Have you ever wondered how digital nomads create and nurture professional networks while wandering? Let’s find out. A digital nomad works from anywhere using technology to do their profession while traveling to new places. Some digital nomads may stay in one place for a few weeks or months before moving on and working anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection.
With internet connectivity, cell phones, and voice-over IP to call customers, the digital nomad lifestyle is achievable. The expansion of the gig economy has offered opportunities for independent workers who do not wish to be tethered to a certain place. Nomads use remote occupations to pay for their travels.
Whatever type of professional network you develop and manage, your network is only as good as the individuals you connect with. People frequently understand this to mean just individuals in the same industry or who can assist them in getting work.
However, while developing a professional network, including a diverse range of people is critical to keep your choices open. It might be difficult to know where to begin, but here are some contacts you can make to expand your professional network.
Reach Out to Expats
The easiest way to build your network when visiting a new destination is to reach out to the expat community in that particular region. The language is the most difficult barrier to creating a professional network as a digital nomad.
While most people understand conversational English, it is insufficient to establish a network in most other countries. For instance, in certain Asian countries, the English-speaking population is nearly non-existent. That being said, by contacting the expatriate community, you can get a quick fix and expand your network in any particular city.
Expatriates, often known as ex-pats, are people who live in another nation but have not given up their native citizenship. The reason for this could range from having a foreign spouse to a lower cost of living. But, finding expatriates may need some detective work in the area of your choice.
Attend Seminars
The best part about attending seminars is that you’ll be surrounded by other people who want to expand their businesses and rely on others to do so. This is the time to offer your skills to others. While they may not require your talent at this moment, establishing a relationship might place you on their radar for future opportunities. To top it all off, promoters and organizations host these conferences in gorgeous locations across the world so you can get to see something interesting while you network.
Be Relevant
You must be relevant and useful to brands in order to network with them. You must demonstrate that you are a prospective consumer or influencer for their goods or services. You must show that you have a huge, engaged, and devoted audience that trusts your advice and ideas. You must demonstrate your ability to write high-quality, unique, and engaging material that promotes your products or services in a favorable and honest manner.
Join Associations
Professional associations introduce you to people in your profession that you may not otherwise meet. Discovering commonalities should be simple because you share a shared link through your career. These contacts can also assist you in learning more about your field as a whole. You can see how other businesses are dealing with similar challenges or planning their next move.
Go Online
Perhaps you’ve seen Eli Roth’s rather violent horror picture Hostel too many times. You’ve also probably heard horror stories about communal restrooms and dank dorm-style sleeping accommodations. In any case, as a digital nomad, you should not consider staying in a hostel.
That being said, hostels have been popular among millennials, who make up the majority of the digital nomad population, as a method to save money while meeting intriguing people from various walks of life. You can engage with new people on a professional or social level online before you even get to your destination. This is an important money-saving technique for digital nomads with little cash to spare or those who want to increase their customer base.
Don’t Be That Guy!
The last tip on the list is, don’t be that guy. In case you’re wondering, being pushy is an effective way…to be that pain in the butt that everyone tries to avoid. You don’t want to be known as “the guy” who constantly harps on people about how fantastic their product or service is and then attempts to sell them anything.
You also don’t want to be the person who continuously asks for favors from everyone, especially those who you’ve just met, because it makes you appear like a slacker rather than someone with genuine worth.
Ending Note
So, there you have it. These are just some ways you can grow your network while working as a digital nomad and visiting new and interesting places around the world. But remember, the most crucial thing to do as a digital nomad to create true relationships is to know what type of friends you want.
You can examine your existing relationships and keep track of the individuals that matter the most in your life. Make a note of it; what is the current state of the relationships, and do you need to make any changes?
Consider whether you miss any sort of individuals in your life. For example, you may like to meet ambitious entrepreneurs who live a similar lifestyle, or you may be attracted to those with a laid-back lifestyle.
