A global Digital Nomad visa? | Issue #0002

There could be a BIG change coming. At least that is what one organisation dedicated to the digital nomad cause is hoping, and planning. And it really could be a game-changer for most of you.

More about this below, but what else is in this week’s newsletter?

This week:

 🍛 A foodie destination, nearly as good as Chiang Mai ;)
🗓️ Events on here this week
 🔗 Make LinkedIn a more effective part of your toolkit
 🧭 The nomads who came before you…

Happy reading!

NEWS
Are we getting a global Digital Nomad visa?

If you’ve been a digital nomad over the last few years - or looking into becoming one - you’ll have likely heard of Safety Wing. They offer flexible insurance for digital nomads and have become the most common one we hear in conversation.

Regardless of whether you use them, they are a company digital nomads should be keeping an eye on as the CEO is passionate about the whole digital nomad movement.

As a result, they have a think tank dedicated to global mobility rights. It’s called Plumia (you can find it in the community tab on their site).

We heard a fascinating interview with Lauren Razavi - the Lumia Executive Director - about their mission to reduce barriers to digital nomadism, and effectively create a true digital nomad visa.

The interview was hosted by Kristin Thomas - a longtime digital nomad podcaster - and you can find it here.

WHAT ELSE…

Lost luggage: Ever wondered what happens when your checked luggage goes missing, never to be seen again? Well, maybe give this a miss as someone might well be profiting from your misfortune.

Settling down, on the road?: Finally, this man might be able to move into his “home” AND be a digital nomad from it. The article is a couple of years old, but he’s popping up again on the wire as moving day is getting close…

There’s always somewhere “up-and-coming”: A Yellow member packed up and left for Mexico last week to be nearer US time for a while. He was off to Playa del Carmen, but we got curious about where else is hot in Mexico. Here are 3 new places you might want to consider.

EVENTS
What’s on this week at Yellow

Alex Friedman is a work and productivity coach and digital nomad, and he’s running a workshop specifically focusing on procrastination and techniques he successfully uses with clients.

Scan the QR code, or see the event details here to register. It’s on today at 5pm and there are limited spaces so don’t - er - procrastinate on it!

Binance Thailand are in town on Wednesday. They’ll be in the covered back garden with food and a talk about the new rules on owning crypto in Thailand as a foreigner. It’ll be worth it just for the food!

Tickets were running short, but register in advance at the café in Yellow and you’ll even get a free drink on the night when you do!

SPREAD THE WORD

Do you have friends who are planning on hitting up Chiang Mai, or are just digital nomads roaming the world? If you think they could use a quick weekly fix of what’s happening in their world, then share this link so they can get The Digital Nomad each week too.

Or, share it on your socials with the links at the top of this newsletter.

NEXT DESTINATION
To call it culturally diverse doesn’t do it justice

We’re staying local again as we are approaching the best season for much of Southeast Asia - and a member of the Yellow team has just been to this week’s spot!

Penang is an interesting prospect for digital nomads. It has all the ingredients you’d want - it’s an island in the tropics, getting in is easy for many, there’s a bustling main city, modern malls, local haunts, beach resorts, a terrific food scene, and its own airport.

Yet, it still hasn’t quite taken off in terms of being a digital nomad destination. It has the feel of a short-stop tourist spot still, and took a little while to start moving out of the pandemic hangover.

There is a strong backpacker scene though, so meeting people passing through is easy enough, and while Malaysia is on the expensive side of SE Asia (it’s a low bar!), it is very affordable.

What there isn’t yet is a coworking space that can pull digital nomads together, so there isn’t a core digital nomad community hub to gravitate to.

But, there’s plenty to do on your downtime (the centre of Georgetown is a UNESCO heritage site), some of the most incredible Indian and Malaysian food, cafès, and Georgetown has a little nightlife around Chula Street.

If you are in Southeast Asia then definitely skip over the Thai-Malay border and take in the unique concoction of food and culture.

COFFEE CHAT
Making LinkedIn work for you

Liselle has quickly become an active member of the digital nomad community in Chiang Mai, becoming a regular at networking events around the city.

She works with people to improve their online and professional profile, and is running a workshop on building LinkedIn this week.

You’re a legit digital nomad these days. What do you do online?
I revamp resumes and LinkedIn for global executives - and entrepreneurs - for their next roles, and position them for consulting and business ventures. Our company - Opti/Write - has made over 1000 clients stand out in their marketplace.

Ok, let’s talk LinkedIn - give me your best tip if I’m not active on there.
Simple - Just reintroduce yourself. Share a post that introduces you, and touches on your recent experiences and learnings.

