If so, we’re here to say that your dream is definitely achievable! In fact, many entrepreneurs got their start doing freelance work – and now make a solid living doing what they love most.

Whether you are a writer, a blogger, a digital marketer, or any other kind of online freelancer, there are ways to grow your practice into a full-scale business.

To prove it, we have decided to interview someone who has done just that.

Freelancer to Entrepreneur: Interview with Katia Myroniuk of Search Eva

Katia Myroniuk got her start doing freelance work as a search engine optimization (SEO) specialist, but now runs her own agency, SearchEva. We wanted to ask her some questions about what it was like starting out as a freelancer and then becoming a full-time entrepreneur.

 
YoungAdultMoney: What made you first decide to become a freelancer?

Katia: I always thought of traveling while working or getting paid without going to office as of something cool. However, I never thought it could happen to me. First time I felt that freelancing is possible when working with freelancers as an SEO of a product company. But I never knew where to start. Things figured out themselves when I decided to go to South America for 1 month and quit my office for that reason. After coming back I never thought of going back to the office, so I managed to live on savings and started to search for online clients. After a couple of months, I found my first client and began to grow my portfolio.

YAM: As a freelancer, where did you acquire most of your clients?

K: Mostly on Upwork.

YAM: What was your favorite part of making money online?

K: Ability to be my boss, set up personal working schedule and choose clients I want to work with. And I used freelancing perks of traveling in its fullest :).

YAM: What was your biggest struggle as a freelancer?

K: I don’t think I had any. I had a certain picture of how it is going to be, and the reality was quite similar to that. Having stable clients cuts off the headache of finding new ones.

YAM: What was the deciding factor in your becoming an entrepreneur?

K: The deciding factor of becoming an entrepreneur was willing to scale. When being a freelancer, you can only work a certain amount of hours. As an SEO, I wanted to have my team whom I can rely on, and deliver better results for my clients. There are certain things you can’t do by yourself. So, I thought I’ll give it a try, and things worked out pretty well.

YAM: How are you able to market your business?

K: Now at SearchEva, we do SEO and content marketing for SaaS companies. The niche is quite focused that is a benefit when it comes to marketing. I want to provide the best results for my clients so at the moment we are not focused on growing the number of clients. Our focus is on the high level of output for each project we have. Thus, having a razor-focused niche and positive feedback helps our company to grow.

YAM: What has entrepreneurship presented to you what freelancing did not?

K: On the first place, it is scaling of efforts. When you have a team, you multiply your abilities. Of course, it comes together with the search for right employees and management. But for me it is worth it, I always wanted to have my own company.

YAM: What would be your advice to someone who wants to move from freelance work to having their own business?

K: Just do it. I’m a person that acts first and then learns on the go. For someone who is already in freelancing, it should be easy to transfer to entrepreneurship.

YAM: What are your next business goals?

K: At the moment I’m working on the launch of my software. It is an entirely different story – every day discovering something brand new. But I like it!

You can find out more about Katia on LinkedIn or on Twitter.

Do you want to become an entrepreneur? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Though making money online doesn’t have to be rocket science, your success and scale can greatly depend on what skills you bring to the virtual table.

So, what skills can you use to help you make money online?

We are addressing the top 10 in this post – so keep reading!

1) Blogging

 
One of the best skills to have as you enter the freelance or entrepreneur world is honing in on your writing skills.

Having a blog to share your knowledge is a great way to build trust in your expertise and brand, and attract potential clients. You can even use your blog as a source of income through affiliate marketing or sponsorships.

>Having great writing skills can be super beneficial no matter what industry you are in!

2) Networking

 
Being able to connect with people can be a difficult skill to learn but highly worth it!

To really start making money online, you will likely have to tap into your network and start brushing shoulders with other people in your industry. Your network can then turn into a resource for referrals, speaking engagements, and other opportunities!

If the idea of networking makes you nervous, feel free to check out our post on how to get over your fear of networking.

3) Branding

 
Freelancers and business owners are learning more and more about the importance of having a personal brand.

