How To Become A Digital Nomad? 25 Expert Tips

After years of being a digital nomad, and having traveled to 55+ countries on my own, including a whole world tour alone, it was time to reflect about what other digital nomads are doing and what are their advice, not only to understand what is a digital nomad and how to become one, but also how to sustain the freelance nomad lifestyle.
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Become a sustainable digital nomad

After years of being a digital nomad, and having traveled to 55+ countries on my own, including a whole world tour alone, it was time to reflect about what other digital nomads are doing and what are their advice, not only to understand what is a digital nomad and how to become one, but also how to sustain the freelance nomad lifestyle.

After having succeeded to make money online through  Affiliate marketing,   that is however not the only way to become part of the digital nomads community and the list of the best digital nomad jobs even include some surprising options.

Therefore, we asked the community of experts for their best tips to become part of the digital nomads crowd, and most of their answers actually have one thing in common: they emphasize that you should take a leap of faith, but plan carefully before selling all your belongings and leaving your old life behind.

How to become a professional nomad?

In order to become a digital nomad, most of the professional ones actually figured out how to earn their living before leaving everything behind and going on the road, to either live off their affiliate marketing earnings as blogger or influencer, or by getting the skills they need to get remote jobs such as customer support, web development, or creating online courses.

In my own experience, becoming a digital nomad first meant creating websites such as this one, using the PropellerAds native ads system that you can use to monetize your website regardless of its content or audience, and the  Ezoic platform   for my Google AdSense websites with more than 10 000 unique visitors per month.

Finally, as you will be traveling as a nomad, and buying all kind of travel related products, such as flights and train tickets, car rentals, hotel bookings, activities, and more, why pay full price? You can get a cashback on all your spending by registering for free to the TravelPayouts affiliate program, and booking these products and services from your own affiliate link, thus earning a cashback on all these expenses. On top of that, you will earn a commission on any sale that you are referring by showing your friends how you booked and paid less for the same – or better – travel products.

Best tools for becoming a digital nomad:Digital nomad prep tips
  • 1. Figure out your source of earnings income, either passive with monetized websites or followers as an influencer, or active with the right skills and connections,
  • 2. Get a  travel insurance   and the necessary  travel visa   before leaving,
  • 3. Make sure that you packed everything you need, and are able in case of issues to recover from it financially and professionally,
  • 4. Keep up a good working schedule throughout your journey to keep it sustainable!

Becoming a digital nomad is not every one and comes with a whole lot of troubles that settled persons don’t have, but these digital nomad tips will help you overcome them and get to live the life you want!

See you soon on the road with these tips on how to become a digital nomad!

Have you been living as a digital nomad yourself, have you considered it, or have you seen digital nomads succeed (or not)? What would be in your opinion the one best tip to become a successful digital nomad?

Lucy johnson: one needs to try out the lifestyle first and find out how to make it work later

My top tip for anyone who strives to become a digital nomad is to just get out there and make it happen. As soon as i followed this tip myself i was able to find success. Sounds simple and a bit cliche yes, so let me explain.

When i was working long unsociable hours in london i used to dream of being a digital nomad. I started up my blogs, took  online courses   on how to become a marketer, and also nearly even got sucked into a few online pyramid schemes on multiple occasions. Safe to say, i never got anywhere. I was still living the life of an overworked london citizen - getting up early to squish myself into the tube, moan about work over a pint in the local pub, and generally walk around like a zombie.

I bought myself a one way ticket to vietnam with no online work and little hope of getting myself a job whilst on the road. Yet whilst traveling and being ’nomadic’ i was able to network with like-minded people. That mixed with the real need to find work online i was able to unlock motivation and inspiration that i didn’t know existed. To truly become a digital nomad, one needs to try out the lifestyle first and find out how to make it work later.

Now i run a successful digital marketing agency for vegan businesses.

It won’t work for everyone, but then maybe the digital nomad lifestyle isn’t for those that can’t make it happen!

