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How do I become a Digital Nomad?
1. Eliminate unnecessary debts and expenses.
You don't want to start your life as a nomad with tons of unnecessary debt. And before you leave, it's never a good idea to splurge on things you don't need or can do without.
First of all, reduce unnecessary debts related to credit cards, multiple insurance payments, Netflix subscriptions, Canal Plus, BeinSport, etc...
Then, you will see that it is possible to live like a Digital Nomad and live at an affordable price without a ton of suitcases.
For example, you can easily buy a travel backpack and pack seven days worth of clothes, shoes, laptop, camera, and phone with you as you go from one hotel or Airbnb to the next.
And as digital marketing consultant, freelancer or for any type of remote worker, it is a good idea to limit your expenses as much as possible.
2. Find a way to generate passive income.
It goes without saying that during your trip, you'll need to find a way to earn money to support your new nomadic lifestyle.
There are lots of ways to make money online, but the goal is not just to make money online, but to find a way to earn a steady income so you don't have to work 40 hours a week, but instead 10 to 15 hours. It is imperative to be able to count on a regular income so that you can travel without worrying about your next paycheck.
If you're just starting out, it should be a mix of advice and passive income. When you increase blog traffic and passive income sources, you can reduce your consulting activities, but until then, you will need income to travel.
3. Take out travel insurance.
Emergencies and sudden accidents can interfere with your new nomadic lifestyle.
That is why it is important to take out travel health insurance that will help you in all the places you intend to visit.
Whether you're traveling to Africa or Europe or going to East Asian countries like Thailand, your insurance should cover you wherever you travel.
Make sure your travel insurance covers all emergencies and health incidents that may occur. This is a concern you can't overlook, as many countries around the world won't provide you with the type of health care you're used to, so it's a good idea to be covered before you hit the road. I am not an insurance expert so use common sense.
4. Join a community of digital nomads
Now that you've quit your traditional job for a much more exciting life, it's time to connect with like-minded people and the same way of thinking as you.
To do this, you need to join digital nomad communities: forums or groups on social networks will help you connect with other digital nomads.
As you're new to this nomadic lifestyle, these communities help you find like-minded people and expats who know the best countries to visit, the cheapest neighborhoods to stay in, crime levels, crime levels, local activities, and quality of life.
Joining digital nomad communities means that you will always have the support of individuals like you. You can also use this opportunity to acquire new skills and develop your internet business with a solid network.
5. Unlock your phone
An unlocked phone is one that is not locked to a particular carrier and can be used with any SIM card - with any network operator in the world. This is especially useful when you are traveling around the world and exploring one country at a time.
An unlocked phone also allows you to choose a better plan to suit your needs based on what country you're in.
If you are done with these elements, you have taken a few more steps in your quest to become a Digital Nomad. But what's next? Sorry to tell you, but you're not ready to become a true Digital Nomad yet.
Starting your life as a Digital Nomad is a completely different matter than preparing to become one.
The more prepared you are and the more you pay attention to the smallest details, the fewer barriers you'll encounter in your Digital Nomad experience.
5 important tips to help you succeed as a Digital Nomad
1. Find a balance between work and private life.
As simple as it sounds, finding a balance between your work and social life takes a lot of time when you are new to this Digital Nomad lifestyle.
For me, this was the biggest challenge I encountered when I started my online business.
It's easy to muddy the waters and put in more hours than you need to spend on your new online business.
Even if working for a few hours in a café on Koh Pi Pi seems more pleasant than daily work in an open-space at La Défense, work is still work. If you're still glued to your laptop screen, you're not going to get the most out of your new Digital Nomad life.
Don't let your work take over your travel adventures or social life. Not only is it unhealthy, but it ends up taking you away from the rest of the world.
The best way to do this is to write down the tasks you need to complete in a day. Stick to this schedule and, if you think it can help, turn off your phone, avoid social media while you work, and set a time limit for each task.
