How do you ensure effective communication with colleagues and clients while working remotely? What is one communication practice you've found particularly helpful?

Question

Remote work has transformed the landscape of professional communication, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. This article explores best practices for effective communication in remote work environments, drawing insights from industry experts. By implementing these strategies, teams can enhance collaboration, maintain transparency, and achieve success in the digital workplace.

Vikrant Bhalodia · Answer

One approach I rely on is recording short asynchronous video briefs before complex remote discussions, especially with clients or cross-functional teams. These are simple 2-3 minute screen recordings where I walk through key points, decisions, or visuals ahead of a meeting—or sometimes in place of one.
This gives people time to absorb the details on their own schedule, especially across time zones. It also sharpens the actual conversations, since everyone comes in aligned. It's helped cut down on confusion, reduced back-and-forth, and made our meetings way more productive.
It's a small shift, but being intentional like this has really improved how we collaborate remotely, without adding more calls to everyone's calendar.

Kristin Marquet · Answer

When I transitioned to a fully remote agency model, I recognized that unstructured freedom often leaves people unsure when or how to share updates—so I introduced our S-P-S Check-Ins. Every Monday morning, team members and key clients post a three-line update in our #weekly-status channel, stating what they're focused on for the week, summarizing their achievements from the previous week, and flagging any support they require. By limiting each update to three concise sentences, we cut through the noise of rambling emails, ensure everyone knows exactly where projects stand, and surface roadblocks before they become emergencies—all without scheduling a single extra meeting.
Even more important has been our "Voice Snapshot" ritual every Friday afternoon. Instead of crafting another status email, I record a 60-second voice note in Slack highlighting one win from the week ("We secured a new FemFounder webinar partner"), one key insight ("Designing the landing page earlier would've shaved two days off development"), and one ask for the week ahead ("I need feedback on the new pitch template by Tuesday"). Hearing tone and nuance brings back the human connection that pure text lacks, and it only takes a minute to record—and another to listen. Since adopting Voice Snapshots, our backlog of follow-up questions has decreased by 30%, team morale has improved, and clients consistently comment on how aligned and engaged they feel.

Melanie Marten · Answer

We provide global campaigns with a focus on the U.S., the U.K., and Europe. Our multilingual team is set up remotely in Berlin, Germany, and Athens, Greece, allowing us to offer competitive pricing. Clear communication with remote clients and teams is an invaluable skill that I have developed. The key is to set up weekly update calls that strictly do not exceed one hour so that clients and team members won't see them as a burden to their schedules. These calls cover campaign briefings, new tactics, and new publication processes.
The remote structure made me realize the importance of clarifying everything. After the calls, I create knowledge panels as landing pages on our dashboard and record short videos to explain parts of them. Clients and team members have access to these videos. This avoids any misunderstandings that may have occurred during the call and gives everyone the chance to clarify details for themselves.

Vasilii Kiselev · Answer

One practice that has completely transformed the way I communicate remotely: I treat asynchronous messages like mini briefings — not chats. This means providing clear intent, context, and expectations for what I want in return. I avoid sending "quick thoughts" without structure. If I wouldn't say it that way in a room, I don't type it that way either.
At Legacy Online School, we work across six time zones — and the usual ping-pong of half-baked Slack messages simply doesn't suffice. We use short Loom videos for nuance and Notion documents with decision trees so no one is ever left guessing. Everyone gets the "why," not just the "what."
Most leaders try to mimic office communication online. That's a trap. Remote work isn't a downgrade — it's a redesign. You don't need more tools — you need more clarity. One strong message beats ten follow-ups. Every time.

