Five Steps to Becoming a Digital Nomad

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Five Steps to Becoming a Digital Nomad

While the pandemic has introduced many challenges, it has also inspired innovation. Around the world, businesses started working remotely in response to lockdown. Even though the economy has started to stabilize, many businesses continue to encourage remote work.

The future of remote work appears to be a permanent adjustment, and this has a direct impact on the business landscape. Another development has been the rise in the number of digital nomads. If you’re a budding entrepreneur with the desire to start your own business and work remotely, then now is the time. In order to enjoy the many benefits of the lifestyle, proper preparation is needed. Here are five basic steps to start working as a digital nomad, brought to you by The Virtual Consulting Firm.

Identify Your Working Role

Many businesses allow their employees to work remotely. Normally, this means working at home or at coffee shops, but within the same city. In some instances, employees are able to travel to further-flung areas. Another way to support yourself as a digital nomad is to start your own freelance business. Forming a limited liability company (LLC) offers several benefits for freelancers. Some benefits include the following:

• Tax advantages such as pass-through deduction
• Limit personal liability
• Less paperwork and admin
• Flexible structure for profit sharing and management

Each state demands its own regulations and legal requirements. Hiring the help of a formation service such as ZenBusiness ensures that all requirements are met, without having to pay hefty lawyer fees.

Make the Necessary Preparations

Working remotely demands a shift in how business is conducted. There are certain steps needed to ensure that you have everything that you require for a productive working environment — whether you’re working at home or 500 miles away.

Some preparations to consider include:

• Digital nomad gear such as laptops, chargers, and power banks
• All necessary documentation for travel
• Lifestyle adjustments and how to adapt
• Availability of a productive workplace

Improve Skills for Remote Work

Working remotely removes the opportunity for water cooler conversations and in-person contact. When preparing to be a digital nomad, it’s important to take stock of your existing capabilities and which skills need to be refined. Certain skills are needed to find success while working remotely. Some areas to focus on include computer literacy, using technological tools, communication efforts, and self-discipline.

Reduce Unnecessary Costs and Items

Saving costs is an important step in setting yourself up for remote work. In many ways, working as a digital nomad demands a minimalist lifestyle.

There are several ways to reduce unnecessary costs and declutter your lifestyle. The following tips can help you save costs and improve profit, as well as help to move from one location to another without much effort.

• Sell non-essential items
• Rent belongings and assets for extra income while on the road
• Streamline your wardrobe and gear

Adapt Your Budget for Travel

While you may not be paying for office space or commute, you will incur travel costs. Working as a digital nomad demands that your budget is adjusted and updated. Certain costs to consider include airfare, reducing costs on accommodation, and paying for visas.

When registering your business as an LLC, you have the added benefit of putting those costs through the business account.

Working remotely as a digital nomad offers increased flexibility, inspiration, and productivity. A little bit of effort can go a long way in streamlining the process and enjoying the benefits.

This article was written by a guest writer, Lance Cody-Valdez, Free-lance-now.com

Lance Cody-Valdez decided it was time to invest in himself. He quit his job the following day and used his meager savings to stay afloat as he built a career as a freelance writer and content marketer. He created free-lance-now.com to help others use freelancing to escape the 9 to 5 daily grind.