You’ve been living out of a backpack for the past few months. A series of unforgettable adventures have filled your days, from the dazzling white-sand beaches of the Caribbean to the ancient temples of Southeast Asia. You meet new people every day.
And you love it…for now. What if you could find freedom and adventure while also making a living in that process? If you think building a career while also traveling is just some pipe dream, think again! With these tips, you can live as a full-time freelancer and make it work.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Freelancing offers opportunities to earn a living while traveling. |
| 2. Building a successful freelance career requires careful planning and strategy. |
| 3. Exploring niche markets and industries can lead to lucrative travel-related freelance gigs. |
| 4. Developing valuable skills, such as travel writing or photography, can increase earning potential. |
| 5. Balancing work and travel requires effective time management and organization. |
Identify The Skills You Have
The first step in this journey is to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Think about what you’re good at, what you like doing, and how others perceive you. Next, take a look at the knowledge gaps that need filling. What do you know nothing about? If you knew more about it, would it change the way people see or use your skills?
Now that we’ve covered areas of strength and weakness, let’s move on to identifying our skills! There are several ways to go about this: one method is by using an online assessment (which helps by providing feedback on what your strengths are), another way is by listing out all the things that come easily or naturally to us (e.g., talking, writing).
Finally–and most importantly–we should spend some time thinking about our interests/passions/values/dreams/fears so we can find work as a freelancer that aligns with those things.
Building a successful freelance career while working full-time requires careful planning and a strategic approach. Check out our article on 6 Reasons to Be a Freelancer in Addition to Having a Full-Time Job to discover the advantages and opportunities that freelancing can offer alongside your regular employment.
Know Your Financial Needs
You need to know how much you need in order to live, save, invest, and pay off debt. While it’s impossible to predict with 100% accuracy how much money you’ll earn as a freelancer, it’s important that your financial goals are attainable based on your earning potential and the amount of time it will take for them to be realized.
You should also think about what retirement looks like for you how much money do you want saved up by the time you retire? How often do you plan on traveling? Are there any other goals that require specific dollar amounts like paying off student loans or buying a house? If so, estimate those amounts as well so that they can be included in this calculation as well.
Know Your Strengths
The first step is to become aware of what you are good at, and more importantly what you enjoy doing. Next, think about what you don’t enjoy doing or what your weaknesses are.
This can be difficult for some people to do because they have been trained since childhood to always “do their best” and to never give up. But if you’re not enjoying something, then it’s no longer a passion; it becomes a chore that drains your energy and makes life feel like a burden rather than an adventure.
Figure Out Who Your Target Audience
In order to have a successful freelancing career, you need to know who your target audience is. This will help you figure out what type of content they want and what kind of marketing will get them to buy from you.
If you’re writing for business owners or employees, then it’s helpful if you understand the challenges that small businesses face on a daily basis. You can also read up on some best practices for creating an effective marketing plan for those clients.
If your customers are small business owners themselves (like me!), then learning about social media strategies will be important in building relationships with potential customers.
If your customer base is more consumer-oriented (as mine is), then researching how millennials consume content online might help inform how best to reach them through social media channels and blogs.
Are you passionate about renewable energy and have a flair for writing? Learn how to channel your skills into a thriving freelance career. Our comprehensive guide on How to Become a Freelance Writer in the Renewable Energy Industry provides valuable insights and practical tips to kickstart your journey in this exciting field.
Be Prepared For Ups, Downs, Roadblocks And Bad Days
While freelancing can be a great way to earn money while traveling, it is important to keep in mind that you will experience both ups and downs. You will have bad days where you feel like nothing is going right, as well as good days where everything seems to be falling into place.
Sometimes there are roadblocks that pop up out of nowhere, other times something may take longer than expected for an update or fix.
All of these things are part of the process and should not discourage you from continuing down this path. You should expect there to be challenges along the way and plan accordingly so that they don’t come as a surprise when they arise!
Put Together A Business Plan That Includes Marketing And Sales Strategies
Your business plan will help you figure out what type of business model to create and the best way to get started. It should include a detailed overview of the project, including:
- What are your goals and objectives?
- How much money do you need to make? (Hint: don’t forget about taxes!)
- When do you expect this to happen? (For example, if it’s two years from now, it might be better for you to focus on marketing rather than getting clients right away.)
It should also include any other relevant details such as legal considerations or anything else that could affect how well your freelancing career does in the long run. If there are any problems with starting up a business like this one then they should be addressed here as well so that they can be worked through before starting out on their own path towards success!
Stick To A Schedule, Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
The most important thing you can do as a freelancer is stick to a schedule.
This is hard for me to admit, because I’m terrible at self-discipline. I have an idea of what I should be doing, but somewhere between the start of my day and mid-afternoon, it feels like there are so many interesting things to look at online that all my plans go out the window.
I’ve learned over time, however, that this isn’t going to fly if you want to make money as a freelancer.