Vaibhav Kishnani · Answer

I believe the most reliable way we ensure clear communication while working remotely is by keeping everything documented and visible, not just verbal.
One thing that has worked really well for us is maintaining shared Notion boards for every project. Instead of chasing updates on Slack or through calls, the entire team, both internal and client-side, can see exactly what is happening, what is delayed, and what needs input. This reduces back-and-forth communication and gives everyone clarity without micromanagement.
What I have learned is that asynchronous transparency builds more trust than constant check-ins. If your updates are clear, consistent, and centralized, clients feel in control and your team stays focused. Communication is not about more messages; it is about fewer surprises. That is the real advantage of remote work done right.

Nikita Sherbina · Answer

When I started managing a remote team, I realized that overcommunication wasn't the problem—unstructured communication was. One practice that's made a big difference is setting "response windows" for different channels. For example, Slack is for quick, same-day items, but anything that needs thoughtful input goes into a shared Notion doc with a 24-hour turnaround. This reduces pressure to respond instantly and encourages more clarity in how we write.
With clients, I always follow video calls with a short summary email highlighting decisions and next steps—just to make sure we're aligned and there's no confusion later. Remote work forces you to be intentional, and this structure has helped everyone on my team feel more in control and less reactive.

Matt Bowman · Answer

I've found that implementing regular "context-setting" communications dramatically improves remote collaboration effectiveness. Rather than assuming colleagues understand project priorities or current challenges, I begin each week by sending brief status updates that include not just what I'm working on, but why it matters and how it connects to broader team goals.
These weekly context emails typically contain three elements: current priorities with business rationale, potential blockers I'm anticipating, and specific ways colleagues can support or collaborate. For example, rather than saying "Working on client reports this week," I'll share "Focusing on Q4 client reports this week because several clients are planning 2025 budgets and need performance data by Friday. May need quick input on the Johnson account metrics if anyone has recent conversion data." This approach has reduced miscommunication by approximately 60% while improving project coordination. The key insight is that remote work requires over-communication of context that would naturally emerge through in-person interaction.

Mahesh Kumar · Answer

Effective communication in a remote setup hinges on being proactive and transparent. To ensure smooth collaboration, I make it a point to over-communicate, especially on project timelines and expectations. I rely on a mix of tools - like Slack for quick chats, Zoom for face-to-face interactions, and Asana for tracking tasks and progress. This combination keeps everyone aligned, no matter the time zone.
One practice that's been a game-changer for me is using video updates in place of lengthy emails. Instead of sending a detailed email, I'll record a short video explaining what's going on - this personal touch makes the information easier to digest and eliminates any tone misunderstandings that might occur in written communication. Plus, it's more engaging!

Chongwei Chen · Answer

As CEO of DataNumen, effective remote communication has been crucial for our data recovery operations where precision and trust are paramount. When clients are dealing with potentially catastrophic data loss, clear communication can mean the difference between panic and confidence in our recovery process.
The most helpful practice I've implemented is what I call "status milestone communication" - providing clients with specific, technical updates at predetermined intervals during the recovery process. For example, instead of saying "we're working on your drive," we communicate: "We've completed the initial sector scan (30% complete), identified 847 recoverable files, and are now beginning the extraction phase. Expected completion: 4-6 hours."
This approach works exceptionally well in remote settings because it eliminates the anxiety that comes from silence. Data loss is inherently stressful, and when clients can't physically see our technicians working, detailed progress updates become even more critical.
For internal team communication, we use a similar structured approach with our remote developers. Each development project has a shared technical log where team members document every development step, code changes, and test results. This ensures a seamless advance of the whole project.
The key is matching your communication frequency and detail level to the stakes involved. In data recovery, where family photos, business records, or years of work hang in the balance, over-communication is always better than under-communication, especially when working remotely.

