With the increased popularity and success of remote work, a new category of workers has emerged: digital nomads. A digital nomad not only works remotely, but they also have no fixed address and routinely travel to different locations. There are several reasons why being a digital nomad might be desirable. It allows you to take advantage of lower costs of living.
As a digital nomad, you are free to move with the seasons, which can be especially beneficial for some with health issues. Digital nomads have the opportunity to enrich their awareness by experiencing diverse cultures. It may not be for everyone, but many are thriving as digital nomads both personally and financially. Here's what you need to know if you're thinking the life of a traveling worker might suit you, brought to you by That Social Geek.
This is the biggest and most obvious question: Can you do what you do while relying entirely on digital media and portable tech? If you are working for a company, will they allow you to go permanently remote? If not, you could look into applying for online jobs that would not require you to be on-site. Office work that can easily be done remotely includes contact service representatives, virtual assistants, and bookkeepers.
Freelancing is another option for would-be nomads; some great freelancing ideas include copyediting, accounting, and writing blog posts. You can use social media to attract clients, but online job boards are also extremely useful for finding customers globally. Once you have created a posting for your product, clients can compare your costs and reviews with those of competitors in the field, so make sure you are aware of the standard market prices for what you are offering.
The key to the life of the digital nomad is location independence. This means you are not tied down to any one place in terms of either your personal needs or your work. If you want to travel on a regular basis, you need to be able to get by with minimal possessions, too. You should be able to pack up quickly and relocate easily. It's important to minimize your expenses, too, in case you experience slowdowns in your cash flow and so you aren't trying to keep up with paying a lot of bills on the road. If you are relying on a vehicle for travel, make sure it is reliable and equipped to suit your needs. Can you transport the tech you need in it? Is it equipped with a charger? Can you safely and comfortably sleep in your vehicle if needed?
If your vehicle isn't also your residence, you will likely need to pay for lodging from time to time. Many location-independent workers have friends or family they can stay with on some legs of their journeys, but don't make the mistake of assuming you can just crash for free in others' homes: this can seriously damage relationships. If you are staying with friends, try to find some way to compensate them. If you are traveling and lodging in different locales, search for options on a site like TurnKey, which highlights monthly rental and extended stay options. For example, if you're going to be spending time in Phoenix, you can check these out. Always research before booking a residence to make sure it is tech-friendly and has good internet access.
Digital nomads can earn quite a comfortable salary. But what really motivates them, in most cases, is something less tangible: the freedom to shape their own lives and the inspiration they find in travel. So, if you're dreaming about adventure with little to tie you down, this might really be the life for you!
