Do you want to work while traveling but don't know how to become a digital nomad? If so, the idea of traveling the world while earning a decent living has seduced you. Thanks to this new vocation, you will live a great adventure in many countries of the world such as Morocco, Italy, Qatar, the United States, Mexico, China... Only, your project must be well thought out so that the expected results are optimal. If you have no idea how to become a digital nomad, read this article.
Digital Nomad: what is it really about?
A digital nomad is an individual who only needs a computer and an internet connection to work. He enjoys a total geographical freedom since his place of work is different from his place of life. According to his preferences, he can travel permanently or semi-continuously. Thanks to this rather special way of life, many individuals work optimally while discovering new horizons alone or with their family.
Some individuals who live as digital nomads select countries with a low standard of living to live comfortably on the income they generate online. This even allows them to save money and create wealth. Note that the development of new technologies, the multiplication of affordable airlines and the increase of freelance jobs have strongly favored digital nomadism.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of digital nomadism?
It's a great idea to opt for digital nomadism. However, you should know that there are many advantages and disadvantages to choosing this lifestyle.
The strengths of digital nomadism
If you plan to become a digital nomad, you need to know the highlights. Here are some of them.
Work without geographical restrictions
Thanks to digital nomadism, you will no longer be limited by the four walls of your room or your office. You won't even be forced to stay in your area to work. Depending on your preferences, you can move to another city or neighborhood. With a slightly larger budget, you can work independently in many countries around the world.
Free choice of working hours
Are you tired of working every day from 8am to 6pm? 10 hours of work is a lot, especially when you live at a significant distance from your workplace. By deciding to become a digital nomad, you can freely define the hours you will work.
The absence of hierarchical subordination
With digital nomadism, you are the only one to decide. Here, you will not be under the yoke of a tyrannical employer who will impose his choices on you. You will work freely and without constraints.
Family leisure activities
Digital nomadism allows you to freely define your working hours. Thanks to this advantage, you can give more time to your family. You can organize weekends with your loved ones or take them with you on your various trips.
Travel and discovery
Finally, digital nomadism allows you to multiply your trips and stops. The strong point of these numerous trips is that you will discover many destinations. This will allow you to see new cultures and increase your knowledge.
The weaknesses of digital nomadism
Digital nomadism does not only have its positive points. There are also disadvantages to opting for this lifestyle.
Dependence on technology
To accomplish all your missions as a digital nomad, you will necessarily need technology. Without connection and computer, you will be unable to satisfy your various customers.
Procrastination
Digital nomadism is a great way to work. But when you are not organized, you risk accumulating a large amount of work. In the long run, you risk procrastinating.
Customer dependency
By choosing to be a digital nomad, you are essentially dependent on orders from your customers. If you don't receive any, you risk not having any income. In other words, you don't have a salary and your workload will determine your income.
What are the qualities of a digital nomad?
If you are planning to become a digital nomad, you need to have a few must-have qualities. In case you don't have them, you must necessarily cultivate them. Here are a few must-have qualities to get you started in digital nomadism.
The organization
If you are a digital nomad, you must be able to organize yourself well. Professionally, you have to manage your clients, edit your schedule, respect the deadlines in order to link the missions at the right pace. Note however that you need to define a safety margin to better manage the different tasks in case of unexpected events.
Whether it is to avoid unpleasant situations or to plan all the operations related to your business, organization is an important quality. If you have always had trouble getting organized, there is no reason to panic. Today, there are several tools that will help youimprove your organization. Among them are Notion, Trello and Google Calendar. Don't hesitate to use them to manage your calendar and plan your tasks.
Self-discipline
When you make the choice of digital nomadism, you discover many destinations and the wonders that characterize them. With such riches, you have every reason in the world to let yourself go. However, you should know that traveling while working requires an important discipline. Otherwise, you risk quickly losing your source of income.
With no employer and no people to dictate the dynamics of your work, you're on your own. You're on your own, which means there's no one around to motivate you when morale is low. Therefore, you must be disciplined. Ideally, you should set your hours according to your preferences, impose deadlines that you can't cross and choose a quality work environment. These measures will allow you to maintain your productivity and stay on track to reach your daily, weekly and monthly goals.
Flexibility
Is your current life marked by many unexpected events? Know that the life of a digital nomad is probably not for you. When you decide to become a mobile worker, you accept to lose control over some things that are out of your control. Many situations can happen that change your plans. Unavailability of a hotel room, cancellation of a flight, lack of internet, these are all unforeseen events that can disrupt your business. One of the qualities that will be useful here is the ability to adapt.
What are the recommended jobs for a digital nomad?
For the record, you can't just do any job as a digital nomad. There are several positions that require you to actually be there. Discover here some options if you want to work in digital nomadism.
Web writing
The first job you can do as a freelancer is web writing. Here, you will have to write articles on themes chosen by your client. The content will then be published on blogs, social networks and websites. To do this job, you need to have excellent writing skills, a workstation and a good internet connection. The main constraint when you are a web writer is time. In reality, you have to deliver the majority of the texts ordered within the given time.
Community management
Besides web writing, you can become a digital nomad in community management. This will involve animating and boosting the popular social media of your clients.