Martin Weidemann · Answer

There was a scenario where a client booked a last-minute pickup at 4:00 AM at the airport in Mexico City. Due to the client's flight being delayed in the United States three times, our communication process didn't just save the ride; it saved our relationship.
Remote coordination doesn't just happen for us at Mexico City Private Driver—as I stated before, it is our normal, everyday reality. My best communication practice has been a combination of pre-arrival WhatsApp check-in plus real-time GPS-based tracking dashboards I have been using with my drivers. Clients and colleagues know who is assigned when, what car, what route, and can engage us instantly. It reduced our no-shows by 94% and eliminated almost all pickup confusion.
It is not only the applications we use but also having one rule everybody has to follow: "Overcommunicate before wheels move." Drivers are required to verify their location based on what has been communicated to them. Clients receive a WhatsApp message in advance that includes photos of the car, license plate, and driver's name. I also run a shared notes system for every booking that centralizes every preference—AC temperature, luggage size, even pet allergies!
We have remotely coordinated over 1,200 airport transfers with this level of communication—without a headquarters office and only operating remotely. But knowing how local and personal it feels for each of our clients is what we all work for.
Effective remote coordination isn't about communication simply adding another message—it is about predicting when the moment of silence will be replaced with confusion and corresponding anxiety, and intervening with clarity.
That is all part of what keeps our team on the same page and our customers at ease—even when we are in completely different time zones.

Nikolay Petrov · Answer

One technique I use is communication anchoring — which is the practice of being reliably visible and consistent in my communication, in a proactive way. I don't wait for a colleague or a client to contact me; I reach out, ask early clarifying questions, and make expectations crystal clear. I regularly share my hours of work when I am collaborating across time zones or with busy teams. For example: "I'll probably message between 9-1 your time, reply to me when you have time." This wards off misalignment and allows for smoother collaboration that respects boundaries.
Another neat habit is the "end-of-day recap" message on Slack or via email to outline what we got done, what's blocked, and what's coming next. Since incorporating this into our workflow, not only have handoffs been smoother and with fewer last-minute surprises, it's made for nearly a 20% increase in our turnaround time. I can say that grounding your presence with consistent, visible communication absolutely speaks of dependability and keeps projects churning, even when schedules aren't matching up.

Joe Spisak · Answer

Effective remote communication isn't just a nice-to-have in today's business landscape – it's essential for success, especially in the complex world of 3PL partnerships where clarity can mean the difference between on-time deliveries and costly mistakes.
At the heart of our remote communication strategy is what I call "deliberate togetherness." While our distributed approach allows us to recruit top talent regardless of location, we've learned that maintaining strong connections requires intentional effort.
Trust is paramount when managing remote teams and client relationships. We set clear KPIs while avoiding micromanagement, which has proven crucial for our operations team coordinating with warehouse partners across multiple time zones.
The biggest communication challenge we've faced is ensuring seamless information flow between our team, eCommerce clients, and 3PL partners. To address this, we've implemented structured daily check-ins and weekly team meetings with clear agendas that keep everyone aligned on priorities and potential fulfillment bottlenecks.
One practice I've found particularly valuable is our "no-slides rule" for critical discussions. When helping clients navigate complex fulfillment decisions, we've discovered that real-time collaborative documents encourage more meaningful engagement than polished presentations. This approach prevents the "review mode" mentality and transforms conversations into true collaborative sessions.
We've also invested heavily in collaborative tools providing real-time visibility – mirroring the transparency we help our clients achieve with their 3PL partners. These tools create virtual spaces where team members can collaborate asynchronously while maintaining accountability.
Finally, we've established virtual "warehouse walks" where our fulfillment specialists can remotely tour client operations with 3PL partners, spotting potential issues before they impact customers. This practice has repeatedly prevented costly disconnects that would have been difficult to identify through standard reporting channels.
The logistics industry will always require human connection, but thoughtful remote communication practices have actually enhanced our ability to forge stronger partnerships between eCommerce brands and their fulfillment providers.

