As part of the inspiring force to help you ‘take the leap of faith’, we will be conducting mini interviews featuring global entrepreneurs who have been working remotely. Because we are all busy traveling, working, and having loads of fun, it is a short list of questions that will hopefully give you a quick glimpse of others “Living the Life”.
This month’s mini-view comes from Mark Eckenrode, marketing expert, writer, and author of the blog site Eaten By Tigers. Mark has a knack for telling it like it is, and sharing his thoughts from around the world. He is a great example of someone living an unconventional life with a business that will travel. Mark is making money while he travels… read on to find out how you can too….
How long have you been working remotely?
I’ve been working abroad for a little over a month now which is something I kick myself for. See, I’ve had the capacity to work abroad for several years now but for some knuckle-headed reason have only acted on the opportunity recently.
Please break down where your percentage of income is coming from…
I used to do a lot more one on one consulting, but when I knew I was going abroad, I shifted more towards special products and focusing on the membership site.
10% one on one clients via Skype
50% special projects – writing copy and helping clients with one time projects
40% membership site – offering more information for Do It Yourself types that want to learn more
*Mark shared with me that he runs his membership site through WordPress with a plug in through WishList. His members gain access to additional informative pages. They pay through Paypal which interacts directly with Wishlist. I found this site that has many tutorials on how to set this up for your own blog: http://member.wishlistproducts.com/. If you are looking at enhancing your site and adding a revenue boost to your online business… this looks like a great way to go. I will be adding this feature for a low monthly rate, as well and hopefully can answer some of your questions once it is done!*
Where do you spend the bulk of your time?
As I’m traveling, the bulk of my time is spent editing other writers that contribute to my membership site. Working the membership site is far easier than sitting down on a client project so I’m looking to shift things more in this direction. I’m still not sure yet what the ideal worktime-to-income ratio is just yet for traveling. This needs more research which means… more traveling 🙂
What challenges or difficulties have you had while working abroad?
Definitely the internet speed and reliability. What is considered hi-speed in Thailand is molassas compared to the States. Also, just after I got here, my notebook’s hard drive corrupted. I had to decide if I was going to get another one, or just work remotely from cafés.
I opted to go the cafe route which has it’s own issues. Many times the cafe internet is down, computers are full, viruses are on them, a slow network, etc.
The great thing about being a digital nomad is that all you really need is a PC and the internet. Problem is, relying on just two things to run your business can really put you in a crippling spot if one fails you.
What tips would you share with others about becoming a Business Backpacker and taking their career on the road?
Before I left, I was well trained to ‘want what I was told I should want’. It took me awhile to realize that all the things I thought I had to stay for, I didn’t need to stay for. In the long run, none of those things really even mattered.
Now, by being a Business Backpacker, the things I value most in life dictate how I work rather than the other way around.
So, advice-wise, I simply invite folks to examine whether or not the path their currently on is in line with fulfilling their personal priorities and sense of fulfillment.
What has been your favorite country to work in / live in so far?
For reliability, the U.S. Technology is simply more dependable there.
To work AND live… in Thailand, of course. Since being in Thailand, I’ve reevaluated what it means to work and questioned how I want to work. Life experiences such as this are far more important than whether or not I get to work on time, send that email, or am “connected”.
It’s funny. Since the tech in the U.S. is so dependable and always there, it also acts as a trap. Folks, or at least I did, fell into the trap of “If I have a connection, I should be working.” That’s complete garbage but such an easy thing to get caught in.
Working remotely helps you fulfill your purpose by being free of the trappings… such as an always-on internet connection.
Please share some encouraging words to the readers who would like to be
working remotely
Coming here was a gift to myself. For the longest time, I thought I didn’t deserve it. If I wasn’t meeting some bullshit baseline for success then I’d say to myself, “You’re not where you should be with your numbers/goals. Work harder and then maybe then you will earn the chance to go.” And then the harder I worked, the loftier my goals got. It was a horrible catch-22 where I never felt like I deserved to get up and go. I didn’t think I was worth it or merited it.
I think what I would share with the readers is to live your life, and do your dream. Your life is worth more than any stupid report, a management defined goal, or any other ball and chain that says it’s more important than getting out there and interacting with the world. You are absolutely worth it!!
Thanks, Mark, for sharing and I look forward to hearing more from you as you go! Be in touch with Mark…
http://twitter.com/ChaoticMark
To check out his membership and business sites, link to it here http://www.retechsource.com and http://www.homestomper.com
**and… if you’d like to see the video interview Mark did while he was visiting me in Thailand, you can view it here: Words of Wisdom From The Business Backpacker
Leave your questions or comments for us B E L O W….
