You've got the skills you can monetize, and you're eager to travel to a far-flung destination. So you have to ask yourself, what else could there be? Well, it turns out there's a lot. If you want to become a digital nomad, you are probably an adventurous and spontaneous person, but if you want to do it right, you need to take a more strategic approach.
There is no perfect path to achieving your wish of making money while traveling the world, but then again, one path is probably not what you are looking for. So, for those of you who are just starting out, here are some ways to live your dreams in 2023 and earn a living at the same time.
Find a remote job
Perhaps the easiest way (and the hardest to find!) is to find a remote job. This means you'll be officially employed by a company on a full-time or part-time basis, but your presence will not be required in the office. The steady income will allow you to travel wherever you want and, most importantly, you won't have to worry about finding clients.
A remote job is a reasonable way to achieve the goal of putting your laptop in a backpack to work from a beach bar in Greece or a coffee shop in Poland. However, work schedules can be a burden to your nomadic lifestyle, as they are not always flexible. This means that you have to plan your itinerary keeping in mind that your bus may break down or your plane may be late.
If flexibility is what you need, freelancing is a great solution. You can sit down at Starbucks in any remote location and do the work at your own pace. Plus, when it comes to client relationships, you can rent a meeting space in the client's city, get there (whatever you want) and close the deal.
Join the global freelance community
Becoming a freelancer is liberating in many ways. You don't have to specify your work hours or miss a social event or training class, as long as you deliver your work on time. This can give you the freedom to spend some time in China and suddenly decide one morning that you want to try working from Hong Kong or Taiwan and be able to do so.
There are various online platforms where you can create a profile to get in touch with clients, but of course it may take some time before you establish a professional reputation and gather enough capital to start traveling. In addition to capital, you also need to familiarize yourself with local events. So, when looking for apartments to rent in Hong Kong, in addition to insisting on comfort, you should also make sure that they are safe. Hong Kong has a lot to offer nomads and the city is generally safe, but it's always best to make sure your studio is in a good location.
Become your own boss
We come to the last suggestion that some will consider scary and others as a way to achieve true financial independence: start your own business. I'm sure you've seen many Instagram profiles with amazing photos of nature, animals, many cities and festivals and wondered how that person can find the time to travel so much let alone afford it.
The answer is simple - they don't since they have made travel their main job and not a rewarding addition. What you can do is create a YouTube channel, blog or podcast and digitally share your nomadic experiences. You can offer insightful advice, share embarrassing moments, show the incredible beauty of man-made or nature-made creations. While this may seem spontaneous, you need to establish a publishing schedule to stay consistent and always have extra material for when you're resting from your travels. It may take some time to develop a fan base, but until you can pursue this full-time, you can find a second job.
Some tips before you leave
Now that you've made your decision on the right way to become a digital nomad, it's time to absorb a few tips that might be helpful. For starters, don't leave before making sure you have health and travel insurance, because you never know what might happen. For the same reason, it would be wise to set aside some money for a rainy day.
As far as money is concerned, if you cannot exchange it for foreign currency at home, it is best to avoid the exchange offices at the airports, as they charge a lot of money. As mentioned before, you will need to think about your potential accommodation and make sure you have a stable internet connection, whether you are in Italy or the Philippines.
Conclusion
As the saying goes, fortune favors the brave, and that's exactly the maxim every digital nomad should adopt when the hard days come. When you miss your family or run out of money, know that if you persevere, many wonderful days will follow.
You'll learn about different cultures, connect on a global scale and enjoy the wonders of the world firsthand. For 2020, plan to get soaked by the rain in Cardiff and bathe in the warmth of the Texas sun. So what are you waiting for?