Are you a freelance writer?
Are you traveling the world while writing?
Would you like to?
The first thing you need to do if you want to travel as a freelance writer is learn not to write for peanuts, and understand the value of your service.
In other words, if don’t make good money writing, you won’t be able to travel much in the first place, right?
I used to be that freelance writer with a 9 to 5 job. But almost overnight I became that freelance writer that’s traveling Europe.
Yes, that’s right. It did happen overnight, but it was actually something I’ve been planning for the last 8 months.
I knew that I wanted and deserved something better for myself, and I knew that NOW was the time to take this opportunity.
Not someday, and not next year.
Now!
I didn’t want to fall in that trap of “I’ll do someday,” because I know that someday never comes.
So, what about you?
Are you planning on taking advantage of your online business, someday?
Something to think about, isn’t it?
Because I’m also a life coach who applies her own medicine, I listened to my intuition and watched all the little signs that were telling me, yes, go ahead.
From the time I renewed my French/European and American passports to the time I arrived here in Glasgow, Scotland just a few days ago, every door has opened for me with no effort whatsoever.
As a matter of fact, as a life coach I would tell you that when you let yourself be in alignment with the universe, things are not supposed to be hard on you.
What could be tough though, is to discipline yourself well enough so you can keep your writing orders going while having the time of your life.
So, in this post I wanted to give you some tips for you to keep working your online business, your writing order, if you are a freelance writer, or any other online work you might be doing that would allow you to do it from anywhere in the world.
Figure out the Time of Day you’re Most Productive
Well, I’ve written about that before, but what is your best time of day to write?
If you’re a morning person, then save that time for your work first and go play once you’re done, but not before.
If I needed any more proofs that moving to Europe for while was a good move for me, the fact that I’ve been sleeping like a baby at night, better than I have in probably over a year in the US, and waking up refreshed and ready to write, this alone is a superb proof of its own.
Traveling to other horizons have a powerful effects on the mind and body.
While I haven’t done much work for the last two weeks I was in the US, I’ve completed two writing orders since I’ve arrived here in Scotland.
What allowed me to do my work was forcing myself to write before I left the house, first thing in the morning, because I’m a morning person.
However, now that I don’t have a job that sucks the life out of me anymore, I find that I have tons of energy, and I’m even able to write late in the evening as I hardly feel tired at all anymore.
So, two things to remember:
- Know what time of day you’re most productive.
- Be disciplined enough to stick to a schedule.
Use your Travels to Inspire your Writing
Do you know what traveling does to us writers?
It inspires us.
I have to admit that these past couple of months I felt less and less inspired to write.
Few reasons for that was that I had been in a routine for too long, and was tired a lot most of the time. I had been working so hard for so long that my body seemed to have more than enough.
I started feel that very strongly right after my furry baby, Sophie, passed away, and it never left me since.
Now, not only I’m already starting to feel the inspiration kicking, but I have so much energy to even spare, that I’m writing this words at 10:00 PM, in fact, which is not my usual time for writing at all.
I tell you that nothing will give you a renewed energy like a change of pace and scenery.
So remember these two important things:
- Travels will energize you.
- Travels will inspire your writing.
Use your Travels to Promote Yourself
As a freelance writer, you want to keep writing, and to keep writing you need to keep getting orders from clients or writing jobs.
The advantage of traveling is that you can use your adventures to promote yourself.
I’ve only been in Scotland for a few days, and I’ve already used my traveling adventures to promote myself. As a matter of fact, I can only imagine all the things that I’ll be able to do to promote myself with my travels over Europe.
I know that if I were someone looking for a freelance writer, I’d would love to check a writer who travels, because I know that the very fact of traveling has got to inspire them.
So use your traveling privileges to promote yourself and keep on writing for pay.
And so remember:
- Traveling has a lot of advantages.
- One of them is that you can use your travels to promote yourself.
Use your Time Zone as an Asset
If like me you write for American clients, and are traveling to some other parts of the world, chances are that your time zone is a few hours ahead of the US, since Canada and the United States are the last countries on the globe where the sun rises.
This is really good news for anyone working in other parts of the world for American clients.
Here in Scotland I’m 5 hours ahead of the States and I have to say that it’s really serving me well.
Not only it’s serving me well for my own blog posts, but it gives me 5 hours advance for any job I need to complete as well.
I am definitely planning on using my new time zone as an asset for my writings due date.
So remember as you travel:
- The rest of the world is ahead from the US on the clock.
- Having few hours ahead of time is a great advantage when writing for American clients, as it gives you more time to complete your work.
