A digital nomad travels the world with a laptop computer and an internet connection. Because of their ability to work from anywhere and their flexibility, many people have embraced this lifestyle as an alternative to settling down in one place for good.
The term ‘digital nomad’ is normally used to describe anyone who fits that general description. Still, it’s especially common among millennials and Gen Zers who want to take advantage of the opportunities available online without having to settle down in one place permanently.
It’s no secret that an increasing number of people are ditching their 9 to 5 jobs and becoming digital nomads. And while it may seem like an easy decision, there’s a lot more to it than just picking up and moving somewhere new. Below are some helpful tips to help you become a full-fledged digital nomad.
Learn a new skill
The next step to becoming a digital nomad is learning a new skill. Choose a skill that is in demand and then learn it from the comfort of your home. You can do this by taking online courses or watching videos on YouTube. The important thing is to have some way of learning without leaving home.
Once you have learned a new skill, it is time to put it into practice. You can start by offering your services as an online freelancer.
When you have built up a reputation as an expert in your chosen field, it is time to take the next step. You can use your newly acquired skills to start a business and earn money while traveling around the world. It also means that your income will be less dependent on whether or not you are online at any given moment.
Find a company that allows you to work remotely
You’ll need to find a job that allows you to work remotely, whether full-time or freelance. This can be challenging, but plenty of online resources can help you find remote jobs and connect with companies looking for your skills.
You can also look into local companies that offer freelancing opportunities if you’re not looking for full-time employment. Many people start as freelancers, then transition into something more permanent once they’ve built up their client base and proven themselves reliable employees.
Test the waters with freelance work
While it’s important to be thorough in your research before committing to a remote job, it’s also important not to jump into the deep end by taking on a full-time position with an employer you’ve never met. Instead, try out one or two remote jobs on the side while still working at your current job.
Once you’ve settled into a routine and feel comfortable working remotely, you can consider taking on more work from home or traveling around the world while still earning money.
Working remotely gives you many opportunities to experiment with different types of gigs and explore new places. The beauty of this strategy is that it allows you to test out remote work without quitting your day job. If you don’t enjoy working from home, you can still return to your office job and continue searching for other remote opportunities. You’ll also be able to take more time off during vacations because you don’t have any bosses breathing down your neck.
The following are roles that you can take on wherever you are in the world:
- SEO Specialist – SEO specialists are the people who make sure that a website is optimized for search engines. They ensure the site’s code, content, and structure are all up to par with what Google and other search engines want to see. They also help clients understand how to get more traffic from those searches.
- Web Developer – These people write code that creates everything from simple buttons to full-fledged applications. Web developers are responsible for ensuring all the elements of a website work together — from the images, text, and sounds to how the site looks on different devices and browsers.
- Graphic Designer – Graphic designers are the masterminds behind logos, advertisements, websites, posters, packaging, and pretty much any other type of design you can think of. They use computer software such as Adobe Photoshop to create their designs, and they have to be good at what they do because they’re not just making something pretty – they’re creating an image that will help sell a product or service.
- Social Media Manager – A social media manager’s job is to engage with followers, respond to comments and questions, and keep the content on social media accounts fresh and interesting. They also help you develop strategies to engage with your followers and create content that gets people talking about a company or brand.
- Digital Marketer – A digital marketer is the driving force behind the company’s online presence. They help you improve your website, develop social media campaigns, and manage digital advertising. In short, they ensure you’re visible to your customers wherever they are on the internet.
These are just some of the niches you want to venture into freelancing. There are loads more, so be sure to check out popular freelancing sites such as Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr.
Start your blog
Everyone has a story to tell, and you can start telling your digital nomad journey on the web with just a few key tools.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A domain name – If you already have a blog.com address, that’s great! You can use it for your website, but if you don’t have one, try out a service like Namecheap, Bluehost, or GoDaddy. They offer easy-to-use domain registration services at reasonable prices.
- A hosting service – This is where all of your content will live. It’s also where people will find your blog when they search for it. When looking for a hosting service, make sure that it offers unlimited storage space and bandwidth so you can load high-resolution images without worrying about slowing down their load time. It should also support SSL certificates so that visitors know they’re browsing in a safe environment.
- A blogging platform – This is the software that allows you to create posts and publish them online. Some platforms are free, and some are paid. The most popular ones to check out are WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix.
Secure your finances
When you’re traveling, it’s important to have a financial cushion. This will help you avoid running out of money and having to find a job immediately. It can also help you feel more secure in your travels. Here are some tips for securing your finances:
- Make sure that your employer has paid all the taxes they owe before leaving on vacation or sabbatical. If not, make arrangements with an accountant beforehand so they know how much money will be needed to cover these taxes during their absence (and any other outstanding debts).
- Take out enough travel insurance so that if something were to happen while abroad (like getting sick), it wouldn’t cause any financial issues back home.
- If you are planning to travel for more than a year, consider getting a life insurance policy that will cover your family’s expenses in the event of death. This can be expensive, but it is worth considering if you want to ensure they are taken care of financially while you are away.
