Your backpack is itching to get sandy and your passport’s got the jitters… but are you ready to take your biz global?

Hey Laptop Lifestylers! If you’ve dipped your toe into the world of digital nomad life, or you’ve ever traveled abroad with your business, you’ll know that there are a few learning curves to get your head around from the get-go.

Having clocked up almost 2 years as a full-time digital nomad, I’ve got a bunch of tips and tid-bits to share with you! There ain’t no hostel that I can’t make into a home and there’s no such thing as a cafe I can’t scale in!

Here are my top tips for creating a sustainable, profitable business from a laptop with great (uhhh.. ok, sometimes sketchy!) Wi-Fi!

1. Get yourself a great social media scheduler!

Like I alluded to in the intro, sometimes Wi-Fi connection can be less than ideal. If you’ve spent aaages crafting the perfect IGTV… only for it to buffer like crazy when you try to upload it… you’re going to be throwing that iPhone straight into the big blue!

A social media scheduler can save you a lot of heartache when you’re on the move. Got great Wi-Fi for once? Awesome! Sit and plan out your posts for the week, load ‘em up and forget about them! Also, don’t forget that you can schedule posts for the perfect feed-drop time for your ideal clients! Just because you’re on Bali time, doesn’t mean they are 😉 (P.S, my fave has got to be Later.com)

2. Wifi dreams, not nightmares

Speaking of Wi-Fi (#firstworldproblem), I like to check the speeds before I book in, sit down or get cosy. Check reviews for hostels and hotels, get recommendations from digi-nomad Facebook groups and always ask about the Wi-Fi speed before you order an iced latte! Headache avoided!

3. Pack like a minimalist, buy like a boss

You don’t want to be lugging a world’s worth of tech around with you, but you do want to be prepared for every eventuality. Creating a portable office isn’t actually that difficult, when you know how!

My non-negotiables are:

• a BIG external hard drive (back everything up, and I mean everything!)
• a fold-up laptop stand (tech-neck ain’t cute)
• a selfie ring light (girl gotta get those cheekbones, ok?)
• a great phone with a great camera (hello excuse-to-buy-an-iPhone-11! I mean, you are going to be on it A LOT so why not).
• and of course my trusty MacBook aka the hub of my business

As you can see you don’t need a lot of tech, but you do need reliable tech. The tools that really make up your online business are your softwares and organization 😉.

4. Time blocking = time efficient

As tempting as it is, taking 2 days off in a row to watch turtles and drink margaritas isn’t going to rocket-launch your biz! But, if you’re sensible with your time, you can get everything done and have time for some sun-soaking.

I use GCal and ClickUp to plan out my days and Toggl or my own Time Tracker download to track my time. A few concentrated hours of needle-moving tasks means I can jump into the sea with no regrets! Be intentional – create a routine and implement boundaries around it.

5. A-Z of software! Asana, Acuity, Zoom, etc…

Before you get going, get software savvy. There are tons of tools that you can use to run your biz like a well-oiled machine. My personal favorites are ClickUp for project management, Acuity for scheduling calls, Slack for communicating with my team and my clients, and Zoom for hosting/recording calls, as well as many others.

Remember, a poor workman blames his tools! So make sure your toolkit is in tip-top shape.

6. Google Cal is your pal!

I literally live and breathe by my G-Cal. It adjusts to time zones and syncs up with just about every platform I use. When you’re coaching, running a team and planning launches, you’ve got to make sure you’re super savvy with your time. Without my little calendar keeping me on track, I’d have missed more flights than I care to count!

7. Co-wurk wurk wurk wurk wurk

Always scope out the local co-working places before settling. Whilst working in cafes is a nice break, the plug situation is not always ideal. You know how ex-CIA agents always sit in the corner of the room? Yeah well, that’ll be you – except you won’t have a cool backstory – you’ll just have a 5% warning light.

Of course, traveling about can also get lonely! Some of the best connections I’ve made have been snuggled away in the corner of a co-working space, plotting our global takeovers.

8. Adapters = life support

You need adapters. Period. Oh, and you need adapters plural – leaving one in your room when you head out is nothing short of rage inducing. I’d also throw a multi-plug in there too, just in case you need to charge several things at once.

9. Gym is still a thing

When you’re looking at locations, think about keeping yourself healthy! As a self-confessed fitness junkie, my motto is “remember you are LIVING, not traveling!”

Eat well, don’t drink too much or travel too much. A few weeks of public transport, take-outs and boozy beach nights will really take its toll on your body and your ability to focus.

Instead, see your new culture as an opportunity! Eat the fresh produce, try the local fruit in smoothies, experiment with new workouts! (I’ve tried everything from Muay-Thai to surfing, yoga to beach running!)

10. Facebook groups FTW

There are always Facebook groups for entrepreneurs, wherever you travel to. Join a few local ones, scope out the hotspots and link up with some fellow digi-nomads!

Expat groups can also be very useful. Join a couple before you head off and don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations 🙂 (P.S. If you’re looking for a Facebook group full of other amazing laptop lifestylers, head to my group and join in!)

11. Budgeting your $$$

I’m obsessed with finances and budgeting. I know, weird right? But it’s kinda a good thing to get nerdy about! With different currencies, taxes and various income streams, it’s good to stay on top of it all.

Be smart and set a budget – you don’t want to be one of those nomads who has to call it quits because they ran themselves dry. Quickbooks, Xero, GoogleSheets… however you do it, just make sure that weekend beer money is accounted for.