Not only does having a personal brand help you stand out from the brunch, but branding is a highly marketable skill to have! After all, having a personal brand makes it easier for potential clients to connect with you – which is something worth paying for!

4) Website Design and Development

 
In this day and age, it seems as though every freelancer and entrepreneur has a website.

Know what that means? It means there is a demand for people that know how to build them!

If learning website design and development interests you, it is definitely a great skill to have! You can easily make a couple thousand dollars per money as a website developer!

5) Video

 
Do you have a knack for speaking on video? If so, you could be making money with YouTube!

With the right topics and message, you can grow a YouTube account and really start making good money online! The key is staying consistent with high-quality videos. You can then start making money through YouTube ads, sponsorships, and more!

6) Social Media Growth

 
Whether you use it for your business – or hope to become a social media manager to other businesses – social media growth skills are super valuable to have!

You can grow your social media accounts to start generating more business, drive traffic to your site, and even attract brand collaborations.

Or, you can become a social media manager and attract high-paying clients who need your help!

7) Consulting

 
Already have expertise in something but want to know how to make money with it?

Why not become a consultant?

You can then sell your knowledge online to businesses that need it most – no matter where you are in the world! Over time, you can gather reviews from past clients and really scale up your business!

8) Personal Development

 
If you have a strong desire to help others, growing your skills in personal development can make a huge impact!

You can coach others on how to improve their lives and even offer courses in topics like relationships, life, money, and more!

Then, you can choose work on a one-on-one basis, with a class, or solely as a teacher of your course. There many ways to make money with this niche!

9) Digital Marketing Strategy

 
If you have a mind for marketing, people will be willing to pay you big money to help them online!

Business owners and freelancers often to turn to digital marketers to help them get more clients. With this skill, you can start offering paid services such as Facebook ad management, writing email campaigns, and more!

The best part is that the more results you get for your clients, the more potential you have for raising your prices. Sweet!

10) Money Management

 
Great money management is a useful skill whether you are hoping to make money online – or are just trying to keep track of your personal finances.

Many people need help in this department, so with experience in money management, you can start offering this as a paid service.

Clients will be happen if you help them save money and make good investments. Over time, you can build up that rapport and raise your prices down the road.

 
 
What skill do YOU hope to master to start making money online?
 
 

Nearly everyone, including business owners, has a presence on social media – whether it be Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or all of the above!

Social media gives us the ability to connect with people on a wider scale, promote our businesses across platforms, and network with some of the greatest minds in our industry.

For that reason, having a strong presence and dynamic social media strategy can be essential to growing a business. The problem? Not everyone knows how to do this

Becoming a Social Media Manager

 
This is where you come in!

Many business owners struggle to manage their social media accounts effectively and are willing to outsource it to someone who does. You can make big bucks if you know how to harness the power of these platforms to help businesses attract more followers, leads, and so on.

Becoming a social media manager goes beyond just being well-versed in social media, though. It takes skills, strategy, and great business sense to begin taking on clients and making good money as a social media manager.

In this post, we break down the steps to becoming a successful social media manager and start making the big bucks!

1) Pick Your Platform(s)

 
One of the keys to becoming a successful social media manager is focusing on one or a few platforms to specialize in.

Many entrepreneurs new to the industry try to be a generalist and apply their skills to a range of platforms, but this makes it much more difficult to brand yourself and stand out in the sea of other social media managers.

It is best to pick one platform to become very good at and market yourself as an expert for that platform. You will then instill more confidence in potential clients who see that you are highly skilled on one platform rather than a “jack-of-all-trades”.

Think about it… many people can call themselves “social media managers”, but there is far less competition if you focus on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and the like. You can then create a cohesive brand that stands out and can scale up as you just get better and better.

2) Refine Your Skills

 
This is a rather obvious step, but it is amazing how many people enter this industry with little to no experience. I do NOT recommend offering services that you have no experience. Not only do you risk not being able to give your clients a return on their investment, but you can tarnish your brand before you have even started.