Build a passive income
You can do this by selling your own products, using affiliate marketing to earn commissions on other people’s products, or getting paid by companies to review their products.
- Sell your own creative content online. You could write blog posts or books about your experiences traveling (or anything else), then sell them on Amazon or other book platforms.
- Build an app or website from scratch and sell it on an app marketplace like iTunes or Google Play Store. This is one way that many people make their initial investments back while also gaining an audience for their next project.
- Affiliate marketing is the way to go if you’re looking for a way to make money online without creating and selling your own product. It involves finding products that are already selling well and promoting them through your website or social media profiles. You’ll earn a commission whenever someone buys those products after clicking through your site or profile page. You can also use affiliate marketing to promote your products or services; just be sure they’re relevant and high quality enough for customers to want them.
Be well-prepared for the move
You can prepare for your move by getting a new passport and visa. You will also want to get a checkup from the doctor so you can be sure you are healthy enough for the journey. Once you have made all of these preparations, it’s time to pack up your belongings and say goodbye to friends and family.
To ensure you don’t run out of money before finding work as a digital nomad, put aside enough funds for about two months’ worth of rent, food, fees, etc. If possible, try saving up another month or two in case something unexpected happens, like needing a new laptop or losing all your luggage.
The last thing anyone wants is to cut their trip short because they ran out of cash halfway through their journey. So make sure that if anything goes wrong along the way – no matter how small – there’s always someone waiting back home who can help them financially until things get sorted out again.
Explore your new environment and get to know your neighbors
Once you have settled in, it’s time to explore your new home and get to know your neighbors. You must get involved in local activities and find ways to meet others who share your interests. Find a local gym or activity you can do with other people, or create an online community to discuss the culture of your new home. After all, it helps if the people around you also have similar interests. This will help make the transition easier for everyone involved when it comes time for work and play.
Getting involved in your new community is also a great way to meet people and make friends. You can find local events on Facebook or search the event directory at Meetup.com for activities in your area. If you’re feeling homesick, write a letter back home to share with others close to you.
Stay connected with family and friends back home
As a digital nomad, you will spend much time on the road. You may be traveling to another country or staying in one city for an extended period. Either way, finding ways to stay connected with family and friends back home is important.
While there are several ways to keep in touch, social media is probably your best bet since it doesn’t cost anything if you have internet access, and most people use it every day anyway. You can post photos from your travels or ask about what is happening back home. This will help you feel like you are still part of your community even when far away from it physically.
Social media can also be a great way to find new friends. If you’re traveling by yourself, it can be lonely at times. It is easy to meet other people who are also traveling or living in the city that you are visiting. These people will likely have similar interests and experiences as you do, which makes them perfect for making new friends.
Sell something to make money on the road
Now that you have a place to stay, there are many ways to make money as a digital nomad. The most obvious way is to sell something you already own and don’t need anymore. Selling something on eBay or Amazon is the easiest way to make decent money with little capital investment. However, you’ll need some product photography equipment. If you’re not interested in selling things online through those platforms, consider other options like Etsy or Craigslist – both are great places to find buyers who want what they offer.
If you are to lead a digital nomad life, it is important to have a good connection. Otherwise, it can make life very difficult. This means that it is important to pick your destination carefully, as some places have better internet than others. If you are traveling for business purposes, then this might not matter as much. But if you want to travel just for fun and pleasure, it is something that should definitely be considered before making any plans.
It’s not as hard as it sounds
It’s not as hard as it sounds. Of course, you’ll have to work hard — but that’s true anywhere. And you’ll be working with people who are more experienced than you, so they can help guide you down the right path.
The most important thing is ensuring your support network is there for you. If your family and friends don’t understand what a digital nomad is or why it’s important for you, then maybe this isn’t the right career path for them either. It’s also worth considering whether or not becoming a digital nomad would actually make them happier in the long run. If it does, then supporting such a decision should be easy enough to do.
Also, think about how much time off you’ll need. Digital nomads have to work a lot and are often away from their families for long periods, so make sure that this lifestyle will fit into your personal and professional life plans.
The other thing to consider is whether or not this is something that would fit into your lifestyle. For example, if you have kids at home and can’t afford childcare while traveling, becoming a digital nomad might not be for you.
These are just some things to consider before taking that leap into full-time travel and remote work opportunities. But remember, whatever happens next will be worth it because you’re doing it for yourself and no one else.
Conclusion
So, there you have our top tips for getting started as a digital nomad. As you can see, it’s not as simple as flinging your laptop into your backpack and hitting the road. Before taking this plunge, there are many things to consider, including what type of lifestyle suits you best and where in the world would make the best base for your travels. But if you decide that becoming a digital nomad is right for you, all that’s left is deciding when to start booking your flight and packing your bags!
Angeline Licerio
Angeline Licerio is the blogger behind Dollarmize.com. After working online as a writer and SEO strategist, she decided to start this blog to give advise to people who would like to earn money online. She is also the founder of SEO Tutorials for FREE, a Facebook community that helps aspiring freelancers and SEO specialists to kickstart their work from home journey.
