How to be a Digital Nomad in 2018
With a simple internet connection, digital nomads leverage the power of technology and work from anywhere in the world. For most people, this lifestyle is a deliberate decision. So, we’d like to break down the process that will make you a digital nomad:
Identify what’s grounding you to a location:
Do you own your apartment on a long-term basis? Do you have tons of memberships in your locality? These are a few things that hold all of us back from full-time travel. They’re responsibilities in the orthodox sense. But, we can get rid of junk and material things that don’t serve an important purpose in your life.
Build skills:
Either through formal education or through an online course, you can gain some unbeatable skills to stay hired while traveling. There are paid online courses for everything like web design, app development, photography and even entrepreneurship courses. Udemy, Lynda, Coursera and Khan Academy are the most popular resources in this niche.
Research before you embark on the journey:
Any digital nomad needs a roof over his head. As a digital nomad, you need to research your housing options. Try to gain firsthand information on the city, from where you wish to work. Pay special attention to crime in the neighborhoods as theft is usually the biggest problem that digital nomads face abroad.
Start freelancing:
It’s best to test out freelancing in your hometown before you venture abroad. Let people in your personal network know that you’re open for business. Market your expertise through an online presence on social media channels. You can also consider creating your own website and business cards to market your business to increase your reach and reputation. Once you’ve got into the groove of freelancing, you may start getting referrals from your clients.
By taking your freelancing dream on a test-drive, you’ve got a realistic picture of what it looks like. So, this ensures your plan is full-proof.
To be a digital nomad, just decide on your first destination and start working towards your goals: build skills, research about current digital nomadic lifestyle trends and build your freelancing business.
The digital nomad is an unstoppable work trend and by following a definite roadmap, you can find your own path to location independence. The main thing that separates a true digital nomad from the pack is the ability to maintain a passive income. If you can do that, no matter what obstacle comes your way, you’ll be armed.