Instead, I recommend that you learn as much as you can about your chosen platform(s), even going as far as to take a course to get some extra knowledge.

A good idea is to create your own social media accounts and test your strategies there. Then you will quickly figure out what works and what doesn’t.

3) Brand Yourself

 
As I mentioned in point number 1, it is important to brand yourself so that you stand out from the bunch.

It is easy blend in with the tons of social media managers out there and as with any industry, it really helps you to niche down and have laser focus when it comes to your target audience.

For example, you may decide that you want to do Instagram management for fitness trainers, or Pinterest management for lifestyle bloggers.

Though this may seem counterintuitive at first, you are actually positioning yourself to be an expert in a particular niche – which means more money in the long run. If you are too broad, you will be constantly competing with other generalist social media managers over price.

You may want to work with a branding expert to establish a solid website, logo, and more to really take your status from “freelancer” to “entrepreneur”.

Related:

• 5 Ways Millennials Can Build Their Personal Brand

4) Grow Your Social Media

 
If you are a social media manager, it doesn’t hurt to have the numbers to prove it!

Though having a large following isn’t necessary, it can only help you to show that you know what you are doing – and work to attract more customers.

At the very least, you should have a presence on the platform that you are planning to do social media marketing for, and make it professional and engaging. Many potential clients will look to this as an example of your work.

This also gives you a great medium to test your strategies without risking messing with a client’s account. Having some “social proof” can really help you stand out as an authority in your niche.

Related:

• Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Blog

5) Get Experience

 
One of the best ways to get experience without the stress of trying to land your first clients is to offer work for free or at a discounted rate.

When you are first starting out, people may be hesitant to hire you without any case studies. Fortunately, you can often offer your services for free in exchange for a testimonial or to feature the results on your website.

I have found that Facebook groups are the best place to offer up free services. Look for business owners in your niche and work out a deal with them if you can. You don’t need many – just a couple solid examples to refer potential clients to once you are ready to start really doing business.

6) Gather Testimonials

 
Once you have done some work for people, you will want to start gathering testimonials.

An easy way to do this is to create a business Facebook page and refer past clients to that page. Having testimonials here will be good proof to potential clients that you are skilled in what you are offering.

If you have a website, I recommend showcasing these testimonials there as well. Just a few can go a long way!

7) Build Out Your Offers

 
Once you think you are ready to start approaching potential clients, it’s time to establish what your services and offers are going to be.

When it comes to deciding on your offers, it is best to do a bit of research into what your target audience is looking for.

Talk to people you have helped in the past and other social media managers to figure out what offers make the most sense for your platform(s). You may also get an idea of costs as well.

To secure consistent income, it is ideal to create packages that will keep clients on a retainer. For example, you may offer to schedule 5 Instagram posts per week and Instagram Story management for $400 per month, or Instagram engagement for $600 per month. That way, clients will know what to expect month-to-month and you won’t have to depend on one-off projects.

8) Network Online

 
Don’t underestimate the power of networking!

Social media marketing is a rather competitive industry, and now more than ever it is important to grow your online network.

Trust is a big part of potential clients hiring you on, and having a referral makes it that much easier to make that leap.

Connect and partner up with digital marketing agencies who may need to outsource social media marketing for their clients. Reach out to influencers in your niche. Do all you can to forge that meaningful connection, build trust, and cultivate relationships with people who are open to sending business your way.

9) Land Your First Clients

 
Landing your very first client can seem like an intimidating feat, but once you do, the process just gets easier from there.

Be confident in your offer and be prepared to show past results. Speak to what their pain points are and how you can address them. Don’t be afraid to compromise a bit on price if they seem like a good fit, as you can later use their case study to justify higher rates for the next client.

Over time, you will learn where you target customers “hang out” and how to market to them. This varies depending on your niche and the kinds of clients you are after. Stay in tune with their needs and match them.

In my experience, Facebook groups are a great place to start. Find a group that includes your target audience, and share value in there. Avoid being salesy. Soon enough, people will come to trust you as a source of information and will inquire about your services. Then it will flourish from there!

