How Do Digital Nomads Make Money? (Top 16 Ways with Examples)

Making money as a digital nomad is easier than ever these days. Many companies and industries are transitioning to remote work that can be done from anywhere with just a laptop, a phone, and an internet connection or hotspot.

However, the options can be overwhelming and it can be hard to know where to start. This is why I have rounded up 16 ways that digital nomads can make money – including actual examples of work that my boyfriend and I have done in our three years of living on the road and examples from several of our friends who also travel full-time.

The 16 top ways digital nomads make money:

1. Writing

Freelance writing is how I’ve made the bulk of my income while traveling. I have a completely unrelated bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and although I’ve always enjoyed writing, I am not formally trained or qualified in any way.

I started a freelancer account on Upwork before we even bought our bus to convert because I knew it would take a while to win job bids and build my portfolio. I’ve since written for many different clients over the last few years and covered a wide variety of topics, although my favorite subject matter is traveling and buslife.

While I have only written in a freelance capacity, you could also look for a remote staff writer position (which might come with benefits) or write for yourself on your blog (but we’ll cover this later in the list because the earning mechanism is quite different).

Getting started as a freelance writer:

The big pros of freelance writing for me are that it didn’t require any special training or certification to get started, I didn’t have to spend months or years building up a blog or other platform in order to earn money, I have the freedom to choose my own hours and amount of work, and I don’t have to be online constantly.

Some cons are that the writing market is fairly saturated so it can be hard to get started and take a while to make a decent income. I wrote my first article for a measly $4 but it got my foot in the door.

Unless you have long-term or recurring clients, the work can be very feast or famine, which can make it hard to budget, save money, etc. And, as with any type of freelancing, sometimes you get clients who aren’t happy no matter what you do which is always frustrating.

My advice for getting started is to be prepared to essentially work for free for a little bit, whether this is just you writing spec work for your portfolio or accepting very low pay as a way to get started. Be patient and don’t give up if you get rejections or don’t hear back on proposals!

Resources:

As I mentioned, I use Upwork to find and bid on jobs, but other similar job boards like FlexJobs, Fiverr, and Indeed can be good options too. Or, you can also pitch publications directly (check their websites for instructions and guidelines) or check writing-specific resource websites like freelancewritinggigs.com.

There are all kinds of free and paid courses and webinars online to teach you how to win clients, write effectively, and so on.

2. Editing

I occasionally do freelance editing as well, also through Upwork. As this is more of a side hustle for me, I mainly focus on jobs where the client is looking for simple spelling, grammar, and sentence structure checks and I’ll just make suggestions in a Google Document.

However, you could scale up editing work significantly to review book manuscripts, technical documents, and other large projects to make this your main gig. Obviously, you need to have a strong grasp of language, grammar, syntax, and vocabulary to be a successful editor.

Getting started as a freelance editor:

Many of the same pros of writing apply for editing as well, and editing generally requires less brain power than writing (at least for me).

However, the cons are a little bit different. It’s hard to prove that you are a good editor. Many job postings ask for a sample piece that you’ve edited, but I always feel weird about using someone else’s work (like a past client’s) as a basis to show off my editing skills and I haven’t taken the time to create a sample editing piece yet.

Also, everyone’s idea of “editing” is different. I’ve had some clients want only very minor changes and others who essentially want the entire text rewritten. You may also need to know different formatting styles like MLA, APA, and CMS for academic editing. Unless you have professional editing experience, it can be hard to win jobs – not impossible by any means though.

When I started editing on Upwork, they had a feature that basically involved quizzes you could take to prove your proficiency at a certain skill (English language, editing, spelling, etc.) so I would usually just reference my excellent scores in applications for editing jobs.

They have since gotten rid of this feature, so my advice would be to find a sample text either online or one that you write intentionally poorly and then edit it using suggestions on Google Docs so potential clients can see the before and after.

