As a business owner, you might’ve fantasised about taking advantage of all the opportunities today’s technology offer, and hitting the road. Even with the current challenges we’re facing collectively, it’s a popular option – see a little bit of the world, make some money, see a bit more… But with so much moving around, surely it’d be tricky to keep a business running smoothly, right?! Well, not always. With the right support, anything is possible…
How to become a digital nomad: 1. Lose your location dependence
The minute you start to let go of the things that tie you to one specific location, the sooner you can start your fabulous life as a business person on the move. So, clear your debts, let go of long-term leases, memberships and subscriptions and make a solid plan for your business to survive no matter where you are located.
You’ll need to look at how to make at least some of your income as passive as possible to ensure you can make the most of every day. Look at your skillset and your existing or ideal customer base and decide how you may be able to combine them to create a reliable ‘base’ income. Once you’ve started earning that ‘base’ figure, you’re ready to let go and hit the road, seas or skies…
How to become a digital nomad: 2. Get the right support
Having the right professional support on-hand is going to make all the difference to the success of your business. Before you get too far down the road, it’s worth getting all your professional ducks in a row. Maybe you’ll need to consult a business coach with experience in moving to online working, or digital nomadery specifically. And without a doubt, you’ll need a good finance team including an accountant and a bookkeeper to do all the fiddly stuff while you’re out exploring. (*also, as a side note, it’s a good idea to use us number types so you’ll have a permanent address when it comes to fancy official letters from our friends at the taxation office.) Whoever you choose, just make sure your team understand your vision and are along for the ride, so to speak.
How to become a digital nomad: 3. Don’t fall for the hype
You may have seen a whole bunch of ‘how to become a digital nomad’ feeds on social media teeming with gorgeous snaps of gorgeous people making money by simply sitting by the pool and drinking cocktails. Okay, I’ll admit that looks fabulous, and I’d love to join them, but even these people would have to concede there’s a little more to running any business than sitting by the pool and hoping. It’s totally possible to run your digital business from anywhere, but that’s not to say it’s the easier option. You’ll be faced with challenging days where you’re ‘out of range’, the conundrum of how to travel light and have what you need around you (**HINT: go paperless wherever possible, and keep your offering simple!), and so many other tiny niggles that you just wouldn’t have considered from the comfort of your fixed abode.
In saying that, for many, the challenges of life on the road pale into insignificance when the promise of adventure comes to fruition. It may not be a forever lifestyle, but if it’s something you’ve been dreaming about trying, there are so many ways to turn those dreams into a reality. Why not take a chance and start planning today?!
Amanda Findlay is a certified bookkeeper with a brain for business strategy. Get in touch today to discuss how Complete Bookkeeping Concepts can help you improve your business practices.