If you love traveling and exploring new places, one goal you might have is to become a digital nomad. But what exactly is a digital nomad, you might ask?
Digital nomads travel as their heart desires, going wherever they want, whenever they want. However, they also use telecommunication to make a living. Technology allows them to work remotely wherever they are, allowing them to wander around but to also live comfortably.
The desire to travel isn’t enough to become a digital nomad. You also have to have a skill set that allows you to do work while you’re on the road. Most digital nomads are freelancers, taking on clients, and completing the work whenever they have access to WiFi. However, it is important to remember that freelancing doesn’t guarantee a paycheck. Those that aren’t careful can quickly find themselves in debt. You can estimate the amount of money you will make each month and see if you can afford being a digital nomad.
If the idea of becoming a digital nomad sounds appealing to you, here are just some of the ways digital nomads can make money.
Start a vlog
Many digital nomads are documenting their journey through vlogging, which is short for video blogging. They upload their videos to Youtube. Those that produce great quality content and gain enough followers are eventually able to monetize their channels. This is when you run advertisements throughout your videos, and then you get paid for views. However, for a vlog to work, you have to have video editing skills and be personable.
Provide a professional service
If you are a skilled writer or graphic designer, you can always sell your services professionally and take on different clients. Some sites allow you to connect with clients through online platforms, such as Upwork. Or, you can locate your own clients, and work with them through email. Content writing and graphic design can be a great way to earn income, while also allowing you to have time to travel.
Teach online
From creating online courses, to teaching English to others, to virtual tutoring, there are plenty of ways that technology is allowing online education. Even if you don’t have experience teaching, as long as you’re skilled in a subject matter and enjoy working with others, teaching online could be a way to generate needed income. There are platforms designed to connect tutors with students, though you could also try using online job boards.
Write a book
If you prefer passive income over active income, it could be worth looking into self-publishing through Amazon. If you’re knowledgeable in a specific field, you could write nonfiction books. Or, if you consider yourself a creative individual, you could also try writing fiction. Or, if you’re traveling to some really cool places, you could even write a travel memoir! You can visit a site such as nomadific.com to get travel recommendations.
Get started with affiliate marketing
If you’re already running a successful blog or social media channel, affiliate marketing is something you should consider. With affiliate marketing, you promote other people’s products within your content and then get paid a small percentage of the sale whenever someone makes a purchase. However, it is important to remember that if you’re hoping to generate stable income through affiliate marketing, you need a large number of people that follow your content.
Offer consulting services
If you enjoy working with others and are skilled in a specific area, you could consider online consulting. This is different from tutoring because you work with individuals or companies that need expert advice. For example, if you’re skilled in social media advertising, a company might hire you to help them improve their social media platforms. Or if you’re a fitness guru, you might help others figure out ways to lose weight.
Play the stock market
There are digital nomads out there that earn a living by playing the stock market. They make investments in stocks, then trade the stock during a time where they can generate income. For those that have a great understanding of the stock market, this allows them to spend their days traveling to all those places on their bucket list, while occasionally checking into the stock market. However, keep in mind that playing the stock market can be risky.
Final thoughts
Digital nomads are creative individuals that find ways to use technology to earn an income while they travel. While many enjoy this lifestyle, it is also important to remember that this lifestyle also comes with hardships, because most of these ways of earning income are less stable than working full-time for a company.
