How do you create a location-independent lifestyle?
What is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about remote working?
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, office-based working was the modus operandi for most jobs.
Flexible, and location-independent work was unimaginable 10 years ago. Now more than 77% of global businesses have a policy in place that allows for this.
In this article, we will take a look at how to create the sought-after location-independent lifestyle.
What Is a Location Independent Lifestyle?
Location Independence is not about travelling. It is not about being nomadic either. It is about the ability to live and work under your own terms, whilst not being tied to any geographic location.
The internet has been the enabler for the creation of location independent jobs. A balanced lifestyle becoming the priority for many workers.
What Is a Digital Nomad?
Digital Nomad by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners, is where the term is first referenced.
Digital nomads will always seek location-independent careers.
For example, startups will hire skilled digital nomads, for local business needs.
Innovations such as affordable internet access, and smartphones, make this possible.
A digital nomad can be considered a remote worker, with one key difference, their nomadic lifestyle.
What Is a Freelancer?
A freelancer is a self-employed person who earns money by providing services to multiple clients. Running a location-independent business means you become your own boss, test a new business idea, or start a passion project. With an estimated $1.4 trillion dollars being generated by freelancers in 2018.
Which are the most popular work from anywhere career fields?
- Accounting & Finance
- Administration
- Customer Service
- Translation Service
- Computer & IT
- Medical & Health
- Editing i.e. content, video, photo
- Human Resources & Recruiting
- Education & Training
Which digital skills will allow you to work from anywhere?
Copywriting
Copywriting is a great skill to have, as there will always be a need for compelling content and great storytelling.
If you are a natural wordsmith you do not have to be technical or understand how to code. You can put your fingertips to work, by starting your own remote copywriting business.
Do not allow a lack of a classical English degree to be a barrier to your success.
Websites such as Udemy and Coursera can teach you everything you need to know about crafting copy that sells.
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is without a doubt the biggest driver of online traffic and branding. With the ever-evolving nature of digital, businesses are always looking for a digital strategist.
Those with strong digital marketing skills will always find that they are in high demand. Which can lead to amazing remote working opportunities.
Focus on building your knowledge of how to develop impactful strategies. Which delivers value to your client’s products and services. This can include, scheduling social media content, maintaining Facebook pages, or creating Instagram stories.
Graphic Design
Graphic design is the perfect work from anywhere job since it can be done 100% online.
If you have the mastery of tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, you are in luck.
Use these skills to generate an income. Through the creation of logos, business cards or landing pages.
Based on the level of expertise, graphic designers can earn on average $44,000 each year.
Web Development
Web development is one of the most in-demand jobs globally. The best part is that you do not need to be a genius to learn how to code.
freeCodeCamp is a great starting point. You can be learning to code, and get certified all from the comfort of your home.
Businesses are waking up to the fact that they can not keep up with all the emerging tech trends. Leading to the growth of job aggregators such as remote.co and Fiverr. These have become the go-to for work from anywhere opportunities.
What are examples of location independent jobs?
Let’s take an in-depth look at four real location independent job opportunities available to remote workers, digital nomads and freelancers.
Virtual Executive Assistant
Virtual assistants offer tailored administrative support to businesses and individuals. Tasks include appointment scheduling, diary management, making calls, and managing many email accounts.
Web Developer
A web developer focuses on coding, design and user experience (UX) for a website, app or feature.
Remote developers can often be part of a globally distributed team. For example, a fully remote team will include a Sydney-based designer and a project manager in Madrid.
Social Media Manager
Monetising your skill set as a social media manager can make it one of the most lucrative remote jobs. By providing businesses with the guidance needed to grow their brand reach.
Social media managers are the gatekeepers of a client’s social presence. They respond to comments, develop campaigns and create content.
Online Educator
Do you have a teaching qualification? Extensive knowledge in any particular field? Becoming an online educator provides a great opportunity to monetize your knowledge. Tools such as thinkific, Kajabi and Udemy have made it easier to create and sell online courses.
Affiliate Marketer
Affiliate marketing is simple. Finding a product. Promote it to others in your network. Earning you a piece of the profit for each sale.
To be successful requires having a clear goal in mind. Start by researching your chosen niche. Select the right product or products. Finally creating a solid, measurable digital strategy.
How much can you make working remotely?
There is no definitive list of salaries for remote workers. Since this will vary depending on your line of work.
With that in mind, here is a list of typical remote worker jobs and their average salaries*:
- Software-engineer: 100K GBP / €120K EUR / 150K USD / $180K AUD
- Social Media Manager: £40K GBP / €43K EUR / $50K USD / $70K AUD
- Full Stack Developer: £200K GBP / €220K EUR / $250K USD / £250K AUD
- Graphic Designer: £70K GBP / €75K EUR / $100K USD $120K AUD
- Digital Marketer: £50K GBP / €60K EUR / $70K USD / $90K AUD
- Freelance Writer: £70K GBP / €80K EUR / $120K USD / $150K AUD
*Source: The examples above are based on an annual or yearly pre-tax income, with the data provided by Prospects.co.uk.
Which are the best places to work remotely?
Want to work remotely abroad? Here is a list of ten cities across the Americas, Europe, and Asia for remote workers.
Asia
- Canggu, Bali
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Bangkok, Thailand
Europe
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Porto, Portugal
- Barcelona, Spain
- Berlin, Germany
Central America
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
South America
- Medellin, Colombia
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
Which countries are offering long-term digital nomad visa programs for remote workers?
We have compiled a list of 11 countries that are currently offering long-term remote worker visas.
Caribbean
- Barbados
- Bermuda
Central America
- Mexico
- Costa Rica
Europe
- Georgia
- Estonia
- Czech Republic
- Croatia
- Portugal
- Spain
- Germany
- Norway
Conclusion
The idea of remote working is still met with scepticism. Yet, for millennials, this has become a deal breaker whilst job hunting.
The goal of a location independent lifestyle trumps traditional company perks. Especially falling short where a position does not offer a remote or flexible working element.
Work/life balance is what people are looking for. Where an employer does not provide that, entrepreneurship is the next step.