Ready to Become a Social Media Manager?

 
Hopefully, you have found this post helpful in paving the way for your future as a social media manager.

With the right skills and business know-how, you will be making money in no time! By branding yourself and forging those important connections, you can scale up and really make waves!

 
Related:

• How this Digital Nomad Funds Her Dream of Traveling the World
• How to Make Money Blogging
• Free Editorial Calendar in Google Sheets
• 5 Ways Millennials Can Build Their Personal Brand

 
 
What do you love most about social media? Do you have plans to turn it into a career?
 
 

For many people, LinkedIn is seen as “boring”, only for “business people”, or as not having much engagement. They assume that LinkedIn is a dead zone for anyone besides CEOs, digital marketers, or old college connections.

But, nothing could be farther from the truth.

Whether you are a freelancer or a full-fledged entrepreneur, you can use LinkedIn to grow your network, find more clients, and ultimately make more money. It just comes down to attracting your ideal customers and communicating what you can do for them.

So how do you crack the code that is LinkedIn marketing to land more freelance clients? Keep reading, my friend!

Step 1) How to Attract Your Ideal Customer on LinkedIn

 
By this point in your journey, you should already know who your target customer is. You should also know what your offers are and what value you bring to the table. The first step in LinkedIn marketing, then, is to learn how to identify your ideal customer on the platform itself.

First, look at your existing client list (if you have one) to see what kind of people you have worked with, what you did for them, and what industry they were in. This will help inform what you are looking for on LinkedIn.

Second, figure out what your target audience’s pain points are. This could be 2 or 3 challenges they may be facing in their life/business. Ideally, these will be things you can help them with.

Lastly, set up your profile to address these pain points and attract your ideal customer. You should talk about what concerns them, and what you offer that can directly address their concerns.

Be sure to in include Experience and Skills that are relevant to the things you offer. The result should be a bio that appeals directly to the people you aim to help so that when they see your profile, they will know you are the best fit for them.

We will talk more about the details of optimizing your LinkedIn profile in the next step.

Step 2) Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile to Stand Out to the Customers You Want

 
Without a doubt, your LinkedIn profile is the most important part to actually attracting the clients you want. An empty profile, or even a generic one, does nothing to convince them that YOU are the one they need to work with in order to solve their problems.

First, make sure you use a professional photo of yourself on your profile. No selfies. No grainy shots. No picture of you with friends. No picture of you on the beach. Your profile image should be a headshot, clear, high-quality, and give the impression that you are a professional… because you are!

Second, write a straightforward yet eye-catching Headline. After your name and picture, this is the first thing people see when they see your profile, and the first thing they see when it comes to knowing what you do – so make it count!

Avoid generic headlines like “Digital Marketer” and instead use something like “Social Media Manager for Local Businesses”. You want to be specific and reference your target audience, if possible.

Third comes your profile Summary. This is where you have more room to write more about what you do and really hook in your ideal customers.

For the first line of your Summary, include a one-sentence or statement that either tells people what you do or asks them what they need. For example, you may ask, “What to know how to get more engagement on social media?” or “I help local businesses harness the power of social media to attract more clients.” Both of these statements say who you serve and what you can do for them.

Later in the Summary, you can describe your relevant experience and a breakdown of the services you offer. No need to be exhaustive. Just include the info your potential customers need to know when it comes to what you do, who you are, and how to contact you.

Finally, clean up your Experience section. You DO NOT need to list every job you have ever had. Again, you are trying to appeal to a specific audience, so try to use examples that relate to them. Leave high school chess club, your job at McDonald’s, or intramural soccer off of there. Only show people what is relevant to what you can do for them as a freelancer or business owner.

Step 3) Use LinkedIn to Connect with Your Ideal Customer and Address Their Pain Points

 
The third step to using LinkedIn to land more freelancing clients is extending that connection and fostering that relationship.

Once someone connects with you, send them a non-salesy “Welcome” message introducing yourself, while asking them a question about themselves. This gets the conversation flowing.

