From freelancer to digital nomad
Tags: Digital, Remote Working, HR, Digital Nomads, Freelancing

Remote workers and digital nomadism

If you are a freelancer, the only thing keeping you from becoming a digital nomad is your lifestyle. Digital nomads commit to a lifestyle that combines work and travel, as they are location-independent professionals who work remotely and are in constant movement. They work pretty much anywhere — from co-working spaces to cafes or public libraries — as long as they have a wi-fi connection. Most digital nomads work in creative professions, as well as marketing and IT. This status-quo defying career option has been increasing in popularity in the latest years, presumably because it allows the kind of traveling and exploring the world that you cannot get with the typical 9 to 5. Plus, this is the zenith when it comes to work flexibility. Freedom really sums up the concept of digital nomadism. You choose your own schedule, your own partners, your own clients and you have more control over your own career progression.

Freelancers, on the other hand, are independent contractors who often work remotely and maybe location-independent, yet they are not necessarily travelers. Indeed, many freelancers are based in a fixed location. However, it is much easier for you, as a freelancer, to adhere to digital nomadism than for an employed person, as it would depend on the company’s way of working. As an independent contractor, you probably have the freedom to pick your own work location, which gives you the opportunity to join this work and travel culture, if that is a career path that interests you.

How to succeed as a digital nomad

Digital nomads collect amazing life experiences and broaden their horizons. However, you also need to have a lot of self-discipline and planning skills in order to succeed as a digital nomad because all these great experiences and freedom come at the cost of a more stable job. Of course, your schedule and income can become quite unpredictable, not to mention that it can get pretty lonely at times. Nonetheless, there are some things you can do to keep your productivity at a high level while traveling and curb some of the inconveniences of being a digital nomad. For starters, you need to set up a schedule, as well as arrange your ‘days off’. You should also give up on multitasking and try going offline whenever possible — anytime you don’t need to be wired to complete your tasks. Be prepared to work hard, give yourself time to learn and adapt to your new lifestyle, and get connected with the community of digital nomads in the area where you are staying. Adding on this, as a freelancer, you have more than flexibility as an advantage in becoming a digital nomad. You also have previous experience as an independent contractor, which means you are used to dealing with all that unpredictability and all the planning and structuring for your business.

Why hiring managers should consider outsourcing

The gig economy — as well as digital nomadism — is a win-win as companies can really benefit from outsourcing. The panorama of career options is changing and hiring practices are changing with it. Several companies have adapted their structure to the changing job market and are resorting to outsourcing. This brings relevant advantages for companies, such as flexibility and lower risk. First off, outsourcing contributes to a flexible cost structure, which consequently reduces operational risk. Costs aside, having a flexible employee structure allows these companies to move faster in the market. They can make quicker decisions and reinvent themselves much more easily than they would in a scenario where they had to internalize hiring costs. Matching freelancers and digital nomads with business clients is the tricky part, yet there are platforms that can help with that, such as Transformify — a Freelance Managing System designed for inclusion. Transformify has become a sort of one-stop-shop for companies who want to outsource as it helps them find the right freelancers in a completely integrated and seamless way. It even provides support with legal compliance and payments.

To sum up, there is a bright future for remote workers and digital nomads! If you want to challenge yourself and pursue a career path characterized by work-life integration, freedom, and responsibility, you should consider the pros and cons of digital nomadism and check whether it is suitable for your own needs and goals. If you do decide to go for it, you should definitely focus on organizing and structuring your business.