When I first started my editing business, it was so that I could travel while working remotely. Yes, I was (and still am) one of those digital nomads. The ones you see sitting in cafes with a laptop and a cup of coffee – earphones optional! It’s so easy to do nowadays that more and more are turning to remote working and digital nomadism. And it’s not just freelancers anymore, but employees who can work remotely as well. But what tools do you need to get things done efficiently when working remotely?
How our working lives have changed
The remote working trend that became the norm in 2020 is not going away – even if you don’t work for yourself. The UK’s Office of National Statistics reported a 10% rise in homeworking to 37% in 2020. While this dropped slightly the following year, 24% of businesses said they intended to continue offering homeworking. And this doesn’t include those who were already running their own businesses or who started one during or after 2020.
My top tools for remote working
I’m going to assume that a laptop and WiFi are a given and that you’re set up with both. Even if you’re not in a home environment, cafes, libraries and co-working spaces have excellent WiFi. Alternatively, a local or eSIM card and data plan allowing you to hot spot are fairly inexpensive solutions.
With your laptop ready and your internet connection strong, here are the top tools for remote working that have helped me get things done efficiently both at home or on the road.
Collaboration platforms
Collaboration platforms are not only useful if you work with a team. You can also use them to liaise with your clients. Apps such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Microsoft 365 allow you to share data and keep in touch more easily.
I found this to be one of the most helpful tools for my business: setting up an accountability group to combat procrastination and loneliness. Our group uses Slack to keep in touch as frequently as we need or want to. It has turned out to be a remote team, almost like being in an office environment but without the commute or rogue colleague reheating fish in the microwave!
Cloud storage
This comes in two main forms – as paid storage space and as software that allows you to get things done while storing your work in the cloud.
Personally, I have opted for the latter and use Microsoft 365 for my work. All my work is safely encrypted and backed up daily, and I can access it anytime, anywhere. Even when my laptop was in for repairs, I was able to pick up where I left off using a borrowed laptop without missing a beat. In fact, I don’t think anyone noticed!
VPN – virtual private network
This is a particularly useful piece of software when working away from home, although I use mine all the time. I have used NordVPN for years.
A virtual private network (VPN) works by creating a digitally encrypted tunnel between you and the rest of the internet. It also creates a separate IP address for you, disguising your location and making it much harder for hackers to access your data. It also means that you can set it to show you’re in one country when you’re actually thousands of miles away.
Using a VPN offers peace of mind, especially when working on sensitive jobs or trying to do online banking.
Focus apps
You may be easily distracted, like me, when not working from home. You may find that working in a cafe or co-working space is impossible if there is even the slightest bit of noise. (Or you may actually prefer some background noise and find home a little too quiet.)
I recently tried using the Pomodoro technique: 25-minute stints of work, followed by 5-minute breaks. It helps me concentrate, knowing that I can deal with any incoming emails or admin tasks during my breaks.
And while I’m okay with some background noise and don’t mind working in a cafe, I can’t work to music. This is where apps that stream background noise that you would find in a cafe or co-working space can help. One of my accountability group buddies tells me that A Soft Murmur is a good one to try.
If social media is your nemesis, there are software-blocking apps that will restrict your ability to access selected apps and websites. Set them to your chosen working time and focus on what you need to do. I admit I haven’t needed to use any myself yet, but I hear good things about Freedom.
Security tools
It may sound obvious, but we don’t all do it unless something has gone wrong and we’ve lost work or data – or worse, been hacked. Security tools can be as simple as antivirus software or as sophisticated as two-factor authentication and additional encryption layers. My go-to for years has been AVG.
A basic antivirus programme is a must. It is increasingly a requirement if you have professional indemnity or cybersecurity insurance. If you work on sensitive or confidential projects, then additional security layers will give you and your clients greater peace of mind. It may even be the difference between winning that contract or securing that new client and losing out because your systems are not considered secure enough.
Automation apps
As an editor, this one has been a surprising timesaver, not to mention sanity-retainer. Text expander apps help you to reduce the number of times you write the same thing. With just a couple of keystrokes, I can have entire sentences written into a document or email. Extra useful if you are lacking the ergonomic tools that make repetitive tasks less onerous. I started with the free trial for TextExpander and haven’t looked back.
And there you have it. The remote working tools that can help you get your work done efficiently and comfortably, wherever your office may be. None of these need to break the bank and all will definitely save you time and money in the long run. They have certainly untied my hands and given me peace of mind. I know my files are secure and I can roam the globe while working.
Get in touch
Christina Petrides is a proofreader and copyeditor who works with businesses, publishers, academics, and court reporters. She works across most industries and has a particular love for the environmental and travel sectors. She is an Advanced Professional Member of the CIEP and Affiliate Member of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Post updated June 2025