When choosing to live as a Digital Nomad, it is important to find a balance between your professional and private life, otherwise your life will become even more stressful than the conventional job you left.
2. Set a budget.
When you choose to live the life of a Digital Nomad, your budget gets a bit tighter.
It's tempting to get carried away with all the new experiences — the food and drinks that can eat away at your bank account. However, if you budget in advance, you'll know how far you can push your expenses without running out of cash.
To create a successful and reliable budget, calculate all the expenses you need to make while traveling to each destination, the cost of living, leisure activities, work costs, etc. Be sure to assess whether you will be able to live comfortably and endure such experiences in case you don't earn a fixed salary for a while.
3. Be prepared for logistical challenges.
Even if you are working remotely or as a freelancer, you need to be available online so that your client or employer can contact you without problems.
It can be impossible to find a stable WiFi network in Thailand's most remote islands. But there are plenty of remote locations where wifi is stable. Setting up online meetings and conference calls is another obstacle you may encounter. The difference between time zones is another challenge. However, you can't use it as an excuse to miss an online conference or miss a deadline.
To avoid disappointing your potential customers, invest in a reliable 4G or 5G mobile key and be sure to buy all the international sockets and adapters to charge your electrical devices.
You can also invest in a cell phone signal booster (also called a booster or repeater) to help you detect and amplify your cellular reception.
4. Develop skills to work remotely.
It goes without saying that you need digital skills to be a Digital Nomad. I was lucky.
It just so happened that I started the digital marketing several years ago and that I have learned enough over time to make this blog work. I'll be traveling with passive income from my affiliations, but that's probably not the case for most digital nomads.
To succeed, you need to have solid technical skills - web development, SEM, SEO, constant marketing - skills that are well paid locally and remotely. And many are trying to become nomads too soon.
The low cost of living in developing countries makes people think that they don't need to make as much money. However, if your only source of digital revenue is a YouTube video and a landing page, or a dropshipping store with single-digit sales, you should think hard before taking the plunge. I didn't take the plunge until this blog brought in a lot more than my full-time salary.
The good news is that learning digital skills is free.
Tons of digital marketing jobs and certifications provide the background you need to start freelancing.
Your freelance work then becomes a concrete experience that you can rely on.
5. Instead, use local ATMs and currency exchange offices.
Currency exchange offices at airports charge high exchange fees.
That's why it's best to avoid this option and withdraw money from local ATMs or currency exchange offices. You will still have to pay fees, but they will be much lower than the fees you pay at the airport exchange offices.
Conclusion
The life of a Digital Nomad is rewarding. There are no bosses, internal policies, endless hours on public transport or traffic jams to bear.
However, there are challenges.
Geographic independence leads to other problems: isolation, loneliness, never being able to build a home port or staying in one place for too long. Digital nomads who have been on the road for a long time often return, after a while, to the welcoming and warm places they are used to.
The truth is that digital nomadism is not the answer to life's problems. Whether you are in Bali, Thailand, or anywhere in the world, life goes on. The good news is that you can choose. You can decide what kind of life you want to live.
The thrill and wealth of experiences you'll have on the road is well worth the effort.
The main thing is to find your anchor point, to make yourself comfortable at home and to simply enjoy every moment.
Because life is too short to worry about a job in one place.
FAQ
What is the best status for a digital nomad?
Self-employment is the simplest in France, but wage portage or SASU are suitable for more income.
Do you need a lot of subscribers to monetize a blog?
No, a blog can generate passive income as early as 1000 visitors/month via affiliation or advertising.
Which destinations should you choose?
Bali, Chiang Mai, Lisbon, and Medellín for their affordable cost and coworking spaces.
How long does it take to become a digital nomad?
3-6 months to learn a skill and find customers, 6-12 months for financial stability.
How do you deal with loneliness?
Join digital nomad communities (e.g. Nomad List) and participate in local events.
