OVER the past few days, many of you have been sending me e-mail and DMs asking, “How do I become a digital nomad?” To help you transition your life and understand what you need, I’ve put together this guide on becoming a digital nomad.

Understanding the Digital Nomad Mindset

The first step in becoming a digital nomad is a mindset shift. Typically, people get a job, go to an office, work their shift, and then return home. The goal here is to move beyond working from home to being able to work from anywhere. It’s about rethinking how we view work and embracing the flexibility to work remotely from different locations. This is a big shift in mindset that I don’t want you to take likely.

Finding Remote Jobs

If you don’t have a business or aren’t freelancing, finding a remote job is your first step. On my website, Keronrose.com, I’ve listed top international remote job boards. Some key job boards to check out include We Work Remotely, Remote.co and Flex Jobs (this one is a paid platform but high quality). Here’s how to use them:

1. Visit the Job Board: Go to the website and use the advanced search option.

2. Select Job Categories: Choose the field you’re interested in, like customer support.

3. Choose Regions: Instead of selecting specific regions like North America, choose “anywhere in the world” to find jobs that allow you to work from any location.

4. Apply: Read through the job descriptions, and if it suits you, apply for the position.

These job boards provide opportunities that pay through methods like PayPal, Payoneer, and Wise. Each method has its own setup process, which is detailed in guides available on my site.

If you don’t have specialised skills, look for jobs in customer service or data entry, jobs paying 30k USD per year may be low paying for those living in the US but those are going to be high-paying jobs when you live in countries where the US dollar is strong and have a lower cost of living, which ultimately works in your favour.

Developing In-Demand Skills

If you want to freelance or start a business, you need to focus on developing skills that are in high demand. The Coursera Job Skills 2024 report lists top skills in business, data science, and tech. You can learn these skills on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, HubSpot Academy, and Google Skillshop.

Fastest-growing Skills:

• E-commerce

• Media strategy

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

Learning Platforms:

• Coursera: Offers courses from universities and colleges.

• Udemy: Provides a wide range of courses.

• HubSpot Academy: Specialises in marketing and sales courses.

• Google Skillshop: Offers certifications in various Google tools.

Once you acquire these skills, you can apply for new job types on remote job boards or build your profile on LinkedIn to attract potential employers.

Freelancing Opportunities

If you prefer freelancing, platforms like Fiverr and Freelancer.com are excellent places to start. Here’s how to get started:

1. Create a Profile: Set up a profile on these platforms and list your skills.

2. Search for Skills: Check what skills are in demand by browsing profiles of other freelancers.

3. Set Your Rates: Look at what others are charging and set competitive rates.

You can also use YouTube tutorials to learn how to optimise your profile on these platforms.

Choosing Your Destination

Once you have remote work sorted, the next step is choosing where to live. Many digital nomads look for countries with a lower cost of living but a high quality of life. Countries like Mexico, Colombia, Portugal, Bali, and Thailand are popular destinations. You can find more information about digital nomad visas and ideal countries on my blog.

Factors to Consider:

• Cost of Living: Choose countries where your earnings go further.

• Quality of Life: Consider climate, health care, and lifestyle.

• Digital Nomad Visas: Research countries that offer visas specifically for digital nomads.

Conclusion

Becoming a digital nomad involves a simple but focused process:

1. Find a Remote Job or Develop Freelance Skills: Use job boards and learning platforms to secure remote work.

2. Get Paid in Higher Currencies: Aim to get paid in USD. Utilise platforms like PayPal, Payoneer, and Wise to receive payments.

3. Choose a Suitable Location: Opt for countries with a lower cost of living to enhance your quality of life.

By following these steps, you can transition to a digital nomad lifestyle, enjoying the freedom to work from anywhere while earning a stable income. Don’t just try to work from home, aim to work from anywhere!

Keron Rose is a digital strategist who works with businesses to build their digital presence and monetise their platforms. Learn more at KeronRose.com or listen to the Digipreneur FM podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or YouTube.