As a digital nomad, someone that works remotely, a photographer or a filmmaker, one of the most important aspects of your work is having reliable backups to protect your precious files and portfolio. Losing all your hard work due to a computer crash, hard drive failure or theft can be devastating. Trust me, I know it. While I was in Mexico, my main hard drive failed and the files were not retrievable. With it, 3 years of work were gone because, at that time, I didn’t prioritize updating my website and backups ( a beginner mistake I have done so you don’t have to… Thank me later!
The biggest benefit to working as a digital nomad is that you get to choose when you work. You don’t have to deal with long commutes, or office politics—as long as you can do your job remotely and connect with co-workers online, there are no limits! Although, there are also cons, you might have financial instability as a freelancer when you first start or you may have a hard time finding a healthy balance between work and life outside of the house (so many things to see!). But also, when something breaks, it can be hard to find a store…
That’s why we’ve put together this list of must-have tools for any creator’s backup arsenal. Since I have developed these techniques, I have peace of mind that my files are safe. With these tools in hand, you can rest easy knowing that your data is safe and secure no matter where you are in the world. So let’s dive into our top picks! Here is what we will cover:
Online cloud backup services
External Hard Drive
Solid State Drives (SSD)
Insurance
1. Online cloud backup services
Cloud storage is a great way to store and back up your data no matter where you are. The advantage is that your files are saved in something non-physical and non-breakable. To access your data from any device with an internet connection. There are popular cloud storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud at a relatively low cost, but my favourite is BackBlaze. I highly recommend this service because, unlike the other storage services, this one is unlimited storage with a fixed price of 70/year. Plus, if shit hit the fan and your laptop stops working randomly in Nicaragua like mine (lol), you can choose to retrieve all your files with a cloud or choose the option to receive a hard drive with all your data. Backblaze provides an automated solution for backing up your data in the cloud. All you have to do is set up your account, download the software, and configure it to automatically back up all of your important files on a regular basis without any additional effort on your part. Thanks to Kolder Creative members to have recommended me!
2. External Hard Drive
An external hard drive is the classic backup tool for any digital nomad’s arsenal. Although, I would not recommend them as a main backup because they are the easiest to break. They have a lot of moving parts inside the hard drive such as magnetic heads, spindles, and spinning, which means that it is easy to lose its efficiency. I usually carry one where I archive all my files once I’m done and make a backup with the cloud because they are cheaper than an SSD.
3. Solid State Drives (SSD)
Much more durable than the previous external hard drive, this is where I keep my most important files. For example, all my “bangers shots and work”. SSDs don’t have moving parts, which means they won’t fail if exposed to shock and accidents. They are also faster and require less energy and we all know how time and our battery is important. They are indeed more expensive but will last you a very long time. I swear by the Samsung SSD for 3 years now.
4. Insurance
This is something many will forget at the early stage… We might be very careful of our gear and pend a lot of money in them, but sometimes, accidents happen out of our control. For example, when my laptop broke, not only did I was able to get a new laptop, but my insurance covered the value of the files I have lost. Repair or replacement costs can add up if you have to pay in full. But paying 400$/year can buy yourself peace of mind and save you a lot more than this initial investment. I use Front Row insurance (I’m based in Quebec), which covers me worldwide and with whom the claims are very simple and quick. As backup insurance, I also have insurance included in my TD travel credit card and I’m using Safetywing for health insurance for worldwide coverage.
Conclusion
As the digital nomad lifestyle grows in popularity, having reliable backup tools is crucial for success. With the right setup, you can be sure that your data is safe and secure no matter where you are. I hope this overview of my must-have tools to get started with a solid backup arsenal can help you keep your precious files secure. As always, it’s important to read up on each one before making any decisions so that you know what will work best for your particular needs. With these tips and tools in hand, you’ll be ready to hit the road worry-free!
