The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on every industry in the world, and digital nomads across the globe have had their fair share of troubles because of the crisis. Some were stuck in lockdown in completely unfamiliar countries with no way out, some were forced to return home, and many have struggled to retain their clients or grow their remote businesses. Luckily, though, the pandemic is slowly subsiding, and life is gradually returning to normal. The new normal, that is.
There’s no denying that we will be living through the effects of the pandemic for years to come, which is why all veteran and aspiring digital nomads need to prepare for the road ahead. Your goal in 2024 should be to grow your personal brand and get more clients, yes, but it should also be to future-proof your work against any new crisis that comes your way.
Here are the top practical tips you can take with you on the road to ensure stability and growth wherever you find yourself on the global map.
Always Have a Dedicated Workspace
Being a digital nomad means traveling the country and the world, meeting new people and exploring the local cultures. You might not be staying long in a new city or region, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have a dedicated workspace. First off, it’s a good idea to spend at least a month in the big cities and at least two weeks exploring smaller towns and regions, which will allow you to settle in and be as productive as possible.
Giving yourself enough time will also allow you to meet interesting new people and even clients. But when it comes to doing actual work, you shouldn’t make any compromises. You can set up a tiny home office space in your Airbnb, which can be a separate room or just a proper work desk that you can organize accordingly.
That said, the best thing you can do for your productivity, networking, and comfort is to join a co-working space. Co-working spaces are the real hubs of creativity and productivity, as these spaces are equipped with everything you need to do your best work – plus they’re usually located in the city center, which is always a nice perk.
Plan Your Finances and Diversify Your Income
Meticulous financial management should be your top priority as a digital nomad working in a volatile socio-economic climate. Things might change in the blink of an eye, and you never know when the next crisis might hit – one that could jeopardize your work, assets, and your ability to travel back to your native country.
Should any of this happen, you want to have a financial safety net to fall back on. That means that you need to start diligently saving right now. There is no way around it and no magic hack, simply start putting money aside each month for emergencies.
That said, not every digital nomad can save money. It’s important to start diversifying your income streams in 2024 in order to always have clients to rely on should someone decide to stop working with you. Start looking for new clients and supplementary work, or raise your fees in order to build financial stability.
Insure Your Belongings and Your Vehicle
Digital nomads travel all over the world, and it’s important to note that no matter where you are, you need to have proper coverage. Having the right policies at hand will be instrumental in minimizing your financial expenses should anything happen to you, your belongings or work, or even your car.
As a digital nomad, you’re probably going to rent out cars a lot during your travels, but many people forget to insure their vehicles. In Australia, for example, it’s essential to take precautions because of the long distances between cities and the many potential hazards on the road and out in the countryside.
No matter if you’re exploring Australia, Europe, or traveling across the Americas, make sure to insure your vehicle, your belongings, and your health.
Use Local Apps to Uncover New Opportunities
As a digital nomad, you will be spending your free time traveling to new and exciting places. While it might be appealing to throw caution to the wind and head into the unknown, being a successful nomad means planning and preparing for every destination thoroughly. Also, get the best digital marketing course in Vadodara for more opportunities.
You want to maximize the free time you have and pinpoint the best places to visit, and the best activities in every city. You can do this simply by exploring the destination on Google and in your Maps application, and then make a custom itinerary. You can, however, also use local apps that are specific to the country or city, which will help you discover its hidden gems.
For example, did you know that there is an app called ResQ Club in Finland that will take you to all the restaurants in Helsinki that were about to throw away perfectly good food? This allows you to explore the city and get an amazing bite to eat for half the price.
Manage Your International Clients Wisely
Last but not least, be smart about how you manage your clients as a digital nomad. You’re probably working online for a variety of clients scattered across the world, so you need to align your work hours to their needs, but also set clear boundaries.
If you don’t, then you will end up being a digital nomad who is always working and has zero time to, well, be a nomad. Don’t fall into this common trap and instead make sure to define the scope of your work with each client, define your work hours or deadlines, and learn to politely sound a resounding – no.
Over to you
Being a digital nomad has never been an easy job, and the pandemic has definitely made it more difficult. Make sure to future-proof your career and prepare for the road ahead by acting on these tips and paving the road to a successful new year.
Digital Web Services (DWS) is a leading IT company specializing in Software Development, Web Application Development, Website Designing, and Digital Marketing. Here are providing all kinds of services and solutions for the digital transformation of any business and website.
