You have the skills you can cash in and you can’t wait to travel to a faraway destination so you must be wondering – what else could there be to it? Well, as it turns out, a lot. If you are keen on becoming a digital nomad, you are probably an adventurous and spontaneous type of person but if you want to do this right, you need to have a more strategic approach.
There is no single perfect road to achieving your wish of making money while traveling the world but then again, one road is probably not what you are looking for. So, for those of you who are just getting started, here are a few ways you can live your dreams in 2020 and earn a living at the same time.
Find a remote position
Perhaps the simplest (and the most difficult to come by!) way is to find a remote job. This means that you would be officially employed by a company on a full or a part-time basis but your presence wouldn’t be required in the office. The steady income will allow you to travel around wherever your heart desires and the best thing is that you don’t have to worry about finding clients.
A remote job is a sensible means to the goal of packing your laptop in a backpack to go work from a beach bar in Greece or a café in Poland. However, the working hours may turn out to be a burden to your nomadic lifestyle since they might not be flexible. This means you have to plan your itinerary while keeping in mind that your bus might break down or that your plane might be late.
If flexibility is what you need, freelancing is an excellent way. You can sit at Starbucks in any remote location and get the job done in your time. Moreover, as far as client relation goes, you can rent meeting space in the client’s city and travel there(which is what you want) and seal the deal.
Join the global freelancing community
Becoming a freelancer is liberating in many ways. You don’t have to specify your working hours or miss out on any social event or educational course as long as you deliver your work on time. It can give you the freedom to spend some time in China and suddenly one morning decide you wish to try working from Hong Kong or Taiwan and being able to actually go through with it.
There are different online platforms where you can create a profile to connect with clients but of course, some time might pass before you establish a professional reputation and gather enough capital to start traveling. In addition to the capital, you also need to get acquainted with the local happenings. So, when you search for apartments for rent in Hong Kong, besides insisting on comfort, you should also ensure they are safe. Hong Kong has a lot to offer to nomads and it is generally safe but it is always best to be certain your studio is in a good location.
Be your own boss
We come to the last suggestion which some would consider frightening and others a means to reaching true financial independence – starting your business. You must have seen a lot of Instagram profiles with amazing pictures of nature, animals, numerous cities, and festivals and wondered about how that person can find time to travel so much and let alone afford it.
The answer is simple – they don’t since they made traveling their primary job and not a rewarding addition. So, what you can do is to create a YouTube channel or start a blog or a podcast and digitally share your experiences as a nomad. You can offer insightful tips, share embarrassing moments, show the incredible beauty of creations made by a man or nature. Although this seems spontaneous, you have to make a posting schedule to remain consistent and also to always have additional material for times when you are taking a rest from traveling. It can take some time to grow a fan base but until you can pursue this full-time, you can get a second job.
A few tips before you go
Now that you made your decision about the right way to become a digital nomad, it is time to absorb a few pieces of advice that might be helpful. For starters, don’t leave before ensuring that you have health insurance and travel insurance because you never know what can happen. For the same reason, it would be wise to set aside some money for rainy days.
Speaking of money, if you cannot exchange it to the foreign currency at home, it is best to avoid exchange desks at airports because they charge substantial fees so you are better off finding an ATM or local exchanges. As already mentioned, you will have to give potential accommodation some thought and make sure you have a stable internet connection regardless of whether you are in Italy or the Philippines.
Wrapping up
As the saying goes, fortune favors the brave and this is exactly a maxim each digital nomad needs to embrace when the difficult days come. When you miss your family or you are strapped for money, know that, if you persevere, a lot of wonderful days will ensue.
You will learn about different cultures, interconnect globally, and enjoy the wonders of the world at first hand. For 2020, make it a plan to get soaked by rain in Cardiff and bathe in the warmth of the Texan’s sun. So, what are you waiting for?
