Content Factory is a remote company which means there is no physical space where team members meet to collaborate and coordinate. We don’t have that. We all meet in a virtual office called cyberspace. Since all team members are fully remote, good communication is paramount.
What does good communication look like?
There is good communication when team members are responsive. When a team member sends a message (email, Basecamp, Skype, etc.), he doesn’t have to chase anyone to get a response. He gets a reply within the day.
It’s not because we’re impatient or demanding. It’s because we depend on other people to help us so that we can do our job. In a team, there are dependencies, always. There is no such thing as a Super VA who can do it all. We need each other to get things done.
Read: 8 Key Points Of Good Communication
Have you ever been ignored? Every one of us has experienced it for sure. How did it feel? I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you don’t like being ignored, don’t do it to other people.
Read: Ridding Excuses Through Open Communication
Imagine how I feel every time I need to chase a team member. I’ve been ignored so many times that I’ve lost count already. Why do you think I keep sending these messages and follow-ups? It’s not because I’m feeling important. It’s because we need to get things moving.
Read: Don’t make me chase you
Clients come to us because they trust us. If we don’t communicate well, we won’t deliver for sure. If we don’t deliver, we’ll lose our clients. We’ll get a bad reputation (well-deserved) and end up losing the company (where you work). Do you see the chain reaction? All these things are connected, so maybe now you can see why good communication is so important!
Read: The Importance of Lightweight Touches
It doesn’t take much time and effort to respond. So please, the next time you see a message from me or one of your team members, remember that it’s probably important and requires your response. Respond right away if you can, but if you can’t, make sure to respond within 24 hours, not three days after.
I wish to see a time when I won’t need to send anyone to this post anymore.
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is the CEO of Local Service Spotlight, a platform that amplifies the reputations of contractors and local service businesses using the Content Factory process. He is a former search engine engineer who has spent a billion dollars on Google and Facebook ads for Nike, Quiznos, Ashley Furniture, Red Bull, State Farm, and other brands.
Dennis has achieved 25% of his goal of creating a million digital marketing jobs by partnering with universities, professional organizations, and agencies. Through Local Service Spotlight, he teaches the Dollar a Day strategy and Content Factory training to help local service businesses enhance their existing local reputation and make the phone ring.
Dennis coaches young adult agency owners serving plumbers, AC technicians, landscapers, roofers, electricians, and believes there should be a standard in measuring local marketing efforts, much like doctors and plumbers must be certified.