Ever wish you could be your own boss so you could do as you please and most importantly travel the world while working? The flexibility of being self-employed has major benefits. You’re not constricted to one place and you decide where you work. It’s the ultimate type of job for anyone with the travel bug. But running your own business calls for careful planning. Take the following steps to get on the road and jet set to success.
Decide a path.
First things first – decide what you can do that will utilize your skillset and also give you the freedom to travel. A type of job where you can work from a laptop or via mobile device is ideal. For instance, freelance photography will directly get you out and about, and all you technically need is a camera and a computer to upload photos and edit. Then there’s social media marketing, whether you’re a fashion influencer or DIY champion, you can post regularly and remotely and at the same time gain followers virally. For budding entrepreneurs looking for a place to start, becoming a direct seller for Amway is a great way to learn the ropes of managing your own business. The company provides you with the training and tools you need to sell various products and you can do it on your own accord by building a customer base via digital platform.
Create a budget.
Once you have zoned in on what type of self-employment route is right for you, it’s time to figure out the hard costs of what you will earn and how you will spend it on traveling. Will you generate enough capital to live luxuriously in hotels or just enough to get a steal of an Airbnb? Both housing options can provide unique experiences. When you book tickets to the various destinations you travel to, try to stretch your dollar as far as possible. You can do this by traveling to a place that can supplement your work. For example, if you are a food critic, travel to different places around the globe to taste different dishes and report on them accordingly. You simultaneously get culturally stimulated and paid for doing your job.
Establish a client base.
If you’re the adventurous type, chances are, you have no problem meeting new people and establishing new social networks. Use this innate ability to your advantage to grow a strong client base. Let people know your goals and openly discuss what you do for work. You never know who’s listening or who will pass along the information to a relevant party. Tap into your immediate connections to see who might need your help or who might be willing to pay you for your niche services. As soon as you pique interest, give potential clients a taste of what you do, perhaps for a discount at first. If they are satisfied with your product or work, they’ll likely come back for more. To add, maintaining constant communication with new clients, loyal clients or prospective clients is key. Remind them you’re there with regular email newsletters, cards or personalized social media posts tagging them.
Market yourself.
To be successfully self-employed, it’s crucial to market yourself and your brand. Believe in what you’re doing and convince others to believe in your cause—confidence is infectious. Create branding standards that will guide you in your marketing and keep communications consistent across any promotional platform, be it digital or physical. Make a mission statement and make sure your focus never shifts from it.
There are so many possibilities for both travel and exploration when you’re self-employed. You can guide your own path both in life and from place to place when you become your own boss. Take the careful steps of deciding what type of work will work with your traveling ways, budget accordingly and maintain your business with proper customer building and marketing. You’ll be well on your way to an adventure full of work and play.