If you’ve struggled to get in to work today because of traffic, train delays or a faulty alarm clock, you’re not alone. However, the changes and advances in digital technology have now given employees the option and freedom to work from home or a tech hub and still be connected to colleagues and clients.
With the number of people taking advantage of this continuing to rise, business owners are finding out that it can improve productivity and overall wellbeing. With that in mind, we’re sharing our top five tips for marketers working remotely:
Make use of the cloud
Working remotely has never been easier thanks to the evolution of the cloud and other web tools. There is a plethora of free and paid-for applications that can help you work more effectively from home. Our favourites are:
• Hootsuite – it allows us to manage multiple social media accounts from our phones at events
• Google Hangouts – which allow us to instant message other members of the team while working across multiple locations without having to draft new emails each time
• eBuild – our email marketing software can be used from any device, meaning we can create campaigns and check in on their progress wherever we are
• Google docs – we can create documents of any type, from huge marketing plans to notes and checklists, online and access them from anywhere
Plan your day
One of the most useful tools we use at Carswell Gould is a week planner, which lists each day and breaks it down into AM and PM. It allows us to schedule our work by priority, rather than adding to an ever-growing to-do list. Tick off each task as you complete it and it will keep you on track.
Enlist the help of children and family members
One of the trickiest elements of working from home when you are a new parent is resisting distractions from family members. A simple solution is to create a traffic light system so children know when they can and cannot disturb you. A red card on the door indicates that you cannot be disturbed, an amber one means to ask first and a green one means they can enter.
Set aside a ‘work zone’
It can be hard to separate yourself from the distractions of home life if you’re working from where you live, which is why it’s useful to set aside a work zone. You don’t need a spare room or built-in office to do this. A breakfast bar or dining room table can easily become your new ‘desk’ as long as you ensure it’s well away from distractions such as the TV and washing machine.
Plan your breaks
Sometimes working from home can be quieter than being in the office, which makes it easier to concentrate but also easy to get lost in your work. Screen breaks are important not just for your eyes but to keep you motivated and creative. Set alarms to keep you in check and ensure your day is structured.
What is your take on working remotely? Do you think flexible working would work for your business?
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