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Tag: freelancer

The Digital Nomad’s Guide to Living & Working from a Ski Resort

Posted on by Josh

The Digital Nomad’s Guide to Living & Working from a Ski Resort

 
As the constant threat of the COVID-19 pandemic has hung over our heads, many peoples’ lives have changed drastically. Work has followed suit, and many employees now have more flexibility in terms of their locations. Nowadays, working from home is the norm in most parts of the world and, while it’s the best way to ensure we stay safe, it has also brought with it the possibility of setting up camp in another place.

To that end, the idea of sandy beaches and sparkling oceans may be appealing to some, but others prefer to move in the opposite direction and choose to live and work from a ski resort. Doing so provides the freedom to be active and also relax in your spare time. Plus, the U.S. is full of absolutely stunning ski resorts — approximately 500 — and while all of them are worth visiting, it’s best to make sure you find the one that’s most suitable for you.
 

 

What to Consider

 
When choosing to move to a new place, it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re prepared for such an endeavor. Specifically, here are a few aspects to review before you decide on a destination.

Safety

 
COVID-19 is still affecting most of the country. As such, begin by looking up the number of cases in your preferred ski destination, as well as any restrictions that may be in place there. For instance, there could be a mandatory quarantine when entering the state or other requirements for newcomers. Meanwhile, avoid crowded places and check the population to choose an area with a low number of inhabitants and tourists.

Cost of Living

 
If you plan to stay at least a few months, be sure to take the cost of living into consideration. For example, rents in Colorado — which is home to several popular resorts — may vary depending on the exact location, so put some effort into proper research. Likewise, if you need to be close to the slopes and decide to rent an apartment in Denver, then big-city life may come at a certain cost. But, if you choose a small mountain village, like Telluride, you might find better options. However, if you’re thinking about a more permanent move, there are also some great Colorado homes for sale.

After you’ve decided on a home, set a budget and make sure you can afford living there for the length of time that you’re planning to stay. Begin by researching basic expenses, such as the average rent, as well as the cost of utilities and food. A rent calculator can help you figure out how much you can afford to spend on rent.

Weather Conditions

 
You already know that cold is a given when staying at a ski resort, but make sure you look up how cold it usually is around there. That said, pack accordingly and be prepared to face the slopes in a safe and responsible manner.

Internet Access

 
When working remotely, internet is likely the most important aspect to consider. Therefore, research the local internet providers and choose the one that offers the highest internet speed.

Amenities

 
Make a list of the amenities you’d like to have access to while living there — anything from shopping options and entertainment to quality childcare and family-friendly activities if you’re travelling with kids.
 

 

How to Find the Best Ski Resort for You

 
Before you embark on this journey, make sure you find the best option for you. Start by doing some research online. By far, one of the most popular ski resorts is Jackson Hole in Wyoming near the Idaho border. This wilderness recreation area has some of the most amazing views and great campsites. Telluride and Crested Butte, both in Colorado, are also great options.

However, what is popular may not necessarily be what is right for you. So, choose a location that is nearby and can be reached by car, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Also, select a lower altitude, preferably less than 5,000 feet if you’re new to this or have small children. That’s because the effect of high altitude can be quite strong and your body might struggle with it. With that in mind, quiet villages are probably your best option as they offer both skiing options and sightseeing opportunities.

What to Bring/Pack

 
Depending on whether your move will be temporary or more permanent (or whether you’re traveling with kids), your luggage will vary considerably. For instance, if you’re only planning to spend a few months there, pack only the essentials and limit yourself to a few bags that can fit in the trunk of your car. This should definitely include warm and waterproof clothes, sunglasses, thermal tops, your insurance details and, of course, your work laptop.

Even when they’re paired with work, vacations are always exciting as there’s always some beauty in discovering a new place. However, in the current health climate, be responsible and protect yourself, as well as those around you, when traveling. Enjoy this opportunity to work remotely from your preferred ski destination!

Written by Nicky Iudean for RENTCafe

Why to Start Traveling as an Entrepreneur

Posted on by Josh

You did it, you took the plunge to go full-time freelance or become an entrepreneur. After countless late nights, questioning whether you were ready and dealing with challenging clients, you took the leap. At first, it was amazing! You had all this free time, could work from home in your PJs, and do your laundry during the day. Over time though, this wears on you and you realize you’re working all the time and not taking advantage of the flexibility you created for yourself.

Sound familiar? For many freelancers and entrepreneurs, this is the case. When getting started you often need to just buckle down in one place and dedicate your time to landing clients. But overtime you settle into a routine and hopefully have recurring clients. Once you feel settled in your business, it’s the perfect time to start planning to work while traveling.

