Episode 125: The Secrets to Thriving as a Virtual Assistant Freelancer with Digital Nomad Hannah

“When you’re first starting, you have all the space in the world to mess up because the bittersweet truth is nobody’s watching yet. You have all this space in the world to mess up and refine and mess up again and refine. And as you grow, things just get better and better.”

Meet digital nomad Hannah from NomadKit

Meet Hannah Dixon, she has been in the nomad community for about 16 years including 11 years working online as a digital nomad. Hannah started as a Virtual Assistant and coached many VAs in her life to follow the same path and live a flexible work-from-anywhere lifestyle.

Despite the dreamy appeal of the digital nomad lifestyle you see on Instagram, she shares the real challenges many digital nomads and traveling virtual assistants face. Hannah has settled momentarily in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and loves it!

In this episode, you will get a real-world perspective on how to navigate the digital workspace as a freelancer, including tips on maintaining flexibility without compromising personal limits. We talk about setting boundaries with clients and about the emotional rollercoaster of constant change in your personal and business life.

Key takeaways from Hannah’s interview about how to become a successful virtual assistant (VA)

5 things you learn in this Digital Nomads Daily episode

➡️ Why you want to embrace stability in your nomad life: Discover how long-term nomads like Hannah find value in setting up a stable base after years of continuous travel.

➡️ Creating career evolutions in your freelancing journey: Learn how Hannah transitioned from a versatile freelancer to a specialized trainer, boosting her career and income.

➡️ The importance of boundary setting for freelancers: Gain insights on establishing firm and flexible boundaries to maintain healthy, professional relationships as a digital nomad.

➡️ Aligning and connecting your personal interests in your business: Hannah shares how aligning your business with your personal interests can lead to more fulfilling and successful entrepreneurial ventures.

➡️ Don’t be afraid of AI. Adapt to market needs instead and uplevel your skills: Understand the importance of adapting to technological advancements like AI to stay relevant and valuable in the freelance market

Connect with our Nienke Nina and our guests

Your host Nienke Nina

More digital nomad tips and life advice via instagram @digitalnomadsdaily

Connect with Nienke Nina on LinkedIn @Nienke Nina Keizer

Find Nienke Nina on Instagram @nienkeninatravels

Meet digital nomad Hannah

Find her on LinkedIn here

Instagram: @digitalnomadkit

Website: www.digitalnomadkit.com

Other episodes you might like:

🎧  Episode 35: Building A Successful Creative Freelance Career With Suzanne

🎧  Episode 91: Tips For Finding Clients For Your Online Freelance Business with Digital Nomad Nienke Nina

🎧  Episode 103: Multi-Passionate Content Freelancer with Digital Nomad Han

121: Design and Build Your Digital Nomad Life In 2024 Intentionally with Nienke Nina

“Your nomad lifestyle is never always gonna be the same. How it looks right now could be different six months from now.”

Key Takeaways from Nienke Nina’s Episode About Being Intentional About Your Future

Lessons Learned and New Beginnings

In this episode, Nienke Nina shares her personal reflections on the past year and the valuable lessons she learned as a digital nomad. She emphasizes the importance of being mindful and purposeful in designing one’s nomad lifestyle. Nienke Nina discusses the significance of saying no, setting boundaries, and embracing change to create a fulfilling and balanced life.

Designing a Mindful Digital Nomad Lifestyle for 2024

Nienke Nina highlights the essence of being intentional in shaping a digital nomad lifestyle for the new year. She encourages listeners to create space and time in their calendars for self-care, physical activities, and meaningful connections. Nienke Nina emphasizes the significance of purposefully planning travels and identifying the desired outcomes and experiences in each location to maximize the nomad journey.

Saying No, Setting Boundaries, and Embracing Change in the New Year

Nienke Nina shares her personal experience of learning to say no and establish boundaries in both personal and professional aspects of her life. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing well-being and aligning decisions with personal goals and aspirations. Nienke Nina encourages listeners to embrace change and approach it with openness and curiosity, recognizing that the nomad lifestyle is ever-evolving.

Finding Purpose and Nurturing Well-being as a Digital Nomad in 2024

In this episode, Nienke Nina explores the notion of finding purpose and nurturing well-being while living a digital nomad lifestyle. She emphasizes the significance of creating a balance between work and personal life, fostering self-care practices, and being mindful of one’s energy levels. Nienke Nina highlights the importance of aligning actions and choices with personal values and goals to cultivate a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

Entrepreneurship and Mindful Marketing

Nienke Nina discusses the intersection of entrepreneurship and mindful marketing in the digital nomad context. She shares her passion for marketing and emphasizes the need for tailoring marketing strategies to individual businesses and offerings. Nienke Nina encourages listeners to adopt a conscious approach to marketing and leverage their entrepreneurial spirit to create meaningful and impactful ventures while embracing the nomad lifestyle.

Connect with our Nienke Nina and our guests

Your host Nienke Nina

More digital nomad tips and life advice via instagram @digitalnomadsdaily

Connect with Nienke Nina on LinkedIn @Nienke Nina Keizer

Find Nienke Nina on Instagram @nienkeninatravels

Other episodes you might like:

🎧  Episode #01: How to Thrive in your Digital Nomad Relationship with Anat & Orr

🎧  Episode #05: Dealing with High Anxiety While Building a Successful Online Business with The Remote Yogi

🎧  Episode #07: Overcoming Fears and Building Community with Digital Nomad Magali

🎧 Episode #21: 10 Years Of Traveling The World With Daisy

15 Tips to Boost Your Freelance Career from Real Digital Nomads

“The key is to take that first step and keep going.”

