265: Digital Nomadism for Lawyers (with Megan Hargroder)

Step into the extraordinary world of digital nomadism with my wanderlust-filled guest, Megan Hargroder. Megan, a seasoned digital nomad, has been living out of her suitcase and working from the picturesque locales of Europe for the past eight months. Join us for a riveting conversation that explores the exhilarating freedoms and intricate challenges that come hand-in-hand with her unique lifestyle. Navigating time zones, hiring international talent, managing remote work, and maintaining cyber security are just a few of the topics we delve into. We also touch upon the fascinating subject of managing a virtual team of assistants, specifically from the Philippines, and how to evolve a contractual role into a full-time position. You'll be riveted as Megan shares the secret to maintaining a secure online presence while globe-trotting and highlights the hidden benefits of a WeWork All-Access membership.  Ready to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle? Get an insight into Megan's tech arsenal as she reveals how she stays connected with the help of Airalo, a virtual SIM card app. Plus, learn about the magic of automation and outsourcing, and how these can free up your time for, well, more freedom! And as a cherry on top, we even touch upon the importance of a systematic onboarding process and learning from mistakes. So, buckle up for an episode that's brimming with insightful takeaways, hilarious anecdotes, and trailblazing ideas! In this episode, you will hear: Challenges of Working Remotely While Traveling Using Airalo for Unlimited Data Abroad  Exploring Options for Accessing Data Abroad Importance of Slack in Communication Supercharged CEO Using Slack for Client Communication Resources from this Episode Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners) Read: The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free) Megan's company website (a digital marketing agency helping solo/small firm lawyers) ExpresssVPN (Virtual Private Network service, link to 30-day free trial) Airalo (app & services for using virtual SIM cards, aka eSIM) - use this code to get $3 off your first purchase: ERNEST3504 World Clock app (for time zone management) FIO (browser tool for time zone management) Slack (communication tool for remote teams) Microsoft Teams (alternative communication tool for remote teams) Joey Vitale program that teaches outsourcing skills Loom (video communication tool) VideoAsk (video communication tool) Google Suite (mentioned as a potential alternative to Slack or Microsoft Teams) WeWork (shared workspace provider) General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses. Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to Our Sponsors Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Overture Law Overture Law is the first private attorney network enabling them to refer matters to one another and ethically share in referral fees.  Membership is free if you're accepted. Apply for membership at Overture.law Once you're accepted, you'll start getting valuable referrals and earn fees for matters you refer out. A powerful win-win for U.S.-based solo and small firm attorneys. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.