Your goal is to earn their trust before you do any kind of self-promotion. Most people expect you to at least say what you do for a living, but this isn’t the time to go into all of your services. Listen to them for, get a sense of what their needs are, then move the conversation toward how you may be able to help them.

Have a normal conversation. Ask them what is interesting about what they do. Genuinely be interested in their answers.

Eventually, they will ask what you do, and this is your time to shine. Try to tailor what you say in a way that appeals to their needs. And, don’t worry if they aren’t interested in your services. You can always keep the door open, or ask them to consider sending their friends your way.

Note: Some people simply won’t respond. In general, people on LinkedIn are pretty savvy about sifting through all of the spam messages they get. If no one is responding, this may mean you want to adjust your message. Over time, you will learn what works and what doesn’t.

Step 4) Following Up with Your LinkedIn Connections

 
The final step to all of this is following up with the connections you make on LinkedIn.

This could be via LinkedIn messenger, getting their email address, or even directing them to a landing page on your website to fill out a contact form.

The important thing is that you check in with them at least once to say hello. This will put your name back on their radar, without being spammy. But, I don’t recommend following up more than twice (usually only once) because you don’t want to seem to harass and desperate. If they think you are a good fit, they will come back to you.

Ready to Generate More Freelance Clients Through LinkedIn?

 
Hopefully, you found this guide helpful and are confident in starting on your own LinkedIn strategy. Remember to stay authentic, appeal to your audience, and make connections with people you want to add to your network. Over time, you may grow those relationships and convert them to legit customers.

 
Related:

• How this Digital Nomad Funds Her Dream of Traveling the World

• 7 Things I Learned From Becoming a Freelance Writer

• The One Reason Why Blogging is the Ultimate Side Hustle

• 8 Easy Ways to Grow Your Writing and Blogging Portfolio

 
 
Have you used LinkedIn for marketing your business before?
 
 

If you have been bitten by that travel bug but aren’t quite sure how to make your trips a reality, have no fear! There are plenty of things you can do to snatch up travel deals, hack your way to savings, and ultimately have a fun and affordable vacation.

Traveling on a budget doesn’t have to mean living like a pauper either. By knowing when to travel, how to snag sweet deals, and more, you will be sure to have a happy, comfy, and affordable time!

Check out our suggestions below on how to save money on travel in 2018!

1) Hack Your Way to Travel Savings

 
Learning how to “travel hack” is one of the best (and most fun) ways to save hundreds and even thousands of dollars on flights, hotels, and more!

In short, travel hacking is taking advantage of travel rewards credit cards that come with lucrative sign-up bonuses. DC has a list of the top travel rewards credit cards that he recommends (and has used) to save thousands on travel.

Read this post for the 7 key tips to successful travel hacking to save the most on your travel expenses in 2018!

2) Be Flexible

 
Flexibility is your best friend when it comes to saving money on travel.

Before you get your mind completely set on where you want to travel to, do a little research on what places are most affordable at that time of year. Traveling during the low tourism season often means saving on activities, accommodation, flights, and more!

Pro Trip: Check out Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” function to see the cheapest flights and destinations for the dates you want to travel. This may lead you to go somewhere you hadn’t even considered before!

3) Skip the Fancy Accommodation

 
Staying at fancy hotels can really rack up the big bucks. But there are better options!

If you are looking for something that’s both comfy and affordable, be sure to check out Airbnb. On Airbnb, people rent out rooms and even whole apartments to travelers. Many of them are quite nice and usually cheaper than a hotel.

If you are a little more adventurous, you can save quite a bit of money on travel by staying at hostels or even Couchsurfing. Hostelword.com and Couchsurfing.com are great places to start. In some places, you can find accommodation for as little as $3 per night or even free. Just be sure to check reviews!

4) Buy at the Right Time

 
Booking your flight at the right time involves doing a bit of research and knowing the system, but it can really pay off! With flights typically being the most expensive component of your trip, it is worth it to save some money here!