When we say that we don’t mean that you’ll be sitting on the beach typing or living out of a suitcase always in transit. No, the most productive way to work and travel is to spend time in a new place. To get to know that place and develop a routine but most importantly be inspired by the new environment you’re in. Ideally a month or more, so you feel settled, comfortable and productive. That’s why we’re sharing how to start traveling as an entrepreneur and why you should get out of your house.

 

  1. Choose your travel dates

    The first step is choosing a date that you want to start traveling on. Ideally, don’t plan it at the same time as you’re onboarding a new client as you want a day or two to travel and settle in. It’s important you choose a realistic date you can commit to and it’s okay if it feels a bit nerve-racking. We always recommend giving yourself at least a month in a new place to get settled and feel connected to a place. This also helps you feel more comfortable and productive. It also gives you the opportunity to build new connections in that place.

  2. Do the prep work

    Some freelancers like to tell their clients if they’re going out of the country or timezone. This is entirely up to you but make sure you outline what this process will look like for you. Ensure you download all necessary tools, like these tools for freelancers to make sure you are set up for success.

  3. Remember why you started

    When you first started freelancing what was your #1 goal? Was it to be your own boss? Work from anywhere? Travel more? Spend more time with friends or family? Whatever it is, you need to do those things. Life is too short to get stuck in a hamster wheel, especially once you started for different reasons. So if you want to travel, then make it happen and stop making excuses.

  4. Schedule in downtime

    You might want to explore and see everything when you get to a new place but pace yourself. If you try to cram every touristy thing in you’ll likely end up feeling burnt out and unable to work. Take your time exploring and schedule in downtime, for relaxation. While traveling as an entrepreneur it’s easy to get caught up in still working nonstop then filling your free time with exploring your new city. To stay balanced and not burnout, give yourself breaks and make ‘me-time’.

  5. Meeting new people can change your life

    If that isn’t reason enough to get out of the house, we don’t know what is. By traveling, or even just joining a coworking space, you can meet people that impact your life. Whether its a new business partner, connection, sale or friend, connecting with new people is essential. It doesn’t have to feel like stuffy networking.

  6. New environments create new inspiration

    It’s true, new places help you find new inspiration. They help your brain expand, and help you feel more creative and inspired. When visiting a new city or area, you’re often flooded with new and exciting sights and colors. These help you tap into new inspiration and ideas that you otherwise wouldn’t have had sitting at home. So if you’re feeling like you’re lacking inspiration, traveling may be just the fix.

  7. International cities give you a global perspective

    If you’re looking to take your business to the next level, going international might just help. By visiting other cities and seeing how business is done there, you might find new opportunities for your own business. Often gaining that new perspective is essential to helping you come up with new ideas for your business. Plus, you’ll get exposure to businesses and ideas that you wouldn’t have gotten while sitting at home or in your local coffee shop. By traveling as an entrepreneur you’ll gain so much new knowledge.

  8. Travel is FUN!

    Let’s think back to the reason you started your business in the first place. Hopefully, more flexibility and time for fun were part of those reasons. And travel is fun! It is an adventure and can be hectic but it’s an amazing learning experience. You have put so much work, time and effort into your business. You need to enjoy the fruits of your labor, explore and have some fun.

  9. Solo travel helps you gain more independence

    Maybe you are feeling just a bit too comfortable in your life and business. Perhaps a bit stale or unfulfilled? In search of something more? Traveling somewhere new can help you find that. Instead of waiting for someone to finally go traveling with you and making excuses, go solo! Solo travel is amazing, we shared all the benefits of it here. It also requires you to make all your decisions, become more independent and push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s a perfect way to help you grow. This growth can translate into your business too.

 

As you can see, there are so many reasons to take your business on the road. That’s why we shared these tips for how to start traveling as an entrepreneur. If you really want to grow, learn, have fun and take advantage of the flexibility you’ve created then travel. After all, we know you didn’t start your business to sit in your house working for 16 hours a day ;).

Please note: We know not everyone has the flexibility to do this, and it is intended for those whose businesses do not have a physical presence nor have dependents to take care of at home. 

Ready to finally take your work on the road? We can help with everything from where to stay, to where to work, to where to eat. Learn more here.

Managing Travel and a Freelance Career, How She Does Both

Posted on by Josh

At Behere, we’re constantly inspired by the amazing women in our community. We’re thrilled to feature some of their stories and share how they’ve made traveling while working possible. From unconventional roles, to starting businesses abroad, these women have made exploring new places a priority. They share their biggest learnings, favorite memories, and advice for someone thinking about traveling more.

