog posts, and in 2018 she went fully remote. See her tips for managing an international remote work career.

Read full interview from Interview with Cecilia, a content writer managing her remote career in Dubai.

Interview with Mehmet, a nomadic digital maker and entrepreneur

My team and I are currently working on a few projects for clients varying from real estate development to fashion. We are process nerds and we continuously build stuff for ourselves.

We started to package some of these tools and open them up to the rest of the world as both open source projects and some free tools we’re planning to launch soon publicly. We’re really excited to help small to medium, remote teams like us with these tools.

Mehmet has embraced his remote team leadership style. Hear about his most helpful productivity trick and why he has "quiet" days for his staff.

Read full interview from Interview with Mehmet, a nomadic digital maker and entrepreneur .

Interview with Pola, a Paris-based content writer

I’m currently focused on writing about work management and digital transformation, both for our company’s resource site and external publications.

A job ad in an online group led Pola to find her ideal career as a content writer—see her remote work & job seeking takeaways.

Read full interview from Interview with Pola, a Paris-based content writer.

Interview with John, an international business writer sharing 15 years of insights

I specialize in writing for international businesses and organizations. I also help international business professionals improve their English language skills.

My clients are from all around the world—which I love.

For over a decade, John has worked as an international business writer. See his insights on the state of remote work, freelancing, and attracting clients who are the right fit.

Read full interview from Interview with John, an international business writer sharing 15 years of insights.

Interview with Tammy, founder and CEO of Workplaceless

I’m the founder and CEO of Workplaceless, which creates learning programs for remote workers and teams.

We’ve launched four products so far:

• Remote Work Certification (for those new to remote work)
• Leadplaceless (for managers of remote teams)
• Goplaceless (for companies who want to go remote)
• Trainplaceless (for remote facilitators).

Learn how this founder and CEO of a remote work resource and certification program handles the triumphs and trails of location independence.

Read full interview from Interview with Tammy, founder and CEO of Workplaceless.

Interview with Vernon, a freelance technical writer

I’m producing documentation for a number of clients. My longest client is a software company that has a flagship SaaS product which I support.

Unfortunately, I can’t say much about the work I do for them, or the product, as it’s protected by an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). I provide documentation for Focus, the Mac productivity app we all love.

I regularly produce technical articles, on the order of one a day sometimes, for a European web hosting company. I’m also in negotiation with a local utility provider to produce documentation for a new project, but that I can’t say much about either.

Vernon is a freelance software technical writer that uses lists to organize his hectic freelance schedule—see how he maximizes his time throughout the workday.

Read full interview from Interview with Vernon, a freelance technical writer .

Interview with Danielle, an author who found the benefits of coworking

I am finishing up my first self-published book - a resource journal for high schoolers to use on their college campus tours. It's called "The College Visit Journal: Campus Visits Demystified." I am using my existing MarComm knowledge to write, design, and market the book!

I was inspired to write this book after the Admissions Scandal in March of 2019. I was reading articles that chronicled the lack of resources and guidance among students – mainly students of color and those with lower socioeconomic statuses.

While the college admission process is vast, I wanted to focus on something that was a small – but very important part – of the overall process. Selecting where you will live and grow for the next four years is a big deal, so it should be taken seriously and requires organization and guidance. That's what this journal provides to students.

Danielle's remote work journey led her to become an author—see how coworking with other remote workers and digital tools have helped her to fulfill her passion.

Read full interview from Interview with Danielle, an author who found the benefits of coworking.