You can do a bit of digging online to find the best times to book for your chosen airline or destination. Note that people typically do their traveling late in the week or over the weekend, so your best bet is to book your outbound flight for a Tuesday or Wednesday, and then return on a weekday for the best deal.

5) Eat Better on the Cheap

 
Skip the fancy American-style restaurants and opt for something a bit more authentic. Street food or otherwise “eating where the locals eat” is the best way to save on food costs and get a taste of culture. For example, in Thailand, you can typically find a full meal for around $1 USD, compared to $10 in a nicer restaurant.

I recommend checking online for hidden gems at your destination. You can also feel more confident about eating at a place if they have positive reviews. And if you are feeling particularly bold – ask the local residents their favorite places to eat!

6) Buddy Up

 
When it comes to saving money on travel, two is better than one!

Bringing a buddy along on your travel adventures could save you a decent chunk of change. For one, you can often split the costs of accommodation, transportation, food, and more. Additionally, many places offer package deals on activities for two or more people.

Traveling with a friend is a great way to save money and have someone to share the experience is. Just make sure that their budget is in line with yours so you aren’t tempted to spend more than you can afford.

7) Hit Up Public Transportation

By “public transportation” I mean skipping the private boat rides, car rentals, and even taxis (if possible). Many locations have alternative forms of transportation that are much cheaper than those other options. Look into a local bus system, light rail, train, or anything else that the locals use. If you aren’t sure, the receptionist at your hotel or host at your Airbnb should be able to help!

8) Opt-In for Sweet Deals

One of the easiest ways I have secured travels deals is by opting into newsletters from my favorite airlines.

Most booking or airline websites will have an option to sign up for deals or their email list in order to receive discounts right to your inbox. If you are in the mood for traveling, it’d be wise to skim through these messages to see if any of the deals can be applied to your trip. You may also see some opportunities for travel hacking along the way.

 
Related:

• Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards

• How this Digital Nomad Funds Her Dream of Traveling the World

• 7 Ways to Afford a Vacation Without Travel Hacking

• 5 Ways to Take the Stress Out of Flying

• What to Expect When Using AirBnB for the First Time

 
 
Ready to travel in 2018? Let us know your plans in the comments below!
 
 

You are taking the chance to get to know them better, have fun, and maybe find your “happily ever after”.

If you want to impress your date, but don’t quite have the funds for a fancy seafood dinner or a sunset cruise, we are here to help!

These 25 fun date ideas will ensure you have a great time without breaking the bank!

25 Fun (and Inexpensive) Date Ideas

 
Call up your sweetie because we are about to lay down some creative and cheap date ideas. No matter your budget or your style, you are sure to find an activity that’ll impress your date!

1) Go Thrifting

 
Visit your local thrift stores and see what kind of crazy looks you can put together. See who can find the weirdest/funniest/oldest object!

2) Take an Intro Yoga Class

 
Many yoga studios offer a free class or discounted rates for your first time. Sweat it out with your date by signing up for a class!

3) Go for a Bike Ride

 
If you have your own bikes, this date idea is completely free! Tour your city or hit the trails for a fun day outside. Bike rentals are usually inexpensive as well.

4) Take a Hike

 
Do an online search of the best trails in your area and find a beautiful hike for you and your date. Choosing one with a great view is always a plus!

5) Sing Your Heart Out at Karaoke

 
Find a bar or restaurant that has a karaoke night and have a singing battle with your date. It is usually free, aside from drinks, making this a super cheap date idea!

6) Visit a Sculpture Park or Art Gallery

 
Some cities have free sculpture parks and art galleries open to the public. Do a search to find the closest one near you. Be on the lookout for discounted nights and special events as well.

7) Binge Watch a New TV Show

 
Who said you can’t just “Netflix and chill”? Find a new show you both have been itching to check out, and make a night of it. Grab the popcorn!

8) Go to a Matinee

 
Did you know that theaters often offer discount movie tickets during certain times during the week or weekend? Check out your local movie theater for matinee rates (typically during the daytime or on Sunday) to catch a cheaper show.

