How to Pursue Your Dream of Becoming a Digital Nomad
Does the digital nomad lifestyle appeal to you? At The Freelancer’s Life, we know that many people choose to freelance so they can travel around instead of living and working in a fixed location. Spending some time as a digital nomad is a fantastic opportunity to see the world and explore different cultures, all the while earning income and putting some money away for the future. If you’ve been thinking about taking the plunge and embracing life as a digital nomad, check out the following tips to help you get started!
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Go Back to School to Upgrade Your Skill Set
First, you’ll need certain skills to succeed online. Depending on what you want to do, you may have to go back to school to upgrade your skill set and open up remote job opportunities. For example, if you’re interested in a remote career in IT, earning an IT degree will help you land a role that both pays well and offers the freedom you need to live a nomadic lifestyle. Look for available IT certification programs that offer industry certification exams so you can more easily market yourself to potential employers or clients.
Consider Freelancing for Additional Freedom
While working as a remote employee might make it easier to travel, you’ll still have to stick to dedicated work hours and attend virtual team meetings on a consistent schedule. Freelancing will provide more freedom to travel and work on your own terms. If you decide to work as a freelancer, be sure to register your business. You may also want to form an LLC instead of remaining a sole proprietorship. Forming an LLC will offer several tax benefits and protect your personal assets. Interested? Instead of hiring a lawyer, you can form your LLC easily with the help of an online formation service!
Find Accommodating Short-Term Rentals
Digital nomads need access to a fast and reliable internet connection. Be sure to find short-term rentals that offer this perk. You’ll also want to book rentals with a desk or table where you can set up your laptop for work. Renting places with a kitchen as well as a washer and dryer can reduce your expenses significantly and make life a lot easier, so try to find these amenities when searching for lodging on the road. For the best accommodation rates, steer clear of hotels and stick to vacation rental marketplaces like Airbnb and Trusted Housesitters.
Travel on a Tight Budget
Traveling can be expensive. If you plan on traveling long-term, you’ll need to establish budget-friendly habits to ensure your income will cover your expenses. Thankfully, there are several ways to save money when you’re on the road. Book accommodation in less tourist-centric neighborhoods, eat local cuisine, cook your own meals as much as possible, and plan your ongoing itinerary based on flight prices. You can also keep your spending under control by avoiding tourist hotspots and enjoying free things to do. Talk to the locals to find hidden gems!
Make Your Availability Clear
When you’re living and working on the road, it can be tough to predict your availability. But as Fiverr.com explains, it’s important to be upfront with managers, coworkers, and clients. You’ll also have to make a plan for working with people in different time zones. Take advantage of digital tools to keep track of time zone discrepancies and inform your clients of your availability. For example, Calendly is a fantastic tool for this purpose. You’ll also want to use video chat tools and team communication software like Zoom and Slack to communicate effectively and quickly when you’re on the go.
For many people, working as a digital nomad is the dream. What could be better than traveling around the world and holding down a regular job at the same time? If you would love to live like this, start taking steps to make your dream a reality. Go back to school to sharpen your skills, consider building your own freelance business, and learn how to travel on a budget.
For more ideas and insights focused on independent contractors, check out The Freelancer’s Life website!
Looking For More Advice on Pursuing The Freelancer’s Life? Try These:
11 Essential Qualities of Successful Freelancers
7 Unique Challenges Freelancers Face Daily And Their Solutions
27 Must-Have Tools For Freelancers
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Dean Burgess Founded his website, Excitepreneur.net to explore the areas of entrepreneurship that are often overlooked as well as share with current and aspiring entrepreneurs the stories and lessons he has learned. He fully believes entrepreneurs will lead us to a more exciting future. All it takes is an idea or goal and a desire to see it to fruition.