Ishdeep Narang, MD · Answer

Intentionality: The Key to Remote Communication
In a field like psychiatry, effective remote communication demands more than technology; it requires intentionality. We must deliberately create the psychological safety and clear structure that physical presence once offered, both for our patients and our colleagues. This means being more explicit in our interactions.
With patients, I actively verbalize empathy and heighten my focus on vocal and facial cues to bridge the distance of the screen. With colleagues, we use structured protocols—like secure messages for routine updates and immediate calls for urgent patient matters—to ensure clarity and prevent digital fatigue.
The most helpful practice I've adopted is the "Structured Bookend." This means every remote interaction has a deliberate, non-transactional beginning and end. For a patient, this is a brief personal check-in to build rapport before we begin and a clear summary at the end to ensure they feel heard and understood.
This same principle applies to colleagues, where a brief "good morning" video call to connect personally or a simple sign-off message can replace informal office chats. This simple ritual fosters genuine connection and reinforces the crucial work-life boundaries essential for a healthy, effective work environment.

Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin · Answer

While remote work tools offer flexibility, we've found that nothing replaces the clarity and connection of real-time, live communication—especially when navigating complex conversations or decision-making. That's why we often bring in a skilled facilitator to help lead key meetings.
Having someone there in person (or live via video when needed) ensures that everyone understands what's being asked of them, feels heard, and stays on track. The facilitator's role isn't just logistical—they're trained to pick up on subtle communication breakdowns, clarify intentions, and mediate tensions before they escalate.
One practice we've found particularly helpful is beginning meetings with a short intentional check-in, guided by the facilitator, to help participants shift out of "task mode" and into "connection mode." It sets the tone for mutual respect and better listening—both of which are foundational to effective collaboration, whether remote or in person.
If you're exploring ways to make your meetings more productive, connected, and clear—especially when stakes are high or emotions are running strong—we're always happy to share what's worked for us. Feel free to reach out if you're curious about what facilitated communication could look like for your team or client relationships.

Cahyo Subroto · Answer

One habit that's made a real difference for me is designing for communication loops rather than communication touchpoints.
In other words, I don't just focus on pushing information out, but also make sure every key message has a return path that allows for clarification, alignment, and follow-through.
In practice, I pair every decision or directive with a built-in opportunity for response. For example, when I assign a technical task in our PM tool, I also create a dedicated thread tied to that task— not just for status updates, but for devs to raise blockers, propose alternatives, or flag dependencies in context.
We don't really rely on long meetings or check-ins to surface those conversations. Instead, we embed the loop directly where the work happens.
I've found this structure avoids the typical remote trap of silence being mistaken for agreement.
When your team feels like they're part of a live feedback system rather than a one-way message board, your communication overall becomes more active, faster, and far more productive, especially across time zones.

Mackinnon Engen · Answer

At Watsi.org, we're a fully remote team spread across time zones—from the U.S. to Kenya to London—working with medical partners in 8 countries. Clear communication is essential not just for coordination, but for trust and progress.
We use a mix of tools: Slack for async updates, Linear for engineering and marketing projects, Google Workspace for documentation, and regular check-ins with clear agendas on Google Meet. But one simple habit makes a big difference: camera-on meetings. Turning cameras on helps build connection fast across cultures and bandwidths.
Strong documentation and thoughtful async threads keep things moving, but seeing each other face-to-face, no matter where we are, grounds our work and keeps communication human.

Luke Enno · Answer

I work as a content writer at a digital marketing agency where over 90% of the employees are remote. For this reason, we need a means to effectively communicate with one another as well as clients. Internally, we heavily rely on Slack. Slack is an excellent platform for organizing conversations by client (or project). Additionally, it is tied to our organization's Google Drive, which we use heavily.
Because we frequently need clients to review and provide feedback for documents prepared in Google Docs, our clients can directly access our work product and provide instantaneous feedback. If the client needs changes or has additional information, we can quickly secure it and engage in a dialogue that allows the client to respond when it is convenient for them.
Slack provides us with immediate updates when the client offers feedback, whether in the form of comments or otherwise. It also nicely integrates with many of our other work-related apps.

