Wouldn't you like to become location independent and work from anywhere in the world right from your laptop?
Most people probably would.
If I were a smart man I would sell you this information, but I'm stupid and I'm going to give it to you for free.
What is location independence, anyway?
Location independence is a cool buzzword that means you make money from the internet and you do some travelling.
So what's the secret to becoming location independent? It must be really hard to make all that money to afford traveling all the time, huh?
Before I tell you the secret, let me go over a few things with you….
Location independence doesn't really mean you can work from anywhere in the world, any time. What location independence really means is that you can work from a 3rd world country or countries.
The vast majority of location independent bloggers do not make very much money by western standards. They are not flying back and forth from New York City to London to Paris to Sydney.
Location independent entrepreneurs spend most of their time in Southeast Asia or South America.
Why do they spend their time in Southeast Asia and South America?
Because it's very, very cheap to live and spend time in those countries, those countries are fun, and location independent entrepreneurs can't afford to live in high priced countries.
How much does it cost to live in Southeast Asia or South America?
A whole lot less than you probably make every two weeks.
You can live in and travel around Southeast Asia and South America for between $500-$1,000 USD per month. And you can live very well on that money, way better than the locals.
Which is great because most location independent entrepreneurs make between $500-$1,000 USD per month.
That's the secret.
You don't have to make very much money to live very well in those countries.
How do location independent entrepreneurs make their money?
That's easy. They have blogs and ebooks, just like this article, that they sell to you so you can learn how to become location independent just like them. For only $39.95 per month you can learn how to become location independent just like them!
Being “Location Independent” is their job. That's how they make their money.
Do you want to become location independent?
Great! All you have to do is make the decision, and then sell yourself, your articles, your e-books, your forum, your whatever to other people who also want to become location independent.
How can I do that?
First, you start by learning the ins and outs of blogging. Check out the No Bullshit Guide to Making Money Online and use the resources to start your first blog(s).
If you are new to internet work then you will need some time to learn before you jump on a plane to the Philippines.
But it can be done, and it can be done quite quickly if you put in the time and effort.
Making $500-$1,000 per month is chump change and any person reading this article can do it. The question is do you want to?
There are much better ways to make money than by becoming a location independent entrepreneur.
But there are no other ways, that I know of, to go and travel the world and have it paid for.
How can you get started?
Think of it like this: People want information. What information can you provide?
Everyone is an expert in something. Everyone has a particular hobby they are knowledegable about.
If not, then you can learn about something and write about your findings.
Turn it into a nice package and sell it.
I have a small niche website with an Amazon store attached. It brings in a little bit of income for no additional work. Another 30~ such stores and I could live the location independent lifestyle.
But what kind of life is that for a man? I’m living in paradise right now, but after 6 months, the novelty wears off. Surf, sand and an overabundance of free time, that’s the dream right?
WRONG. Men, real men, need a challenge to live well. The worst thing that can happen to a man is accepting second best in life. I’m not talking about second best compared to someone else, I mean second best compared to what you could accomplish.
Not working out to failure in the gym? Going for the not so desirable girl because of self doubts? Going for affiliate marketing and living of a tropical island to make your money go further instead of building a real million dollar online business and actually traveling the world?
I’m not wasting my time marketing ebooks and training programs online hoping for some dregs or getting lucky and becoming one of the select few who actually do make millions. (The marketers who teach marketers to teach marketers! If you teach marketers how to teach marketers how to teach marketers how to teach marketers, would you become a billionaire?) Instead I’m building a real software company, which provides a real service to customers, something quite dull but highly profitable. I’m willing to take 100% responsibility for it, to put my balls and name on the line if things go wrong, to handle customers in person and provide support myself. I’m willing to suffer and focus for as long as it takes even in this harsh business environment.
One day, I’ll have an office and people working for me to run the show and I’ll spend 6 months a year traveling and having a great time knowing I’ve completely earned it. I also won’t have to worry about the future, what are these Internet Marketers going to do when they hit 35 and come back to the West with no skills other than Internet Marketing? Look at the direction google is heading, in the not too distant future the IM skillset will be worthless. That’s pretty bad right, 35 years old, no skills, no money, do you want fries with that?
By all means try to build a Location Independent business, but build a real business, one which will stand the test of time. Internet businesses are great and will probably last. I know of a guy who built an online store in the electronics niche, he has several people working for him, he’s the owner, he could sail around the world and the business will keep ticking over. I met a guy in a hostel last year who was a technical translator, he would sit in the hostel half the day translating documents and spend the other half doing whatever he wanted. I don’t know how much he made, but that’s a pretty sweet gig and if he decided to stop vagabonding he could setup shop anywhere in the world.
