For those that don’t know, a digital nomad is someone who earns a living working online. As a result, they can freely move around from place to place rather than sitting in an office while they work. This lifestyle enables you to earn money while traveling the world or following a more flexible routine.
Sounds pretty amazing, right? Being a digital nomad can mean you are less stressed than usual, and you have more freedom in your life. Some people even claim they are more productive when working like this! So, how do you become a digital nomad?
Find a suitable job
First important note: you don’t have to start your own business to live the digital nomad life. The key is having a job where it doesn’t matter where you live or choose to work from. You could run your own business, but you can also find remote work with an established company.
One of the most popular fields to work remotely is copywriting. It’s a broad role that can include writing content (or “copy”) for websites, blogs, social media, print publications, marketing materials, and so on. It can pay pretty well, and there’s more good news to come. While some employers prefer you have a professional background or a degree in writing, it’s not always necessary. You can learn how to become a copywriter on your own time and improve your writing skills through consistent practice.
Many other jobs are suitable for the digital nomad lifestyle, such as:
- Graphic Designer
- Accountant
- Business Consultant
- Marketing Consultant
- Editor
- Software Developer
- Virtual Assistant
Save money
To start, you will need to set aside some money to fund your travels. For the first few weeks or months, focus on cutting down your expenses and putting as much money away as possible. Basically, you are forming a safety net to fall back on while you travel. These savings are for times when you may be between jobs, you’re waiting on payment from clients, or you need to give yourself some time off.
Keep your business expenses low
For some, running your own business is more appealing. You have ultimate control over your hours, projects, and clients. That also means you’re in charge of managing your business expenses. Try to keep these as low as possible, meaning more of the money you earn can go towards funding your next trip.
Focus on long-term jobs
In this line of work, you will likely come across two types of work. First, there are gigs. A gig is usually a small, one-time project that generates a smaller profit because it requires less time and effort for you to complete. They are great in the short term, but they should be your secondary focus.
The big bucks lie in long-term job contracts. You can find clients willing to pay for your services over a long period. Perhaps they want you to consult on an ongoing business project, or maybe they want you to design a website and do their company’s branding. Whatever the contract, being tied into a long-term deal is good. It assures you of a regular source of income without having to rely on constantly getting gigs.
Just like that, you are a digital nomad. Primarily, it all revolves around the first step: finding a suitable job. Once you’ve got one, and you can consistently make money, the world is your oyster!