You need structure in your life in order to get anything done and when you’re working remotely from home with no one around but yourself and your dog (or cats), there’s no one else keeping you honest about how much time has passed since breakfast and how late it really is getting into day two without having accomplished any real work yet!
Generation Z is reshaping the future of work and embracing freelancing as a viable career path. Discover the driving forces behind this shift in our thought-provoking article on Generation Z Is Driving a Freelance Economy. Gain a deeper understanding of the freelance economy and how it aligns with the aspirations of the younger generation.
Have The Right Mindset; Remember That Nothing Happens Overnight
Once you have all of the skills, equipment and resources you need to do your job, the next step is to have the right mindset. Remember that nothing happens overnight if you’re expecting immediate success, then it’s likely that your freelance business will fail pretty quickly. You are learning new skills and growing as an entrepreneur every day.
If something doesn’t work out perfectly right away, don’t think of yourself as a failure or consider giving up on freelancing; just look at what went wrong, what could be done better next time (or how to avoid making the same mistake again), learn from your mistakes and keep going!
There’s also no shame in getting help from others when starting there are plenty of other freelancers who can give advice on how they got started in their careers or about any problems they’ve faced along the way.
Define Success In Realistic Terms; Small Wins Will Help Keep You Going Until The Big Ones Start Rolling In
Don’t let a lack of success or money overwhelm you. It’s easy to feel defeated when you’re trying something new, and it’s impossible not to compare yourself with other people who are doing much better. But remember that they had their own struggles when they were starting out too.
It’s important to define success in realistic terms so that when things don’t go according to plan, or if you hit a rough patch, it won’t be devastating.
Small wins will help keep you going until the big ones start rolling in and if those big ones never arrive at all (which is totally fine), just remember that even getting started can be an achievement on its own!
Here are some examples of small wins:
Successful clients: Landing one great client is more than most freelance writers ever get; don’t sell yourself short by thinking this is only “good enough” for now. Instead focus on how amazing it feels when someone agrees with your work and decides to hire you again!
Plus there are plenty of ways users can pay for freelance writing services nowadays so there’s no reason why one client couldn’t lead quickly turn into two down the road…
Reach Out To Other Freelancers For Guidance And Support
The world of freelancing is a fantastic place, but it can be confusing and difficult to navigate. You may feel like you’re all alone out there, but the truth is that there are tons of other freelancers around the world who are facing similar struggles as yourself.
These days, most people have access to social media accounts that allow them to connect with other professionals in their fields, and trust me, they will be more than happy to help out!
I’ve personally used social media sites like Twitter and LinkedIn to find information on how different types of projects get completed and what tools were used for each part of the process. These resources have been invaluable for me as I’ve learned how to run my freelance business!
Are you ready to take the leap into independent consulting and unlock your earning potential? Our comprehensive guide, Your Guide to Earning Six Figures as an Independent Consultant, provides practical tips, strategies, and insights to help you navigate the world of consulting and achieve financial success on your terms.
Know That Failure Is Part Of The Process, But Learn From It, Don’t Give Up On Yourself, And Try Again
It’s important to remember that failure is a learning opportunity, and there’s no way around it. If you fail at something, it just means you didn’t do enough research or didn’t try hard enough.
It doesn’t mean that you’re bad at your job or aren’t cut out for freelancing; it simply means that the project didn’t work out as planned and now you need to figure out what went wrong so that next time will be better.
If you’re struggling with finding clients in an area where there aren’t many of them (or any), try looking outside of your comfort zone and targeting a different audience. Maybe they’ll respond better to your services than people who already know about your niche area of expertise!
Take Care Of Yourself, Mentally And Physically. You Can’t Be Productive If You’re Not At Your Best
You can’t be a successful freelancer if you’re not taking care of yourself. The best way to do this is by making sure you have the tools, resources and support network necessary for success.
You need to be physically healthy so that you can work efficiently; mentally alert so that you don’t make mistakes; emotionally stable enough to handle rejection or criticism without getting discouraged; and spiritually nourished so that money isn’t your only source of motivation.
Take care of yourself physically by eating well, sleeping regularly and exercising regularly (if possible). If there are any health issues affecting your productivity, address them immediately it’s much more expensive and difficult in the long run.
Make Sure All Of Your Equipment Is Up To Date, Including Software, Apps, And Electronics (Like Your Computer Or Tablet)
If you’re going to be working while traveling, it’s important that your equipment is up to date and ready. A good place to start is with software like Microsoft Office, Photoshop or Acrobat Reader. You can also make sure that your operating system (Windows or Mac OS) is up-to-date.
It’s also recommended that you have a backup plan for your data. This is particularly important if you’re going to be traveling internationally and crossing borders where there may be issues accessing the internet or finding compatible Wi-Fi networks.
Find The Tools That Will Help Keep You Organized So It’s Easier For Your Clients To Get What They Need From You Quickly
You’ll want to use tools that can help you keep organized, so it’s easier for your clients to get what they need from you quickly. This might include a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system, calendar, project management system and task management system.