Today’s community feature, Jen Pellerito, spent 6 weeks this summer traveling and living in Europe. Originally from Michigan, she loves to travel and has made it a priority. After spending a month in Lisbon, she’s already planning her next adventure. Read how she manages fulfilling her love of travel, plus full-time freelance career below.

You travel a lot, what do you do for work that allows you to?

“I’m a freelance copywriter, journalist and social media manager, and I also run a travel blog! I went full-time freelance about two years ago after realizing I could earn more than I was making in my 9 to 5 job. Freelancing is wonderfully liberating because I can manage my own workload, set my own hours, and work remotely. While there are drawbacks (having no employer contribution to my benefits), ultimately, the ability to maintain a well-balanced quality of life makes it worthwhile for me.”

How has living abroad affected your work?

“I strongly believe that changing up your normal routine and environment promotes creativity and inspiration. For someone in the creative field like me, I value having new surroundings every once in awhile to keep ideas fresh. When life looks the same day in and day out, it’s too easy for me to get “stuck in a rut.” Oddly enough, even working in a different time zone than some of my clients helps moderate anxiety and the constant pressure to always be ‘on’.”

travel and freelanceHow did Behere help you on your journey?

“Behere allowed me to find community while living abroad, which was a huge help while transitioning to a new city. I was able to start my month out in Lisbon having a friend in my city host, Paulina, who showed me around and answered all the questions I had. It made a big difference to have a network already built in a new city. Right away, I had places to go, people to hang out with, and I felt like I belonged.”

Finally, what’s your #1 piece of advice for someone who’s thinking about traveling long term?

“Do it! 

Bite the bullet and get out there. Long-term travel has now become my favorite — if not the only way — I ever want to travel again. When you’re short on time, there’s so much pressure to “fit it all in.” 

Seriously, FOMO is the worst! Long-term travel gives you the opportunity to catch a breath, sink into a culture and reflect on your own life at home through a different lens. I learned more about myself and the direction I wanted to take in my life by stepping back and gaining distance. Traveling for a longer period of time is one of the greatest gifts I have given myself.”

Connect with Jen on her blog: jenontherun.com, IG @jp_ontherun, Twitter @jp_ontherun or Pinterest jp_ontherun.

Are you feeling the need for adventure now? Learn more about how Behere can help make it a reality. Check out our locations below!

Words by Jen Pellerito and images by Emanuele Siracusa.

These are 20 of the Best Free Tools for Freelancers

Posted on by Josh

With so many tools and resources out there for freelancers, we put together a list of the best free tools for freelancers.

As more and more people become freelancers, there’s always new tools popping up. So we’ve put together this list of the best tried and tested tools – both classic and new – to help you on your freelance journey. Check them out below!

The Best Free Tools for Freelancers

ADMIN & ORGANIZATION


For organization and storage: Google Docs, Sheets, Drive and Cal

Good old Google has fantastic tools to stay on top of your tasks, share documents and photos with clients, and keep track of your budget and expenses. We recommend adding deadlines into your GCalendar as well to never miss one!

For storage and sharing: Dropbox

Share large videos and photo files with clients with a link. Create separate folders for different clients and stay organized. The free plan has up to 2GB or you can upgrade for more.

For automation: IFTTT

IFTTT, or “if this then that”, is one of the best task automation tools around. They integrate different apps and platforms together easily. You just select an app or platform, and a ‘trigger action’ that causes an event in another (or the same) application.

INVOICING AND TIME TRACKING


For it all: AND CO

AND CO literally does it all; send proposals, invoice, get paid and manage your time and tasks. After their acquisition by Fiverr, their app became free and it integrates with apps you already use – it’s a winner.

For creating contracts: Bonsai

With Bonsai you can create a free Freelance Contract with a great template and they have simple e-signing. Contract, sorted!

For Invoicing: Wave

Create professional invoices, for free! You can custom invoices and it is fast and easy to create them. No more spending hours creating invoices!

For time tracking: Toggl

You can keep track of your hours and productivity by logging your time with Toggl. Freelance writers who charge by the hour can share reports with clients to increase transparency on where you spend your time.

SCHEDULING AND CALLS


For scheduling calls: Calendly

No more going back and forth on finding a time for a call. With Calendly, create a free link and set the hours you’re available. Plus, it integrates with your Gmail Calendar so no need to update it every time you add something in your calendar.

