How to do all of your work online and offline while travelling
Posted on 16. Mar, 2011 by Natalie in Business Tools, Time Management Tricks
Over on the forum of my Passport to Business Freedom program I get asked some really great business questions about the expert modules and workbook activities.
Right now the current members are rocking the modules and completing their homework with such great progress, I feel like a proud mother hen.
Watching these ladies take flight with their multiple `lightbulb moments’ just makes my day. From how to stretch their dollars further to how to scale their business, and onto how to create a rock solid business plan.
Every so often though I get a question like this, that I adore, because it’s right up my alley:
“Am trying to live the life of a suitcase entrepreneur, but slipped behind on this module because even these days, there’s still not always wifi available!!
Natalie, how do you do all of your work online while travelling – from a technical perspective???”
Pamela Clarke, Alta Bistro
I thought I’d share my response to Pamela here as god knows I’ve had many challenges, especially since living in Buenos Aires and I look forward to the next set of challenges.
Confessions of a Suitcase Entrepreneur
Since my entire business runs online I’ve made it my business – so to speak to learn a ton along the way, test, review and implement.
I then aim to pass that along to you here so you can learn too. So here goes!
Email Offline
My life saviour has been activating Gmail Offline to access my inbox at anytime. I find when I’m on trains, planes and automobiles I can take time to read through my emails, respond, file, categorise etc in peace and with no new activity coming into distract me.
Then when I do get online I simply connect up and all the emails get sent and everything synchronises- very handy. You can find this feature by going to Options (top right) > Mail Settings > Click on the Labs tab and searching for it there.
- Select Enable next to Offline Gmail.
- Click Save Changes.
- After your browser reloads, you’ll see a new “Offline” link in the upper righthand corner of your account, next to your username. Click this link to start the offline set up process and download Gears if you don’t already have it.
Smartphone magic
I also make use of my iPhone to access wifi for free from anywhere (where possible) and to check in on my social media networks. When you’re on the go sometimes this is your only option and it’s easier than firing up a laptop.
It’s also advisable to `jailbreak’ your iphone to avoid horrendous roaming charges by using a free app like Cydia. Then you can buy and use a local sim card for your phone and make cheap calls plus get better priced data plans for the country you’re in.
(Important disclaimer/caveat this is of course against Apple policies and it can crash your phone).
Managing social media
I have the Hootsuite app installed to manage my multiple social media accounts and actually find the iPhone app more useful for some things then the website. In particular tracking conversations and focusing in on just one stream.
Keeping face
I also use the Facebook app to update my personal profile and my business page plus to mange my inbox and check in on the newsfeed. Particularly useful are the 8 Fan pages I’ve favourited that I like to visit most and leave a comment on. This way it’s less distracting then seeing all the pages you’re fans of when you access it via the web.
To do that just click on Search > Pages then start typing a few letters and a list of pages will come up. Click on the one you want and you will see an arrow on the top right. Click on this and select Add Favourite.
Remaining Connected
I also love the LinkedIn app – especially with the new News feature that shows the most popular articles being shared and easily allows you to comment on them or share them your networks. I find it a handy way to just check in on my inbox messages, accept and make connections.
More importantly it’s one of the easiest ways to download recent important contacts direct to my iPhone address book. Just go to Connections> Download All to import all your most recent connections to your phone including their photo, current company and title, email addresses and website.
Clip ‘n Go
For any interesting links I see or sites I visit while I’m on Hootsuite or Facebook or Safari I just clip them to my Evernote application to read later on or action. This is automatically synced via the website so I know it’s all up todate when I return to using my laptop.
Monkey rewards
Mailchimp is the email client manager I love and recommend all the time. Particularly because they have a Forever Free plan for up to 2,000 emails and for small businesses on a budget that rocks.
I have the Mailchimp app installed so I can check in on the report of my latest HighFlyer newsletter I sent and whether people liked it, who opened it and where in the world they’re based. I can also easily see new members and check my lists
Keeping up appearances
I have to say I’m renowned for missing appointments when I’m on the fly – timezones can make it difficult to keep up. Thanks to my Tungle app I can check my complete calendar schedule of what meetings and appointments I have coming up across all calendars. That way I never a miss a call, Skype meeting or webinar – well almost never!
Free calls
One of the best things ever is the Skype Then I can use Skype on my iPhone too for free Skype to Skype calls – a life saver if I don’t have my computer with me yet had a call scheduled. I just take my earphones along!
I also use my smartphone to make voice recordings that I can later get transcribed as blog posts or for my own personal records.
Finally I use my travelling time to work on offline things such as writing, reports, and planning.
The Ultimate Toolkit for Evolutionary Entrepreneurs
Needless to say all this learning and testing has prompted me to write my first paid eBook on the most useful tools you can use to run your business from anywhere.
It’s designed to help entrepreneurs, freelancers and future thinking people to run their business from anywhere using online tools that streamline your activities and save you time and money.
It’s launching really soon. If you want earlybird notice and special offer then sign up here
himanshuchanda
17. Mar, 2011
For some of us always be in touch is the key to success. Its very important that our tools are in place before the problem arrives. Right tools make is feel in control always. BTW we even need to know when to plugoff before it eats up our time.
NatalieSisson
17. Mar, 2011
@himanshuchanda I agree that you need to start using these tools before you run into problems – in many ways they save us from having to experience those problems. Sometimes though they come along at a time when you need a problem solved – which is really useful. And they do have a tendency to eat into your time if you haven’t created a system on how to use them properly so that they make you more effective and streamlined – as opposed to overwhelmed and challenged.
FutureExpat
23. Mar, 2011
This was very timely for me. I’m going to be traveling for 10 days, first 3 at a conference, and I’ll have some work I’ll need to do while I’m on the road. Thanks!
FutureExpat
23. Mar, 2011
This was very timely for me. I’m going to be traveling for 10 days, first 3 at a conference, and I’ll have some work I’ll need to do while I’m on the road. Thanks!
FutureExpat
23. Mar, 2011
This was very timely for me. I’m going to be traveling for 10 days, first 3 at a conference, and I’ll have some work I’ll need to do while I’m on the road. Thanks!
NatalieSisson
25. Mar, 2011
@FutureExpat Great to hear and glad it helped. The toolkit probably will too so keep a look out next week. And thanks for the visit and comment fellow traveller!