Lucy johnson, founder of shido digital. A specialist in vegan business and digital marketing. She’s been traveling the world for the last 2 years and during this time has set up multiple online businesses to support her travels.
Lucy johnson, founder of shido digital. A specialist in vegan business and digital marketing. She’s been traveling the world for the last 2 years and during this time has set up multiple online businesses to support her travels.

Caitlin pyle: utilize the flexibility that you have

Having been a digital nomad myself, and having also taught hundreds of students how to successfully earn a living as proofreaders from anywhere in the world, one of my best tips for becoming successful at it is to utilize the flexibility that you have! There are a lot of unique opportunities presented to you as a digital nomad. You can actually slow down and enjoy your travel time rather than feel like you need to rush through everything if you were on limited time. It's also important to use that flexibility to take care of yourself to keep your productivity levels in check! One of the awesome benefits of working from anywhere on your own schedule is that you can take breaks whenever you need to, and you shouldn't feel guilty when you do!

Caitlin pyle, owner and founder of proofread anywhere. I help freelancers earn extra money from anywhere in the world through proofreading. I’ve been proofreading since i was in college — seems like forever ago now! I studied abroad for a semester in germany, and while i was there, i helped other students by proofreading their theses and other essays. I loved using my natural word nerd skills to help other people!
Caitlin pyle, owner and founder of proofread anywhere. I help freelancers earn extra money from anywhere in the world through proofreading. I’ve been proofreading since i was in college — seems like forever ago now! I studied abroad for a semester in germany, and while i was there, i helped other students by proofreading their theses and other essays. I loved using my natural word nerd skills to help other people!

John bedford: timetable your locations and projects at the start of each week

I've been working as a digital nomad since last summer when i left my full-time job to start an online food and drink business. I imagined i'd enjoy working from home more, but i found the mental isolation of starting a new business overwhelming, and so i decided to spend more time working remotely within the local community.

My biggest tip for remaining productive while operating from libraries, coffee shops and so on, is to timetable your locations and projects at the start of each week. You need to know where you're going to be, when you're going to be there, and what you're going to get done. You reduce the sense of isolation this way, while still maintaining that crucial start-up momentum.

It's also important that you take care of your body if you're spending a significant amount of time in an unfamiliar working environment. You're not going to get an ergonomic office chair and footrest at the library, but you still need to watch your posture. Take a few minutes to adjust your working environment as best you can, and don't even think about slouching down into the coffee shop's comfiest sofa!

Office ergonomics: your how-to guide
John bedford spent ten years leading the seo and content development for a number of sites in the entertainment sector. He now runs viva flavor, a site dedicated to helping amateur cooks explore their love of food and drink.
John bedford spent ten years leading the seo and content development for a number of sites in the entertainment sector. He now runs viva flavor, a site dedicated to helping amateur cooks explore their love of food and drink.

Yaz purnell: take the time to build a stable remote business

I’ve been living as a digital nomad for over three years now, and regularly write about my experiences on the wallet moth along with tips for living a more minimalist lifestyle.

In my opinion, the one best tip to become a successful digital nomad is to take the time to build a stable remote business while you still have your regular job and home to support you. Before a launched my freelance business and began traveling, i worked on it for months to get to the point where my freelance work could replace a large percentage of my full-time job income. Without putting in that time to really make sure my freelance business was growing and consistently getting clients, leaving to become a digital nomad would have been risky – it’s much harder to grow a business when you’re navigating time zones and the many distractions of travel!

Yaz purnell is a freelance writer and the founder of the wallet moth where she writes about minimalism, frugal living, and creating a life with more of what you love.
Yaz purnell is a freelance writer and the founder of the wallet moth where she writes about minimalism, frugal living, and creating a life with more of what you love.

Will needham: start by traveling to a nomad hub

In the last 12 months, i've successfully transitioned to a digital nomad lifestyle. Since leaving my corporate 9-5 in london, i've worked from the mountains in  Bulgaria,   the beach in  Barcelona   and crazy  Kyiv, Ukraine.   It's been a real roller coaster, but for me the positives (freedom to travel, ability to work from anywhere, shape your own work/life balance) outweigh the negatives (can be lonely sometimes).