For easy time zone crunching: Every Time Zone

It’s a headache to look up and calculate time zones every time you’re trying to schedule a call. Every Time Zone gives you a simple visual to see where your time lands in everyone else’s day.

For video calls: Gruveo

If you have a strong internet connection, Gruveo is a simple tool for video calls. You don’t need to install anything – just name your own conference room, get a unique link, and share that with your clients.

For recording interviews: Rev Voice Recorder

Rev Voice Recorder is a handy app for recording your video calls or in-person interviews. It’s free to record and save audio files, and you can pay for their service to transcribe your calls.

CONTENT CREATION AND SHARING


For SEO and keyword research: Answer the Public

Use Answer the Public to research SEO and keywords. It’s a powerful tool to see simple visualizations of search data. This tool finds questions that people asks on forums, blogs and on social media.

For improving headlines: CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer

Perfecting your headline is half the battle. Headline Analyzer lets you check your headline’s score by length, use of emotional or powerful words, and readability.

For typing faster: TextExpander

Looking for shortcuts? TextExpander helps you abbreviate commonly used phrases, email addresses, and signatures with keyboard shortcuts. Freelance writers who are part of a remote team can share messaging with your teammates so they can also take advantage of your snippets.

For making your content shareable: TweetDis

This app helps you highlight text in your articles so people can Tweet it with one click. People love tweeting what makes them look good to their followers – quotes, insights, stats, and ideas.

For scheduling content: Later

Plan in advance, create captions, add hashtags, schedule and forget about it! Plan and schedule a month’s worth of social posts then use Autopost to schedule them at the best hours and never forget about sharing your content again.

For design (for non-designers): Canva

Use this if you want to add graphics and beautiful designs to your articles or marketing materials. Canva is a simple tool for making amazing designs. Play around with photo filters, icons, and fonts and drag-and-drop your assets into existing templates.

LANDING CLIENTS


For putting yourself out there: Fiverrr

Create a profile for free, share your skills, then get found by thousands of people on the platform. A great way to start out and have early clients find you. Plus you can get reviewed and build up a portfolio.

For growing your portfolio: Behance

Specifically for freelance designers, create your Behance portfolio, find others you like and start building a following. Use Behance to find inspiration, and grow your portfolio.

For following topics and news: Feedly

Follow topics of interest and the latest blog posts with Feedly. Organize your topics in collections and see popular articles in one place and bookmark articles to read later.  

Made the transition to freelance and want to travel while working? Find vetted private apartments, plus places to work, and workout, around the world here.

Why Quitting Her Corporate Job to Travel was Just what She Needed

Posted on by Josh

At Behere, we’re constantly inspired by the amazing women in our community. We’re thrilled to feature some of their stories, and share how they’ve made traveling while working possible. From unconventional roles, to starting businesses abroad, these women have made exploring new place a priority. They share their biggest learnings, favorite memories, and advice for someone thinking about living in a new city for a month.
Today’s Behere community feature, Chloe Handelman, decided quitting her corporate job to travel was just what she needed. Originally from Rochester, NY, Chloe used Behere to book her trip to Bali this fall. There she focused on starting her freelance business and connecting with other inspiring ladies in Bali. Read her story below.

You quit your corporate job so what are you working on now?

Right now, I am working on building up my own freelance Systems Engineering and Process Improvement consulting business. Using my corporate consulting experiences, engineering background, and interpersonal effectiveness, I bring a fresh perspective to businesses. Essentially, I help identify, solve, and implement solutions to critical business problems.

What does your daily routine look like while traveling?

This totally depends on the city I am in!
In October, I lived in Bali right near great surfing beaches. I liked to wake up, without an alarm clock, and then surf or workout. I then would head over to my workspace or a cafe with WiFi. There were always skill sharing or networking events at the workspace in the evening, so I would try to go to as many as possible. I was always open to the opportunity to grab food with friends so I did that most days too!
The point is: I create my daily routine. Every. Single. Day. I decide when I wake up, when I workout, and when it’s time to buckle down and crank some work out.
And the best part?
I don’t need to ask permission to take a walk on the beach to re-energize.

What was the most valuable thing you learned while in Bali?

That sometimes doing “nothing” is the biggest “something” you can do. One week I was in a rut. I was overwhelmed with feeling like I needed to figure everything out but had no idea where to start.
A million ideas swirled around in my mind but it seemed impossible to do anything. I reluctantly decided to do “nothing.” I still showed up every day to the workspace…. I went to networking events and socialized with peers.
And POOF!
I felt a million times better and I was able to find clarity regarding my next steps. By releasing the feeling of needing to figure everything out, things were naturally figured out for me through casual conversation and meditation.

