Freelance websites and platforms make it easier than ever to be a digital nomad, saying goodbye to traditional 9-5 work life.
It goes without saying there are some incredible perks to working for yourself; from dictating your own schedule to working from wherever you desire. The flip side of that being you are your own master, including when it comes to finding the education, motivation, tools for automation and other travel tips that are unique to life on the road.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve discovered while being a solopreneur is remaining inspired – especially when things get tough.
If you’re just beginning to research the world of freelancing, or you’re ready to dive in head first, check out some of the amazing resources below to help you on your journey to really living in the Freedom Economy. Whether it’s business insights from the best of the best (and from the less known masters in the biz) or tips on how to score a great workspace or coworking option in your next city, these 25 websites will leave you with more than enough takeaways to start using today.
Words of Wisdom: Successful Entrepreneurs to Follow
1. Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk is a no-nonsense entrepreneur who has taken social media by storm with his straight-to-the-point approach. Explore Vaynerchuk’s engaging video content via his Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to remain focused and learn from his actionable advice.
2. Pat Flynn
Pat Flynn is an entrepreneur, blogger, podcaster and affiliate marketing extraordinaire. He breaks down the process of becoming your own boss – including how he and others have overcome the trials and tribulations of setting out on your own – on his blog Smart Passive Income.
3. Tony Hsieh
Creator of shoe e-commerce empire, Zappos, Tony Hsieh is a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist who has also written about his entrepreneurial endeavors in his #1 New York Times bestselling book, Delivering Happiness.
Hsieh takes a more traditional, anti-social media approach to marketing a business and instead preaches about the importance of personalized, one-on-one customer support interactions via the phone or in person. Anyone who has something to sell has something to learn from Hsieh.
4. Lewis Howes
Lewis Howes is a former professional athlete, arena league football player and handball player for Team USA turned best-selling author, business coach and leading podcast host.
His breakout book, The School of Greatness, gained him global success for teaching others how to overcome obstacles and persevere in their life. Listen to his podcast by the same name or explore his social media sites for inspirational content that brings a heart-centered focus and purpose to your work and personal life.
5. Marie Forleo
Looking for someone to follow who broke free from the corporate world themselves?
Marie Forleo is a business and marketing maven who has built a digital empire based on helping woman entrepreneurs find their way. Tune in to her weekly online TV show, Marie TV via her Facebook page and see her answer business questions and offer helpful insight.
A good place to start: her video on whether or not you should juggle both those million-dollar ideas you’ve been mulling around.
Business on the Go: Digital Nomads to Discover
6. Chris Brogan
Chris Brogan is a veteran of the online marketing world and has the books, blog and business to prove it. He offers a variety of online courses for new entrepreneurs, weekly business advice via his email newsletter and an award-winning blog on his website.
7. Christine Gilbert
Christine Gilbert of Almost Fearless is a blogger and journalist who writes about parents who travel and seek adventures with their children. Almost Fearless is a subscription-based magazine and book club that offers travel guidebooks, travel books and a variety of online marketing courses that prove you don’t have to choose a family or your wanderlust.
8. Chris Guillebeau
If you’re looking for another travel-focused digital nomad to follow, check out Chris Guillebeau, who made it a mission to visit every country in the world by his 30th birthday.
Chris is best known for his blog and bestselling book, both titled The Art of Non-Conformity, which focuses on traveling as an entrepreneur, marketing small businesses, travel hacks and doing what you love instead of what you’re “supposed to do.”
Want the step-by-step guide? Check out his book Side Hustle to start your dream job without leaving your full-time gig just yet.
9. Matt Kepnes
Matt Kepnes, better known as Nomadic Matt, is the king of traveling cheaply. Like, $15 a day cheap.
His website offers advice on anything and everything travel-related, from exploring travel destinations to learning more about trip insurance. If you’ve made it through his exhaustive list of travel tips and country-by-country articles, read the anecdotes from people Matt’s helped and take his course on how to become a budget-savvy digital nomad yourself.
10. Rolf Patts
Rolf Patts is the inspiring author behind Vagabonding, a book that covers the importance of financing your travel time, determining your travel destinations, adjusting to life on the road and much more.
Vagabonding has a cult following in the digital nomad world and is a must-read for anyone with an independent spirit who is looking for a new view on the world.
Learn the Tricks of the Trade: Informational & Inspiring Freelance Websites
11. Legal Nomads
Lest you think the location-independent life is only for freelancers and social media mavens, Jodi Ettenberg, a former lawyer-turned-traveler shares her own unique take on the lifestyle.
Ettenberg took a trip to Siberia 9 years ago and decided to turn her travels around the globe into her new full-time career. Legal Nomads is a food-centric travel blog that shares the lessons she has learned while traveling and exploring different foods.