My number one tip i would offer to an aspiring nomad is to start by traveling to a 'nomad hub'. These are towns that have a high density of digital nomads (like bangkok,  Lisbon,   chang mai,  Bali).   Just like in any profession, it’s so important to build that network of people who can support you. Bangkok was the first place i went as a digital nomad and the people i met there truly shaped what i value in life and gave me energy to pursue some of my most ambitious personal and professional goals. If you are still in the ‘research phase’ of becoming a digital nomad, i would also recommend exploring the various digital nomad groups on facebook. Introduce yourself and ask for advice and many nomads will be happy to help.

Will needham is a full-time digital nomad and the founder of futuredistributed.org, the online platform accelerating the transition towards healthy and sustainable cities.
Will needham is a full-time digital nomad and the founder of futuredistributed.org, the online platform accelerating the transition towards healthy and sustainable cities.

Jason: only when you're making enough to live indefinitely as a digital nomad, you should do so

Perhaps the biggest mistake is when someone starts from scratch and thinks that they'll succeed before the money runs out. For example, you might quit your job, sell your car, and combine it with a certain amount of life savings as a runway. It would be easy to add up the monthly expenses in a low base expense country, and think i've got a whole year to make this work. While there might be a small percentage that succeeds with this 'burn the boats' strategy, the majority will find that their money ruins out faster than expected, and even a tiny income replacement doesn't happen.

For most people, successful solopreneurship is hard to achieve. It makes far more sense to build a side gig and take as long as necessary to get traction. Only when you're making enough to live indefinitely as a digital nomad, you should do so. That's because your side gig might falter, and all manner of challenges are around the corner.

Jason lavis
Jason lavis

Paul: have some entrepreneurial spirit

The one biggest tip for becoming a digital nomad would be to have some entrepreneurial spirit. Being able to freelance, work for yourself or be ? Experienced at remote working/working from home. Having the skills to be flexible when your internet connection might not hold or being able to adjust for clients timezones is essential. Being used to home working helps to make sure you're comfortable with being productive in an environment that can have a lot of distractions such as beautiful beaches, new cities to explore and people to meet.

Having the ability to work hard, stay focused and find clients or remote jobs whilst you're traveling is also the key to sustaining your lifestyle as a digital nomad. I’m the co-founder of my own events and marketing company that allows me the flexibility to work whilst slow traveling whilst my partner found work translating and teaching languages whilst we were out on the road. We also have our blog, surf and unwind to document our travels and bring in some extra revenue. Having a defined and in-demand skill that can be done remotely, such as programming, means you know that money shouldn’t be an issue as a digital nomad.

Paul is one half of surf & unwind, a guide for digital nomads who are looking for places to surf and unwind in beautiful destinations all over the world.
Paul is one half of surf & unwind, a guide for digital nomads who are looking for places to surf and unwind in beautiful destinations all over the world.

Thomas bradbury: take action instead of delaying

Millions of people are looking to become digital nomads today. This provides an excellent opportunity for people to make money through the use of online technologies – especially in dire times.

Success as a digital nomad relies on you taking action. A lot of people are saying that they want to adopt a digital nomad life – but never really take any action to reach the goal. Taking action is the only way to go. While it may feel confusing at first and you might not even understand what exactly to do – make the decision to give something a go. Learn from the experts and then implement your own strategies.

Bottom line: becoming a digital nomad starts with you taking action instead of delaying.
Thomas bradbury
Thomas bradbury

Deya aliaga kuhnle: have your stream of income sorted and at least 6 months of savings stored

Before you set off on any traveling, before you give up your apartment, before you set yourself off on this grand adventure, get your stream of income sorted. Figure out a realistic, sustainable and tested way to make money on the road - whether that is offering a digital service like copywriting, design, virtual assisting, or by founding digital products like online, courses, membership sites, ebooks, printables, etc.

Until you have your stream of income sorted and at least 6 months of savings stored, i wouldn’t embark on your digital nomad journey. You want to be sure that you won’t be stressed about paying the bills or getting back home when you’re abroad; you want to be sure you have enough to live comfortably, get proper health insurance and that your stream of income and work schedule are compatible to your traveling.