How did Behere help in your journey?

The second I decided to use Behere, the paralyzing pressure to “figure out how to travel the world” was lifted from my shoulders.
It was my one-way ticket out of my old restrictive life. All I needed to do was show up to my new city and everything was taken care of. Behere has some of the best accommodations, incredible workspaces, and amazing fitness facilities. By knowing these were booked, I was able to focus all my attention on my business and creating a lifestyle I love.

quitting her corporate job to travel

We love hearing highlights from our communities adventures, what was one of yours?

My favorite memory is the meals I had with other women I met. We continuously had deep and inspiring conversations, intermingled with outrageous banter and hilarious storytelling. The friendships we developed will truly last a lifetime.

How did living in new places affect your work?

Being abroad allowed me to surround myself with like-minded peers. Back home, I felt like I was always trying to make my friends and family understand my passions and aspirations. Abroad, I am surrounded by people living out my passions and aspirations. They continuously encourage and inspire me to keep driving my life and pursuing my dreams.

Finally, what’s your #1 piece of advice for women who are thinking about living in a new city for a month?

Step outside that zone of comfort.
Dare yourself to explore and find comfort in the unknown.
Within one week of being abroad, I was able to learn more about myself than I had in an entire year back home.
Within one month of being surrounded by similar minded people who work remotely, I was able to develop a plan to launch my own business and make traveling and working abroad my new lifestyle.

Ready to quit your job and explore a new city? Be prepared to do a lot of research, OR head to Behere. On Behere you can book an apartment, plus workspace and fitness studio, on one easy-to-use platform. Get started below!

Connect with Chloe on Instagram @chloehandelman.
Images and words courtesy of Chloe Handelman.

Meet Our Budapest City Host | Bogi

Posted on by Josh

Our team had the pleasure of connecting with Bogi, an inspiring woman from Budapest. A freelancer and entrepreneur, she’s had many really cool roles. From being a reporter in Egypt, to being a sports entertainer in Spain, Bogi has traveled and worked around the world. A people person, she loves adventure and good conversations. We’re also thrilled to have Bogi as our Budapest Behere City Host. Learn more about her below.

Tell us about yourself and what inspires you about traveling?

Hi I’m Bogi, I live in Budapest and am originally from here. Travel inspires me because I’m a people person, so besides the destination, it’s inspiring to have good conversations with new people. I love that so many great things happen when you least expect them. Being in new places puts me in a completely different mindset. I see different perspectives and traveling brings out different sides of me.

Bogi

What do you do for work and how’d you end up there?

I’m currently a freelancer and tour guide. I run B Side Tours in Budapest. I’ve tried various jobs in my life so far, and often wish I could do much more.

I’ve worked at a movie theatre, language school, as a hostess at concerts, as a sports entertainer in Spain, a receptionist in Italy and a reporter in Egypt. I sold a couple’s invention at a boat show in Germany and to get that job I sold insoles for an hour to showcase my sales skills. The latest challenge was giving my voice to 2 videos, and the hop-on-hop-off bus.

What inspired you to start your tour company?

I was initially inspired to become a tour guide by my 8th grade history teacher. But it really was a Brazilian couple on one of my tours a few years ago who gave me the push to create the website (thank you!)

What are your favorite things/place about Budapest?

My favorite places are close to nature, on the islands or by the river Danube on the shore up north. I love how Budapest holds a lot of surprises – e.g. you can’t see it from outside, but a former apartment building hosts a leafy garden or bar. I am still amazed at the creativity of turning unused spaces into something else, (like the famous ruin pubs).

Budapest is a cool and vibrant city but the Buda side will forever be my favorite; the dreamy, hilly, green, suburbs side of town where I grew up.

Fun facts about yourself:

One of my fave fun facts is that I met Nicholas Sparks and he signed my copy of the Notebook which I read when I was 16 (and in love).

I have many more fun facts about Mariah Carey, Angelina Jolie, Busta Rhymes or the Bruce Willis stuntman.  If you enjoy podcasts, have a listen to my episode on Andy Steves’ show, “Budapest, Baths and Boyz II Men“.  You’ll also be able to listen to the entertaining chat I had with the amazing ladies from Chronicles Abroad, too!

And, if you travel on American Airlines in the US July 2018, you’ll catch a video of me talking about Budapest!

You can check out Bogi’s tours at bsidetours.com
or on Instagram: @bsidetours.

To meet Bogi in Budapest and join one of her awesome tours, choose your apartment, workspace and fitness studio on Behere.

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