How to Start Working Remotely: 5 Steps to Become a Digital Nomad
The power of modern entrepreneurship is alluring: passive income, influencer status, location independence.
Even if you've no interest in becoming a full-fledged entrepreneur, freelance work can help you before, during, and between traditional employment. Thinking of yourself as CEO of YOU (with multiple revenue streams) can help you secure future revenue and balance cash flow.
Ready to work remotely, become a freelancer, or start traveling as a digital nomad? Here are 5 practical steps to create a life you'll love.
Step One: Create a Vision for Your Daily Life.
If we're going to "design your future," start with a vision of what you want your life to look like. From there, we can build your business, branding, and digital marketing to support it—slowly turning crazy dreams into reality.
To help clarify your vision, I'm going to get morbid…
If you were to die tomorrow:
What would you wish you had said yes to?
What do you want to leave behind?
What do you want your legacy to be?
My preference is that you STOP working so damn hard at a job you don't enjoy (barely LIVING). My preference is that you start to seek—or even better, create—a life you love.
For business and money? I want you to do work you love with people you love. That's #SUCCESS!
REAL TALK: We aren't guaranteed tomorrow, and we'll never know when it's our time to go. The world may end, and sudden death and disease have claimed even our world's greatest leaders. 😭
The best time is NOW. Take a moment to look at these questions and create a big vision for your future. Y-NOT?!
If you were to wake up tomorrow in your ideal life:
Where are you?
What does your day look like?
Who are you with?
What are you doing for work?
Where's your money coming from?
Step Two: Examine Your Unique Gifts.
As an artist, you're highly creative—but perhaps running out of time, money, or both? Get creative! Think about the various ways you can ethically make good money.
If you want to earn above minimum wage, highlight your unique talents, experiences, education, and personality.
Think remote-first. What could you do whenever, wherever—while waiting at an audition, during rehearsal breaks, or when you're out-of-town?
Administrative Ideas
Executive Assistant
Coach or Consultant
Technical Support
Data Scientist
Ad Manager
Digital Organizer
…get creative!
Artistic Ideas
Photographer
Filmmaker
Podcaster
Writer
Designer
Editor
…get creative!
Find the Intersection of Love & Need
When starting a business or freelance work, find something you LOVE that other people NEED.
Don't get it twisted: people need art, stories, chocolate, handmade jewelry, life coaching, and so much more. There's an audience for everyone and everything.
Keep in mind that sometimes what you're selling (such as chocolate) may be representative of something else (expressing love or self-love).
Ask yourself:
What comes easy to you?
What do friends ask you for help with?
What work excites you?
What work scares you?
Stay open. Begin to examine your unique gifts and explore new possibilities. Follow your curiosity, and listen to your friend, Fear. She's probably pointing you in the direction you should go!
Step Three: Present Your Present
& Get Your First Paying Clients.
You will not be the world's greatest _________ right off the bat. That's okay. Someone will still hire you. You'll do your best, and you'll continue learning and doing until you're so special and unique that people don't want to work with anyone else.
Start today. As soon as possible, present your present!
How to Find Your First Clients
Ask online: "Know anyone needing _________?"
Ask offline: "Know anyone needing _________?"
While you could work for free for your first few clients, my preference is that you ask for a living wage. You deserve that!
Try this approach:
Ask for money
Offer a 100% money-back guarantee if they're not fully satisfied
Start low if needed, but promise to raise your rates as your skills and client base grow
Step Four: Get Paid!
Once you nail down the job, have integrity with the estimate of time or money needed—for both you and your client.
Find a simple CRM to manage your freelance business.
Use a tool like HoneyBook* to:
Create proposals and agreements
Track your time
Invoice your clients
Get paid! 🥳
If your client is happy (and they will be…because you’re awesome), and you enjoyed working with them, be sure to ask for a recommendation or review. This is key to getting new clients!
You can use your website, Google, Facebook, Yelp, LinkedIn, or other platforms to collect reviews. Start with one platform, then move on when you’ve created a substantial five-star reputation!
*I may receive an affiliate commission if you choose to pay for the full version of these free offerings. I’d recommend them anyway, and only share the products, services, and people I truly believe in. Your trust means everything to me.
Step Five: Explore Your Options!
Moving to Bali was a lifestyle choice. Creating your own business or side-business is a lifestyle choice too.
In today's economy, corporate and creative professionals need to create their own financial security. We aren't guaranteed a "good job" or a "long run." Loyal employers are far and few between—but loyal employees are, too.
The solution? Design your future! Periodically go back to step one and clarify your vision. “Zoom out” and think about what you want your life to look like, then determine the next steps with your work life.
You can use the FREE tool NomadList.com to:
Explore cities around the world.
Filter by climate, cost of living, wifi speed, and more.
Read reviews and explore neighborhoods.
Connect with expats and nomads!
Ready to Design Your Future?
The best time to start working remotely was yesterday. The second best time is now!
Remember to start small:
Choose ONE freelance skill to develop
Get your first paying client
Build your remote work portfolio
Design the life you actually want to live!
Want more resources on creating an aligned business?
