I've been working remotely for 14 years. And although I agree that it can't be more productive than working at the office, it has its own share of benefits. But only if you have done a lot of networking and face-to-face interactions in the beginning.

This face-to-face interaction is what sets great remote workers apart from others. You've already built real rapport with people, built connections outside of the Internet— building a reputation by making real-world connections.

If you're young and you jump on the remote work bandwagon right away without establishing real-world connections, you're basically replaceable. Nothing sets you apart from a machine or AI, apart from being slower and human.

Make the effort to establish meaningful connections early on. They could be the difference between being an easily replaceable remote worker and a valuable asset to your team.

Embrace these personal connections early on. Make it a point to meet people, to exchange ideas and experiences face-to-face. The reputation you'll build from these personal interactions will act as a magnet for word-of-mouth recommendations. Invaluable especially for some of us who are working remotely in the freelance world.

The interpersonal skills you'll gain will prove to be helpful in your journey, making you not just another remote worker, but an irreplaceable asset in the industry.