There are many, many people traveling the world with their laptops writing blogs intended to convince you that their life is a dream come true.

As Chris the Freelancer says in this You Tube video, sad, honest, reality checks are not the stuff new followers are made of.  Location independent workers rarely blog about the frustrations, uncertainty and struggles they might face.

This focus on the fabulous does not offer the pragmatic advise that can help an aspiring nomad set themselves up for overseas success.

So, Let’s Get Real.

If you were born and raised in a first world country: USA, Canada, Australia, living like a native in a third world developing country will not be easy for you. It can be done but, given the choice, most working nomads would choose to make first world wages while living in more affordable and more exotic places.  If this, comfortable lifestyle is more what you have in mind, you will need to begin with a strong, first world skill set.

A Word of Caution

I am going to list some possibilities but don’t get carried away with enthusiasm.  To be happy in your new, distant life you will need have work you enjoy, work you are good at and work that satisfies your needs both financial and emotional. If you don’t know, really know, what you are good at, what you enjoy and what labors have meaning for you, you should read my book.

Okay, here is the list:

Web or Application Development

This is a wise skill set choice for anyone, development is a well-paid, high demand field. It does, however, take a certain type of person.  Some suggested personality must haves include: an analytical mind, pragmatism and a technical mind set.

To evaluate your own natural gives and talents see this post.

ecommerce Entrepreneurship

If you are more inclined to be an entrepreneur, you can start an online business: Drop shipping is the system of choice for the distant entrepreneur. If your interests lean toward selling an online product, research the possibilities of drop shipping.  With this business model, your role is to manage and market your online store, Amazon or another “fulfillment centers” will handle your stock, shipping it as it is needed.  To succeed with your online store you will need to understand your market and maintain strong relations with your customers and business partners.  This work can be done from the beach, but it will take motivation and focus.

On-line Marketing (SEO or PPC)

This is another valuable skill set. If you have the knack and can generate results for your clients, you can work successfully anywhere, in your home country or abroad.  Again, skill at marketing is dependent on certain innate traits and skills: communications skills, creativity, project management, teamwork.  Most of these skills can be developed but the underlying understanding and empathy for the needs of the market is more of an innate characteristic.

Blogging and Affiliate Marketing

This field includes developing eBooks and courses, sponsorships, and advertising.  An infopreneur makes money by selling digital products through videos and blog post.  To pursue this business model, you will need to build a strong following, be diligent about creating content, and be patient. It takes time to build an audience.

Copy or Content writing

This is what I do, what I am doing right now.  I am not sitting in a lounge chair on the beach, or in an Asian tea house, I am in my small, unheated, unairconditioned apartment, at a desk typing.  No illusion here.  Working from an exotic place is still working.

Graphic Design

If you have the artistic talent and skill set to do graphic design, you probably know it already.  To do this work overseas you will need clients who appreciate your talent and style but do not require face to face consultation.  Try to cultivate these loyal clients before you leave.

Coaching and Consulting

This is a choice for people with deep knowledge and experience in some aspect of business, health, sports or the arts, or someother area where constant improvement is desired and there is a willingness to pay for that improvement.  As a business coach myself, I can tell you, to make a living helping others reach their goals you will need to spend much of your time marketing your services.  If you are shy or reluctant to promote your skills, you will have a hard time paying the rent.

Software Development

This one sounds good but, because software development is a complex and competitive field, success will require expertise and resources far beyond the boundaries of whatever exotic locale calls to you.  If you have the skills and the vision to become a software entrepreneur, I suggest you call me to help you plan out your strategy for living abroad while working with your remote team.

My advice for the aspiring nomad is to prepare your income before you leave.  In the next post I will provide various online resources for finding location independent work.

Photo by Lee Campbell on Unsplash