If it were not for these 5 tools for remote efficiency, our team would never accomplish anything. Let’s face it, it’s not FaceTime that gets things done, but collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Since our team is spread across the United States, we’ve had to find ways to communicate, manage projects, and create that don’t involve sitting in the same room. Aubrey, the Chief Operating Officer for Social for Good, took the time to share which tools work best for our remote team and why.
1. Later:
Later is a social media marketing content creation and scheduling tool. Users can link to all their social media accounts, upload images, and create posts. Posts can be assigned, approved, and scheduled through the platform. Later helps generate hashtag ideas and allows users to schedule the first comment with all the hashtags (more on hashtags here). The app allows for easy access on the go, and built-in analytics allow marketers to learn and improve strategies.
What Aubrey likes most about Later:
“Later is simple to learn, easy to use, and has a clean look and organized layout. My favorite feature is the content library where I can upload images, work on captions, and then drag them onto the calendar. The 90-day comprehensive analytics report is pretty sweet too.”
2. ClickUp
ClickUp is a project management tool that stores content and related comments in organized folders. This allows documents and communications regarding each project to be easily accessed in one central cloud-based space. Managers can assign and track tasks from inception to completion – and even use the platform to track hours for billing. Remote users with access to the internet (and a password) can utilize the secure project platform.
What Aubrey likes most about ClickUp:
“Although we use Google Docs extensively with our clients to streamline content planning and communication, we wanted to have our project tasks and team documents in one place. We chose ClickUp so we could move away from Google Docs for internal documentation, maintaining every task and resource within one portal for our team. My favorite feature is the app! I love all that I can do for this business on the go. I also enjoy the ability to link tasks and documents under their appropriate workspaces. There is so much functionality within ClickUp that we haven’t even touched yet!”
3. Slack:
Slack is a professional messaging platform for work-related text messages. Communications can be exchanged between individuals, groups, project teams, or the entire organization. Users can manage Slack notifications for improved work-life balance. Remote users can access the app through their phone or log in from a computer.
What Aubrey likes most about Slack:
“When our remote team grew and we needed a method of communication that was relatively informal beyond texting (but not as formal as email), we knew Slack was our answer. Both Kara and I had used it in the past working with a remote tech team, and we loved the conversations that happened in real time. At the same time, it didn’t make us feel like we had to reply immediately; the message was waiting in its appropriate channel when we were ready. Slack helps prevent a full email inbox or texts from getting lost in the mix of personal conversations. It keeps our internal communication in one location, organized within channels for specific business strategies or client projects.”
4. Flodesk:
Flodesk is an email service provider that offers beautiful, best-in-class, user-friendly email templates. The Flodesk interface includes an intuitive way to set up automated email workflows (e.g. based on triggers) and segment your email list (more on segmentation here). Users can generate links, landing pages, and popups for easily capturing new subscribers, and the platform offers detailed reports.
What our team likes most about Flodesk:
The user interface is super intuitive. You select a template and can easily modify it without breaking the layout. We also like Flodesk University – videos with great email tips and ideas. We have an agreement with Flodesk (we love them so much) that allows you get 50% off your first year of Flodesk through this link: https://flodesk.com/c/CUG81H (full disclosure: we also benefit when you sign up!).
5. Marco Polo:
This app allows users to send short video or audio messages to one another. Think asynchronous Zoom call! Marco Polo allows real time collaboration, or users can access videos when convenient and reply later. It’s a great way to brainstorm a solution or ask a question and have multiple people contribute to the answer.
What Aubrey likes most about Marco Polo:
“We talk through projects where typing may take too long and use it as a ‘meeting’ platform as our schedules often don’t line up for Zoom calls.”
Wrapping Up
If you’ve noticed a theme, we tend to use super-intuitive tools that offer great analytics and make room for us to collaborate and get the job done. Honestly, with all of our hectic schedules, it can be difficult to meet at the same time (not to mention the same place!). However, these 5 tools for remote efficiency still make it possible for us to accomplish the goals we have for our organization and for our clients.