One of the biggest draws of being a freelancer is the ability to work from wherever you have a strong wifi connection.
Whether you choose to work from home, a cafe in Paris, a coworking space, or even the beach, working remotely — or being a digital nomad — is undoubtedly a large component of your day-to-day work experience.
Working remotely usually means you and your team or clients are not physically together, which can make things challenging on some occasions.
Because of the capability and luxury to work remotely, freelancers rely on tools that make sharing files, collaborating on projects, and working together as easy and efficient as possible.
Did you see that file I sent?
Picture this: A new client wants you to take the lead on a new website project that will undoubtedly require sharing large files back and forth.
Or maybe you just added two new remote team members to your conversion copywriting agency. You not only need a way to seamlessly collaborate on projects and keep a firm grasp on version control, but you need a place where your team can access your documents at any given time.
Whatever your situation calls for, you need a system that makes file-sharing a cinch. But, how can you send files effortlessly and securely back and forth while maintaining their quality?
Where did that file go?
There’s no better way to waste time than by weeding through the drive on your computer for that important document you swear you just opened. Without the right tools, you could find yourself spending more time searching for missing files than you do working in said files.
If you’re going to work remotely, you need software that’s going to help you succeed no matter where you are or what file type you work with the most.
Luckily, we live in a world where cloud-based technology seems to be the answer to all our file-sharing prayers.
Software for seamless file-sharing
There are several cost-effective, secure file-sharing tools available to freelancers that make sending, editing, proofing — or whatever verb correlates best with your line of work — easy.
So, how can reliable file-sharing tools help you grow your business (and keep you sane)?
With the right file-sharing tool, you can:
- Keep track of documents (of all types) with ease
- Collaborate with others no matter where you’re located – this also includes seamless integration with your web conferencing tools
- Take hold of version control
- Send documents and files without compromising quality
- Edit, update and organize your files
File-sharing tools can help organize any aspect of your business — from client work to day-to-day admin tasks — if you use them correctly.
How can I maximize my file-sharing software?
There are countless file-sharing tools on the market today, which have quite a few overlapping features. The secret to making the most of whatever file-sharing tool you choose is to create an organized structure.
Below are a few things to keep in mind when setting up your file-sharing software:
- Create a folder for each client or project.
- Take time to label files correctly and accurately.
- Make sure you give other users proper permissions to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth communication.
- Establish a color-code or labeling system and stick to it.
- Delete files that you no longer need.
File-sharing tools are imperative for freelancers, so make sure you take time to not only find the software that works best for you, but that you set yourself up for success.
There seem to be endless tools at your fingertips that promise to make one of the biggest hurdles of remote working easier. But how can you be sure you’re investing in the right system?
Check out our roundup of a few file-sharing tools we found to be leaders of the pack.
Dropbox
Key Features
- Advanced security features
- Collaborate with clients and team members with ease
- Team activity tracking
- Online backup and file storage
- Multi-device access
Dropbox is a powerful tool that does more than making file-sharing a breeze. This tool serves as a centralized place to store any document, collaborate on projects, and showcase your best work.
It gives you the power to manage who has access to different documents thanks to simple administrative controls. Dropbox’s streamlined folder system will help you organize your files from the start — and keep them organized.
Dropbox allows you to share and edit files from anywhere thanks to the automatic sync feature built into every plan. One of the top features of Dropbox is the ability to access the most up-to-date documents on any device, so you never have to miss a beat if you’re on the go.
With this software, you can share files of any size and type (just make sure you choose a plan with enough storage space). You can also send files to non-Dropbox users, which prevents any snags in productivity.
However, Dropbox is more than a file-sharing tool with tons of storage and sync capabilities. With Dropbox Paper, you can work better with your team to build winning proposals, finalize eye-catching pitch decks, and make those easy last-minute changes to a major project.
Dropbox Paper lets you add different file types, assign tasks, add due dates, and leave comments all within one document. Additionally, Dropbox Paper allows you to integrate your favorite tools like InVision, Sketch, Vimeo, and more, so you can see the whole picture every time.
After you’ve made the finishing touches on a project, make it stand out with Dropbox Showcase. With Dropbox Showcase, you can package your ideas all in one place.
You can customize your Showcase projects to match your brand or your client’s brand, drag and drop visuals, tailor the layout design to your liking, and even see who has viewed your projects.
Dropbox Showcase pages act similar to dedicated landing pages in that clients or team members can view the deliverables by clicking on one URL.
Dropbox currently offers Dropbox Business and Dropbox Basic, so you can be sure you have all the tools you need to create your best work. This tool is a gamechanger for freelancers and can help your team work smarter. While Dropbox is ideal for teams, it’s also great for solo freelancers, too.
Although it’s more expensive compared to other tools, if you need a file-sharing tool that can simplify your workflow, this is it.
Who should use DropBox?
- Freelancers who work with a team
- Freelancers who work with a variety of different file types
Pricing
For Individuals
- Plus Plan: $8.25/month
- Professional Plan: $16.58/month
For Teams
- Standard Plan: $12.50/user/month
- Advanced Plan: $20/user/month
- Enterprise Plan: Contact Dropbox for a customized solution
For more information on Dropbox pricing, visit their website.
Google Drive
Key Features
- Ability to store any file type
- Multi-device access
- Easily control user accessibility
- Google-backed security features
Whether you’re a Google user or not, you’ve likely heard of Google Drive. This popular file-sharing and storage tool has become a household name for several reasons. Google Drive allows you to create folders, add and move documents, and convert files to different file types, which can help you stay organized.
Not only is Google Drive easy to use and integrates with other popular tools and file types, but anyone with a Google Account has up to 15 GB of free storage. Of course, if 15 GB isn’t going to cut it, you can always upgrade to Google One for more storage.
Because Google Drive is a Google product, you can expect the same smooth workflow as you’d see with any other Google tool or device.
With Google Drive, you can save email attachments directly to your Drive, quickly search for and locate files using keywords, and control who has specific access to every file.
Google Drive is designed to effortlessly work with apps like Google Sheets and Google Docs, which make sharing, editing, and updating simpler than ever.
If you’re an Android user, Google Drive works even harder for you. Scan and upload important documents, or even receipts, with Drive for Android.
No wifi? No problem. Google Drive allows you to make files available offline, so you can keep working even if your wifi suddenly goes out or if you’re in a building with a spotty connection.
In addition to the impressive file-sharing and collaboration capabilities, Google Drive gives new meaning to version control. You can view all versions of most file types as far back as 30 days, which makes seeing new changes and previous versions easy.
Google Drive is an incredibly powerful tool that can simplify your workflow. Whether you need to share a PDF file with a client for approval or view images for a website rebuild, Google Drive will keep your files organized and secure.
Who should use Google Drive?
- Any freelancer, but this tool is great if you don’t have a lot of extra money (or want to spend a lot of extra money) on reliable software.
Pricing
- First 15 GB of storage: Free
- 100 GB of storage: $1.99/month
- 1 TB of storage: $9.99/month
Wrap up
There are many similar file-sharing tools out there, but these two take the lead by far.
It’s no secret that a dependable, secure file-sharing tool that makes collaboration easy is an essential part of any freelancer’s arsenal. To do your job to the best of your ability, systems that work for you and your clients are vital.
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