Thanks to the ever-growing digital opportunities, there is a good chance that you can take your career wherever you travel. Just imagine sitting in a restaurant at the base of a beautiful mountain, lounging on a beach, or propping yourself up with pillows in your hotel room while doing your job. As long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, you can work virtually anywhere. As a “digital traveler” with a reliable internet connection, you get to choose where you work, whether surrounded by people or in an isolated place.
As a “digital nomad,” you can travel the world and still make a lucrative income. If you have the available funds, you can move around at will or work in one place for a while to make enough money before heading to your next destination. Instead of getting stuck in a 9-to-5 office job, you can explore the world while you work.
Digital Qualifications
Before starting your adventure, take stock of your digital qualifications so that you can devise a viable plan. Initially, you may not have a successful online business, but by freelancing you can hone your existing skills and learn how to do new things that will help you develop an impressive portfolio. That way, when you begin traveling, you will have no problem staying busy and earning income.
Remember, some of the best life lessons come from failure, so if you struggle from time to time, use those experiences to your advantage. Because you could face periods when work slows down, it is essential that you have funds set aside. That way, you will not end up “stuck” in a foreign country far from home.
Your education is something else to consider before venturing out as a digital traveler. Especially if you want to gain new skills, spend time going to a community college or taking courses online in preparation for working in different countries. Also, look for a company that offers services in your area of expertise, giving you the chance to solidify your qualifications. You will earn an income and learn valuable skills that will eventually support your new lifestyle.
Start Out Slow
While you feel excited about working as a digital nomad, be careful not to move too quickly. As part of your overall plan, choose a destination relatively close to home. For instance, if your home base is in the United States, start by traveling to Canada or Mexico. Once you get the hang of things and build your confidence, you can then set your sights on foreign countries further away. Regardless of where you go, you will need a Working Holiday visa.
Traveling while you work presents tremendous opportunities. Along with your digital qualifications, rely on other skills from your past. As an example, if you worked as a server in a restaurant, you can get a job virtually anywhere in the world, allowing you to keep money coming in during dry spells.
Remote Work
Working remotely for a company is yet another option. Today, many large corporations allow employees and freelancers to work outside of the office, which cuts down on overhead expenses. Because of that, you can take your computer and go anywhere you want. If the company you currently work for does not offer telecommuting, look for one that does. Following are just a few examples of the type of work you could do remotely.
- E-Commerce
- Freelance Writer
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Online Customer Service, Marketing, Social Media Management, SEO, Teacher, Tech Support
- Software Developer
- Virtual Assistant
- Website Developer and Designer
Regardless of which job you want to do, having a reliable internet connection is critical. While some jobs may require you to work specific hours, others will offer more flexibility. For instance, if you work as an online customer service rep, the company might want you available from 9 to 3, whereas, if tutoring, you would likely work around the student’s schedule.
For digital jobs with set schedules or those with tight deadlines, planning your next move becomes more critical. As mentioned, many big corporations, even Fortune 500 companies, have remote opportunities. In fact, companies like Cargill, Comcast, Aetna, Microsoft, Apple, Dell, and others have a significant pool of employees and freelancers who work from home or abroad. Various industries, like software development, insurance, and cable, also provide the same opportunity.
Work as a Successful Entrepreneur
For passive income, you can always start an online business as opposed to working for someone else. Now, if you decide to become an entrepreneur, be careful not to invest in just one thing. In other words, consider having more than one source of income.
You could start an e-commerce store using an online service like Shopify. Since a supplier ships the merchandise to your customers, you never deal with inventory. Once that endeavor takes off, you could branch out to other things, like freelance writing, website design, or online marketing, so that you have more than one income stream. That way, money consistently rolls in. Of course, be careful not to take on more than you can handle.
No matter what you choose to do, it is imperative that you use a reliable and safe invoicing and payment system. After all, you will deal with people you have never met, many of them from other countries.
Getting paid on time and for the correct amount is essential to your success as a digital traveler. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a situation of not having funds when needed. Therefore, be selective about the clients you work with, choosing those with a reputation for paying on a consistent basis.
Although you have several options, setting up an escrow account is one of the most efficient ways of getting paid. With that, your client puts money into the account before the work gets finished. Once you complete the job to the client’s satisfaction, the funds get released. Therefore, you do not have to wait days or weeks for payment.
Ozan is an excellent payment service. In addition to storing financial information, this system allows you to receive payments and send money to others. No matter where you are at any given time, you benefit from a seamless invoicing and payment process. While you could use PayPal, the advantage of Ozan is that it converts currencies.
Making Well-Informed Decisions
If you decide to work as a digital traveler, it is essential that you make well-informed decisions that benefit you. Working while traveling around the globe is exciting, but before you get on a plane to your first destination, create a plan based on your experience, education, expertise, available opportunities, secure and reliable income streams, options for becoming an entrepreneur, and the places you want to visit.
Then, start out slowly, choosing a relatively close country to your home base. Most importantly, see this as an opportunity of a lifetime and have confidence in yourself and what you can offer.
