Airbnb clampdowns ramp up | Copywriting tips | A run with a view | Issue #0034

If you’re one of many nomads still celebrating Songkran in Thailand, then hopefully you find a dry moment to read this week’s issue! The images look wild.

For everyone else who has no idea what we’re talking about, then look it up as you’ll probably want to hit Bangkok or Chiang Mai next year once you do.

Coming up in this issue:

🏙️ Is this going to be better or worse for finding short term accommodation?
🗺️ “Unexpected” good locations for remote workers
✍️ Does your business really attract potential clients in its messaging?
🙋‍♀️ Actually interesting questions to ask nomads
🌄 The only way you’ll get us out on a run

NEWS
Another little nail in the AirBnB coffin?

With a growing number of cities clamping down on condo and house rentals through platforms like AirBnB, a whole country - and a popular one for nomads - is plotting to tighten the noose a little.

Thailand is known for its affordable condos in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and many nomads find their short-term accommodation through AirBnB. But, many listed condos do so illegally. Their plan is to get all accommodations licenced.

Chris Cerra of RemoteBase - where many of you save a load of time and cash finding places to stay - is the authority on nomad accommodation, and had this to say:

“These systems for licensing are in place in other popular locations, so it’s plausible we will see it in Thailand. If you’re a nomad who tends to stay for 1 month or more at a time these laws don’t really implicate you.”

“Property prices could go up, but on the other hand it may incentivise more short term listings to get legal and improve the quality of properties available.”

On the face of it little will change for nomads as you’ll likely still be able to book Airbnbs and short-term condos, but it might be interesting to see if the regular place you like to book is still listed if this comes in!

WHAT ELSE…

🇹🇼 Taiwan levelling up Higher-level earners could get longer - and maybe MUCH longer - stays.

👹 A Reddit thread Not unusual in itself. There are millions. But, do most digital nomads feel this way at some point?

🖱️ Nomading made easier Book every step of your trip in one place with Where Nomads Go.

☀️ Sunseekers heaven?  Europe’s sunniest city is likely not on your radar, but it has all the hallmarks to be a future hidden nomad gem.

GET CONNECTED

Find WhatsApp & FB groups in your current or next nomad destinations here:

If you are in a nomad hotspot then help another nomad out and share any communities you are in, run, or know of with this quick form.

BUSINESS GROWTH
The link in the chain that many businesses skip

Everyone has heard of copywriters, right? How many business owners actually use one though? And, how many of you really know what one does?

We got some insight from copywriter and nomad Tim Vaughan-Spencer (iykyk 😉) on what you should be looking for in a copywriter, and when you need one.

“For a profession who’s job it is to make things clear and be persuasive, the title copywriter does a bad job of describing what we actually do. As far as most people think, it covers a wide range of writing. Copywriters focus on persuasive copy that make people do things - buy, book, sign up, etc. We don’t generally write content, but confusingly content writers often pitch themselves as copywriters.”

“Some can do both, but it is a different skill. It’s like a goalkeeper saying because they play football they can perform as a striker. They aren’t a specialist in it. In terms of websites, for example, content writers craft the content - articles, blogs, etc. - that drives traffic to you. Then copywriters take over to design the shorter-form stuff and journey that makes people take an action once they are there.”

“You asked me about AI too. It’s a tool to be used for sure, but it can’t create what a good copywriter can yet. The challenge is that a lot of people who aren’t copywriters - or writers at all - haven’t learnt the psychology behind what motivates people, and AI will likely produce better than they can, so it can look like its good stuff. Even if AI could, can you identify what will be persuasive?”

“Do you actually know what words and sequences will convert your potential audience and make them act? Unlikely, unless you have undertaken a lot of research and collated data from hundreds of real people to understand what they ACTUALLY need to read to take action from that particular copy. Even I don’t know this until I’ve researched thoroughly, and it’s my job to know!”

“A way to look at it is it’s not that hard for you to write to people who are already interested. You can probably assume some of them are like you if your business filled a gap you needed filling (which is a very small section of your potential market btw). Copywriters make businesses money by converting the potential audience that are on the fence, and often the ones who didn’t know they need you yet. We’re the guys that can help turn a nice business that ticks along into one that scales”

We got Tim to pull out 3 actionable tips that could help if you are writing your own conversion copy (e.g. ads, website, emails), or trying to get AI to do it.

“Honestly, it is impossible to be objective about yourself and how you are perceived - that’s why you should find a skilled copywriter. That neutrality is important. It’s a skill that takes years to sharpen to persuade people. I wouldn’t try and fix my motorbike without learning how to do it, I use an experienced mechanic. I’d likely break it, or do an amateur job at best. Same with copy.”