Always Make sure you have those Two Things where you Travel
Two things you have to make sure you’ll have where you travel are:
- Good Wi-Fi reception
- Freedom to use the internet at will
Don’t take those things for granted. There are some countries in this world where you might not have one or the other as available as you might think.
For example, in Europe, Italy may have a lousy Wi-Fi at time I was told by someone I connected with who lives in Rome.
Another example is countries like China, where you have a limited freedom of expression and of the internet, which might prevent you to work your business online if you were there.
So while you take your writing or online business on the road, always make sure of those things well in advance, so you won’t have any bad surprise.
I hope you enjoyed this post and that you’ll keep following my exciting upcoming blog posts.
If you are a reader, please, leave a comment, as they are always appreciated.
If you are a potential client, please, contact me by clicking the link below.
Hi Sylvianne,
I am so glad you followed your intuition that has lead you to leave your annoying time consuming job and travel the world. As a freelance writer, it is so easy to do! You can be anywhere that has good wi-fi and get the job done.
I can see the whole new you from following your adventures on Facebook and now here on your blog. I love the pictures because you look like your “lifted.” I know you are going to get more work done now than ever before.
And being hours ahead of Americans, you sure can get your stuff done way before we can lol.
The best way you can promote yourself is by the life you are leading and this is a fine example of living that “laptop lifestyle” many people want to achieve.
Although I’m not a writer, nor world traveler, I can say I too am living in my own paradise by the sea.
We can do anything an we? All we need to do is think out of the box and live the life we want and you are doing it kiddo!
Bravo!
-Donna
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Hi Donna,
I certainly feel that this life changing thing will help me to get more clients, because I feel that many people are going to want to know how they can do that too.
Not too long ago, I was probably the one of our hangout group with the most pathetic life, I mean by that that I was the one with the stupid job still, but since I’ve quite just over 2 weeks ago my life has really started 🙂
The days are going so fast, I can’t believe it, but that’s what happens when you don’t look at your watch anymore. I really love it.
Yes, it’s an advantage for me to be 5 hours and soon 6 hours ahead of the US. Huge time saving 🙂
Thank you so much for coming and for sharing.
Hey Sylvianne.
great to hear you are visiting Scotland (what a great place – it’s the only place I have ever been where you can literally have nobody around you in miles and miles and miles – the further north you go of course!).
You are right, travel does inspire us. I always take my trusty MBA everywhere I travel, including the US, because I often get inspiration from the most unlikely of sources.
I, like you, am also a morning person through and through. It gets light here in the UK at about 4am at this time of year, so i am usually up around 5-6am. There’s something about morning time that has an effect on me, it’s just so peaceful and such an inspiring time for me. I can sit with the patio doors open into my back garden, hot coffee on the table and just work freely.
Oppose that to night time. i just don’t do any work in the evening. I like to unwind and relax in the evening, so I am sure that morning is the most productive time for me.
Have a great time travelling Sylvianne!
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Hello neighbor 🙂
After so many years in the US I had almost forgotten how much day light we get in spring and summer in Europe. I have to say that I love it.
Since I’m been in Scotland I’ve been sleeping like a baby and can’t wake up before 7-7:30 which is late for me.
I’m like you, I don’t like to work in the evening and like to unwind then.
Thank you so much for coming by Richard, appreciate you 🙂
Ciao, Sylviane,
I’m not a freelance writer or traveling the world at the moment, but I love your first point about understanding the value of your service! So many folks settle for peanuts, when they don’t have to. You’re spot on!
You are so very wise to have the mindset of not wanting to fall into the trap of “I’ll do it someday” – that is so smart.
I’ve never been a ‘morning person’ naturally but strangely, love the early morning hours WHEN I’ve had enough rest that is. Now that my son works early hours, I’m matching his schedule and love it! I’m the most productive in the morning when I’m fresh, so similar to you, I knock out my big tasks before going out or taking care of non-essential things.
Wow, you’ve got tons of inspiration I’m sure. 🙂 I know when we go to Italy in September, I’ll be going around much more this time, and will take lots of pictures.
Wonderful pictures, Sylviane, thanks for sharing everything – really enjoyed your post.
Carol Amato
P.S. It’s cold enough to wear a winter coat? Wow!
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Hi Carol,
Yes, so many freelance writers, especially, under sell themselves and that drives me crazy 🙂 that’s why they struggle, though. It’s their choice. Those who charge big money flourish, don’t struggle.