7) Have a Picnic

 
An oldie but a goodie, going for a picnic is an inexpensive and romantic option for you and your date. Grab some of your favorite snacks and visit a park for a chill date idea.

8) Have a Staycation

 
Who says you have to go anywhere to have a vacation? Hit up some of the popular sites in your town for the full experience – and be sure to try something new!

9) Volunteer for a Good Cause

Show your compassionate side by volunteering with your date for a good cause. Check out local animal shelters, soup kitchens, and more to volunteer your time for an hour or two. This is a date that is both fulfilling and fun.

10) Visit an Arcade

 
If there is an arcade in your area, grab your date and some cash and I have a fun day of games. Nothing better than a little healthy competition!

DC here – one thing that is becoming really popular is bars with arcade themes. I was at one recently here in the Twin Cities and it was PACKED. Would definitely recommend.

11) Catch a Strike with Bowling

 
Bowling is one of those classic date ideas, and for good reason! It is quite inexpensive, easy to learn, and loads of fun! Just remember to bring socks!

12) Rent a Canoe or Kayak

 
Depending on where you live, having a date on the water can be an inexpensive option. Rates are typically $10 per hour, per boat, or you can save money by sharing a boat. How cute!

13) Dive Bar Hopping

 
If you and your date are into more hole-in-the-wall places, it can be fun to go searching for your area’s most unique dive bars. See what kind of cool places you can find (and weird drinks to try).

14) DIY Food Tour

 
Know of some local spots famous for certain foods? Make your own “Food Tour” by hitting up a few places for “the best burger in town” or “famous milkshake”. Keep it cheap by only grabbing a small bite at each place.

15) Cooking at Home

 
This date idea is great for couples, or once you have gone on a few dates already. Grab some tasty ingredients from the grocery store and make a romantic dinner at home, for just the two of you.

16) Go Fruit Picking

 
If it’s in season, see if you can find local farms or orchards to go fruit picking. This is an inexpensive date idea that allows you to get a little fresh air and come away with some tasty treats.

17) Local Comedy Show

 
The more obscure, the better! Check out your town newspaper or do a search online to find some hilarious (and cheap) comedy shows in your area.

18) Mini Golf

 
Another classic but always loads of fun. If you have a miniature golf course in your town, this is a great option!

19) Visit a Psychic

 
Want to see what the future holds? Go visit a psychic to get your palms read, or see the future in her future ball. This is usually an inexpensive (and spooky) date idea.

20) Rock Climb

 
Depending on where you live, a rock climbing date can be quite affordable. If you fancy yourself being athletic, this can be a fun and thrilling date idea.

21) Hit the Beach

 
If you live close to the shore and the sun is shining, hit the beach! Going to the beach is completely free and can be quite romantic and fun!

22) Snag a Tasty Dessert

 
Don’t have money for a full meal? No problem! Make it a late night by grabbing a delicious dessert (and maybe a few drinks) with your date! Share a dessert to make it even more romantic.

23) Test Your Knowledge with Bar Trivia

 
Bars and restaurants often offer fun trivia nights for free, or for a small cost to enter the competition pool. Topics range from music trivia, to Harry Potter, to famous quotes. Do a search online to find trivia nights in your area.

24) Game Night with Friends

 
Take the pressure off with chill group date with friends. Each date can bring their favorite game and see who gets the most points!

25) Art Contest

 
If you or your date has art supplies lying around, find some art tutorials online and have your own art contest. Get creative and see what you come up with!

 
Related:

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A digital nomad is someone who is able to work while they travel, usually from only their laptop.

They are able to come and go as they please, and make a decent living as they do it. Digital nomadism is great for people who have a vision of traveling the globe without having to worry about how to finance their dream.

Digital nomad Stéphanie Smolders is doing just that. Find out more about her and how she makes money online by checking out the interview below!

Meet Stéphanie Smolders – Travel Blogger and Digital Nomad

Stéphanie Smolders is a travel blogger and social media manager, currently living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Born in Belgium, Stéphanie Smolders had big dreams of leaving her career as a teacher and traveling the world full-time. Like most people, however, she had some real doubts about how she was going to make it happen.