Deya is a digital business manager who manages remote teams, projects and systems for 6-7 figure online entrepreneurs. She is also the founder of the dbm bootcamp, which trains others to work online as digital business managers.
Deya is a digital business manager who manages remote teams, projects and systems for 6-7 figure online entrepreneurs. She is also the founder of the dbm bootcamp, which trains others to work online as digital business managers.

Joonas jokiniemi: cut down your living costs and save up some money

Start by looking for opportunities for working and earning online, even if you don't know exactly what you want to do. When you come up with something interesting, delve deeper into it and start to develop the skills related to being successful in that area.

Don't quit your job just yet. Instead, cut down your living costs and save up some money. Dedicate time to work with your new sideline until it provides you with a steady stream of income. When you have some money saved up and your new sideline is earning enough to cover the daily living costs, you are ready to start your journey as a digital nomad!

Here are a few bonus tips:

Move abroad to a country that has a proper infrastructure but the cost of living is low. Southeast asia has many countries where you can have a comfortable life with less than 500 dollars per month. Also, many european countries, such as  Portugal,   hungary, and czech republic, offer very affordable living.

Consider selling your car and house (or apartment), if you own one. You can also rent out your home so you will have some additional monthly income.

Joonas jokiniemi, the founder of yerba mate culture, has a passion for yerba mate and other herbal teas. He also enjoys surfing, traveling, and spending time with his son. His mission is to research and try different herbal teas and remedies and share the related information on his website.
Joonas jokiniemi, the founder of yerba mate culture, has a passion for yerba mate and other herbal teas. He also enjoys surfing, traveling, and spending time with his son. His mission is to research and try different herbal teas and remedies and share the related information on his website.

Freya kuka: it is an uphill climb - be aware of that

Amazing sounding stories about quitting your job overnight and taking one-way tickets to your dream destination sounds great but that's not how this works in most cases. It is an uphill climb and i would advise anyone who is aiming to become a digital nomad to be aware of that.

I moved into the digital nomad lifestyle at a gradual pace and would tell anyone who is considering this lifestyle to do the same. I started freelance writing for b2b companies before i started a personal finance blog of my own.

It would be wise to get some experience as a freelance writer or virtual assistant before you become a full-time digital nomad. This way you will have a few connections within the industry and a few people who are willing to swear by your services. You could also consider getting qualifications relevant to your field such as taking a blogging course if you would like to start a website of your own.

You need to focus on getting to a point where your income is stable enough for you to travel worry-free. I would suggest having an emergency fund that could last you a few months if anything were to happen during your travels. The current situation is a good example of the need to be ready for anything. Tons of nomads i know are stuck in every country  from Indonesia    to Mexico   right now and those with an emergency fund are far better off.

Keep in mind that you are far from home and even though the experience is exhilarating, it also means you have no backup system. Being prepared is everything- don't let your excitement get the best of you.

Freya teaches readers how to grow their passive income, save money, repair their credit, and manage debt on her personal finance blog https://collectingcents.com/.
Freya teaches readers how to grow their passive income, save money, repair their credit, and manage debt on her personal finance blog https://collectingcents.com/.

Joanna vaiou: combine discipline with time and finance management

From 2013 i run a remote business owner helping enterprises drive organic growth through seo and consider myself a partial digital nomad or even better, a location independent professional. What this means is that i can work from any place i choose on-demand while having an actual place that i call my standard home to come back to after my travels. Under normal circumstances, i try to do 3 trips a year and i have stayed in other countries working remotely on my business from 2 weeks to 2 months. In my circle, i have other digital nomads who travel much more than i do and visit many more places a year. So yes, it works for some people. My one best tip to becoming a successful digital nomad is to combine the following 3:

  • 1) be utterly disciplined with the quality of your delivered services and work,
  • 2) your time management, and
  • 3) your finances.

Be a top boss in these three above areas and you will always make enough money to travel while working remotely and growing an increasing number of satisfied clients.

