I have this problem too - both as an employee and as a remote-only employer. I work as QA - not as a developer, though. I also work in a different timezone. I have found people start paying attention and valuing you once they start seeing you as a normal human who happens to work elsewhere and not as a "remote entity". I have tried these adjustments and I think they help:
a) make an effort to share things other than work - interesting articles you read, participate/respond in watercooler chats, post side-projects you may be working on, your favorite hobbies, post when you are stepping out and are back again, etc. This is counter-intuitive and not a direct solution, but you end up seeming like a human rather than some remote contractor. Once that happens, people start taking more interest in your work automatically.
b) get to know your colleagues, start meetings with a little bit of small talk, explicitly ask for feedback and don't hesitate to speak up if your team takes a decision that is not very remote-friendly (I've messed up plenty here!). Many teams will go out of the way to integrate you if you tell them how.
c) try writing summaries at the end of each day, week ... even if nobody is paying attention initially. Daily summaries are private and for standup while I record weekly updates on some internal wiki. I like cartoons, so I typically include some cartoons in my weekly summaries.
d) attend standup and come prepared. Your updates should be much longer and much more detailed than someone who is not remote. Days you miss standup, you should try posting your update on Slack.
e) turn on your camera for all meetings. It's another one of those habits that make remote workers much more 'real' and relatable.
f) make sure you have good audio/video and Internet connection.
a) make an effort to share things other than work - interesting articles you read, participate/respond in watercooler chats, post side-projects you may be working on, your favorite hobbies, post when you are stepping out and are back again, etc. This is counter-intuitive and not a direct solution, but you end up seeming like a human rather than some remote contractor. Once that happens, people start taking more interest in your work automatically.
b) get to know your colleagues, start meetings with a little bit of small talk, explicitly ask for feedback and don't hesitate to speak up if your team takes a decision that is not very remote-friendly (I've messed up plenty here!). Many teams will go out of the way to integrate you if you tell them how.
c) try writing summaries at the end of each day, week ... even if nobody is paying attention initially. Daily summaries are private and for standup while I record weekly updates on some internal wiki. I like cartoons, so I typically include some cartoons in my weekly summaries.
d) attend standup and come prepared. Your updates should be much longer and much more detailed than someone who is not remote. Days you miss standup, you should try posting your update on Slack.
e) turn on your camera for all meetings. It's another one of those habits that make remote workers much more 'real' and relatable.
f) make sure you have good audio/video and Internet connection.