Get Your Pompoms Ready!

You don’t need to make a rhyming cheer or do cartwheels to give your virtual team that encouragement they need to work their best.  The real question is:  HOW? There are more to rewards than meet the eye when it comes to driving your virtual team for success.  If team building is tough already in the brick-and-mortar world, what more of those who work on a virtual platform?  When you are faced with the challenges of having a contract worker with no long-term commitment, you need to look beyond your two cents in motivating your freelancers to do their best and stay with you until the project is completed.

Unfortunately, loyalty and dedication needs a major face lift when it comes to dealing with your virtual team.  The grass will always be greener on the other side ( which can be just a mouse click away ) and you need to be really creative in motivating your virtual team in working for a common goal.

How to Motivate Your Virtual Team

Call them many names – freelancers, online workers, remote workers, outsourced workers, service providers, or independent contractors.  You can keep them focused and motivated by:

1.  Taking Control

You have to be the boss, that master drummer who will lead a team of rowers to make the boat finish first on a race.  You need to clearly define the goals for the job, and your individual expectations on each of your virtual workers.  You have to make sure that they are capable of doing their jobs and that they will communicate with you clearly on any issue that arises.

2.  Value Your Workers

Even if you don’t get to see a lot of your workers each day, or that you talk to them once a week, it is important to address their emotional needs.  Make them feel that they are valued.  Listen to their ideas.  Even a small talk can do a lot.  Virtual workers are still humans and they need to feel desired in order to be at their best.

3.  Touch Your Team’s Ego

This simply means appreciation.  It doesn’t even have to be a cash incentive or a special gift.  Everyone appreciates a pat on the back, every now and then, and telling that he or she has done a good job will reinforce the suggestion:  To do a good job, over and over.  You will be amazed at what a simple praise can do to your team’s performance.

4.  Be Generous

If your virtual team has outperformed your expectations, helping you land a huge sale or great deal, don’t forget to share your blessings.  You may choose to give out occasional gifts, cash rewards, or even a raise in hourly rate.  It can help foster a sense of loyalty.

5.  Give Space

You must understand that your freelance workers may be engaged with other freelance projects, and you need to trust them to do their part on yours.  Give them space and room for maximizing their skills to give you a flawless result.  Respect your virtual workers time, be it for business or for leisure.

Strive to make your virtual team happy and connected.  Giving motivation is a virtue that any savvy business owner should master.  Empowering your virtual team to be at their best is no simple feat and you need to give direction, set resources, and respect each of your team member.  When your virtual team is motivated, the longer they will stay on your project.  You are their leader… Motivate and Lead!

Daniel Pink on the Surprising Science of Motivation:

Something Interesting:

Keeping Employees Motivated During a Recession

Flex Your Force: Building the Virtual Office

Team-Building Exercises for Tough Times

Author: Marissa Sayno

Passion and Love for writing makes Marissa continue her quest to inspire readers online and in real-time ( for over 5 years ). Writing has found her when she won a slogan writing contest for a local magazine, and her journey goes on... to the road of discovery.