Joanna vaiou is a search engine optimization specialist/solopreneur. She has been featured in digital journal, thrive global, authority magazine, blogging cage, idea mensch, etc.. When she is not working on her seo projects, she writes for other blogs and shares what she learns from her life's experiences.
Joanna vaiou is a search engine optimization specialist/solopreneur. She has been featured in digital journal, thrive global, authority magazine, blogging cage, idea mensch, etc.. When she is not working on her seo projects, she writes for other blogs and shares what she learns from her life's experiences.

Annette: remain flexible, teachable, and humble

My one tip for becoming a successful digital nomad is to *remain flexible*. My husband and i have traveled to over 20 countries in the last two years living nomadically and documenting the journey on our youtube channel. Many of our friends that started their digital nomad journey quit after just a few months because they weren't flexible enough to handle it. Here's the thing. After being on the road for two years, we've been in places with no internet, no potable water, and the occasional cockroach or two. In the same breath, being a digital nomad has gotten us invited to a royal indian wedding, has allowed us to live presently every day, and live our dream. But the reap the rewards of the digital nomad lifestyle, you have to remain flexible, teachable, and humble.

Annette is a youtuber, blogger, and motivational speaker that teaches others how to quit their soul-sucking 9-5's and transition into digital nomad life on her website, chase for adventure. After years of wishing for a life beyond her soul-sucking 9-5, she and her husband quit their jobs, sold all of their stuff, & are traveling to every country in the world by 2023.
Annette is a youtuber, blogger, and motivational speaker that teaches others how to quit their soul-sucking 9-5's and transition into digital nomad life on her website, chase for adventure. After years of wishing for a life beyond her soul-sucking 9-5, she and her husband quit their jobs, sold all of their stuff, & are traveling to every country in the world by 2023.

Gen ariton: do not stop trying

I have been working on and off as a digital nomad, and it's not as easy as everyone says it is. There are times when you have no projects, and its quite a challenge to stretch your budget. But the key is to not stop looking for online work. I make sure i don't stop applying. I always maintain 4 to 5 contracts at a time - and no, this isn't too much as long as you budget your time properly. For me, anything less than this and you can't support yourself through the drought. If i have n more funds and i absolutely can't find any new projects, that is when i go for the 9-5 grind. I have been a freelance writer for about 10 years and i would say that even though i do get a real job from time to time, i yearn for the freedom of working from anywhere and being in charge of my time.

Daydreaming of pristine white sand beaches and attempting to beat her 40 books read in a year record, she is a communications specialist by day, a freelance writer by night. Her mailing address changes every year, and right now her postal code is in romania where her husband is from.
Daydreaming of pristine white sand beaches and attempting to beat her 40 books read in a year record, she is a communications specialist by day, a freelance writer by night. Her mailing address changes every year, and right now her postal code is in romania where her husband is from.

Samantha warren: make sure you have a solid remote gig or two

For anyone who wants to pursue that lifestyle, my best advice is to plan as much as you can before you travel. Airbnbs are way cheaper if you book them a month or two in advance.

Speedy wifi is crucial for successful digital nomads. Not all airbnbs have wifi, so planning in advance will help you make sure you book the right places and have access to wifi when you need it.

It’s also important to make sure you have a solid remote gig or two before you start traveling. When i was a digital nomad, i had two remote jobs with companies that i used to work for in-person. Because i formed good relationships with those companies before working remotely, they were both reliable jobs.

Planning will also keep you safe. If you do research on the destinations you’re visiting before you get there, you’ll know which areas to avoid. Getting your phone or laptop stolen will sabotage your ability to work.

Overall, planning your adventure will save you a lot of stress and trouble, and it will make your experience as a digital nomad more enjoyable.

Samantha warren is a freelance writer and self-improvement blogger originally from florida. She loves traveling, and she enjoys writing about personal growth, wellness, and productivity tips for remote workers.
Samantha warren is a freelance writer and self-improvement blogger originally from florida. She loves traveling, and she enjoys writing about personal growth, wellness, and productivity tips for remote workers.

Andy abramson: be sure to have great connectivity

If i had to pick one tip for other digital nomads, it's always be sure to have great connectivity. This means picking lodging with high speed internet, buying local sim cards for the best mobile access and having a reliable wi-fi roaming service so you can always connect when you need to.