What if we’re active but not getting the engagement we want?
You’ll see improved impressions using a Cheerlead + Insight + Tag strategy. Share goodwill about an event, talk or initiative and add your commentary or key takeway. This is a very effective touchpoint, highlighting what you have learned and shoutout those who made it memorable.

Should posts on LinkedIn always have an image?
Adding visuals makes your posts more appealing, with self-made photos having more impact than stock ones. Make sure any images have a purpose. If you are new or reconnecting to LinkedIn, try different types of posts - text only, carousel, personal photos. See what your audience responds to.

Ok, so how did you make it to Chiang Mai?
My husband and I visited last year and fell in love with the city. I thought I had the best setup in my home country, the Philippines, but it didn’t take long for us to realise that Chiang Mai ticks all the boxes. No matter how short or long the stay is, it will now always feel like our second home!

What in particular has made it feel that way for you?
We found a kind of “inner tribe” of people whose plans and passions are aligned with ours. There are so many communities here. Anyone can find their people.

What’s a bit of advice you’d give to people new to Chiang Mai?
Look beyond first impressions and engage with locals and residents. They’ll guide you to hidden gems like local pop-up markets and Thai dishes for 20 baht.

If LinkedIn is a hurdle for you, or it just needs a revamp - and you are in Chiang Mai this week - take action and attend her workshop. Or, simply reach out to her on her LinkedIn.

COMMUNITY
We need you!

We want the digital nomad community to be the centre of this newsletter, and not only if you have been a member of, or visited, Yellow.

We would love to hear from you if you have some invaluable knowledge, products, or just good ideas! We’d be happy to share your platforms or story too. If we can shine a spotlight on even one digital nomad looking to grow their reach or help their journey, then we’ll have succeeded.

There is a new email to contact us on - [email protected] - if you:

• have a travel blog or just want to share a destination you love for DNs

• took a pic worthy of our photo of the week, and maybe promote your portfolio or IG

• have a product or service that could help other digital nomads

• know a great event or place in Chiang Mai we might have missed

• …just have a great digital nomad story!

If you are in the city, or heading over soon, then check out the current packages, from day passes to monthly or annual memberships, here.

Or get in touch with Mickey and the team at Yellow Coworking at [email protected].

BRAIN FOOD
What’s hot in this week’s water cooler chat?

Book: How to Get a Meeting with Anyone; Stu Heinecke. The title says it all. Recommended by Alex, who is holding his workshop at Yellow this week.

Podcast: Chiang Mai gets a nice shoutout in this one, but Lex Fridman interviewed developer Pieter Levels recently about work and nomadism.

Movie: The Bikeriders. It feels like everyone in Chiang Mai is a motorbike rider, and this struck a chord with those of us using two wheels when it came out this year.

Drop us an email at [email protected] if you have any recommendations we should share!

QUIZ
What do you know?

See how you measure up with our 6 trivia questions of the week.

They came well before your nomad journey was even a thought, but do you know the explorers whose nomadism made yours possible?

1. Jacques Cartier discovered which country in the Americas?

2. Ferdinand Magellan was the first to do what?

3. Which city in Peru - popular with DNs - was founded by Francisco Pizarro?

4. James Cook is credited as being the first to cross the Arctic or Antarctic Circle?

5. John Charles Frémont was instrumental in the US’s purchase of which border state?

6. Stamford Raffles is often credited with founding which glamorous city-state?

Answers below.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

This one feels like bragging, but the beach vibe got us a little envious.

Laptops on the beach and by the pool are not the life most digital nomads have, or even want. After all, who wants sand in their keyboard? Beach clubs are a definite yes, though.

No name on this entry, only that it’s Hoi An, Vietnam…and that that’s not just a coke!

If you've got an image from wherever you are or have been that you think deserves to be photo of the week, and maybe a portfolio or IG you want more eyes on, then email us with it at [email protected].

CONNECT TO CHIANG MAI
Meet people and fill your calendar in Chiang Mai

Steve’s Email: A weekly resource and email for events around the city. Check it out!

The Chiang Mai Digital Nomads Facebook group

Chiang Mai Digital Nomad WhatsApp: A long-standing group which has spawned a variety of sub-groups for almost any niche and interest.

Yellow Coworking Telegram: For more about what is happening at Yellow, and to be part of their conversation, join here.

NEXT WEEK

💰 Get paid to move to your next destination
 🥗 The junk food that’s good for you
 🧳 Hacks you’ve shared with us for easier and cheaper travel

…and news and events we spot for digital nomads everywhere.

See you then.

ANSWERS
Check your knowledge…

1. Canada

2. Circumnavigate the globe

3. Lima

4. Antarctic

5. California

6. Singapore

WHAT DID YOU MISS?

If you are new to The Digital Nomad, or just want to go back and see what you missed last week, then you can find it here.