3 Secrets to Working Remotely with International Clients
At some point, it’s likely your freelance career will lead you to a client outside of the U.S. One aspect I love about freelancing is the ability to work with people across the world. Why? Not everyone can say they have international clients. Global clientele can create valuable opportunities. Yet, if you chose to work with people around the world, there are tips to keep in mind during the process.
Don’t Communicate Using American Sayings and Idioms
A majority of people who work remotely will tell you the importance of clear communication. This is also true for people who freelance. I’ve found this to be important because conversations are often one-on-one. When you’re working with international clients, communication is the key to your success. One aspect we need to consider is English might not be the client’s first language. However, in some cases, a person’s English may be as strong as their native language. In other cases, you have to be mindful that certain ways of communicating could get “lost in translation”. Why? Well, typically when someone learns a new language, they learn it by acquiring all the grammar rules. Then, we must consider how language varies depending on the region within a country or dependent on the country. There will be variations between an American from the South, an Irish person, and an Australian. They may all speak English, yet the way they use language probably won’t sound the same. To ensure clarity avoid idioms like “a piece of cake”, “let’s table this”, “shoot the breeze”, and “up my alley”. Also, if you think there has been a miscommunication, reach out to the client to get an answer. This can make some people uncomfortable, but it’s always better to be 100% sure.
Should Remote Workers Use Idioms?
Coordinate To Accommodate The Time Zone Difference
Another common issue you can encounter is adjusting your communications to fit a time zone difference. There will be times when the client and yourself want to jump on a video call, call, or do quick emailing. At the beginning of your project with your client, you should get their time zone and also share your own. Then compare work schedules, to find times when you can overlap your work. This could look like earlier mornings for you around deadlines or submitting work at night. For more extreme time zone differences, there will need to be more compromise. Work with your client to make sure communication is still free-flowing. Tools like Slack or email can be used at any time and answered at a later date. Regardless, it’s imperative you find a schedule with your clients that works.
Consider Cultural Norms
When we work with international clients, we should complete our work with an international perspective. There will be cases when you’re working with a business and they primarily work within the country they live in. When this is the case, make sure you get notes from the client and also do your own research on their culture. A personalized approach to your work will show your client you’ve taken the time to submit your best work. This personalized work will also resonate with their audience in a genuine way.
