Successfully combine running your online lifestyle business with travel adventures

As part of our move from Sydney back to Europe we’re taking two weeks to fly back to turn an otherwise long and tiresome journey with a toddler, into a little travel adventure.

With a location independence being a big part of my personal brand, travel is something we do often, whether moving abroad or going on holidays and mini breaks.

And, needless to say, the question about how I plan my business around our travels is one that I get asked a lot.

So how do I plan my business around travel?

The key?

I keep it simple.

Really simple.

Especially with children in tow you never know what’s going to come up. For example I wanted this to be a video blog filmed in Hong Kong. One day I forgot, the next day the family dynamic (read: hectic) wasn’t having it, so the video didn’t get done and here I am writing a blog post without a sea-view background.

Here’s how I do it:

1. Schedule blog posts in advance

…preferably 2 weeks before you set off travelling to give you time to pack, arrange etc and 2 weeks after to give you time to unpack, get settled back in etc. If you’re moving abroad, have blog posts lined up as far as ahead as 4-6 weeks after you’ve moved.

2. Automate as much of your marketing as possible

No, you don’t want to go into automated launches as you travel because you’re going to be checking into your email and thinking about it the whole time and invariably, technology will have a thing or two to say along the way. Keep it simple. Automate some list building. For example have Facebook ads running for a repeat webinar, your opt in or an ebook. Grow your list whilst you enjoy the sights. Win win.

3. Get your VA on board

…hand over full charge of managing your email inbox

4. Tell your clients what to expect

I have a private Facebook group for my clients where I check in daily but when I’m travelling, I let them know that supporting each other and carrying on that fantastic spirit of colleague-ship is up to them for the next days/weeks. They’re awesome so it works a charm.

5. Batch your client calls

For example on this trip we’re travelling for 2 weeks, I had all my client calls today plus one group call yesterday. Some client calls were shifted around so that there’s a break over these two weeks, they will be resumed once I get to Europe. That way I’m free to be out and about with family every day without having to keep my eye on the clock.

6. Watch out for time zones

Clearly mark your client call times in your calendar under one timezone – either theirs, your current local one or the local one where you’ll be. This means you have the information to hand when you need to check times (be extra careful with this as with this current trip we’re on summer time also kicked in at various stages according to the

You could draft newsletters in advance but I like to include stories about our travels along the way to keep it current.

Really give yourself the gift of travel and adventure. Business growth happens in phases, it’s ok to not be hands on fully active all the time. I know other freedom based business owners who never switch off, no matter where they are. Especially if you’re travelling with a partner and/or family, you really want to make the most of that time.

How do you successfully plan your business around travel?