My niche is software services for small businesses, my marketing plan is as follows:
+ Identify a small business nearby
+ Go and introduce myself in person.
+ Ask them to buy.
It actually works! Business owners love the personal touch and seeing a young kid make a go of it.
I know I’m ranting but here’s the thing. You don’t grow much by sitting around on a laptop for 12 hours day, even if you’re in Thailand. What kind of man will you become by having to deal with the shit that comes from building a million dollar company?
I just don’t believe the purpose of life is to get through it as comfortably as possible.
But I could be wrong.
P.S. I have a recurring dream. There’s an island I’m in love with, it’s quite remote but all White (thus friendly and no crime, people don’t even lock their doors!) and property is dirt cheap. I keep in touch with some of the old guys at the cube farm I used to work at. Most of them are getting old for programmers and management is looking to replace them asap even though they are quite competent still. Here’s an offer they couldn’t refuse, come to live on the island and work for Russ’s company doing interesting (dull actually, but for interesting reasons) work, no corporate bullshit, company bbq everyday, get rid of your shitty suburban house and mortgage and buy a nice cheap cottage. You won’t get paid as much but your expenses will be so little you’ll be better off. Make a garden, do some sailing, get some fresh air, a new free life! No more TPS reports. To me that’s what location independence means.
I think in explaining the above I mean “it’s not the stuff you get or the things you do, but the kind of man you become in the process”. I want to be that kind of man more than I want nice cars or the time and money to travel to fun places
This comment was excessive but I’m not going to say sorry.
Russ,
This was an excellent comment. Rather than reiterate everything I will just say that I agree 100% with what you posted.
Well-said. Do something you love and is worth while rather than focus solely on the notion of “location independence”. Respect.
Best part
“but the kind of man you become in the process”
I have been thinking the same thing, and I think it can be done. How to contact you?
Being an affiliate is the best way to get started, you get a feel for the sales end (if you can’t move product then it doesn’t matter what you made) and for the traffic sources you need to use (which takes a few grand of spending to get a feel for).
Selling is a hell of a useful skill – few merchants can match the skills of experienced affiliates. When you have enough experience with what works, with how the consumer thinks and what his mind-set is when shopping for a type of product, you can then integrate it into your own product. Very few merchants/design teams have a razor sharp grasp on this.
It’s hard to manage both ends but if you can hire people to pick up the slack then you can cut out the middle men and run your own business.
Eric,
Excellent comments.
Also: if you don’t treat affiliate marketing like a business, you’re already losing.
Don’t bother with the marketers teaching marketers blah blah blah… that’s only if you want to become an internet hundredaire. Pick up actual books from the actual industry, Ca$hvertising by Drew Whitman, Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins, Oglivy On Advertising by David Oglivy, Tested Advertising by John Caples. Pay attention to ads that run on the traffic sources.
Get familiar with how ads are made and what the biggest hold-up is, are you trying to differate your site in terms of quality, does it need to look legitimate because all of your competitors are scamming jackasses, or is the concept so innovative that you need to focus all of your effort on explaining how it works? Experience and focus teaches you to ask the right questions.
I have been working on the Independent Location thing and it is tough. But I have also come to realize that it isnt for everyone. http://aroundtheworldin80jobs.com/demystifying-location-independence/ There are other options to make money while living abroad and I think it is important to focus on what you love and are good at, even if it isnt location independent (although that is obviously ideal).
Turner
Turner,
I will have to check out your blog, looks interesting.
Getting a CELTA/TESOL and teaching English is another handy way. Particularly in Asia!
Location independence is not for everyone I admit, but it is my ultimate goal. I recently spent a few months traveling the Philippines with stops in Japan and Taiwan along the way and I had a blast. Like all good things it had to come to an end so now I am back in the USA ready to start making money again as I had no source of income while I was traveling abroad.
I recently discovered your blog while searching for blogging tips/guides. I like what I am reading here it is really inspirational and motivating. It helps bring things in to perspective. Keep it up!
Great article! I agree that location independence doesn’t mean that you can work from anywhere in the world. There are a handful of Countries or cities that are really great for this kind of lifestyle.What is your favorite location so far?
Hello again Vic,
Just wondering… The location independence lifestyle works because of exchange rates. Why ARE those countries cheaper to live in? Why do they persist in having lower currency value compared to the West? Is there a possibility that the rates will fluctuate in future making it too expensive to live there?
I’m guessing it’s because they’re underdeveloped and that their currency will rise in value if they get economically better or if the West somehow tanks, but is there more to it than that?
How would you handle a change in exchange rates like that?
“Why ARE those countries cheaper to live in?”
Because they’re poor. Nothing more to it than that.
Thanks, Vic.
Sorry if the question sounded dumb. I just wanted to make sure…
Thanks again.