“Get your messaging wrong and you’ll likely lose or be bypassed by a lot of potential clients. Better to spend what a couple of them might cost to employ a copywriter to get them in the first place.”

Tim loves to talk copy strategy and building journeys through copy, and has plans to create a community for entrepreneurs and businesses to help them create more effective copy if they can’t stretch to a copywriter. He just wants to see better and more effective copy out there!

You can ask him what you can do to improve your results on LinkedIn or at www.tvscopy.com if you need some help attracting more people to your business.

We love to feature nomads and what you do that can help the rest of us. Fill out this form and tell us about your thing!

POLL

We're going to float some questions pulled from Nomadicards for the next few weeks, and we'd love to hear if you have a longer-form answer to start some conversation. Click on Tell us more to, well, tell us more!

If you haven’t heard of Nomadicards, you can download a pdf set on their website, or perhaps find a deck at a nearby coliving space. Thanks to Francesco for sharing his work with nomads!

SPONSOR THE DIGITAL NOMAD

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Fill in this form if you want to be seen by an engaged base of subscribers to the The Digital Nomad.

DESTINATIONS
If you’re going to run, at least enjoy great views

Let’s just set the record straight now, we are NOT runners. However a lot of nomads are, and some even choose their next destination for a great running route.

We spotted this list of the 5 most beautiful runs in Asia from marathon runner Moa Stahlberg. We’re not going to run these routes, but they might be worth a visit just for the views.

1. Vietnam Trail Marathon, Vietnam - run through orchards, plantations and local villages.

2. Angkor Ultra Trail, Cambodia - Angkor Wat. That’s all we need to say really.

3. Nakawan Ultra, Malaysia - monkeys, jungle and steep ascents in Northern Malaysia

4. Caraban Gunung Nuang, Malaysia - waterfalls, jungle, tigers. Wait, TIGERS? 😳

5. HK50, Hong Kong - this Victoria Peak run offers incredible views of the city.

Check out the full rundown from Moa here.

BRAIN FOOD

Inspiration - The KRO community do an annual vote on a range of products, and here’s this year’s results. More than 27k votes, so a good sample size.

Hiking - Are you in “hiking” shape for the European summer? Prevent some aches and strains with these 11 exercises.

Problem solving - Does nature hold the answers to, well, everything?

Read -  How to price your membership program.

If you have any recommendations we can share here, let us know.

MAKE DIGITAL NOMAD LIFE EASIER
Resources that are actually helpful

Check out our new resources page for the longer list and a range of discounts across useful digital nomad products, services and events. Here are a few notable deals for retreats or getaways coming up:

• The legendary Nomad Cruise has only a few tickets for the June cruise left... or go big with the US-Australia cruise later this year!

• The next The Nomad World event is in the Algarve at the end of May.

• Bansko NomadFest is in June and tickets are now available. €25 off with code TDNBANSKO.

Other popular products or services right now:

• Global Nomad Pass - get deals around the world and support local businesses while you’re at it. 10% OFF with this link.

• GetNomad is a global eSIM provider. Get 10% off clicking here.

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

• 73% off and free months when you sign up to NordVPN with this link.

• Blotato - social media AI designed by one of AI’s big thinkers.

• SafetyWing are now their own provider of digital nomad insurance, streamlining their claim processes.

Check out new resources page, which includes resources for finding cafes to work from, VPN deals, Nomad insurance and tools and services for your business.

We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

THE LIST
5 most “unexpected” cities to WFH from?

For actual digital nomads, this list of 5 contains some very EXPECTED cities, but there are a couple of curveballs that we have heard on the grapevine could be up-and-coming.

Anyway, these are Newsweek’s five, so cue the comments!

1. Montevideo, Uruguay

2. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

3. Amman, Jordan

4. Mexico City, Mexico

5. Lisbon, Portgual

It’s actually quite a good read, so read the Newsweek article here, and has a longer list of destinations that came out of the report,

TRIVIA
Cost of living test

Rank these cities in ascending order of monthly cost of living, according to Nomadlist:

Answers below.

COFFEE BREAK

📧 History - If this hadn’t been published some 270 years ago today, how would this newsletter have read?

🎮 Game - Blow some steam off with some old school kicking ass.

📺 Watch - What would happen if everyone jumps at the same time?

WHAT DID YOU MISS?

If you are new to The Digital Nomad - or just want to go back and read a previous issue - then you can find them all here.

ANSWERS

1. Chiang Mai ($1041 per month)

2. Da Nang ($1107)

3. Florianopolis ($1479)

4. Bangkok ($1508)

5. Buenos Aires ($1589)

6. Amman ($1779)

7. Mexico City ($1822)

8. Canggu ($1984)

9. Tblisi ($2118)