5 Crucial Steps to Take when Starting Off as a Digital Nomad

The digital nomad vocation has become immensely popular in recent years. With the unprecedented expansion of seamless global connectivity and the fact that you can latch on to a stable Wi-Fi network almost anywhere in the world, it’s no wonder why this interests so many people. As a digital nomad, you’re the entrepreneur, the leader, and the growth guru of your company. Your work environment is wherever the road may take you, and the possibilities for success are as endless as the road ahead.

That said, it’s important to understand that entrepreneurial superstardom in the digital nomad world doesn’t come easy, as there are numerous notable competitors you will have to outpace, and a myriad of hurdles you will have to overcome along the way. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the five crucial steps you need to take in order to ensure a bright future as a digital nomad.

Resolve outstanding financial obligations

Financial ties can not only hinder your success, but they can also prevent you from starting this next chapter in your life. Besides, can you imagine leaving the country for God knows how long while having outstanding debts with the tax service, your bank, and the likes? You’re either not going to be able to leave, or your debtors are going to be very unhappy with you when you come back.

This is thin financial ice you’re treading on, so the first thing you should do before you make travel arrangements is to settle all of your debts. A good way to do this is to sell your belongings. While the idea of selling your home might not appeal to you at first, understand that this is the quickest way to a large sum of cash you can use to organize your finances, settle debts, and plan for the travels ahead.

Create a budget and a viable revenue plan

Meticulous finance management will be the key to sustainability and long-term success in the digital nomad world, so don’t take the task lightly no matter how much money you have in the bank. Unless you’re the heir to the throne of Brunei, you will need to allocate your resources, and adopt a frugal mindset, at least until your blog and other online endeavors start making money.

How do you make money as a blogger and a digital nomad? There are a number of ways, and you should use all of them to your advantage. Firstly, you can sell ad space to companies who want to advertise on your website. Additionally, you can create your own products, build a responsive email list, sell affiliate products and much more. Consider writing for other companies as well, and don’t shy away from selling your own writing skills to others.

Get insured against every liability

The biggest threat to a digital nomad can be health issues, personal safety, and long-term financial stability for themselves and their loved ones. There is no telling what could happen to you on your travels, and if you’re serious about making this your profession, you should take these problems very seriously. This is especially important if you’re travelling to other continents for the first time, such as from Asia to Africa and beyond.

For example, Asian digital nomads are advised to obtain comprehensive travel and life insurance. This is why long-term universal life insurance in Singapore has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, and it’s why you should follow the same mindset and get adequate coverage yourself before you set sail. Travel insurance will ensure you get medical attention no matter where you are, and life insurance will provide coverage to your family and loved ones should anything happen to you.

Don’t risk it, this is an unpredictable path you’re about to take after all, so make sure you’re protected against all liabilities.

Declutter your life and organize your luggage

Moving on to lighter subjects, there is a need to declutter your life thoroughly and organize your belongings for maximum comfort and efficiency while traveling. Contrary to what you might think, you really don’t need to bring your entire wardrobe with you, as you will undoubtedly buy more stuff on the road, and per the occasion.

You can start decluttering by throwing away or giving away everything you know you don’t need. To make some extra cash you can also sell your stuff online. Once you’re don’t to the bare essentials, you can start packing for your first journey. Organize your clothes and equipment according to the destination. Check weather conditions, cultural and legal circumstances, and any other factor that might influence your choice of wardrobe and conduct.

Be rigorous, be dedicated, and work hard

Being a digital nomad is hard work. Sometimes, it can feel as if you’re not making any progress at all, but the most important thing to do is to stick to your guns. Never waver and always create quality content on a regular basis, adopt the right SEO and marketing strategies, and you will inevitably build a loyal following. It just takes time and persistence. Stick to a schedule, be dedicated, and build your brand.

To travel the world and get paid for it is one hell of a dream, and it sure beats any nine-to-five job. Before you start this next chapter of your life, be sure to take these vital steps in order to mitigate risk and pave the road to a thriving future as a digital nomad.

Author Bio:

Lauren Wiseman is an entrepreneur, currently based in Melbourne and a regular contributor to bizzmarkblog.com. She assists clients in growing their personal and professional brands in a fast-changing and demanding market environment. Covering finance and investment topics, Lauren strongly believes in holistic approach to business.

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