By Gloria Martinez at WomenLed.org
Photo by samer daboul from Pexels
There has always been an appeal for breaking away from the mainstream and setting sail on a journey of your own intentions and ideas, and today’s digital age is the perfect time to let those ideas flourish. Re-creating yourself as a digital nomad will take some doing, but the payoff is worth it. You can be your own boss, take your own risks, and set off on your own adventures without having to be tied to any one location. Digital nomads even consider themselves the future of work for a large portion of the white-collar economy.
Let’s take a look at some of the main issues facing digital nomads in today’s age and how to overcome them so you can engage the happy, care-free lifestyle you’re dreaming of:
Working for your keep
Supporting yourself as a digital nomad is easier than some sources would have you believe. By contracting yourself out as a freelance writer, proofreader, graphic designer, or illustrator, you can earn enough money to keep yourself afloat and take advantage of the places you will be visiting as a nomad.
Depending on your skillset, you can find myriad ways to make money online. The trick is in creating a digital portfolio that will showcase your work and advertise your services. Visiting sites like Upwork, eLance, Freelanced, and Contently offer a way to keep track of online job boards and search for listings based on what people need. These positions are highly competitive. Don’t sell yourself short! And don’t forget to build and sustain your professional network as you go.
Finding tech-friendly rentals
Did you know that 54 percent of digital nomads travel full-time? This means there is a population of folks who need spaces to work, sleep, and otherwise exist when they’re not out exploring the world. Finding a tech-friendly rental — in other words, a place that offers internet access and plenty of charging ports — is key.
Part of finding a tech-friendly rental is the fact that you will need to conduct your business in this space. One way of doing this is to set up shop in a coworking space like The Drawing Board, which allows you to work with others (safely!) in one location.
Saving on travel expenses
No matter how often you want to travel or how much money you intend to make freelancing, it’s a good way to save for the expenses you’ll no doubt incur on one of these adventures. Start by tracking your spending and seeing what all you are creating for yourself in terms of expenses — and then cut that budget, and put the excess money in a separate savings account. This is only the beginning, but this is key: Having a good starting budget will make a difference as you travel.
Starting your own business
When you’re roaming around making your own way as a digital nomad, it could be helpful to start your own business so that you can make a name for yourself and get more freelance jobs. One thing you can do is form a limited liability company (LLC), which offers numerous advantages. When your company is an LLC, you have less personal liability, which means if your company comes under fire for any legal reason, your personal assets are protected. If you don’t want to do the paperwork yourself, you can even file online! States have different regulations for forming LLCs, so make sure you look up LLC online Texas information before diving into the process.
Why wait? Get started now
If becoming a digital nomad is your dream and you want to make your dream a reality, it’s a matter of getting started today. The world awaits!
Are you interested in joining us in one of our coworking spaces? Get in touch with the folks at The Drawing Board today!