Freelancing As a Digital Nomad (20 Solid Tips)

Freelancing As a Digital Nomad

Are you fortunate enough to be one of those that can work anywhere or even anytime?

If so then congratulations on building a great micro business model where you can work remotely and maybe freely, whilst travelling around the world.

Just like any other business model you need the right tools for the job, which may mean you require a reliable and rugged laptop, fast internet connection and excellent video tools, for example.

There are certainly vital components to working on your own and being disciplined enough to be effective every day.

Whilst also understanding the requirements needed to maximise output, through using time effectively and using the right tools.

Some even use iphones to do a good chunk of work on, so this needs to be reliable and sufficient for the job.

Digital nomads might use a variety of tools depending on their role, and the most common areas of work are freelancing in subjects such as programming, designing, writing and teaching.

Generally they will get paid through paypal or a digital wallet, or through bank transfers.

This often means working with freelance contracts.

Freelancing As a Digital Nomad

Do you get a kick out of teaching?

Can I really do this you may ask?

Let’s say you make cakes or are a carpenter, you may be thinking, so how do I monetise this? 

Well, you can give presentations in how you bake, tipes, tricks and methods for baking, as well as decorating cakes, or if you love making stuff out of wood you can also demonstrate how you do what you do, styles, techniques and processes you use through making short videos.

Yo might even create a small e-book to give away and drive those giving you an email address to sign up for your videos.  This might include courses you can create.

You only have to lok around you at what others are doing, as it is likely that someone is already doing what you wish to do.  Don’t copy them, use your own unique angle and be authentic.

If you wish to be a contractor then ensure you can create a great CV for prospective employers, and learn interview skills to ensure you are on your ‘A’ game before you proceed with applying for online jobs.

Freelancing As a Digital Nomad

What are the benefits of this type or style of work?

Some are obvious;  freedom to travel, less overheads, more flexibility and balance, and more peace when you don’t want to be around an office or a team of people.

Great huh!  So where is the catch?

This is not something you can just casually have a go at, if you want to make a living from it.

If you are serious you have to put in serious hours, design your role, and know the business model in order to be productive, effective and efficient.

This means having laser focus on certain tasks, putting in the time, plus unwaivering commitment, drive, patience and passion.

Got it?

So be mindful of what is required of you, and the fact that there may be times where you earn less, or have to work 7 days a week, depending on workload and income.

Be prepared to go beyond what you have done in the past in a job you hated.

It is a business after all.

Here is an example:  Perhaps you love fashion and want to design your own line of casual or workwear from your laptop, but you may still need to visit fashion houses, countries to source materials, or learn to up-cycle, re-cycle and re-purpose previously used material, so you cannot assume that you can do it all.

So, you must be prepared to put in what is required of you and to be able to communicate effectively and build relationships around the globe.

Many businesses today make areas of their business more conscious in that they consider modern issues, progressive working, and the effects of what they do on their community and city.

This means a deep understanding of what they do and how they do it, and what impact they make on the resources they use.

Checklist For Some Contractors and Freelancers:

1. Explore markets, look around at what is out there already and see how you might fit into this space or market.
2. Begin to define an area and if it is a new or un-tapped market look at the potential risks involved.
3. Start crafting your business plan and marketing plan.  Get help if required.
4. Look at total costs, and try to add up all costs, allowing for more costs with a contingency backup.
5. Get clear on your core fundamental strategies and your aims so that you reduce risk where possible. 
6. Ensure the back-up strategy is solid and houses all steps required to implement what is needed to reduce harm
7. Look at what your core role is and find others that can perform other roles needed to aid in your operation.
8. Research all businesses similiar to yours, from brand styles, e-mail responders, colours and looks of websites, to content, customer service and words used.   Including payment methods, marketing, advertising etc.
9. Start to frame your offer and consider courses in business and entrepreneurship to help you be your best.
10. Master key words, phrases, business terms and financial words.  Educate yourself daily.
11. Keep your business model set up simple to avoid complexity and complication, both for you and others.
12. Ensure you have a business bank account, specific insurance and business registration.
13. Never be afraid to ask more seasoned business owners and entrepreneurs questions.
14. Aim to offer great value, and to understand your USP Unique Sales Proposition, which differentiates you from others.  This will be included in your Plan.
15. Crunch the numbers many times over with your accountant, and be sure to keep business receipts, sales, invoices, costs and expenses separate from your personal life.
16. Download templates needed to craft the expenses and financial plan.  Operational costs and Cash flow, tax etc.
17. Stay humble and work hard, never get so cocky that you think you know everything, as that can destroy businesses.
18. As a self employed freelancer or contractor you will need to define your business structure.  For example, will you run a limited company, or would you prefer being a sole trader?  
19. What will your contracts look like?  You need to craft a professional CV and client contract for your services.  Within this you will need to define your terms, demonstrate project layout and decide upon payment rates and dates competitive to industry standards.  
20. Know your income goal amd all other goals.  Without measuring your goals, progress and numbers you have no business whatsoever.

Whilst this may be just the beginning of your new career, you should now have some solid tip and ideas, and hopefully better understand what is required of you in order to make this a longterm success.

Essential Tools I Can Recommend:

1. One of the best tools for working online whilst travelling is something called Holafly, and this is an eSIM for international travel.

This means you can stay connected wherever you decide to go, and whilst there are various companies out there, this one stands out as a solid choice.

You can get unlimited Data and reliability wherever you go, as Holafly is now the most trusted travel eSIM.

2. My second recommendation is called Wallester. This is an amazing multi-currency platform to send and recieve money, exchange currencies and control spending for you and your team if you have one. 

3. I also love this company.  Multiplier is a this powerful and useful tool to pay independent contractors around the world. Check it out here Multiplier  

4.  Heard of A.I. powered CRM?  This tool by Monday CRM will assist you with increasing your revenue growth as a freelancer with a team.

5. If you wish to work in project Management a great workflow tool to help meet deadlines through automation is called Asana.  all-in-one tool for tasks and clients briefs is called Notion.  Also Trello is another awesome tool that allows you to track multiple clients projects.

6. For finance I can hihgly recommend Wise which is perfect for freelancers that are travelling internationally.  It enables you to hold multiple currencies and take payments at lower fees.

7.  Booking meetings?  I like Calendly best.  it takes out the complications of e-mails and enables meeting bookings directly.

8. The final tool I can recommend is called Loom.  We are in a world of fast moving business and thisn includes video.  So with Loom you can create quick videos in order to share and present your work and concepts.

I will add further tools/products/services that I recommend if required.

Wishing you the very best in your work and travel endeavours, and Freelancing As a Digital Nomad!

If you have any questions about this area of business and work then do let me know and i’ll do my best to answer them.

By the way – don’t forget;  you need a business plan. So download a template and get started, as without a plan you have no real business, because you have nothing gauge your progress and momentum against ok.

All the best

Greg

Freelancing As a Digital Nomad

GregDeTisi

Author and Small Business Blogger at Greg De Tisi Writing and Small Business Blogging

Author, course creator and business blogger – Greg has been supporting Small Business clients from all backgrounds all over the globe for over 15 years in developing ideas and passions into sustainable Small Business Models. Greg now has more of a focus on supporting his local business community in Bristol UK.