12. Uncornered Market
Dan and Audrey of travel website Uncornered Market are self-described adventurers, professionals, full-time travelers and storytellers. Their lifestyle adventure blog and social media platforms focus on personal development, technology, public diplomacy, travel and street food.
13. Tropical MBA
Dan Andrews and Ian Schoen of Tropical MBA share their experiences as business owners who created a seven-figure company from the ground up. They host a successful weekly podcast, and their overall goal is to help entrepreneurs build businesses that allow them to be profitable and explore the world at the same time – beach not included.
What’s not to love about that?
14. Unsettle
Unsettle by Sarah Peterson offers life and business coaching for the aspiring entrepreneur.
Whether you’re looking for a free video course on how to start a profitable blog or more intense one-on-one coaching, Unsettle offers advice for the hungry soul who wants more than a traditional 9-5.
15. Zen Habits
Leo Babauta of Zen Habits offers a fresh perspective on how to balance entrepreneurship and ‘making it’ in the business world with minimalism and spirituality.
In his own words, the Zen Habits website is about “finding simplicity and mindfulness in the daily chaos of our lives. It’s about clearing the clutter so we can focus on what’s important, create something amazing, find happiness.”
The Flow State of Mind: Helpful Tools for Entrepreneurs
16. Workfrom
Workfrom is your ultimate source to find coworking spaces and nab a desk when you’re on the go.
Whether you’re looking to work on a freelance project solo, host a conference with your client or just a change of scenery, Workfrom allows you to discover hard-to-find coffee shops, coworking spaces and other nontraditional working spots.
17. iNotary
Per their website, “iNotary is a one-of-a-kind digital notary journal that allows you to make state compliant journal records that limit your exposure to liability.”
If you’re looking for a remote notary compliance company – like when you are trying to sign contracts, apply for a digital mailbox or want to assign a power of attorney during a long overseas trip – this is your tool.
18. Evernote
Evernote allows you to easily (and securely) store various documents, spreadsheets and design elements in one place online and offline.
Working with various clients and team members who might be traveling? Have spotty internet at the coffee shop? No problem. Evernote syncs as soon as you are online again.
19. Planoly
Planoly is the social media maven’s master tool.
It allows you to schedule and manage your future Instagram posts via your computer or your phone. Super easy to use and available as a free plan, it allows you to manage multiple accounts at one time and auto-posts for you while you’re on the go.
20. Telegram
Telegram is a free messaging system that allows digital nomads to connect from remote locations, store media in the cloud and send various types of documents.
Move over WhatsApp, welcome to the new digital age of smarter messaging!
Go, Stay, See: How to Travel Like a Boss
21. Hopper
Looking to seriously save on flight costs?
Hopper is the answer for travel junkies. It “analyzes billions of flights to help you find the best deals and the best times to fly and buy.” Ultimately, this is the tool to use for jet-setting location independent workers who are looking to save time and money when traveling.
22. Hotel Tonight
If you can be super flexible about where you’re staying during your travels (or just don’t know where you’ll be staying tonight), explore Hotel Tonight.
The website and app offers same-day deals on various hotels and even comprehensive vacation packages for the same day, next day and the following week. Best part? Frequent users can rack up rewards and credits toward future stays.
23. Couchsurfing
If your budget for room and board is super limited – as in, nonexistent – consider Couchsurfing and stay somewhere for free. The site allows you to connect with “hosts,” and confirm your stay for zero cost.
Super easy going and looking to meet new people? Then this is a great option. Just be sure be a courteous guest and be open to seeing the city through the eyes of a local – most hosts enjoy taking their guests to all their favorite haunts.
24. Skyscanner
Based in Scotland, Skyscanner is a travel fare website used globally by approximately 60 million travelers per month, and for good reason.
You can look at a calendar view and see a red, yellow or green dot to target the best days, or you can let the app work it’s magic and simply select “cheapest month” to score your one-way flight to Bali at the best time.
The travel fare aggregator also offers a news section, as well as flight industry tips and general travel advice for customers.
25. Teleport
Teleport is a software platform that helps people decide where they should work and live, based on their personal preferences. Get ready to select that perfect spot that has internet, delicious food, a bustling city vibe and a nearby beach (yes, such places DO exist!).
They also “lend a hand” in the preparation and execution of your move as well. For the digital nomad, this is a great place to start.
Begin Working Independently and Remain Inspired with Helpful Freelance Websites & Tools for Digital Nomads
Once you’ve set your sights on becoming a digital nomad and working in the freedom economy, it can be a challenge to remain super focused.
That’s why I like to keep several helpful resources handy – like successful entrepreneurs to follow, inspiring bloggers and authors to tune in to, tools to streamline my workflow and travel hacks from experts.
But more than inspiration, you’ll need the right freelance website with the right software that caters to the unique needs of a self-employed digital nomad. Whether it’s client management, time tracking for your projects or automated invoicing, Spera has you covered.
Now, you can put all the things you’re learning into practice!
