Technology has transformed the way people work. It also includes when and from where they work. With new collaborative platforms and tools emerging each day and new work-from-home technologies that facilitate group communication, it should not surprise that people are now adopting the digital nomad lifestyle. In fact, studies have shown that the percentage of people who have become digital nomads increased from 30% to almost 50% from 2012 to 2016.
Some companies and industries have embraced this new way of a digital nomad. Remote working offers many benefits like travel, family requirements, better pay from a brand that is not present in the hometown, more flexibility, etc. When it comes to this, one can work as a digital nomad (as a freelancer or remote employee) for companies that offer online payday loans for bad credit, gaming, financial services, education, and many more. Nowadays, you can pick almost any industry and find a virtual role there.
What Is A Digital Nomad?
Before anything else, it is crucial to understand – what is a digital nomad? People who combine travel and remote work are known as digital nomads. These are individuals who can provide value from any location while staying connected.
Remote working has become a big trend and has given rise to a dedicated digital nomad community. This trend will only move upward in the coming years. As opposed to the traditional 9-5 office jobs, people want to work and enjoy a life of freedom.
How To Become a Digital Nomad?
There is no single way to learn how to become a digital nomad. However, some common steps include:
1. Join A Digital Nomad Community
Based on digital nomad statistics, it is often advantageous to join a digital nomad community. These communities are excellent sources of learning how to start a digital nomad life. You can also get in touch with people for feedback and advice. With the help of these communities, you will make progress and learn to handle various setbacks along the way.
Joining these communities means that you will have access to a wealth of knowledge and support groups as you navigate the new ways of being a digital nomad. You can get tips and new skills for working online and setting up a new home base.
2. Identify Your Skills
It is essential to learn what skills you have to keep earning money while being on the move. This means that you need to know how to operate and use a computer and also have a decent internet connection. The good news here is that most people already have these skills. If you have the skills and knowledge from things you have worked on in the past or studied, you can increase the chances of landing high-paying jobs.
Common remote work skills include things like engineering, marketing, and writing. If you are a developer, you can look for jobs that involve building the front- and back-end of online websites. You can also teach English online if you have a good grasp of the subject.
3. Become A Freelancer
Once you have identified the skills that will allow you to work remotely, you need to start looking for a job. There are several digital nomad jobs that you can apply for on job sites. There are specific sites that provide jobs that are location-independent or remote. You may even find freelance gigs that range from consultants and accountants to photographers and virtual assistants. You can find jobs based on your skills and industry; apart from technology-based jobs like design and programming, you can also find work related to support and customer service.
4. Build Your Business
Once you have worked as a freelancer, you can start building your business. If you do good work, you can quickly get referrals for new clients. This will also increase your digital nomad salary. You can also consider creating business cards and a website to market your business and increase your reputation and reach.
Since you will be working from different parts of the globe, you need to remember that you schedule your work based on the time zones. After you have developed your skills, you can turn it into a full-service business by promoting on social media platforms and driving advertising revenue.
5. Decide On Your Destination
Once you have set a steady income stream, it is time to look into the digital nomad destinations. The possibilities are endless – you can visit any part of South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. You may even feel overwhelmed. You need to be realistic about the things you want from the location so that you are happy.
You need to be honest about your needs and income – if you are, you will find a great place to live. Since you are a digital nomad, you can always change your mind about a location if you want a change of scenery or do not like where you have landed. You need to understand that figuring out the living cost in each place will help you narrow down your list; ensure that all your expenses, like living, entertainment, food, etc., are affordable.
Final Thoughts
Remote working is on the rise and offers a lot of benefits to you. However, this lifestyle is not made for everyone because it does have a fair share of challenges. One of the essential tips for becoming a digital nomad is to stay in a location for at least a month so that you have sufficient time to settle in, establish a work routine, and get to know the town or city.
What’s your take on this? Let us know in the comments!
Jade is a finance analyst and has been involved in many successful business projects with a range of companies throughout the country. She started writing 3 years ago and enjoys researching, discussing, and writing on the topics of finances, budgeting, online payday loans for bad credit, money advice, lifestyle and wellness. Jade loves to spend time with her family and has a lot of hobbies including hiking, riding a bike, cooking and traveling.
