Some may assume that digital nomads don’t need to use traditional career tools like networking. However, the truth is actually the opposite. Digital nomads need networking precisely because of the support these networks offer, which can be helpful as they work through the challenges that come with digital nomadism. These challenges can range from loneliness, potential financial complications, and difficulties finding collaborators.
With a proper network, digital nomads can save money on expenses like hotels or car rides, and can even acquire additional work, which is especially important for freelancers. While networking for digital nomads isn’t necessarily more difficult, the strategies have to be tailored to suit the nature of the industry. Here are some of our best networking tips below:
1. Improve your soft skills
Starting with the basics, a career as a digital nomad is only possible with a solid base of soft skills. This is because much of the work that digital nomads do is dependent on a strong communication and collaboration culture within virtual teams.
Following the same principle, Kyle Hegarty, author of Accidental Business Nomad, swears by the need for active listening in all kinds of work: managing people, excelling in sales, handling networking events, and negotiating. This will especially come in handy when communicating across cultures, which digital nomads often have to do.
2. Take advantage of coworking spaces
When you’ve solidified the base of your soft skills, you can enhance them with practice. Digital nomads can maximize the advantages of public coworking spaces. Coworking spaces have grown in number in recent years, and are becoming a far more common sight in cities all over the world.
The growing demand stems from coworking spaces’ featured amenities, such as printing, coffee, and fast internet. These amenities are paired with networking opportunities and an office-like environment. Digital nomads can find like-minded people and create channels to exchange ideas and boost individual creativity — a friendly conversation over the water cooler or printer can be all one needs to start.
3. Consider accommodations with working spaces
If drifting away from your accommodation to find a coworking space, or even a cafe or restaurant for networking, doesn’t sound appealing, then why not combine the two? Many international destinations are now attempting to appeal to digital nomads by ensuring that their accommodations have spaces for public use.
Check out these hostels around the world with in-house coworking halls, such as Mexico’s Co404 or Spain’s Hostel Coni. These spaces often come with fast WiFi and printing facilities, and many offer special deals for digital nomads who want to plan a longer stay, in order to encourage a community among residents. Some, like India’s Draper Startup House, even schedule networking events and give guests access to mentors.
4. Present yourself as an asset
When conversing with another in a coworking space, cafe, or hostel, it is important to remember how being a digital nomad is valuable to the other digital nomads attempting to network. This means highlighting your skills as you network and presenting yourself as an asset: leverage the understanding of the local market, digital nomadism experiences, and field expertise that only you carry.
For example, a nurse practitioner from the U.S. can discuss the scope of their job and the significance of telehealth with someone from the U.K. who has access to free public health care. In essence, don’t downplay your knowledge, and make sure you share relevant insights of your own. This will invite other people you encounter to share as well, and you’ll be able to access more knowledge and build a stronger network in the process.
5. Maximize social media groups
Of course, maintaining these connections is the trickier part — moreso during the expanding digital age and dangers of a pandemic. This is where social media can help.
Joining online forums and groups on Reddit or Facebook allows digital nomads to arrange new working projects across distances. It’s no surprise that the growing community has manifested in a boom of online groups as well. One of the most popular Facebook ones, Digital Nomads Around the World, has over 150 thousand members and has been running for more than six years.
6. Don't be afraid of cold calling
For the digital nomads looking for a more one-on-one networking tactic, you can try exercising your cold calling skills via networks like LinkedIn. Here, you can reach out to potential network prospects and start conversations with them, exchanging contacts and ideas.
LinkedIn was made for building connections, so don’t worry about the awkwardness of messaging a stranger. Instead, put more care into the content and manner of delivery, as it can be difficult to have your cold calling noticed by high profile personalities amidst other online traffic.
For starters, take a personal approach by noting what they’ve done and what they need, and center your initial message around that.
7. Join other platforms
Beyond social media, there are websites like Nomad List or Meetup that specifically cater to digital nomads. This makes it easier to create social events by listing how many digital nomads are in the area. Nomad List even includes tailored information from the safety of destinations for members of the LGBT community or solo female travelers.
The growing hub is pay-to-play, however, compared to Meetup which is free to sign up for and use. You can find get-togethers, from bike rides through Amsterdam to sangria making in Barcelona, and even host your own event.
8. Ask around
Ultimately, it’s normal to hit a rut on your journey of networking. During those times, it’s important to circle back to the basics. Connecting with people in your current network, from friends to colleagues or ex-colleagues, is a foolproof way to meet new people and expand your network through the butterfly effect.
This can especially help if your known third-party has a big network of their own, or has a name in their respective industry. This goes to show that networking is not only a matter of quantity, but quality as well.With these tips, digital nomads no longer have to be held back by loneliness or lack of opportunities as they explore the world. Networking is a natural part of the journey, and it’s time you made the most of it.
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