Key Highlights
- Steven Rich is working remotely as a content writer since 2009.
- Steven Rich has lived in eight countries and traveled to 35+ other countries.
- Steven Rich's famous article has got over 157,000 views, 879 Likes, and 504 Comments which is very impressive.
Steven Rich has shared his remote work story with us.
What’s your profession, what do you do?
I am a remote content writer with marketing and SEO training and experience.
What company do you work for? Are you a freelancer or Digital Nomad?
I am a remote freelancer.
How did you start with a remote work journey?
In 2009, I left POLS Attorneys as the Manager of their Marketing Department. Then, I set myself up as a remote content writer for global clients. I never looked back.
What do you think are the main benefits of working remotely?
- Tax-Free Income: I live in a country that does not tax worldwide income, only fees earned within the country. This means all global (outside my country) internet income is tax free.
- Independence: I work whenever I want and where I want.
- No Bosses: My clients allow me the freedom to create content my way.
- Freedom: I can turn down unethical or dishonest clients. I can avoid projects I don't like or feel unqualified.
Do you think there are disadvantages or that you’re missing something by working remotely?
- Probably, not interacting with coworkers at work and socializing with them after work.
- Another is the lack of a consistent salary as my income varies every month. I earn a good living, but not a consistent one.
From what cities or countries have you worked since you have become remote? What are your favourite countries or cities to work from?
- Although I lived in eight countries and traveled to 35+ others, I created a comfortable nest where I live.
- I enjoy the facilities in my home. Its quiet during the day and located close to everything I need.
- Fast internet connection and a nice balcony to lounge in during breaks. All the comforts of home and nearby parks to walk to.
From what type of places do you prefer to work? Home, co-working spaces, coffee shops or others?
I tried internet cafes, park benches, beaches, and coffee shops. I found them too distracting with people, cars, and sand. My home is my castle and work place.
What places would you like to travel to while working remotely?
Caribbean Islands with beautiful beaches and warm weather appeal to me. I would work inside a rented apartment or a hotel suite.
What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them? Share your remote productivity, communication, management, etc. tips based on your experience!
Promoting my services and competing against other global remote writers were my initial challenges. Once I developed an impressive portfolio I was able to use it to land clients based on my experience.
Gaining Google #1 SERPs for many of my writings helped me to get clients. Also, when the Google Featured Snippets started around 2018 my writings were selected for many of them. I currently have 65 snippets to my credit.
The COVID-19 business lockdowns created millions of remote work at home writers who compete with me when I look for remote writing gigs. More competition from writers asking lower fees tempts cash strapped individuals and companies to hire them. Yet, there are companies seeking high-quality writers and willing to pay them including me.
I communicate with global clients by email, Skype, and Zoom. I used Slack and Google Docs. for clients who preferred them.
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What tools you use to improve productivity and manage work efficiently?
I start with Word and Google Docs. for clients requesting them. After my first draft, I use several spell checking and grammar programs like Grammarly and Grammark.org. Also, Hemingway Editor helps me to spot and correct run on sentences.
Since 2009, I upload blog posts onto clients' self-hosted WordPress sites. I like working with WordPress as its easy and user friendly.
How do you manage your business and taxes as a remote working professional?
As I answered above, I work in a totally tax-free country. I am very organized and produce monthly invoices for clients to pay me. Managing my business doesn't take much time.
What advice would you give to people looking to work remotely?
Content writers and copywriters need to create an impressive portfolio online and as a Word Doc. file to send to potential clients and employers. Experience counts heavily with gaining new clients.
Niches work too. A Jack of All writings and Master of None doesn't help. I created niches in U.S. legal and real estate industry writings. As a result, many U.S. real estate brokerages and related industries hire me. U.S. and global law firms hire me too.
Do you work on any side projects?
Only to write educational articles on LinkedIn to teach writers about the many laws we face. Like how to avoid Copyright and Plagiarism violations.
Links to your side projects?
My most famous article is titled, "U.S. Companies can Legally Hire Foreigners Living in other Countries" which got over 157,000 views, 879 Likes, and 504 Comments. You can view it at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/us-companies-can-legally-hire-foreigners-living-other-rich-mba/
Would you like to share any interesting stories while you worked remotely? Please share if you can.
I wrote the above-mentioned blog post: "U.S. Companies can Legally Hire Foreigners Living in other Countries" because U.S. companies thought I needed an immigration visa and a Green Card (work permit) to write for them. This blog post showed them that it's legal to hire me remotely while living outside of the U.S. It generated a lot of business for me.
Visit Website: LinkedIn
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