Resources:

The freelance and job sites mentioned above can be good places to look for editing jobs as well as writing jobs, or you can apply to be a remote staff editor for a publication or editing house. Upwork | FlexJobs | Fiverr | Indeed | freelancewritinggigs.com

3. Transcription

As we were building out our bus, I dabbled in transcription for a while to make some extra cash. I set up an account on Rev and once I got accepted, I was able to choose which projects I wanted to transcribe with no minimum commitment. If you have sharp ears and are a fast typer, this can be a good way to earn some income since there is almost always work available.

Getting started as a transcriptionist:

The pros of transcribing are that basically anyone can do it, there’s almost always work available so you can work as much or as little as you want, and you can learn lots of interesting things from the material that you are transcribing.

For cons, the pay isn’t amazing so transcribing is usually best as a side hustle in combination with other income streams. Some audio/video files are not easy to understand, especially if there are multiple people, strong accents, or background noise. This can require a lot of extra time if you have to listen to the recording multiple times through. 

Professional transcribers often use special foot pedals to play and stop the audio as well as transcription software and special headsets, but you can certainly still start off as a transcriber on sites like Rev with just a laptop and normal headphones or earbuds – don’t feel like you need to invest in a bunch of gear.

Resources:

Check sites like Rev or TranscribeMe to get started transcribing. You will need to pass a sample test and get approved before you can earn money.

4. Graphic Design

My boyfriend Aaron originally made money on the road by busking – playing his custom suitcase drumset on city streets for tips. Unfortunately the pandemic put an end to that for now, so he pivoted and started doing freelance work on Upwork.

Aaron has a degree in Digital Technology and Culture (basically graphic design) and worked in the custom apparel niche for a while before we hit the road, so he does have experience in this industry and knows the software, design principles, etc. 

If you don’t have professional experience with graphic design, you can still get into the industry with some practice and self-teaching, and there are some jobs available where all you need is a free account on a service like Canva to make basic logos, online ads, and social media content.

These types of jobs can be a great way to test out the graphic design niche without committing yourself to an Adobe software subscription.

Getting started in graphic design:

You can set your own schedule and amount of work, you don’t have to be online to work, graphic design pays quite well as far as freelance jobs go, you can get into graphic design for free using sites like Canva, and there are all kinds of free resources and tutorials online to learn new techniques.

For cons, many jobs require that you have one or more Adobe programs, which are $5-$21 each per month or about $50 per month for all the programs. Sometimes you can find deals or discounts, and you really only need to do a couple of jobs per month to still turn a profit.

But, once you’ve paid for the programs, you also have to know how to use them effectively and be familiar with various file types and so forth. Clients who aren’t familiar with graphic design work can provide very vague guidelines and ask for multiple rounds of free edits which can be frustrating – set out your policies about edits at the outset to avoid awkward situations.

To get started, you simply have to start designing. Make spec work, practice new techniques, and build a cohesive portfolio to show potential clients your skills and style.

Resources:

YouTube has thousands of tutorial videos for graphic design and Adobe provides some as well. To find graphic design jobs, check the freelance and job platforms mentioned above. Upwork | FlexJobs | Fiverr | Indeed

5. Video Work

Aaron also does freelance video work, including editing footage, recording voice overs, creating animations for explainer videos and YouTube channel intros, etc.

This is a more specialized skill set than static graphic design but a dedicated individual could teach themselves many of the necessary skills. Video work can also include filming footage for clients, so if you already have a nice camera this can be an option as well.

Aaron’s Pros, Cons, and Advice for Getting Started:

The pros are similar to graphic design. The cons are that editing video files and doing animation work requires a lot of processing power so you’ll need a relatively beefy laptop for this type of work, plus a couple of different Adobe programs most likely.

Video work is really something that you have to practice. If you have the patience to sit down and learn new programs from YouTube tutorials, you can get good enough to do basic projects without any formal training.

