The future of work is global and remote. You can lead teams online, hire freelancers to do specific tasks, and even automate AI to do the boring things no one wants to do.
After dreaming about it for so long, you can finally run your entire marketing agency from anywhere in the world. It could be Spain, Italy, Bali, or Switzerland. You can switch your destination every month. It's possible.
But, before you do so, there are some things to know beforehand. These 6 tips will help you with planning, managing your time, giving more freedom to your team, setting boundaries, and more!
Plan before you go
You'll make a massive mistake if you just pack and leave for your favorite destination. What if the internet coverage isn't good? What if you need a visa? What if you can't work from your accommodation and there are no co-working spaces nearby? What if there are frequent power outages?
You need to answer these questions beforehand.
Start with the basics first. See how much it will cost for every service you usually use abroad. Calculate and see whether that fits your budget. The next thing is checking the quality of each service and what you need daily.
Your laptop, a good internet connection, and power are the main things for doing business.
Read about the experience of digital nomads who have lived there. Or, reach out to somebody currently doing what you want to do, and ask them about specific tips and things to avoid.
Time management is crucial
You might be surprised to learn how hard it is to create new habits, especially when dealing with time zones. Your work day needs to overlap with the schedule of your agency. Sure, you can work while your clients are sleeping, but what if you have clients from all around the globe?
Talk to your team and settle on working hours that are good for everyone. Then, it's time to sit down and do the work.
It's tempting to go out, explore, sip on cocktails, or learn how to surf. Switch your mindset, do deep, uninterrupted work, and then use your free time to explore.
Discipline is freedom when you're transitioning to be a digital nomad. If you finish more work in fewer hours, you'll have more time to do the things you really love.
Use an app like Cold Turkey to block apps and distractions. Schedule social media posts, newsletters, and blogs beforehand. Then, have as much fun as you want!
Give more control to your team
Delegating tasks to your team members is one of the toughest things for business owners to do. Usually, you think that you'll do the job better or faster. You probably think they can't handle emergencies if you're not there to lead.
Well, that's not the case. They can adapt to situations, and they can handle more than you give them credit for. Of course, you need to have open communication beforehand and specify that they can reach you at any time if they struggle with a specific situation.
Encourage them to solve problems without your input, review, and improve.
If you're working solo, then you can hire a virtual assistant to complete your mundane tasks or integrate an AI chatbot to automate your tasks.
For this to work, you need to create systems, define their responsibilities, and have an onboarding process lasting for an entire month. Some people believe that two weeks are enough, but a month is much better.
Even if your virtual assistant is completing a few hours of work a day, it still makes it easier for you to relax. They might make your life better, so you'll continue working with them when you come back from traveling the world.
Set boundaries and respect them
If you're not traveling solo, you need to have clear boundaries. When you're working, no distractions. Grab a pair of noise-canceling headphones, or play some ambient music to signal you shouldn't be interrupted.
Be strict when you work, or else you'll fall into a loophole of treating every interruption as an emergency. You'll have a hard time refocusing too. When communicating with clients, mention that your working hours have changed, and you will reply with a new schedule.
Get the right tech stack
Chargers, adapters, Wi-Fi dongles, universal plugs, headphones, and a laptop are the essentials.
But since you're moving to an unknown place, it's best to add a few cybersecurity tools to be safe.
A VPN will allow you to browse the web securely. You can also change your IP address to look like you're home. There are great VPN deals to unblock geo-restricted content, block ad, and trackers, and keep you safe from hackers.
Because you'll be sharing files with your team constantly, an antivirus is a must. Hackers know how to add viruses to PDFs, and no document is safe. The antivirus will scan every file you download for malware and keep your devices clean. The last thing you want is to get your bank account drained while you're in a remote country.
Enjoy your stay!
Last but not least, don't forget to indulge in the culture and experiences while you're working remotely. Try new foods. Talk to locals. Hike mountains. Swim on every beach you can find.
If you wake up early and finish your work before lunch, you'll have the entire day to sightsee and enjoy fun experiences. It would be a shame to be in another country and not visit anything more than the hotel you're staying in.
Leave your phone at home, and get a cheaper one for your travels. That way, you won't be sucked into social media and checking up on your team.
