Mind Diary – Digital Nomad (How To Become A)

How to Become A
Digital Nomad

Does living and working wherever you want sounds like crazy ?

If you are willing to put in the effort, you can work from anywhere, globally, as long as you have a stable internet connection and a laptop. Thus, becoming a digital nomad.

While it may sound like a dream to many, living as an international traveller is well within reach — it only takes hard work and planning.

What is a Digital Nomad ?

A digital nomad is someone who works remotely; thus, has the freedom to live anywhere in the world.

This term can be applied to anyone who has an online job.

"Nomad" is not a specific job title, like "accountant", for example, it is rather a lifestyle.

What do Digital Nomads do ?

Digital nomads work remotely (typically from a laptop or phone) and can travel the world simultaneously. They are not tied to one place: they can work from anywhere as long as they have WiFi.

The Downsides of Being a Digital Nomad

While working from anywhere in the world sounds like a dream for most people, the reality can look a lot different than you would think:

No guaranteed, stable income.
It can sometimes be lonely.
It is a hard work: planning out your travels, handling work logistics, and even learning a new language can be challenging (but well worth it !).

8 Steps to Become a Digital Nomad

Identify your skills and strengthen them.
Build a portfolio and start searching job boards:
Building a portfolio and searching for your first few jobs can seem intimidating, but breaking it down into actionable steps is not as overwhelming.
- Build A Portfolio:
  It is essential to have a portfolio, to create a professional–looking website where potential clients can see your skills and experience.
  A good portfolio website will show off your best work, be optimized for SEO (search engine optimization), and include an "about me" page that tells potential clients why they should hire you.
- Turn To Job Boards:
  Work Online.
Use your skills to make money online — two ways:
- Freelancing:
  Freelance work can be anything from writing articles to designing websites.
- Starting your own business:
  If you want to create your own business, countless ideas can be done remotely; you could try podcasting, virtual assistant services, or even selling stuff on Amazon.
Start networking:
It takes time to build relationships with other companies and people involved within your industry — so the earlier you start, the better:
- Reach out to other professionals in the digital nomad space or your specific industry.
- It is worth considering joining a professional association if available for your industry.
- Attending webinars or in–person workshops in your industry is an excellent way to network while learning how to accelerate your skills and gain industry knowledge.
- Ask clients or colleagues for referrals or recommendations when you have finished working for or with them !
  You can showcase these glowing reviews on your website.
Join a digital nomad community:
Joining groups with like–minded people, whether online or in person, will help inspire you to pursue your goal, and making connections and friendships within these groups can be beneficial in finding your community when you are travelling and working abroad.
There are supportive Facebook groups such as —
Nomadbase – The Digital Nomad Community
and
Digital Nomads Around The World
In addition, do not forget to check out co–working spaces when you arrive at your location. They tend to be filled with other remote workers. If you happen to be in the glorious city of Istanbul in beautiful Turkey, then this the place where you have to be, where you can work and have free Wi–Fi. It is quite an inspiring place as it lies directly on the enchanting coast of Kadιköy:
i●D●E●A● Kadiköy
Start simplifying your lifestyle:
Travelling around the world while working from your laptop means that you would leave 90% of the stuff you own behind. Thus, you will need to minimize the amount of stuff you own. For things that are impossible to part with, look into getting a storage unit — that is, if you are willing to pay the monthly fee.
Build your savings:
Having savings to sustain yourself from three to six months without work is a solid start. Regardless of where you go, you need an idea of how much money is required to survive while on the road and what steps should be taken to build up savings.
Get travellers insurance:
Many countries require health insurance if you visit them for an extended period. Top–rated travel medical insurance for digital nomads includes —
IMG Global,
SafetyWing,
and
World Nomads.
Optimize digital services:
Payment methods and banks —
You will need to know how to get paid when working remotely. Bank transfers, Payoneer, PayPal, and Wise, are the most common payment methods. Most of these options allow you to withdraw your funds easily.
A business bank account is also essential for doing business online. It is easy to open one up with most banks, and it will give you better benefits than a personal bank account.
Get yourself a business credit card as well — they often offer more rewards than regular credit cards.

Companies that Support Independent–Location Workers

There are tons of remote jobs in non–tech industries. If you are willing to put in the research and hustle, you can find remote work in almost any field you can imagine.

Alternatives to Being a Digital Nomad

There are many reasons digital nomadism may not be suitable for you. If you have ever dreamed of international work experiences but not necessarily location independence, here are three alternatives:

Teach Abroad:
Teaching English is one of the most popular ways to live and work abroad.
Teaching opportunities —
AFS,
Greenheart Travel,
Maximo Nivel,
and
Teach English in Turkey.
Work Abroad:
If you have a specific skill set and are willing to take contracts with companies in other countries — in marketing, web development, design, and so on – you could find work abroad.
"Work abroad" doesn't have to mean "freelance." There are plenty of opportunities for digital nomads to work for more traditional companies as well.
Work Exchange:
Consider working on an organic farm or through a WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) program. This involves working on farms worldwide in exchange for room and board – and sometimes pay. The best part? You do not need any farming experience to start out.
like WWOOF, there are other work exchange programs, such as HelpX (Help Exchange) and Workaway which allow you to work on organic farms or hostels worldwide in exchange for room and board. The work involved can range from picking fruit to cleaning rooms or taking care of children.