I've been a hybrid nomad, working virtually, as a digital nomad, residing in portugal, going around the globe and relocating from one city to another over the past 5 years, but have always been a digital nomad since 1993.
I've been a hybrid nomad, working virtually, as a digital nomad, residing in portugal, going around the globe and relocating from one city to another over the past 5 years, but have always been a digital nomad since 1993.

Kevin miller: know exactly what you'll be doing

On the work side - find a niche. Are you a freelance writer in general, or an seo copywriter specifically? Know exactly what you'll be doing. On the actual where to go side - i look for cities with good-sized, older universities. Universities typically mean cities with younger people, lots of housing, and good internet and cafes.

Kevin miller, founder and ceo, the word counter
Kevin miller, founder and ceo, the word counter

Meg marrs: the most important skill is focus

I've been a digital nomad for several years now, taking advantage of my remote work capabilities to travel all over the world. Getting yourself into a position to become a digital nomad in this day and age isn't incredibly difficult - it's just a matter of negotiating a remote position with your current employer.

If your employer seems hesitant, consider surrendering certain benefits in exchange for the ability to work remotely (ex. giving up bonuses, taking a slight pay cut, etc).

However, the most important skill you'll need to be a successful digital nomad is focus. It can be really hard balancing work and play when you first start off as a digital nomad. I'd suggest establishing a consistent routine that you can stick to, whether you're stationed at an airbnb, a hostel, or a hotel. Create clear boundaries for work hours while building in time to explore your surroundings.

I’d also suggest longer travel stints - try spending 2-3 months in a single city, rather than hopping between locations every week. This will allow you to get settled into a routine, find nearby co-working spaces, and get some productive work done while getting to intimately know an area.

Meg marrs is the founder of k9 of mine, a dog care site focused on helping owners understand and care for their furry four-legged friends. From in-depth training resources to dog adoption guides, k9 of mine has a wealth of tools and guidance for new dog owners.
Meg marrs is the founder of k9 of mine, a dog care site focused on helping owners understand and care for their furry four-legged friends. From in-depth training resources to dog adoption guides, k9 of mine has a wealth of tools and guidance for new dog owners.

Lina: not give up and stay persistent

My name is lina, i am 27 years young and it has always been my dream to work remotely. The number one advice i want to give to everyone who wants to start working remotely is to not give up and stay persistent! A lot of people will tell you that it is not possible to have job security and work remotely at the same time. In my opinion, this is not true! You only need to look out for the right company. A company that believes in the advantages of remote work and its values!

After finishing my master’s degree in strategic management in tourism, i tried to avoid getting stuck in an office. This is why i decided to keep doing what i loved: i traveled the world, got a surf teaching license and worked at a different location each month - a tiring lifestyle.
After finishing my master’s degree in strategic management in tourism, i tried to avoid getting stuck in an office. This is why i decided to keep doing what i loved: i traveled the world, got a surf teaching license and worked at a different location each month - a tiring lifestyle.

Mia clarke: prepare! Being a nomad takes more planning

Prepare! You don't become a digital nomad simply by buying a plane ticket and jetting off to amsterdam. What specifically are you going to do? How long will you live in a new place? What about visas, taxes, etc.? Being a nomad doesn't require less planning - it actually takes more planning. I've had enough friends fail at the lifestyle to realize that you need more than a little preparation in order to succeed.

Mia clarke, editor @ https://www.invertpro.co
Mia clarke, editor @ https://www.invertpro.co

Jenn: i didn’t choose the digital nomad life, the digital nomad life chose me

I have seen a lot of digital nomads succeed but being a digital nomad isn’t always going to be easy. I am just providing the info of my friend jenn who is working as a digital nomad saying that i didn’t choose the digital nomad life: the digital nomad life chose me.

