One of the biggest challenges of remote work is that the lack of physical contact makes you less visible within your remote team. Especially if your company follows a hybrid model—but even if you work for a fully remote company—it’s surprisingly easy for others to forget you’re part of the organization if you don’t find a way to stand out.
Visibility at work is super important when it comes to building professional relationships, growing your career, and feeling like part of the company. Increasing your visibility as a remote worker helps you feel less isolated and, believe it or not, boosts your productivity by keeping you motivated and focused on your work.
In this article, we’ll explore five ways to increase your visibility in a remote work team.
Effective Strategies to Stand Out in a Remote Work Team
Don’t hide, turn on your camera
As part of a remote team, you probably have a lot of video calls. Many people make the innocent mistake of keeping their cameras off. Stand out by turning yours on. When you show your face, it’s much easier for your colleagues to remember you. Even better, it’ll encourage you to speak up and participate more in the discussion.
That’s why it’s worth investing in a good webcam and microphone. Your online presence matters. Letting your colleagues see your face helps them feel like you’re in the same room. It also gives them nonverbal cues—like facial expressions—that help them understand you better.
Tell your team what you’re working on
Whether you’re on a video call or your team communicates through Slack, it’s worth sharing and reminding your teammates what you’re currently working on. How does this help? Well, first, not everyone always knows exactly what you’re doing—a reminder never hurts. Second, it gives context to what you’re about to say.
Remote companies often have mechanisms to stay aligned on who’s working on what. For example, at Howdy, every team has a weekly meeting where each member shares their main tasks for the week.
Be responsive
One of the greatest benefits of remote work is the flexibility to organize your life. Still, remote work is work. You can make yourself more visible by being responsive when a teammate reaches out. That doesn’t mean you have to be available 24/7 or reply instantly—in fact, we recommend the opposite—but it’s a good idea to respond during working hours to show accountability.
Remote work is best when combined with asynchronous communication, but that doesn’t mean it has to be slow or inefficient. On the contrary, async communication gives people time to provide thoughtful responses that often solve problems more effectively. Just be careful not to confuse flexibility with lack of responsibility.
Speak up and join discussions
By now, you’ve probably noticed a pattern: becoming more visible largely means communicating more. That’s where this point comes in—it’s super important to join ongoing discussions, especially if you take the initiative to write thoughtful contributions.
Careful, this doesn’t mean you should speak just for the sake of speaking. Do it when you have something valuable to add. There are many ways to participate: joining virtual events, offering help, reaching out to teammates who mentioned a topic of interest, and more.
Visit the office once in a while
Even if you’re a remote worker, it’s important to visit the office from time to time. If you don’t live too far, it’s worth working from there occasionally. Your colleagues will keep you much more in mind after meeting you in person. Never underestimate the value of face-to-face contact in building relationships.
To encourage this, at Howdy we have eight offices across Latin America, where we organize different in-person activities like weekly lunches, after-office meetups, and the Howdy Olympics.
Tools and Practices to Gain Visibility in a Remote Team
Use collaboration tools strategically
Platforms like Trello, Jira, or Notion not only organize work but also let you showcase your progress. Use these tools to update your task status and highlight your achievements within projects.
Create an internal portfolio
Build strong relationships with teammates and leaders
Building trust is key. Participate in virtual activities, offer help when needed, and maintain a collaborative attitude. This not only improves your team’s dynamic but also strengthens your presence within it.
Common Mistakes When Trying to Stand Out in a Remote Team
Standing out in a remote team can be challenging, and sometimes, the effort to do so can backfire if not handled properly. Here are some common mistakes you should avoid to maintain a healthy balance between visibility and collaboration within your team.
Oversaturating communication
A frequent mistake is sending too many messages or emails, or constantly jumping into meetings. This can give the impression that you’re seeking attention rather than adding value. To avoid this, prioritize quality over quantity. Before sending a message, make sure it’s relevant, clear, and necessary. Well-thought-out contributions are much more effective than multiple redundant messages.
For example, instead of constantly updating your teammates about every small progress, consolidate your achievements into weekly reports. This demonstrates organization and positions you as someone who respects others’ time.
Not Balancing Visibility with Collaboration
It’s important to stand out without overshadowing others. Some people make the mistake of prioritizing their individual accomplishments while ignoring the collective impact. In a remote environment, this can create tension and harm team dynamics.
Focus on how your contributions benefit the group. For example, if you led a process improvement, highlight how it helped the team become more efficient, rather than focusing solely on your personal effort.
Lack of Self-Criticism and Adaptability
Trying to stand out without being open to feedback is another major mistake. Listening to your teammates and supervisors not only improves your skills but also reinforces your position as a valuable team member. If you receive feedback, apply it and show that you’re willing to learn and adapt.
Avoiding these mistakes will not only help you gain visibility but also strengthen your relationship with your team. By focusing on delivering value and collaborating effectively, you’ll position yourself as an indispensable member of your remote work team.
Oversaturating Communication (Again)
Conclusion
Standing out in a remote team is an art that combines technical skills, effective communication, and a collaborative mindset. In this environment, the key is to be visible without overshadowing others—contributing meaningfully to collective goals.
To achieve this, it’s essential to maintain clear and consistent communication. Reporting your progress, sharing achievements, and documenting your contributions not only strengthens your position within the team but also builds trust among your colleagues and supervisors. At the same time, avoid common mistakes like overcommunicating or seeking attention at the expense of collaboration.
Remember that technology is on your side. Platforms like Jira, Trello, or Slack not only help you stay organized but also serve as a showcase for your commitment and proactivity. Using them effectively can make a big difference in how your work is perceived.
Finally, always prioritize collective impact. Highlighting your achievements is important, but showing how they benefit the team or the project as a whole is what will truly make you stand out. With the right strategies, you can build a strong professional reputation and thrive in the ever-evolving world of remote work.