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Last Updated on June 24, 2021
For a lot of freelancers, travel seems like something attainable, but never quite ever brought to fruition. Granted, taking the leap on being able to work while also affording to see the world can be a tough position. However, with a little bit of financial planning and resourcefulness, travel can actually be an amazing opportunity to help your freelance business grow. Which, is exactly why I’m going to give you a few helpful tips on how to get started. Check them out below:
Look Out For Last Minute Deals
One of the quickest ways to hit the road is by landing your hands on a last minute deal. Although more frequently found in the offseason, last minute offers are actually much more often than you might assume. In fact, according to Ice Portal, 49 percent of Millennials book their trips last minute because of a deal. And if you’re looking to get up and out, then this might be the perfect opportunity for you to save off the bat.
While you’re most likely going to require some sort of a security blanket saved up before you fully commit, take a look around to see what the average price of a last minute flight or hotel might be. This will give you an accurate depiction of the budget you need to set, as well as provide cursors of where to look when you’re ready to go. Because whether it’s Dubai deals or heading off to South America, the overall goal is that you’re able to cover any and all expenses so you can ease into making money while traveling.
Know Your Worth
As a freelancer, a crucial aspect many overlook is knowing how much they’re worth and why. And considering that you’re going to be traveling, having an accurate figure of how much you’re going to bring in and from where is going to be imperative before takeoff. However, pricing yourself doesn’t have to be nearly as harsh as you might think, as long as you know where you stand against your industry.
When it comes to pricing, there are a few different avenues you could take depending both on skill level as well as if you have any specialties. For example, let’s say you’re a graphic designer that’s looking to solidify some contracts before a three-month trip. According to Glassdoor, the average freelance graphic designer charges around $62,451, which seems accurate considering the level of work. However, someone who might specialize in strictly logo design might not want to bill at a rate of average salary but rather by the project at a bulk rate.
While the end result of the $62k might come out the same, the difference is how they view the amount of time spent versus what’s that worth. Thinking about things this way will help you sort out both how much money you’ll have versus how much you’ll be working, as well as what you might be able to do before you take off. All-in-all, your time is worth money, no matter where you are in the world, which should be treated as such.
Provide Yourself With The Tools You Need Beforehand
If you’re going to be working while traveling the world, then preparing yourself with what you’ll need to be successful is a must. This includes anything from unlimited satellite internet service to outlet adapters for the country you’re going to. And while you might think that these little things can be taken care of later, knocking them out now will not only save you money but decrease the overall stress you’ll feel working abroad.
Make a list of all of the items you might need, regardless of how big or small to define your budget. I’ll note to also include daily costs while away. For example, as noted by EarthTrekkers, daily costs average around $125 per day in Europe, but if you need a space with a conference room or desk for a day, then that needs to be factored in as well. The more accurate you can get your budget to be, the better acclimated you’ll be to working while abroad.
Make As Many Connections As Possible
Finally, as you’re looking to grow your freelancing business, networking is a must. And what better place to get that done than while on the road?
According to a survey by Hubspot, 85 percent of jobs are found through networking. It’s understandable not to want to be always on the lookout while trying to enjoy yourself, therefore, consider attending some networking events or having informal interviews with potential partners. The ability to meet face-to-face alone will give you a leg-up, and possibly give you the opportunity to keep traveling and working for as long as you please. After all, that’s the dream for anyone, right?