Knowing that she had to find some way to make money online, Stéphanie started her own social media marketing agency, BeeHaveSocial. As an entrepreneur, she has been able to make money remotely and travel all over the world.

Below, Stéphanie talks more about how she became a digital nomad and offers tips on how YOU can earn money online and travel!

Interview with Stéphanie Smolders of BeeHaveSocial

 
YoungAdultMoney: Hi, Stéphanie! Thank you for taking the time to interview with us here at Young Adult Money!

Stéphanie: Thank you for having me, Young Adult Money. I love inspiring others to make money with what they love, and it’s even better if you can do it location-independent right?

YAM: That’s awesome! What first inspired you to be a world traveler?

S: I always traveled a lot, even as a child. So exploring new places and diving deep into cultures is something that really gives me energy. My boyfriend and I both had demanding jobs in Belgium and we hardly ever saw each other even while we were living together. We would sneak out every weekend just to spend quality time together. We just felt that something was off and that life could be more than just working until you can have your 20-day vacation. That is when we decided it was time to change our lives.

YAM: Sounds like you made the right choice! What moves did you make to be able to afford your dream?

S: First, my boyfriend and I began working on our travel website and social media channels. We already both had a good network and business clubs who were our target audience. We wrote down our marketing strategy and worked really hard to deliver the best content in the luxury travel niche. That’s when I really started getting to work on my social media marketing agency. We also set aside some money, sold all our belongings, and started accepting new opportunities.

YAM: How did you start making money as a digital nomad?

S: Before leaving on our world trip, I already had some clients as a social media manager. People noticed my Instagram and came to me for advice. This is how all of it started. I also did some translation jobs on the side and taught Dutch online. I still do some of it as a hobby, but our online marketing agency is the biggest source of income at the moment. I strongly suggest that people develop a skill and use it to build a portfolio. Network with people who are in your target audience and pitch your services/products.

It is all about getting yourself out there!

YAM: That’s great advice! What’s it like being an entrepreneur?

S: Being an entrepreneur is the best thing for me. I get to decide what my days look like, and I’m in control of my own life. There are downsides to it as well, such as the insecurity and procrastinating on your tasks. You need to be able to take control and to do everything yourself in the beginning. I was the customer service, the social media manager, the strategy writer, the graphic designer, … Now I have a team who helps me with things I’m not an expert in or that I don’t like doing.

YAM: Where can people go to find remote work or more information on how to be a digital nomad?

S: I believe that almost every skill can be turned into a location independent lifestyle. You just have to be creative enough to come up with the idea and follow through.

 
There are a lot of websites where you can offer your services, but most of them aren’t freelance-friendly (high fees, strict rules, …). I suggest working on your own marketing and networking with like-minded people. Facebook groups are a good way to start networking and leverage your skills to create your portfolio. The digital nomad community is getting bigger and more known by the day. This year there is even a festival targeting digital nomads and the lifestyle (Freedom Experience in Spain).

YAM: What advice would you offer to people who want to get started in blogging?

S: The best advice I can give you is find your unique selling point. What makes you different from the 1000 other blogs? Why should people read/watch your content? I always create a business plan for every new venture I get myself into. I have so many plans but sitting down with them and writing down a plan helps to get everything clear.

Also just start! Don’t get stuck on the details!

YAM: Where do you plan to travel to in 2018 and beyond?

S: Our travel plans for 2018 haven’t been as crazy as the years before. We are focusing on our businesses a lot more this year as we want to take it all to the next level. This year we have been to Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Indonesia, and Malaysia. We plan to go to Shanghai, Hong Kong, South Korea, and after that… no idea yet! We’ll see what comes next.

The best thing about being a digital nomad is having this freedom.

 
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To learn more about Stéphanie Smolders and her life as a digital nomad, check her out on Instagram @stephaniesmolders. You can also visit her travel website at Tourist Exclusive.
 
 
Have questions about the digital nomad lifestyle? Leave a comment below!