This year I made another move, true to the digital nomad that I am, and it was from one country to another. Sometimes I just go to another part of the country depending on how big it is and how much I want to see of it. But this move was a ‘Biggy’. With 15 hours of driving on the road, I did 1 overnight stop.
I don’t see the importance of informing clients of my moves unless there is a need for it. Most often I mention that I will simply be out of the office on a Friday, and scoot cross country to my new destination. It never occurred to me before that how I did it would be of interest to anyone until I was on Skype one day with another VA. We were discussing about my location, when I mentioned I had moved. Her reaction was, “Wow, how did you manage to do that without closing your business? Didn’t your clients get upset?”
Well, the simple answer is no. Most of them were unaware that I was making the move, and this is because of the essential preparation I do beforehand — this is what I am sharing with you now…
1 – Find A Property
I search the Internet for properties in my chosen destination, I make several enquiries to different private, holiday and long terms lets and ensure that I have a house lined up at the other end. It doesn’t really bother me if I haven’t seen it in person, as photo’s are extremely helpful!
2 – Organise Your Basics
I speak to the owner of the property before taking on a lease to ensure that they can meet my basic requirements, these are:
a) A Telephone Line
b) A Functional Internet Connection
c) Electricity
If I am going into a new build property, I always make sure that someone has been in and tested the internet connection on a wireless laptop, as this will enable me to immediately connect and check email at the end of my journey.
3 – Get A Mobile Device (Phone & Internet)
I always make sure I have a mobile Internet device such as my iPhone fully charged so my team can contact me if anything happens while I am on route, and I can check email if the opportunity arises at a WI-FI spot. I also make sure my charger is handy in my handbag.
4 – Travel Over The Weekend
I always prepare to Travel on a Thursday night or Friday morning. Generally, you can get anywhere you need to go over the course of 3 or 4 days, limiting your time out of your virtual office.
All in all, the most important part of it is to have a really good Virtual Assistant minding your business while you are in transit. I need to be made aware ASAP if any issues or problems arise so the client doesn’t have to wait or feel the effects of my move. I can usually solve problems over the phone or by text message sometimes.
I also ensure that I never commit to a deadline or any important work during the week I arrive at my new destination – I need this time to catch up and get settled.
Tell Us, “How Do You Make Preparations To Travel?” In The Comments Below…
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