The Secret Sauce to Remote Work Success
What’s the secret to remote work success?
Is it capital? More clients? Your talent? Perhaps a fancy diploma?
It is actually none of those things.
For me, long-term success almost always boils down to one thing: the relationships you build with the people around you.
Why bother?
Back in the day, I treated client work as transactions. I didn’t really bother about the business or the client. I just wanted to get the job done.
My life — and career — drastically changed when I started caring.
When I started building genuine relationships with my clients, opportunities opened up. Life-changing conversations happened. I wasn’t just a task-doer anymore — I became an integral part of my clients’ businesses.
And as their businesses grew, so did I.
That’s when I realized the power of building genuine relationships.
When you build strong relationships with clients, you're no longer just another freelancer in their inbox. You become part of their story and their success—someone they trust, value, and want to keep in their professional journey.
Getting real
In a more practical sense, strong client relationships can also transform your work in profound ways:
They provide predictable income that allows you to plan beyond the next paycheck
They boost your productivity by reducing client turnovers
They open doors to better projects that match your growing expertise
They create advocates who recommend you to others, bringing opportunities without effort
Most importantly, these relationships give meaning to your work.
So, how do you build these relationships?
Here are a few ideas:
Care About Their Business Like It Is Your Own
It starts by seeing your client's business through their eyes. Go beyond delivering what they've asked for — understand why they're asking for it in the first place.
Take time to learn about:
their industry
their competitors
their pain points —
— and their goals.
Do your homework. Read their company blog, follow their social media, and review their annual reports if available. During calls, listen not just for instructions but for the concerns beneath their words.
This approach is particularly powerful for Filipino remote workers because caring for others comes naturally to our culture. In building genuine relationships with your clients, let empathy and curiosity be your guide.
Be a Partner for Growth
Partners grow together. Position yourself as someone invested in your client's long-term success, not just completing the next assignment.
Learn to ask future-focused questions like:
"Where do you see your business in six months?"
"What's the next big challenge you're preparing for?"
"How does this project fit into your larger goals?"
Then, align your contributions with these ambitions. When a client sees that you're thinking about their future, they'll naturally include you in their plans.
Shifting into a growth mindset also changes your perspective. Knowing what you’re working towards and actively contributing to a larger goal gives your tasks purpose.
Proactively Share Your Ideas
Being a self-starter is an advantage in remote work. Don't wait to be asked for input; respectfully offer observations and suggestions that could benefit their business.
I know that we Filipinos are raised to be humble and tend to avoid appearing boastful. It’s not uncommon for Pinoy assistants to sit quietly during the Zoom meeting or hesitate to chime in during the weekly all-hands. While these are beautiful qualities, in remote work they can sometimes be misinterpreted as lack of initiative.
Find your voice and share your thoughts with confidence, knowing that your perspective matters.
Craft your suggestions thoughtfully:
Ground them in research or observation
Present them as possibilities to explore together, not directives
Timing matters! Ask the right questions at the right time.
Follow up with concrete action steps you could take to implement them
For example, when you encounter a problem, don’t just send an SOS. Instead, tell your client about the issue, share what you’ve done so far, and outline your intended next steps. Even when a client doesn't implement your ideas, they'll appreciate your proactive thinking and remember you as someone who brings more than just technical skills to the table.
Do Good Work Consistently
Consistency can be your superpower as a remote professional.
It doesn’t mean being perfect all the time.
Consistency means:
Meeting deadlines without exception
Maintaining standards even when facing challenges
Communicating clearly about progress and obstacles
Taking ownership of mistakes and resolving them quickly
The Filipino work ethic is your natural advantage here. Show up. Do the work. Be indispensable.
Check-In Genuinely
Relationships need regular nurturing. If you can, schedule occasional check-ins that go beyond project updates. It doesn’t even have to be formal, lengthy, or frequent. A five-minute video call every quarter or a thoughtful email when you see something relevant to their interests can maintain your connection between projects.
These check-ins might include simple things like:
Sharing an article relevant to their industry
Asking about the impact of your recent project
Following up on personal details they've shared before (a vacation they mentioned, their child's graduation)
Expressing gratitude for specific ways they've helped you grow
The key is authenticity. Genuinely care about maintaining the relationship.
Build Your Future One Relationship at a Time
The journey from project worker to trusted partner isn't traveled overnight.
Start with one client whose business truly interests you. Learn more about their industry, reflect on how you might help them grow beyond your current assignment, and schedule a brief check-in to better understand their goals.
Successful remote careers aren't built on constantly finding new clients—they're built on becoming indispensable to the right ones. When you transform transactions into relationships, you create not just a sustainable career, but meaningful work that honors both your talents and the trust clients place in you.
Your next enduring client partnership is waiting to be built. Will you take the first step today?
