The digital nomad is a worker who opts for a professional activity that allows him to work remotely and travel. Answering an email from a deckchair on a beach in Bali or working on a file from a coworking space in New York, all this is possible today. Many areas of the world of work are fully computerized, so it's no wonder that the status of digital nomad is becoming more and more popular. Earning a living while traveling the globe, a concept that makes you dream, but which, all things considered, can quite easily become a reality
How is it possible to work while travelling?
If for some, the concept of "working while travelling" still remains a mystery, in the end, the evolution of the world, digitalisation and ceaseless technical progress have inevitably led to the phenomenon of digital nomadism. Many jobs are done exclusively from a computer, so when you think about it, you don't necessarily need to be in an office at a company's headquarters to be able to carry out your tasks. Of course, in some companies and trades, physical presence is mandatory to attend meetings or to have access to tools that are not available at home. But there are many professions that allow you to work totally from the place you want. And that's why the concept of digital nomadic is attracting more and more people. Working from the train, the plane, a hotel room in Crete or from a gîte at the end of the Dordogne when you wish, is a real advantage
There are many tools that make remote working possible. Making an electronic signature on a document or putting an article online from a platform dedicated to the company on the web, all that only requires a computer and an Internet connection. Moreover, to become a digital nomad, it is important to be well equipped
So what are the tools that the digital nomad must have?
First of all, there's the computer of course, but the smartphone and tablet are also very practical. To answer an e-mail from a train or to search the Internet easily and quietly from the beach or a café terrace, the smartphone is much less bulky than the laptop. It is also useful to have an external hard drive. Yes, when the computer is the main work tool, you tend to accumulate files and therefore clutter up your machine. We also equip ourselves with a headset with a microphone, for example to take part in a conference call with colleagues in Paris while sunbathing from the balcony of our hotel in Marrakech.
On his computer and smartphone, there are many applications and tools to make the life of the digital nomad easier. In fact, they are virtually indispensable. The Instabridge application is very handy to find the wifi networks closest to your location. The referenced wifi are either free or provided with the password. To access its documents, Google Drive and Dropbox are a must. The use is free and very simple. In addition to providing access to documents, Slack also allows you to converse with customers directly via the platform. Need to sign a quote or form electronically? Universign offers the possibility to sign PDF documents from your computer or tablet and send them directly by email. This one is as valuable as a classic signature and you don't have to run to find a printer. Secondly, installing Skype is the essence of a digital nomad. A direct video exchange with a client or colleague is sometimes necessary when you are a globe-trotting worker. Finally, you can't miss Nomadlist, working from anywhere is great, but it's even better when an application is able to guide you to the destinations you want to choose, displaying by country the cost of living, the temperature, the power of wifi on the spot and ideas for outings!
How to deal with geographical distance?
Living in a different time zone than your clients can make the job a little more complicated. But with a little planning, we can still get out of it. Exchanging briefs, negotiating, dealing with returns, all this can be difficult with six or eight hours time difference. In any case, you should not hesitate to reassure your clients by telling them that you are ready to adjust your schedule, to work in the evening or late at night for example. Finally, the very soul of a digital nomad is to be out of step with the more classical forms of work, and this also implies working on different time slots.
For the postal address, because yes for the French administration, it is sometimes difficult to completely dematerialize the exchange of documents, you just have to give your address if you keep a pied-à-terre in France to which you intend to return regularly. And if you give up a fixed address to wander from country to country with your computer, you must remember to give the address of a relative, a trusted person with whom you can easily get in touch and who is able to send important mail quickly
Finally, if, despite this vagabond life, you want to boost your activity, many platforms on the Internet provide easy access to mission offers. Whether you are a web editor, community manager, freelance webjournalist, webmaster or graphic designer, many sites are dedicated to job offers for freelancers. On the other hand, you don't forget to stay present and active, especially on social networks, where you can present your work in written form, make videos and post images to showcase your skills!
