This is the forth article in a series on resources for the traveling freelancer. Jump over to Traveling Freelancer #1, #2, or #3, if you haven’t read them already.
While you’re working on the road you’ll need to keep in touch with your contacts while keeping your expenses low and your load light. In this special edition of LinkSwitch we have a number of links to resources that will help you out, as we wrap up this traveling freelancer series.
Keep in touch with clients and other contacts
Skype is probably the most popular communications software out there. It offers free computer-to-computer calls, including conference video calls, and call quality is generally good. For the iPhone user there’s also a Skype app. Prices for computer-to-phone calls are not particularly inexpensive but they’re not too horrible either. SMS prices are decent.
Send and receive free SMS messages around the world (sort of)
I’ve heard many good things about WhatsApp, a paid app for the smartphone. If you use it with a WiFi connection you pay nothing to send and receive unlimited text messages to other WhatsApp owners anywhere in the world.
Store your stuff in the clouds
Sometimes it happens that you start running really low on storage space on your laptop, and you’ll also want to make sure your stuff is safely stored, and ideally in a place you can access from anywhere. You want to have access to your files should there be a problem with your laptop – such as when you forget your charger in a hotel room and have to wait a week to get it back!
Though coworking is mostly popular in the US and Europe, there is an increasing number of coworking sites around the world that can come in handy for freelancers. Working at an internet cafe is sometimes a necessary hassle given the problems with the computers so you’re better off if you can find a coworking space.
Get know-how from working travelers
‘Working abroad’ has taken on a whole new meaning. NuNomad is a new resource for those who wish to take their ‘at-home’ jobs with them while they travel and live abroad. They share with you what we know about the process of going from work-at-home to work-anywhere-you-damn-well-please. They can even help you if you do not have a ‘work-at-home’ vocation, or haven’t traveled anywhere before.
Working nomads offer basic information, tips and stories from the road. Some of the sections need to be updated, but there’s lots of valuable info here.
Get information on your destination from locals and travelers
Forums can be a great source of information and this is one of my favorites. Both locals and visitors answer questions and give suggestions on destinations around the world. Members can develop their own destination pages with photos and tips on topics, such as underrated eats, overrated sites, and tourist traps.
There are many factors to consider when planning a round-the-world trip. Where does one start? How does one find good ticket prices? This is a great guide to help you get started.
How to buy a RTW ticket with very little money
One of the awesome things about getting a credit card in the United States is that you can accumulate lots of airline miles. I used to pay for everything I could with my credit card, then pay my balance in full at the end of the month so that I could accumulate miles. When I lived in New York I used miles to travel to Brazil three times and to go to the West Coast twice on multiple-stop trips. But what the writer of this post did is on another level.
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