These are one of the best tips i got from her on how to become a digital nomad:

  • 1. Switch out work-life balance for work-life integration.
  • 2. Be prepared to work hard.
  • 3. Be prepared for a few logistical nightmares.
  • 4. There's no autopilot on the road.
  • 5. Slow down.
  • 6. Make the most of your flexible schedule.
  • 7. Give yourself 3 months to get past the learning curve.
Yasir shamim is an up and coming digital marketer currently working as an executive at https://www.purevpn.com/ with the aim of increasing their search engine visibility. Digital marketer by day and tech fanatic by night, he enjoys reading up about cyber security and technology in general and also loves to share his opinions.
Yasir shamim is an up and coming digital marketer currently working as an executive at https://www.purevpn.com/ with the aim of increasing their search engine visibility. Digital marketer by day and tech fanatic by night, he enjoys reading up about cyber security and technology in general and also loves to share his opinions.

Marko: extend your network of people

The best tip i can give to anyone looking to exit the rat race is to extend your network of people. Thanks to being more outgoing and talkative, online and offline, i got the idea for organic-looks.com [organic-looks.com], started working on it, and getting the first paycheck was worth taking all risks like quitting my job and investing almost all of the savings. But none of this would be possible without meeting people and sharing ideas.

My name is marko ivanoski, and since discovering the term digital nomad and becoming one it took me 1 year.
My name is marko ivanoski, and since discovering the term digital nomad and becoming one it took me 1 year.

Robert johnson: leverage your existing skills

The best tip i can give to someone considering becoming a digital nomad is to be realistic. The lives of dns may seem idyllic based on their social media photos of laptops and white sand beaches, but the reality is more about what happens behind those instagram-worthy photos. Many gurus might tell you of a shortcut, but like all things that are worth it, there is no bypassing your way to becoming a successful remote worker. There is accepting work that may pay too low for your standards but are great for experience, or taking odd jobs for buffer funds. You have to leverage your existing skills, and perhaps look for related or more marketable ones. Loneliness is also very real due to the lack of physically present office mates, and so is travel fatigue and homesickness. However, if you can push through it and persevere, your efforts might just pay off. I definitely do not regret being a dn, having the freedom of managing my own time, and living in foreign lands and learning my way through different cultures—it was a valuable life experience.

Robert johnson, founder, sawinery
Robert johnson, founder, sawinery

Peter koch: have a skill that is hard to obtain

Have a skill that is hard to obtain: when you do something anyone else can do you always face big challenges.

It’d be difficult for you to get any freelance gigs that will pay the bills if you're planning to teach english online.

On the other hand, if you’re a good engineer, with a reputation that no one can do what you can do. Then no one can replace you, you can make just as much money as at a normal job.

Peter koch engineer by trade, a former digital nomad and dollarsanity founder.
Peter koch engineer by trade, a former digital nomad and dollarsanity founder.

Alan silvestri: you need a plan, support and flexibility

I'm not a pure digital nomad anymore, but i've done enough of the lifestyle to know that you need at least three things to succeed.

  • One - you need a plan. I'll work online is not a plan, that's a dream. What are you going to do? Freelance writing? Design? Remote work for a normal job? Understand what you will do and what you need in order to do it.
  • Two - you need support. This might be some savings, if you're just starting out. It might be an actual job already lined up or some freelance work underway.
  • Three - you need flexibility. Maybe your freelance copywriting career doesn't take off, but a side project in web design does. Or maybe you're a travel writer and a world issue hits! You'll need flexibility and creativity to get you through.
Alan silvestri
Alan silvestri

Christine wetzler: you need a good computer and a great backpack/briefcase

I move my office around frequently (and globally) and the two most important tools you need are a good computer and a great backpack/briefcase. You need to be able to move - from place to place or from one seat to another in a cafe. In my case sometimes it's as simple as moving from the ground floor to the second floor in my home! If it takes 10 minutes to pack up, it's a real chore.

Christine wetzler, president, pietryla pr & marketing
Christine wetzler, president, pietryla pr & marketing

Michel Pinson
About the author - Michel Pinson
Michel Pinson is a Travel enthusiast and Content Creator. Merging passion for education and exploration, he iscommitted to sharing knowledge and inspiring others through captivating educational content. Bringing the world closer together by empowering individuals with global expertise and a sense of wanderlust.



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