Web development
As a web developer, your mission will be to create websites and applications for your clients. To practice this profession, you do not need to have a specific office. However, you need to have significant technical knowledge. If you have a degree in information, this is exactly what you need.
Graphic design
Depending on your preferences, you can turn to graphic design. This is a communication professional who designs visual media for his clients. This profession is composed of many branches. Among them, there is the model maker and the graphic designer. Whichever option you choose, you must have a powerful computer and the appropriate software.
Coaching in personal development
You can be a nomadic personal development coach. Most of your work will consist of offering online training through your website and social networks. Knowledge is needed to do this kind of freelance work.
How to become a digital nomad?
Becoming a digital nomad overnight is almost impossible. However, there are actions you can take over the long term to achieve it. What are they?
Reduce all debts
You probably don't want to start your nomadic life with a lot of debt. Before you get started, you should also avoid splurging on items you can easily live without.
Therefore, you should first reduce unnecessary debts related to multiple insurance payments, credit cards, TV channel subscriptions (Bein Sport, Canal Plus, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus...). With this measure, you will see that you have the opportunity to live like a digital nomad while minimizing your expenses.
To do this, you can get a travel backpack for a week-long stay abroad. You will only need to bring things such as: your laptop, phone, clothes, shoes and wifi modem. Depending on your preferences, you will go from one hotel to another.
Find a solution to earn money
While you are traveling, you must necessarily find a way to earn money in order to lead your rather special lifestyle. There are many techniques to make money online. However, the goal is not to work randomly. You need to find a job that will keep you busy for 10 to 15 hours a week instead of 40 hours. Also, you need to have a steady income so that you can travel without worrying about your next paycheck.
Taking out insurance
Your new lifestyle requires travel and lots of it. Emergencies and sudden accidents are potential parts of your new life. That's why you need travel insurance that will cover you no matter where you decide to go.
Whether you are in Europe, Africa, Asia or the Americas, your insurance should provide coverage that is valid in all countries of the world. When you sign the contract, make sure that your institution offers coverage for health incidents and emergencies. These are details that you should not neglect since not all countries offer the same coverage. Don't hesitate to compare institutions to choose the benefit that will suit your needs.
Join a community
After leaving your conventional job, you'll discover a life full of excitement and change. This is the perfect time to connect with like-minded people who share the same passions as you. To do this, you need to join a community of digital nomads. You will find them mainly on forums, on social networks (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat...).
Because of your lack of experience, communities are a great idea. They will allow you to discover individuals who know the best countries to visit, the most affordable neighborhoods, crime rates, high cost of living, and fun things to do. By joining a community of digital nomads, you'll have the support of like-minded people. It's a great opportunity to increase your skills and grow your business on the web.
Expand your phone's functionality
Some cell phones are locked and they only work for a specific operator. In other words, you can only use them with a specific SIM card. To become a digital nomad, you need to select a phone that works with any network operator. It will be very useful when you travel around the world and move quickly from one country to another.
Which legal status to become a digital nomad?
By being a digital nomad, you will work as a freelancer. You should know that there are several statutes that you can consider. However, the ones that are the most adapted are the one-man business with limited liability and the individual business.
The single-member limited liability company or EURL is an option similar to the SARL. It borrows the same legal regime as the Limited Liability Company. Unlike the sole proprietorship, it is subject to a multitude of obligations.
The sole proprietorship is the legal formula that suits an individual who wishes to embark on a great adventure alone. If you choose this status, you will have the choice between the auto-entrepreneur and EIRL regimes. Note that with this option, you will be personally taxed on the profits.
Where to work when you are a digital nomad?
When you are a digital nomad, you can work anywhere you want. However, there are some places that will be perfect for your business.
First, there are the apartment hotels. These are accommodations that allow you to enjoy a spacious room, an excellent wifi connection and peace and quiet. By opting for this type of space, you will be able to work quietly without having to ask yourself any questions.
Second, coffee shops are great places to work as a digital nomad. In this establishment, there is a bit of foot traffic, which helps increase creativity. Be aware, however, that not all coffee shops have wifi. Some places even refuse to welcome customers who want to sit and work for a few hours.
Thirdly, you can enjoy the common areas of the hotels. They are not well known, but they will offer you a pleasant experience. Very few people dare to go there when they will be welcomed with open arms. In this type of place, you can work and meet people who will help you in your profession.
Fourth, you can try coworking spaces. There are more and more of these around the world. What is interesting about this type of place is that it offers quality facilities and optimal internet connection. With individuals going there to work, you will be motivated to complete your assignments in the shortest possible time.
What equipment is essential for the digital nomad?
To become a digital nomad, you need some essential equipment. Among these, we can mention: a strong and sturdy backpack, a laptop, a good capacity backup media, a subscription to a cloud solution... To carry out your subscriptions and purchases, you must have a bank card, a 4G box for the internet connection, spare batteries for your electronic equipment.
How to become a digital nomad: in summary
Ultimately, you can become a digital nomad. To do so, you need to have certain qualities and choose the right job. Don't hesitate to use the tips offered here to succeed on this new path.
