What is it that Digital Nomads do to earn money?

Some time ago, traveling around the world while working online and earning money only seemed like a dream. In today’s world, that dream isn’t so unlikely anymore. In fact, remote work opportunities increased over the years, and becoming a digital nomad is easier than you think. 

This is why the question of how do I become a digital nomad is at the top of many people’s lists. If the idea of becoming a digital nomad and changing your lifestyle keeps roaming your mind, we are here to answer your questions.

Becoming a Digital nomad

How to become a digital nomad is probably one of the most common questions asked. Often people assume it’s only about making quick money online and traveling. We can guarantee you that the digital nomad lifestyle is so much more than that. For starters, we like to call it a global lifestyle lived by people from all walks of life. 

Within this lifestyle, two things are a given; you typically earn money via remote work or online. Secondly, you enjoy living outside your own home country and are into exploring different ways on how to shape your own life. Instead of following a set of rules, it’s about exploring how you want to live your life according to your desires – not only in the near future but also in the long term. 

Ask yourself some important questions:

• What are your desires?
• What areas of my current life aren’t making me happy?
• What people in my environment are holding me back?
• What beliefs do I disagree with?
• Can I do my job online?
• If not, how can I make money online?
• What are my skills?

Three types of Digital Nomads

Although all jobs of Digital nomads are done online, these jobs can diversify a lot. So let’s divide it into the three existing types that a Digital Nomad can be:

• The entrepreneurs with their own online business
• The remote workers
• The location-independent freelancers

Think outside the box! We see in the digital nomad community that talents are used across several projects. Many nomads combine for example having a remote job and turning in a side hustle into a successful business.

The Entrepreneur

A Digital Nomad Entrepreneur can be described as someone who has created their own (digital) business. You provide diverse types of products and services to companies or clients employing digital communication tools. The process of becoming financially free with your own business at first can be challenging. It takes a lot of hard work and you might end up working more hours than on a regular job. To experience less financial stress lot of entrepreneurs find other ways to earn some extra income to be able to support themselves until they reach their goals.

Some examples of entrepreneurs can be: Marketing Agency, Selling information and knowledge like courses, E-Commerce Owner

Remote Workers

As home offices become more common in 2020 and 2021, so does remote work. A Remote Worker is someone that is hired by a company but can either work from home or can choose their own workplace. This place can be a co-working space, a coffee shop, or just at home. However, you probably still have online meetings and a fixed amount of hours a week to cover. You can indeed be the Nomads with the least flexible schedule, but at the same time, you are provided with a steady and fixed salary in most cases.

Freelancer

A freelancer is referred to as the nomads that work online for one, or multiple clients. As a nomad freelancer, you conduct work for other businesses but since you’re not employed it comes with a lot of freedom. Typically, you can work from any part of the world, as long as you meet your deadlines and have a steady WiFi connection.

The salary of freelancers varies. This is why it can be very unpredictable and a strong reason not to choose this path.  

While it brings a lot of freedom, it can be super stressful at times as well. Finding clients and making sure that you have your preferred income each month isn’t always easy to maintain. This can be a huge downside and the reason why many freelancers choose a remote job or focus on finding long-term clients instead.

Freelancer jobs are mostly in fields like social media, creative content, or web design. Some examples: content writer, graphic designer, web designer, copywriter, etc.

What type of Digital Nomad do you want to be?

Believe it or not, the global pandemic has increased remote job opportunities. Many companies have realized, that working from home can be an awesome alternative, and as efficient as working from the office. Therefore numerous positions that were office jobs have transformed into the remote. Also, as businesses downsize and hire remote workers, companies can reduce costs like office spaces. The possibility to earn a living, while traveling and visiting new places is more plausible than you think!

But, before you quit your job and become the next Digital Nomad, let’s figure out which jobs you can do according to your skills to earn money. Download our free guide below to find out more.

Head over to the Digital Nomads Daily Podcast for real-life nomad experiences from digital nomads