Alex Cornici · Answer

Keeping clear and open communication while working remotely can be a bit tricky but entirely achievable. I've found that setting up regular check-ins is key – it creates a consistent space for updates and troubleshooting. These can be daily or weekly, depending on the pace of your projects. Also, it's better to over-communicate rather than assume others know what you mean; it really helps avoid those small misunderstandings that can snowball into bigger issues.
I personally swear by using collaborative tools like Slack for quick updates and Google Docs for live feedback on projects. It's like being in the same room, digitally. And one practice that's been a game-changer for me is setting an agenda before any meeting and then following it up with concise minutes. This helps keep everyone on the same page and reinforces any actionable points. So remember that a bit of extra clarity in your communication can save loads of confusion later – especially when you're not sharing a physical space.

Divya Gugnani · Answer

As the founder and CEO of 5 SENS, I've learned that clear, intentional communication is crucial when building a fragrance brand remotely. One practice that's been game-changing is what I call "scent storytelling"—I always lead important conversations by painting a vivid picture of what we're trying to achieve, whether it's describing the emotional journey of a new fragrance like Happy Tears or putting together a marketing campaign.
I've found that over-communicating context is essential in remote work, especially in our industry where so much depends on sensory experiences you can't share through a screen. For instance, when developing fragrances with our team, I'll record voice notes describing not just the notes we're using, but the specific memories or emotions we want to evoke—like "the feeling of watching the sun rise on a perfect morning" for Happy Tears.
What's made the biggest difference is being extremely responsive and creating multiple touchpoints throughout projects, because building emotional connections through fragrance requires constant alignment on vision and execution.

David Reynolds · Answer

To keep communication clear and effective while working remotely, I rely heavily on setting expectations upfront. This means agreeing on which tools we use for different types of messages—like email for detailed updates, chat apps for quick questions, and video calls for brainstorming or complex topics.
One practice that has really helped me is scheduling regular, short check-ins with both colleagues and clients. These quick meetings create a consistent space to ask questions, share progress, and clear up misunderstandings before they grow.
It keeps everyone on the same page and builds a sense of connection, even when we're not in the same room. I've found that these regular touchpoints make remote work feel more human and less fragmented.

Wendy Makinson · Answer

As a global business, many of our employees and distributors work remotely. This means almost all of our communication is virtual and requires proactive efforts to ensure we can gather feedback and ensure all employees feel integrated within the company.
We send out anonymous surveys every 6 months to employees, customers, and suppliers, asking for comments on how they feel our business relationship is going, but also including questions regarding communication style and preferences.
We take these answers seriously, and if one client prefers video calls, and another would rather communicate over email, we action those communication methods. If one supplier still has a paper process, we try to work with them the best that we can, and if an employee is finding their manager 'checks in' on them too frequently, we will address this.
Firsthand feedback makes all the difference when improving remote communication.

21 Best Practices for Effective Communication While Working Remotely

21 Best Practices for Effective Communication While Working Remotely

Record Short Video Briefs for Complex Discussions

Implement Structured Weekly Status Updates

Create Knowledge Panels and Explainer Videos

Treat Asynchronous Messages as Mini Briefings

Maintain Shared Project Boards for Transparency

Set Response Windows for Different Channels

Send Weekly Context-Setting Communications

Use Video Updates Instead of Lengthy Emails

Provide Detailed Technical Status Milestone Updates

Overcommunicate Before Wheels Move in Transportation

Practice Communication Anchoring for Consistency

Implement Deliberate Togetherness in Remote Teams

Use Structured Bookends for Remote Interactions

Bring in Skilled Facilitators for Key Meetings

Design Communication Loops Not Just Touchpoints

Turn Cameras On During Remote Meetings

Utilize Slack for Organized Client Communications

Set Regular Check-Ins and Follow Up

Use Scent Storytelling for Fragrance Development

Schedule Short Regular Check-Ins with Stakeholders

Gather Feedback to Improve Remote Communication