The first thing you need is a central place where all of your information is stored something like Trello or Asana will do the trick nicely. Use it as a database for everything related to each client: their contact information; any documents or files related to them; checklists of things that need doing for any projects with this client; deadlines and more!
As well as having everything in one place at all times, by using these tools regularly during the course of a project, your workflow becomes streamlined and efficient which means less time wasted redoing things or forgetting important details later on down the line!
Doing Freelance Work On The Road Takes Dedication And Planning, But It Can Be Done!
Make sure you have the right tools. You’ll need a computer and an internet connection, of course, but don’t forget about other necessities like a phone with data or WiFi (if you want to use Skype for calls), backup batteries for your devices, headphones and any other gear that lets you work on the go (like a portable scanner).
Make sure you have the right mindset. As freelancers ourselves, we know how easy it is to feel disconnected from people when working from home or on the road – but this shouldn’t be something that holds us back!
If anything, it means we can open up our schedule even more by focusing on activities that bring us joy like hiking trails near our hotel rooms or booking local classes at hostels around town when there isn’t much else going on during off-hours in between client meetings.
Make sure you have adequate support networks in place before taking on big projects while traveling; finding reliable remote workers who are ready-to-go at all times is crucial when working remotely since they’ll often serve as an extra pair of eyes during your most important work hours which could mean everything if something goes wrong!
The traditional work landscape is rapidly evolving, with freelancing at the forefront of this transformation. Learn more about the impact of freelancing and how it is changing the way we work in our illuminating article, How Freelancing Is Changing the Way We Work. Discover the advantages, challenges, and opportunities presented by the freelance revolution.
Conclusion
So, what’s next? Well, you’ve already taken a great first step by reading this guide. Now it’s time to start planning your own amazing adventure! Anyone who is serious about making money as a freelancer while traveling abroad should take the following steps:
Identify the skills you have that will help you be successful in freelancing while traveling. You may need to do some research into areas where your talents are needed and how much they pay per hour or project (this can vary widely depending on location).
Consider all of the expenses associated with traveling and living abroad for an extended period of time (e.g., food, lodging, transportation costs) by looking at websites such as Numbeo – Cost Of Living Comparison Between Two Cities In One Glance
Look up visa requirements if necessary – some countries require visitors from certain regions/nationalities to apply for special permits before entering their territory (even if they’re only staying briefly).
Figure out who your target audience will be; think carefully about what kind of clients hire people like yourself and how best to reach them (e.g., Facebook ads vs LinkedIn messages). And don’t forget…the world is your oyster!
Don’t forget about taxes! Even though we might not want them, taxes are an unavoidable part of life that we all must deal with at some point or another in our working career so it’s important to know how this whole thing works beforehand after moving somewhere else.”
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on making money while traveling and getting paid to travel:
Travel to Get Paid: This article on Indeed’s Career Advice section provides insights and tips on finding job opportunities that involve travel, allowing you to earn money while exploring new places.
How to Make Money While Traveling: The TravelPayouts blog offers valuable information and strategies on how to generate income while traveling, enabling you to fund your adventures and sustain your nomadic lifestyle.
Get Paid to Travel: The Planet D’s guide explores various ways to get paid for traveling, including travel blogging, travel photography, working on cruise ships, and more. Discover exciting opportunities to monetize your passion for travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If I Have No Experience?
You don’t need any experience to get started freelancing you just need to be willing to learn new skills and take on projects that you have never done before. It’s like learning a new language or picking up a new instrument the only way you can get better at it is by practicing, which is what we do as freelancers every day!
How Much Money Can I Make?
We’ve seen people make anywhere from $500/month up to $100,000/month as freelancers! The best part about freelancing is that it’s flexible: if you want to take off for two months in Europe for vacation, you can do that and still make money while you’re gone because your clients will always need help with their projects while they’re away from their desks
Do I Need A College Degree To Freelance?
Not at all! Freelancing is a great way to make money while you’re in school, or if you don’t have the time or money to attend classes.
How Much Money Can I Make Freelancing?
That’s up to you! You can charge whatever rate you like. You might want to start out at the bottom of the scale and work your way up as you gain skills and experience.
What Kind Of Jobs Should I Take?
Any job that pays! Work on-demand jobs, hourly jobs, or gigs (smaller projects) to fill in your monthly income needs.
What Can I Do To Make Sure My Freelance Work Is High-Quality?
You can start by making sure you’re working with a client who knows what they want. If they don’t have clear directions or requirements, you may end up doing a lot more work than necessary, which will lead to a less than ideal outcome for both of you.
If you’re unsure about what the client expects, or if there are any questions or concerns, don’t be afraid to ask! Good communication is key when working with clients who are not directly in front of you. You might even want to set up a meeting or call so that everyone involved can get on the same page before the project begins.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.