Is Being a Digital Nomad Right for Me?
Guest post by Lance Cody-Valdez, Founder of free-lance-now.com
Digital nomads use technology (primarily a laptop and internet connection) to support themselves in a location-independent capacity by working remotely and living a nomadic lifestyle, traveling from one place to the next. If you’ve been considering to give the digital nomad lifestyle a try, below are some basics to know and tips to make the most of the experience.
The Digital Nomad Lifestyle
The term “digital nomad” gained popularity after being termed in a 1997 book written by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners titled "The Digital Nomad." They introduced a hypothesis that predicted people would be able to work from anywhere via a single, powerful communication method. Twenty-five years later today, two-thirds of the workforce now work remotely due to office policies that originated with Covid — and studies show that most people wish to remain remote as the world continues to open up and adjust to a new normal.
What Kind of Work Can I Get Paid for as a Digital Nomad?
There are several job roles you can fulfill as a digital nomad, whether you work for an employer or whether you work for yourself. If you work for an employer, the easiest way to untether yourself from the office is if the company you work for has a virtual work option that is not location-dependent. If that’s not the case, there are plenty of freelance opportunities where you can be the boss of what you do for work and where you do it. Some popular examples of freelance positions are:
Copywriter
Blogger
Social Media Manager
Virtual Assistant
Project Manager
Software Developer or Designer
Registering Your Freelance Business Entity if you choose to become a freelancing digital nomad
If you decide to digital nomad as a freelancer, the two most common structures for freelancers are a sole proprietorship (unincorporated business owned & run by one person) and a Corporation (typically in the US, an LLC, C-Corp, or S-Corp). A freelancer who wishes to do business unincorporated as something other than their name may choose getting a DBA as an option because it's simple and easy to register. There are also different banking, liability, and tax concerns to explore for being an incorporated or unincorporated freelancer.
Communicating With Clients & Coworkers
Because of the potential time differences that arise from working remotely (and particularly if you work abroad), it's critical to set clear deadlines and report the status of your projects at various milestones to clients and/or coworkers. Another good way to ensure good communication is to suggest virtual meetings or asynchronous updates to share goals and present ideas. Always make sure the project scope is clear by asking the right questions.
Managing Finances
Many freelancing digital nomads tend to have fluctuating incomes depending on the flow and consistency of their freelance client work. As a result, top financial priorities for freelancing digital nomads are saving enough money for emergencies; having enough money to stay in your current & next nomadic destination; and avoiding being in a situation that gets you stranded. Keeping track of expenses is crucial to balance your budget, and many experts advise that you save three to six months' salary.
One of the easiest ways to save on travel while nomading on the road is to check for layover flights when heading to your nomadic destination. Booking flights to multiple cities can sometimes cut the price of a one-way ticket in half. Other easy tips for saving while you travel as a nomad include using a reusable water bottle, making your own coffee, and being mindful of overspending with dining out too often. Networking through established digital nomad destination Facebook groups are a great way to connect and receive guidance on apartment rentals and co-working spaces or laptop friendly cafes to work remotely from.
Finding Tech-friendly Rentals
When traveling as a nomad, it will be impossible to do your job remotely if you don't have reliable Wi-Fi - usually a consistent connection of at least 20 Mbps. Make sure you have a quiet location to work remotely from, and that you have a contingency plan for instances when the internet may go down in your rental. Some backup options include nearby cafes and coworking offices.
Living the Digital Nomad Lifestyle & connecting with community.
There is a lot to plan for when setting up as a digital nomad, but the planning & changes make the lifestyle worth it for many people once they settle in. Set consistent goals to get your work done timely, but be sure to make time for the perks of adventure and exploration in your nomadic destination. Connect with digital nomad groups such as Adventurely to find a sense of community along the way.
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About the Author Lance Cody-Valdez: A few years ago, burned out and miserable from his job in corporate marketing, Lance Cody-Valdez decided it was time to invest in himself. He quit his job the following day and used his meager savings to stay afloat as he built a career as a freelance writer and content marketer. He created free-lance-now.com to help others use freelancing to escape the 9 to 5 daily grind.