Digital Marketing – Pros & Cons of Working Remotely

Pros & Cons of Working Remotely

Remote work has become a norm in recent years. We’re lucky enough that tech allows us to meet, collaborate, discuss ideas, and implement strategies no matter where we are, opening up new horizons for entrepreneurs! 

Starting your own side hustle? You don’t have to be your own marketer unless you want to be. Want marketing to be your side hustle? There are tons of opportunities out there for remote digital marketers. 

But don’t you think working remotely means you can lounge around in your PJs and do the bare minimum. It does come with its share of hurdles—keep reading so you’re well-versed in what they are before you decide to go fully online. 

The Future of Remote Work in Digital Marketing 

Digital marketing is exactly that—digital. You can’t do digital marketing offline, even though you can have team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and strategy discussions in person. 

But the world has seen how easy it is to digitize almost everything—and now that it’s becoming part of everyday life, there’s no going back on it. The future is digital, and remote work is a huge part of that. It’s not likely to go away any time soon, so brace yourself and your business for worldwide collaboration if you want to see success. 

Pros of Remote Work in Digital Marketing 

We know that remote work is going to be around for a long time to come. If you aren’t already taking advantage of it, here’s why you should be. 

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1. Flexibility Unleashed 

Remote work is super flexible. No more commuting to the office every day—professionals can now work from anywhere in the world; their desk, their bed, on the beach, or in front of the pool! 

This kind of flexibility might sound chaotic to the analytical mind. But for creative professionals, a dynamic environment can foster creativity and encourage productivity, whereas a stuffy office environment might stifle it. 

2. Reduced Overhead Costs for Businesses 

If you run a business, working with remote workers can significantly lower your overhead costs. There’s no longer a need for a physical office space—so all that money can now be allocated towards other things, helping you to grow much faster. 

Even investing that capital in things like project management tools, top-notch web hosting, communications software, email marketing software, employee development, and online employee rewards systems will leave you with money to spare. More profit, more flexibility, and happier employees. Sounds like a win-win situation! 

3. Global Talent Oasis 

The remote work model gives business owners access to a global talent pool and gives freelancers opportunities to work for businesses worldwide. This does wonders for diversity and provides opportunities for learning from both sides. 

Nobody’s limited to jobs or talent just within their local area any more. This is networking at its max—anybody, anywhere can make connections and enrich each other’s business. 

4. Increased Employee Productivity and Satisfaction 

Research suggests that remote workers can actually be more productive than in-office workers. There’s also evidence that they have higher job satisfaction… Possibly due to the many perks, like working in your own comfy space, being able to juggle your job with family and other important things, and a certain autonomy that you just don’t get otherwise. 

Whether you’re a business owner or a remote worker, employee job satisfaction is important! Happy workers work better, so it benefits everyone. 

5. Improved Work-Life Balance 

Remote workers have more opportunities to cultivate a better work-life balance. With a few extra hours added to the day thanks to the lack of a commute, remote workers might find more time to do the things they really love, which ultimately enhances overall wellbeing and comes full circle, positively impacting their work quality. 

Juggling time zones can also help remote workers to find a better work-life balance. For example, remote workers might be able to take a few hours off in the afternoon to spend time with the family and catch up on those hours later in the day when the kids are in bed. 

Cons of Remote Work in Digital Marketing 

Remote work might be the new way, but it does come with potential obstacles. Understanding these upfront will help you better prepare for them so you don’t get tripped up along the way. 

1. Communication Hurdles 

A lack of face-to-face communication may present problems for some workers. Despite advancements in communications tech, it can still be a challenge. Poor internet connections, time zone differences, and difficulties reading body language and facial expressions are just a few. 

Another potential issue that’s often not foreseen is cultural differences between team members. Working with a team around the world can bring a rich diversity to your workforce, but it can also bring accidental cultural disrespect as people of different nationalities interact. 

2. Distractions and Lack of Motivation 

For less experienced freelancers, the home environment can be a distracting one. Some employees may find it hard to be productive, with numerous distractions that are likely to be more exciting than work! 

This is hard to anticipate upfront if you’re hiring freelancers. If you are a freelancer, creating a dedicated workspace in the home and setting and following a daily routine can help prevent this. 

3. Technology Dependency 

Working remotely means you’re using tech a LOT. This could pose a few problems—firstly, reliance on tech for work means that technical issues can severely hamper your workflow, adding a ton of stress to your day. 

Secondly, it can have an effect on your social life—if you’re working long hours online, your real-life interactions may take a back seat. Sometimes, you’ll need to remind yourself to take a break from the tech and get out in the real world! 

4. Security Concerns 

With everything being online, cybersecurity is a much more important element than it ever was before. Businesses may end up spending more on cybersecurity measures, but it’s a necessary expense. 

This is something companies can’t skimp on. Neglect your security and you’re leaving your business open to being hacked, or worse—your employees’ sensitive information being exposed. 

Best Practices for a Remote Work Environment in Digital Marketing 

Planning on hiring remote workers or working for a company far away? Follow these best practices to make sure everything goes smoothly. 

• Set Clear Expectations and Goals: Communicate clear expectations to your remote workers, and set clear goals if you’re a remote worker. 

• Employee Support and Engagement: As an employer, provide support and engagement to keep your remote workers connected and happy. Virtual team-building and regular check-ins can help. 

• Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Keep learning, whether you’re an employer or an employee. Stay on top of trends and evolve, and encourage the same from your remote team. 

• Cybersecurity Measures: Implement robust cybersecurity measures if you’re a business owner. Not only will your employees have peace of mind, but you’re covering yourself in case of an attempted breach. Also, be strict about who has access to things like web hosting, passwords, and other sensitive data. 

Effective Tools: Choosing the right tools for the job is essential. From communication to project management, it’s both the employer’s and the employee’s responsibility to use effective tools to get the job done.

Final Thoughts

Ready to start embracing remote work in digital marketing? It’s here to stay, so you can either welcome it and prepare yourself for a remote working environment, or you can brush it aside… But expect to fall behind as your competitors embrace the new normal and surge ahead. 

Understand these pros and cons and implement these best practices and you’ll be well on your way to conquering this brave new world. 

About the Author

Paul Wheeler runs a web design agency that helps small businesses optimize their websites for business success. He aims to educate business owners on all things website-related, on his own website, Reviews for Website Hosting.