Yes, that coat is not a winter coach, it’s spring rain coat, but still it’s bad enough 🙂 Scotland is not a hot country for sure, it’s way north, but at least it’s beautiful and going towards summer, thank goodness. I don’t know how people who live here year round deal with this though. You’ve got to be born here to be able to stand this 🙂
Next month I’m going south and then way south, so I’ll enjoy the warms for sure.
I can’t wait to see your pictures.
Hey Sylvianne
I love blogging or freelance writing, I think both these profession only give you fully independence about working, because we can done our regular task from any where. I didn’t have any experience about word traveling but in future I want to travel. hope these tips will prove helpful that time.. thanks this is good article.
Regards
Mohd Arif
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Drawing from your travel experiences can really take your writing to a whole new level! I find exactly that with my travel blog; each new experience allows me to reflect deeper as a writer to write more compelling and interesting articles for my readers.
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Hello there,
I usually don’t accept comments form “invisible man” but I made an exception here as my blog relates to travel. However, I would advise you to show your “human name” and not your company name which tends to be a good ticket to have you kicked out of blog comments.
I don’t know if you are aware of this, but we don’t do business online the same way we used to do it even 5 years ago. this is not 2009-2010 anymore, it’s 2015 and people like to deal (do business) with authentic people.
I just hopped to your blog and the first thing I see totally missing is the “human part.” Who are you, what do you do, and what tells me that you know what you’re talking about? See what I mean?
Just my professional two cents.
~Sylviane
Hi Sylviane,
Congratulations on your new travel adventures. You look and sound so happy! You are definitely an example of what great things we can get when we have the right mindset.
If I were a travel blogger (which sounds super exciting) I would definitely keep these things in mind…especially about the time difference.
Enjoy your time in Scotland. I can’t wait to see where you go next :).
Cori
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Hi Corina,
Thank you for dropping by.
Yes, I’m very happy and liberated right now. I have not been doing what I wanted since 2007, so I’m well over due.
Have a wonderful day!
Amazing post on how to keep your writing jobs going while you travel the world. It’s really a great help. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Sylviane
You are really having fun. What a nice photo and your post expresses your Hapiness and energy.
I have never experienced being a blogger as a traveler but I do know that it is exciting and your views are thought provoking.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Ikechi,
Thanks for your kind word and I hope you can enjoy travel on of these days.
Thank you for coming, Ikechi 🙂
Hey Sylviane,
Great post.
I commend those of you that are freelance writers because I gave it a try and I just couldn’t do it. It was too difficult for me NOT to talk in my own voice and my own style. So kudos to you.
The time zone factor would be a great asset being 5 hours ahead constantly. It certainly would give you the jump on many of the jobs and deadlines for those jobs.
Congrats on your exciting travels. I’m sure you’ll be having an awesome time.
– Andrew
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Hi Andrew,
Well, for the most part I am allowed to keep my writing style wherever I write. No matter what it’s always going to come out to some degree.
Yes, I’m having the time of my life, and love it.
Thank you for coming, Andrew and I’ll have to get back to a more regular blog commenting. it’s coming back slowly 😉
Hi Sylviane; Just saw your new Facebook timeline cover photo and that drew me here. How fantastic that you’re doing this. Your happiness literally radiates out of the post! 🙂 Good Wifi can sometimes be a challenge in Europe. Hope you are able to find it consistently. Looking forward to reading more of your travel adventures. I have written about my travels as well and enjoy doing that, but have not considered the idea of writing for other people. It’s true, you can do that anywhere and I wish you much success. Bon voyage!
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Hi Debbie,
Actually, I did my homework about WIFI and the only country that can have a lousy WIFI is Italy. The UK and France have top notch WIFI, so I shouldn’t have any problem at all. I had 2 WIFI in Scotland so far.
Yes, I know you’ve written about your travels, that’s a great thing to do. People love that. Maybe you should consider to write for others then 🙂
Thank for your visit, Debbie, and have a wonderful day!
Hi Sylvianne,
Best thing about freelance writer is they can work from anywhere if good internet connection is there. It is very difficult for me to travel as i am bound to 9-6 work but on weekend usually i used to travel to places where i finds joy and satisfaction.
I am agree with you that travel inspires us and encourages us. After reading your experience i also hoping i will get chance to travel Scotland 🙂 and will share my experience with you.
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Hi Rohit, and so nice to meet you on my blog.
Nothing makes me happier than motivating someone, so I’m glad if my post motivated you to travel and hopefully visit Scotland. It’s really beautiful.
Thanks for coming.
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Hey,
Thank you for sharing such an amazing and informative post. Really enjoyed reading it. 🙂
Apu