There are many advantages to working online, here are the ten I find make everyday a pleasure.
1. Working from Anywhere
Although I have a home office (no children allowed) I do work from many places such as a client’s location, hotel rooms when away with work or even in the car when someone else is driving. Being mobile is great, as long as there’s an internet connection I can work.
2. Productivity
Although the family are usually around they make sure they don’t pass my office. My calls are also answered by my PA. This ensures I can be super productive. I can’t imagine concentrating on copy when a dozen other people are chattering on the phone or typing around me.
3. Access to Resources
When working online you get to know all the great sites which gives you access to any resources you need. You can also take advantage of many online offers daily, I must admit, I’m a bit of a fiend for the eBay daily deals – especially if they have 70% off!
4. Diversity of People
From young entrepreneurs to people who live at the other end of the Earth there’s no limit to the range of people I work with. I learn so much about other cultures and countries yet what always surprises me is the great grasp of English many foreigners have. It’s quite humiliating really, as few of us in Britain take the time to learn another language fluently yet business people abroad see this as standard.
5. Marketing on a Budget
If you have an online business it’s so easy (and cheap) to promote yourself online. You can write blogs, enhance web copy, use AdWords agencies, join websites, fill out profiles and create business pages on social media channels. No matter which avenue you choose, working online ensures you keep your marketing bang up to date as it’s so easy to manage it all from one simple internet connection.
6. Multitasking a Go GO
I’m not sure how other freelancers work but I have never been good at completing one job at a time. Even when doing housework I start six jobs and they all come together at the end of the day. This drives my husband mad but online no one really cares how I work as long as I deliver quality copy on time. So I can have ten tabs open, seven word documents and a Waitrose shop on the go without any repercussions.
7. Everyday Learning
My son recently told me that I must be the most intelligent person in the world as I learn something new every day. I’m not of course but I do adore learning about a wide variety of subjects on a daily basis. With clients from all sectors, from aesthetic clinics and tax rebate services to luxury lifestyle magazines, it’s important to have efficient research skills, to be able to absorb information and write with authority on a subject within the space of hours. The internet makes this simple, although I call this skimming as if I had to sit a test on the subject matter a year from now I doubt I would have retained the info. As I see my son adopt the same technique for his homework, I do worry about how much he will actually retain. Oh to have Google when at school!
8. Flexibility
As you know, no one pays for sick days when you’re a freelancer so if I’m ill, I don’t take time off. Instead I’ll set up the office in the bedroom and do bits and pieces in between naps. This flexibility lends itself to all manner of situations. I can take time out to go to school plays, have an impromptu lunch with a friend or simply get out in the garden on a sunny day knowing I can make the time up later.
9. Control Freak Me
I admit it, I’m a control freak. I’ve always had an issue with those in power as I have always questioned everything. I’m also not great at being told what to do. Working online is perfect for me as I don’t have a problem being motivated, if anything I work too much, and I am in complete control. If I don’t work I don’t get paid, if I don’t do a great job, I don’t get referred or repeat work, so my fate is in my hands. These tow facts alone are enough of an incentive to work my socks off daily.
10. Pyjama Days
When I first started working from home I promised I would get dressed every day and go to work like it’s a real office. However, when the phone started ringing at 7am and I was sat at my desk by 5 past before the kettle had even boiled, I realised that people don’t really mind if somedays you’re in pyjamas.
As a woman I envy men who simply slip on a pair of jeans and are ready to go. It takes me a lot longer with contact lenses, makeup and so on. Therefor, the odd pyjama day is great, however I’m now calling it loungewear as it seems more appropriate.