7 Tactics to Get More Opportunities as a Digital Nomad
Struggling to book clients? Missing your dream gigs or stuck in the "pooling" limbo?
The digital nomad life isn't always the tropical breeze and beachside laptop dream we envision. Opportunities don't just come knocking. You've got to put in the work.
Every venture has its slow and busy seasons. But if setbacks, competition, frustration, or instability fears are getting to you — let me help you get back on track.
Why aren’t you standing out from the competition?
With countless remote workers on the market, companies have the luxury of playing hard to get. But look on the bright side! While the sea of competition is vast, it's not unbeatable. It’s not too late to tip the odds in your favor. Let me explain:
Ever heard of the Surface Area of Luck? This concept says that the more you put yourself out there, the luckier you get. It's about boosting exposure, making serendipity your sidekick, and increasing your chances of securing opportunities.
To enhance your luck surface area, you need to balance showing up with real results.
See, passion is cool, but you have to pair it with effectiveness. If you talk too much but don’t have the results to back it up, you end up being unreliable. On the other hand, if you put too much action without building genuine connections, your hard work vanishes in the void.
The key is to balance action with communication.
So how do you get the right mix of doing and telling and expand your Luck surface area?
7 Tactics to Expand Your Luck Surface Area
Let’s dive into the tactics you can use to get the perfect doing and telling ratio.
1. Showcase your work
This is for the doers who gatekeep their work. Stay on top of people’s minds by showcasing what you can do and how well you do it. This can look like:
Using websites and social platforms the right way:
Hang out where your ideal clients hang out. Choose platforms where your target audience is most active.
For visual fields, use Instagram or Behance. For thought leadership, focus on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tailor your content to each platform, ensuring it resonates with your audience and is favored by the platform algorithm.
Being consistent:
Regularly share snippets of your work, insights, or behind-the-scenes processes.
Create a content calendar to maintain a consistent posting schedule.
Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages promptly.
Utilizing niche platforms:
Explore industry-specific platforms like Dribbble for designers or GitHub for developers.
Showcase your work in spaces where professionals in your niche are likely to discover it.
Participate in relevant forums or discussion groups to expand your reach.
2. Broadcast your intentions to your network
How are people supposed to know you’re open to work without telling them? You need to reach people who share the same beliefs and values as you. Don’t just expect them to know what you’re good at. Do this by:
Crafting a clear elevator pitch:
Clearly articulate what you're looking for and the value you bring. Here’s a useful formula: “I help [your target audience] [a goal they want to achieve or pain point they want to get rid of] through [your service]”
Develop different versions of your pitch for various networking scenarios.
Practice your elevator pitch until it feels natural and authentic.
Utilizing LinkedIn effectively:
Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your current aspirations.
Share regular updates about your professional journey and achievements.
Actively engage with posts and articles in your industry to increase visibility.
Doing direct outreach:
Don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Proactively reach out to your connections.
Personalize your messages, explaining why you admire their work or how you can collaborate.
Follow up consistently, showing genuine interest in maintaining the connection.
3. Be generous with your time and talent
Being generous with your time and talent is a great way to meet people and unlock opportunities organically. Let them catch you in the zone and on the field by:
Joining relevant communities:
Research and join online communities aligned with your industry or interests.
Actively participate by sharing insights, asking questions, and contributing value.
Be consistent in your engagement to build a recognizable presence.
Being smart with volunteer work:
Seek volunteer opportunities that align with your skills and career goals.
Offer your expertise in online forums or community groups.
Volunteer as a way to showcase your skills in a practical setting.
Creating valuable content:
Start a blog or contribute articles to platforms relevant to your niche.
Share your knowledge through tutorials, case studies, or industry insights.
Collaborate with others in your field to broaden your network.
4. Constantly upskill and build expertise
Business and client needs will change. That’s because the remote work landscape is always evolving. In between doing the work and marketing yourself, you also have to take the time to invest in learning new skills. Keep up by:
Identifying skill gaps:
Regularly assess the skills in demand within your industry.
Seek feedback from mentors or industry professionals on areas for improvement.
Prioritize learning new technologies or methodologies through courses that can set you apart.
Seeking mentorship:
Connect with mentors who have achieved success in your desired field.
Establish clear goals for your mentorship, focusing on areas where you want to grow.
Actively apply the advice and insights gained from your mentors.
Applying knowledge through projects:
Turn theoretical knowledge into practical skills by working on real-world projects.
Showcase these projects in your portfolio to demonstrate your capabilities.
Share your project experiences on your blog or social media to enhance your credibility.
5. Connect genuinely
Remember, there’s a human on the other side of the screen. Don’t be sleazy about your transactions. Exchange value before exchanging cash. Make sure to add your personality and be human in your interactions by:
Personalizing your outreach:
Tailor connection requests and messages based on the individual's work or interests.
Mention specific aspects of their portfolio or achievements that resonate with you.
Express genuine enthusiasm for connecting, focusing on shared values or goals.
Engaging in meaningful conversations:
Actively participate in discussions on social media or industry forums.
Share your perspectives, ask thoughtful questions, and contribute valuable insights.
Build relationships by fostering meaningful connections, not just transactional exchanges.
Collaborating on projects:
Identify potential collaborators within your network or industry.
Propose collaborative projects that leverage each other's strengths.
Showcase successful collaborations on your portfolio and social media.
6. Explore different job boards and opportunities:
Not everyone is going to find their way to your website or social handles. Sometimes, you’ve got to reel opportunities in from the deep end and meet recruiters where they are. This can look like:
Exploring Shepherd and beyond:
Utilize Shepherd as a valuable resource for remote job opportunities.
Explore niche job boards specific to your industry or skill set.
Set up job alerts on various platforms to stay informed about new opportunities.
Networking within job platforms:
Engage with professionals and employers on job platforms by commenting or asking questions.
Optimize your profile with keywords and skills relevant to your desired opportunities.
Actively participate in discussions within job platform communities.
Utilizing freelance platforms:
Register on freelancing platforms such as Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr.
Tailor your profile to showcase your expertise and highlight successful projects.
Build a reputation by consistently delivering high-quality work to clients.
7. Don’t be afraid to fail forward
Setbacks happen. That’s life. But don’t take them personally. Make sure every setback launches you forward and use it to be better on your next try. Don’t be afraid to fail forward by:
Embracing a growth mindset:
View failures as learning opportunities that contribute to your growth.
Recognize that setbacks are not a reflection of your worth but stepping stones toward improvement.
Cultivate resilience by approaching challenges with curiosity and a willingness to learn.
Collecting feedback actively:
Seek feedback from clients, mentors, or peers after projects or interactions.
Analyze constructive criticism objectively and apply it to enhance your skills.
Use feedback as a tool for refining your approach and increasing future success.
Iterating and pivoting:
When faced with a roadblock, reassess your strategy and make necessary adjustments.
Be open to pivoting your approach based on the lessons learned from setbacks.
Iteration is not a sign of failure but a demonstration of adaptability and resilience.
Ready to give it another go?
By putting these tips into action, you'll not only increase your chances of success but also create a more robust foundation for your digital nomad journey.
After doing operations and customer support for BPO companies, my friend Marhsall and I built Shepherd into the fully-remote, seven-figure company that it is today. The mission? Help North American companies find top Filipino talents, and help Filipinos find life-changing opportunities every single day. That’s 10 years in the making!
The lesson? It's never too late to reshape your digital nomad narrative. The opportunities you seek are out there, waiting for you to grab them. So, don't let setbacks deter you. Instead, embrace the adventure, and put in the work. Remember, your next opportunity might just be a click away.
