Abi Prendergast on how to become a digital nomad

Abi Prendergast is a digital nomad copywriter and coincidentally… one of our writers at Wooda! 

For the last eight years, Abi has been traveling around, writing for her favorite entrepreneurs. 

We asked her to share some advice for budding digital nomads… and she delivered.

Read on for her step-by-step guide to becoming a digital nomad. And if you’re interested in finding out more about how you can use copywriting to fund your nomad lifestyle… don’t forget to check out the Nomad Copywriter Starter Kit!

Hey Abi! First of all, can you introduce yourself?

Hey guys! I’m an island-hopping, noodle-loving digital nomad. And I help wanderlusters become digital nomad copywriters so they can get paid to write while they travel! 

How long have you been a digital nomad?

I started freelancing when I was still in high school. I graduated from university in 2018 and I’ve been a digital nomad ever since.

During that time, I’ve worked in 20+ different countries. And I also got to live by the sea in Brighton for two years.

What do you love most about being a digital nomad?

The freedom! Right now, I’m nesting in the UK. But next month, I’m backpacking across Canada. I have a one-way ticket – so I’m not sure when I’ll return!

I love that I don’t need to ask permission to travel. As long as I’ve got my laptop, I have a means of income. No matter where I am in the world.

My goal has always been to see as much of the world as possible. And I love that I’ve found a career that allows me to do just that!

What do you recommend as the first step towards becoming a digital nomad?

If you haven’t already… figure out how you’ll make money online while you travel!

Will you start your own business and provide a service? Or will you get a remote job as part of another company?

There are thousands of remote jobs and freelance opportunities posted online each day. And there are pros and cons to each.

One of the benefits of working for another company is that you’ll get consistent work along with direct access to the team.

But if you want to have full control over your timetable, I recommend going freelance. Just figure out what kind of service you’ll offer first!

What do you believe is the best way for digital nomads to earn money while they travel?

The best way for digital nomads to earn money while they travel is by finding work that doesn’t really feel like work.

If you love coding, offer services that allow you to code all day. If you love writing, become a content writer or copywriter. If you love playing guitar… create a course and teach people how to play guitar over Zoom!

When you love the work you do, you won’t dread logging onto your laptop in the morning. And you can take pride in building your skillset and serving your clients.

Where do you recommend for digital nomads who want to stay in one location?

I know this isn’t helpful… but I’ve fallen in love with pretty much every location I’ve been in!

If you’re planning to freelance, I think it’s a great idea to start in Southeast Asia. The cost of living is cheaper out there so you can keep your budget low while you build up your clientele. It’s also just a very friendly, safe place to explore.

And then there’s obviously the fact that Southeast Asia is home to some of the most beautiful places in the world. My personal favorites include the paradise islands in Palawan, Philippines. Then there’s Hanoi for the wonderful people and incredible food. And of course, Bali!

How do you balance your work with exploring new places?

I do my best to get my work done earlier in the week so I can take a long weekend if I want to. 

I also schedule all my work on my calendar so I never have to worry about deadlines creeping up on me. And I set strict “office hours” for my clients so I don’t get bombarded by emails when I’m lounging on the beach on a Friday afternoon. 

But mostly, I balance work and play by choosing work that I love. That way, the work doesn’t really feel like work. And my clients have fun reading my content… because I’ve had fun writing it!

Is there anything you don’t like about being a digital nomad?

Honestly… no. Being a digital nomad means you get to choose where you work. This means I still get to spend time with my friends and family in the UK. It just means I don’t have to squeeze everything into one weekend. I can spend a few days (or few weeks!) visiting the people I love.

Being a freelancer can get stressful from time to time. Occasionally, I find myself with a lighter workload. Fortunately, lots of companies need copywriters. So I can usually find work before panic mode hits!

Any other tips you’d like to share with other digital nomads?

Check out Wooda’s co-living spaces! Seriously, they have a great collection at super affordable prices. 

For those of you that haven’t heard of co-living, it’s basically like student halls but for digital nomads. Only everyone you live with is a fully-functioning adult. And instead of living on beans and rice, you can actually make communal meals a regular thing. 

It’s a great way to connect with like-minded people when you’re living abroad. And it also means you don’t have to worry about finding a good place to work. Because all that’s included in your co-living space.

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