One of our most frequently asked questions is how to become a digital nomad from new members in our community. People see images of remote workers’ on social media sitting on a white sand beach, making income on a laptop in the hand and wondering immediately how they can do that. So we have created a rough guide for you to come up with ways to be independent of the location.
Let’s break the moves to becoming a digital nomad.
How to become a digital nomad: five steps
Again, there is no particular route to a digital nomad, so you can follow the following steps as loose guidelines on the way. You may consider that you can skip or start a few times, but you can make it happen with a little patience and dedication!
Identify your competences
The first thing you have to do is find out what skills you have to monetize online. Of course, you must be able to type and use both a computer and the Internet. The great news is that in today’s age, most individuals already have that skill. You can improve the chances of landing remote work with higher pay by building on the knowledge and skills you’ve learned or worked on in the past.
Become A Freelancer
When you know what skills you have to work remotely, you have to find a career. The simplest way to do this is to scan remote work sites. Fortunately, there are now tons of websites, such as We Work Remotely and RemoteOk, which only post remote or location independent jobs. Check out UpWork for freelance gigs, previously known as ODesk, from virtual assistants and photographers to accountants and advisors.
Start reducing location ties and expenditures
The first step on the way to digital nomadism is to begin to recognize the things in your lives that connect you to a particular place. Long-term rentals on residences or vehicles are often the first things to do. You’ll also want to begin eliminating costs such as gym membership and subscription facilities to free up your income for the things you need on the route. Being a digital nomad usually means traveling light so that you want to get rid of crap and materialistic items that are not essential in your lifetime.
Join a Nomad Community
Our digital nomad community at Location Indie is a great resource for starting up as a digital nomad or for getting your business online to new levels. Forums and Facebook groups make it very easy to contact nomad groups or individuals to receive feedback or advice. You get connected to like-minded people who are willing to kick ass and storm the planet. Our group is here to encourage you and take you back if you have any failures on the way.
Alternatively, begin work or study abroad
If the remote industry is overwhelmed, you can start by finding a place-based job or enrolling at a university abroad. This path provides more structure and a safety net if you make a decision on digital nomadism. The probability of disappointment is far smaller than that of being a freelancer but it also ensures that you can take longer to be a digital nomad. You may need to obtain a visa or resident permit for this process. Countries such as Canada and Australia offer working holiday visas to try Vancouver or Perth if you’re staying abroad.
Conclusion
If you want to be a digital nomad or independent location, you must first work towards that goal. You can start even more easily than you expect. With hard work and a little luck, in just a few weeks you can start and have a full-time business in just one or two years.
