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The more passport stamps I accumulate, and the longer I spend abroad, the more questions I get from my ‘real-life’ friends as to how I’m able to make money while traveling. Some are just curious but a lot of them want to do it themselves.
So, here is what I’d do, if I were you, and I wanted to get started building a business that allowed me to do cool stuff (ie travel) all while working for myself.
Disclaimer: Is this lifestyle for you?
Although I’ve traveled quite a bit these last 2 years, I’m not on vacation. I most likely put in more hours of ‘work’ a week than you do. I’ve studied my butt off. In some ways I know more about marketing than I care to know. But of course, I do it because I want to. And everything I’m doing directly benefits me and my future businesses.
There have also been a lot of ups and downs. I’ve worried about how to pay rent a few times…then the next week I’ve booked a plane ticket out of the country.
Mixed in with all that hard work and some uncomfortable moments have been adventures like a 2000 mile bike trip and time spent living in 5 different countries.
Do you want to do this?
I’m going to make this stupidly simple. I’m over-simplifying for a reason. Because I believe it’s absolutely necessary that you spend money to get some basic business training. I could write up a whole free post but you wouldn’t value the advice as much as if you paid for it (this is simple human psychology). So if you’re looking for free advice, see ya later, maybe you’ll like some of my other posts.
For those still here, this is what I’d do if I were sitting in your position right now.
These are the exact instructions I’m giving my closest friends. This is pretty much a copy/paste email I’ve developed.
1. Get your mind right: There is no ‘making money on the internet’. You are running a business with virtual offices. End of story.
2. You do not need to be an expert to start a small (or large) business. Check out The Launch Coach, sign up for the mailing list, download the ‘Bigger Game’ worksheet and fill it out.
3. Go to GuruBlueprint.com and watch every single video.
4. Go to MuseLife.com and read every single post. When David launches M6, buy it.
*Immediate Action Step 5.* Go to Chris Gilleabeu’s Empire Building Kit. Buy the product ASAP as he including free bonuses for fast acting customers. A) Chris is absolutely one of the most honest guys around B) I’ve been through the product and I can vouch that it works as advertised, C) There’s no better way to get started, D) I’ve talked to literally dozens of my friends about how I wish this product was around when I started 2 years ago, E) He includes a fair money back guarantee SO that means zero risk.
How’s that for a recommendation? Get the Empire Building Kit here.
6. Don’t want to spend money on learning how to build a business? You don’t really want to be a business owner.
If you want to start a small business and make money while traveling, this is where I think you should start.
I’ve found most who work while traveling don’t really travel that much… They just hang out in certain cities which is more of an “expat” than a traveler. Best bet is to get some passive income before you leave so you can just let the money pile up while you do what you want.
Yeah I agree with you. Good points there. I still consider my lifestyle one filled with travel. It’s just not ‘backpacking’ or rapid-fire travel in the traditional sense. I should have made that distinction clearer.
I definitely live in one place more than I travel. But I consider myself a traveler more than an ex-pat.
It’s definitely advisable to setup some ‘passive income’ before you travel (like I did on my bike trip) and especially if you wont be staying in places for long stretches at a time.
You can also setup your business while traveling to a city with a low cost and high standard of living.