Resources:

The same as for graphic design. Upwork | FlexJobs | Fiverr | Indeed

6. Tutoring or Teaching Lessons

Finally, Aaron also teaches video editing lessons/Adobe tutorials over Zoom. However, you could teach virtual lessons in whatever niche you are an expert – music, software, school subjects, etc.

Getting started as an online tutor/teacher:

The pros are that you can make an excellent hourly wage and it only requires an internet connection and your knowledge. However, you need a fast, reliable connection in order to make video calls and you lose some scheduling freedom when you have lessons booked out in advance.

To get started, you just need to be an expert on your topic and be confident teaching others. Finding clients can be hard at first when you don’t have any reviews, but lesson platforms and tutoring sites can make it easy for potential clients to find you.

Resources:

Aaron found his most recent lesson teaching job on Upwork, but he’s also taught music lessons before through takelessons.com and had good experiences. There are all kinds of tutoring sites for more formal lessons or you can look for informal and short-term lesson gigs on all of the freelance sites.

7. Teaching English

Anne (@dontforgetyoursunscreen), who travels full-time in a fifth-wheel travel trailer with her boyfriend and their adorable puppy, teaches English online. Here’s the scoop:

“I work for a company called VIPKid which brings young English learners located in China together with Canadian or American teachers who have any 4-year degree. These classes are immersion learning classes, meaning you do not need to speak Chinese to teach.

You are also an independent contractor, meaning you work for yourself and do not have a boss to report to. I have really enjoyed forming relationships with my students who give me a peek at what their life is like in China. 

I was previously teaching in the ESL community in Myanmar, Italy, and Spain so I knew about online English learning platforms. I started teaching for VIPKid when I was living in Spain, so when I came home for the pandemic it was an easy transition to do while in quarantine. I have been doing it ever since and love it. I see myself teaching for VIPKid as long as I can.”

Getting started as an online English teacher:

“VIPKid is a very easy supplemental income. Because the company provides all learning materials, there is no need to spend additional time coming up with your own lesson plans: they’re all ready for you as soon as you log on.

The con (which is also a pro if you have other things to do during the day) is that the lessons take place on China’s time – which either means very early in the morning or late at night. I have gotten used to this strange schedule and have grown to really enjoy it. It allows me to go out and do what I want to do during the day.

If you are interested in teaching online, start now! For VIPKid, there is no penalty for not teaching if you do not like it, and no way to know if you will like it if you do not try it. Teaching learners based in China can feel like a scam because the demand is so high for English teachers but these positions pay and are relatively easy to do.”

Anne’s Resources:

“If anyone is interested in teaching for VIPKid, my referral code is ANNE00222, I would be happy to see if VIPKid is a good fit for you and help you through the hiring process.”

When you enter Anne’s referral code on VIPKid.com, you’ll be able to connect with her and receive her mentorship and onboarding expertise. There are many different English teaching platforms but VIPKid is one of the most popular.

8. Translation

Fiorella (@amor.aventura), a fellow buslifer, works as a freelance Spanish-English translator. I asked her to share a little bit about her work and how she got into it:

“I work with individuals, companies and even big organizations translating documents, presentations, website text and anything they need! I got into translation work back in college, about 4 years ago, doing small jobs here and there. I am originally from Bolivia and therefore speak both languages and I’ve always been passionate about using them so after becoming a full time nomad I dove into the field!”

Getting started with translation:

“One pro for freelance translating is being able to accept and work jobs from anywhere! A lot of them will provide you the documents and give you a date to deliver which means you don’t even need a connection to work on translation (huge pro for me!).

Some cons are that some jobs might require you to have a certification in translation (which I don’t have) which makes the opportunities a bit more limited. And obviously you need to be fluent in both languages.

For translating a big piece of advice I would give is to start small. Especially if you don’t have a certificate, take small jobs and give yourself time to create a resume and to build experience in the field. A client who needs translation once will most likely need it again, so make sure your work is detailed and double checked to make a good impression.”