Listen to Real Digital Nomads Drop Freelancing and Online Entrepreneurship Secrets

Are you ready to take your freelance career to the next level? Well, we’ve got just the thing for you! Introducing In this article, we’re listing our favorite episodes and the golden nuggets you’ll learn from each guest!

We’ve gathered the wisdom and insights of experienced digital nomads who are freelancing pros and have cracked the code to online business success! These people have been there, done that, and now they’re ready to share their secrets to success with you. From embracing the beginner mindset to building connections and everything in between, these 15 tips will give you the tools and inspiration you need to thrive in the freelance world.

Remember, the freelance life is all about freedom and flexibility, and with these tips in your arsenal, you’ll be well on your way to living the life of a successful digital nomad. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the best in the business!

15 Important Tips Every Freelancer Should Know in 2023

Embrace the Beginner Mindset

Starting as a beginner is completely normal and no one will judge you for not knowing something. Remember that everyone has to start somewhere, and it’s important to embrace this fact rather than feeling insecure about your knowledge or skills. The sooner you come to terms with being a beginner, the sooner you can let go of any shame and focus on improving. 

Take Action and Face Challenges Head-On

To overcome challenges and face your fears, you must take action and confront them directly. Many obstacles may seem daunting at first, but once you start tackling them, you’ll realize that they are often not as difficult as they appear. The key is to take that first step and keep going. Remember that progress comes from taking action, so don’t be afraid to dive in and tackle your challenges head-on. 

Surround Yourself with Inspiring People

Being part of a supportive community and surrounding yourself with people who inspire and motivate you is crucial to your success as a freelancer. When you have a network of like-minded individuals, you can gain valuable insights, support, and encouragement. Being a one-person team can only take you so far. Find people you trust and can grow with, and through them, you can enhance your freelance career. 

Delegate and Outsource Tasks

As a freelancer, it’s important to focus on your strengths and delegate tasks that you don’t need to become an expert in. By outsourcing certain responsibilities, you can avoid spreading yourself too thin and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Remember, time is money, and by delegating tasks, you can free up more time to focus on growing your business. 

Stay Curious and Follow Your Competencies

Instead of solely following your passion, stay curious and explore different areas that align with your competencies. Passions can be learned and can change over time. By staying open to new interests and continuously learning, you can build new passions and create something you love. This approach allows for growth and improvement in your freelance career. 

Understand Your Target Market’s Financial Capacity

When freelancing, it’s essential to consider whether your target audience has the financial means to afford your products or services. Focusing on customers who can afford what you offer will help you build a solid foundation before expanding to a broader market. By understanding your target market’s financial capacity, you can tailor your offerings and pricing accordingly. 

Cultivate New Passions Through Effort and Curiosity

Careers can be created by cultivating new passions through continuous learning, effort, and curiosity. Rather than solely relying on pre-existing passions, keep yourself open to new interests and explore areas that spark your curiosity. This mindset allows for personal and professional growth as a freelancer. 

Start with Self-Reflection

To embark on a freelance career, start with self-reflection exercises. Figure out what else you want to do besides your current job and identify your passions and interests. Taking the time to reflect on your desires and how they can be incorporated into your daily life is a crucial first step towards building a successful freelance career.

Experiment with a Side Hustle

Starting a side hustle alongside your main job can provide an opportunity to make money doing something you love. By experimenting and finding a side hustle that aligns with your passions, you can gradually transition into a full-time freelance career. Remember to start small and focus on learning new skills along the way. 

Focus on Growth and Scaling

Once you’ve found a side hustle that works for you, focus on growing it and scaling your freelance business. Dedicate time and effort to expand your client base and increase your income. This phase requires consistency, perseverance, and continuous improvement. 

Find a Supportive Community

Building a freelance career can be challenging, but being part of a supportive community can provide the encouragement and guidance needed to succeed. Connect with like-minded individuals in your industry or niche, whether through online platforms or in-person events. Surrounding yourself with supportive peers can help you navigate the ups and downs of freelancing. 

Embrace Imperfection and Learn from Mistakes

In your freelance journey, it’s important to accept that mistakes will happen along the way. Embrace imperfection and view mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning. By acknowledging your past mistakes and making a conscious effort not to repeat them, you can continually improve and refine your freelance career. 

Choose a Specific Niche

When starting your freelance career, consider choosing a specific niche rather than targeting a broad audience. Focusing on a niche allows you to position yourself as an expert and find clients more quickly. For example, instead of targeting all creative small business owners, you could narrow down your niche to authors in a specific country or state. 

Consistency is Key

Consistency is crucial in building a successful freelance career. Whether it’s consistently publishing content, delivering high-quality services, or maintaining regular communication with clients, strive to show up consistently in your freelance business. This builds trust, strengthens your reputation, and leads to long-term success. 

Focus on Building Connections

When writing copy for your freelance business, prioritize building connections with your audience. Capture your brand voice and use words that resonate with your target market. By creating a connection through your copy, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and establish a strong brand presence. 

Connect with our Nienke Nina and our guests

Your host Nienke Nina

More digital nomad tips and life advice via instagram @digitalnomadsdaily

Connect with Nienke Nina on LinkedIn @Nienke Nina Keizer

Find Nienke Nina on Instagram @nienkeninatravels

Other episodes you might like:

🎧  Episode #01: How to Thrive in your Digital Nomad Relationship with Anat & Orr

🎧  Episode #05: Dealing with High Anxiety While Building a Successful Online Business with The Remote Yogi

🎧  Episode #07: Overcoming Fears and Building Community with Digital Nomad Magali

🎧 Episode #21: 10 Years Of Traveling The World With Daisy