In a post-pandemic world, it’s no secret that remote work has been on the rise. 27% of all U.S.-based employees are working remotely as of this year, and 68% of Americans say they would prefer that their job be fully remote. Many workers have turned to freelance and other types of copywriting jobs because most were already remote, even before the pandemic. Despite this preference for remote work, the reality is that working remote copywriter jobs has it’s own set of challenges that need to be considered before you take the plunge.
Good project management is a cornerstone of being successful in any remote job, especially copywriting. You must learn to plan, organize, and manage deadlines to ensure that your deliverables will be on time, in budget, and within scope.
However, learning to find balance through time and project management is an area that new freelance copywriters often struggle with, so we’ve collected 6 tips to help you succeed in remote copywriter jobs.
Tip 1: Set Clear Goals and Deadlines
The top tip we have is a bit of a no-brainer, but it can also be very difficult at first: always set clear and realistic goals and deadlines. We like to set up goals and major milestones with our clients during onboarding. This allows you team and your client’s team to be aligned on all deadlines early on in the project. You will also want to be wary of underestimating your timeline during this phase as well. You don’t want to compromise your current or future remote copywriter jobs because you’ve underestimated the time a project will take to complete and fail to meet your client’s expectations.
One way of setting realistic timelines is to set a final “drop dead” due date for the project and work backward based off of how much time each phase of the project will take. Start with an estimate for how much time each task, subtask, or phase of a project will take when scoping out the project or onboarding the client so you can allocate resources effectively and verify any dependencies between tasks.
Side note: we are fully aware that you can’t force everyone to stick to the set deadlines, but having them mapped out at the start of the project makes them visible to everyone and gives a big-picture look at how the project should go.
Tip 2: Break Down Larger Phases into Manageable Tasks
A subset of tip 1 is our second tip: break down the project into smaller, more manageable chunks. Each phase should have a specific objective or outcome that will contribute to the overall project goal. This helps you clarify the steps required to complete the task and makes it less overwhelming.
Then, within each phase, identify the major tasks or activities that need to be completed. These tasks should be specific, actionable, and measurable. This phase is also where you should identify any dependencies between tasks. Some tasks may need to be completed before others can begin, while some tasks may be able to run concurrently. The goal here is to ensure that you aren’t left waiting on another task or team unnecessarily to keep the project on track.
Tip 3: Find the Right Project Management Tool for You
Tools that help facilitate your project management are key to keeping your project on track and managing your tim. But not all project management tools are built the same, nor will each one work for every project or work style.
Some of our favorite project management and time tracking tools to help you thrive include:
- Asana: great for multiple users, projects, and flexibility.
- Trello: best for users who love a Kaban-style board for organization.
- Monday.com: one of the most popular and widely-used project management tools.
- Notion: the most flexible, customizable, do-anything application.
- Toggl Track: easy-to-use time tracking that can integrate your calendar.
- Clockify: one of the most comprehensive free time-tracking apps.
- Harvest: Time tracking plus reporting, invoicing, and payments.
Along with using the right tools, it’s also important that you implement techniques that will help you manage your time and be productive. We recommend trying techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or time blocking using Focus Time on your Google Calendar.
Tip 4: Establish Communication Channels Early On
As with any remote job, remote copywriter jobs require a different level of communication than in-person gigs. You can’t just hop over to someone’s desk to ask a question or to see if they’re available to collaborate, so knowing which communication channels or methods work best will help your relationships thrive. We recommend figuring out the best communication platform for your client, like Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or email, and finding a way to use it with them. For example, if they all use Slack, ask to be added or to create a connect channel.
With every new client, it’s important to set up expectations and boundaries for communication early on in the relationship. This might be as simple as saying I will respond to emails within 24 hours during the business week or I will respond to Slack messages between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm ET. Remember, depending on where your clients are located, you might have to modify your communication boundaries to accommodate any time differences.
Tip 5: Build a Collaborative Relationship for Feedback
Collaboration and feedback play a crucial role in the success of remote copywriter jobs and projects. When working remotely, it’s essential to build a collaborative relationship with your client or coworkers to ensure that team members are aligned, ideas are shared, and everyone’s expertise is utilized effectively.
Regular team meetings or brainstorming sessions are one way to facilitate collaboration and encourage open communication. Virtual collaboration tools like video conferencing and project management software can help everyone stay connected and work together seamlessly. We also recommend learning early on in the project who will need to give feedback and approve your copy before it is finalized.
Tip 6: Embrace Flexibility and Adaptability
We all know that projects rarely go as planned and requirements or needs might change. Luckily as a remote copywriter, your lifestyle usually allows for some flexibility when things don’t go as planned. Unlike traditional office settings, remote copywriters have the freedom to adjust their schedules, work environments, and workflows to accommodate evolving demands.
Embracing this flexibility is essential for success in remote copywriter jobs. You should prioritize staying agile and being open to new opportunities that arise. This means being proactive in seeking feedback, staying updated on industry trends, and actively seeking professional development opportunities. By embracing change and remaining adaptable, you can not only meet the evolving needs of your clients but also position yourself as versatile professional in the ever-changing landscape of copywriting.
Thriving in Remote Copywriter Jobs
Effective project management is crucial for maximizing productivity and achieving success in a remote work setting. Without clear organization and efficient workflows, you may struggle to meet deadlines, communicate effectively with clients and team members, and maintain a consistent level of quality in your work.
By implementing proven project management strategies, such as setting clear goals, creating a structured schedule, utilizing task management tools, and maintaining open and transparent communication, you can ensure that you stay on track and deliver exceptional results.
Author Bio
Christina Rowell, Ph.D., is a content strategist at Content Workshop, Managing Director at Copywriter Exchange, and a former college writing instructor. She has over ten years of experience writing, editing, and creating content for healthcare, mental health, cybersecurity, and manufacturing clients.
At Copywriter Exchange, we’re a group of master content marketing pros who bring their diverse talents and backgrounds to bear on the art and science of creating high-performance content, tailored to your needs. We exist to help copywriters thrive in today’s economy by connecting them with the resources they need to step up their game. Join now to access our templates, guides, and courses to help you grow your career, skills, and network.