If you have more questions about the job (or need some translating done) you can get in touch with Fiorella at fiorella.yriberry@gmail.com.

Resources:

Check the usual suspects for freelance translation work or you can work through designated freelance translation sites like gengo.com.

9. YouTube

 

Fiorella and her partner Zach also make some money through their YouTube channel.

“We earn some passive income through affiliate marketing links shared in your YouTube channel. We add links to products we use and love in our video descriptions and earn commissions based on the purchases made!

We are affiliate marketing members for Amazon, Lowe’s, Home Depot and eBay! We started uploading videos to YouTube consistently the past year and enjoyed building a community and being a guiding resource. People always asked about the items mentioned and/or how they could support us so it lined up for us to start working with affiliate marketing!”

Getting started as a youtuber:

“One pro of affiliate marketing is that once it’s set up, it is a flowing system of its own. It’s pretty easy to set up, just find the product you are promoting and create a link! Some cons are that it might take time to create a community that will be using these links. It’s definitely a process from the beginning to where it creates a significant income. 

A big and important piece of advice we would give to someone looking to start in affiliate marketing would be to always be honest about the links you are sharing. Creating trust with your community is really important so make sure you are disclosing this information when needed. We would also advise people to start with just one company so you can learn the process and test the water.”

Resources:

Each company has their own affiliate program rules and regulations, but a popular place to start is the Amazon Associates program. Affiliate marketing is just one way to earn on YouTube – you can also join the YouTube Partner Program to earn money from advertising revenue, channel memberships, selling branded merchandise, Super Chat, and YouTube Premium revenue.

However, your channel must have more than 1,000 subscribers and more than 4,000 public watch hours and meet a few other qualifications to be eligible for the Partner Program.

10. Selling Digital Products

My friend Tiffany (@kudzumonster) designs and sells digital products that are available for sale through her online store – primarily gorgeous custom pet portraits that she designs with her iPad and Adobe software and then has printed and shipped to customers directly by a service called Printful.

She also designs fun party favors and decor as well as unique holiday cards which are all digital downloads and can be printed at home by customers. I asked Tiffany to share how she got into this unique line of work:

“My good friend and I were laid off from our in-house designer positions where we were creating baby shower invitations. We decided to try applying our design skills to an Etsy shop together and saw some early modest success. 

We both found new staff designer jobs but I was still so intrigued by our teeny business we had tried while we were out of work. I kept my day job for several months while I experimented with different products on the Etsy shop to see what people responded to.

Eventually, I found the niche of digital greeting cards. Sales picked up enough that I was able to quit my office job and pursue my business full time. Now my business supports my nomadic lifestyle.”

Getting started selling digital products:

“The biggest pro of selling digital products is that it can create passive income. Yes, I spend a lot of time creating new products and not every product I take time to design ends up being successful. However, the designs that are successful continue to bring in income for years and years. I don’t have to keep inventory and I don’t have to print or ship the products.

One con of selling digital designs is it is easy for people to rip them off. My best selling designs usually get copied and often sold at lower prices which can really be discouraging. I sometimes will ask the seller to take down the copied product or go through the process of reporting them but that takes time and a lot of mental energy and frustration.

My advice would be to play to your strengths and your own interests. Some of my most successful early products were things I just created for my own use and published on my store just to see what happened.

For example, I was designing a dog portrait tattoo for myself, posted the drawing on my shop as an example for custom commissions just to see if it got a response, and now custom pet portraits are one of my best sellers.

Finally, I think being a specialist, rather than a generalist is key. Don’t try to compete with trendy products in an overly crowded marketplace. Instead find a small niche creating something that is fun for you. People will see your passion shine through your products and you’ll have more fun creating them.”

Tiffany’s Resources:

“As far as resources go, Pinterest is a great tool for both market research and for getting the word out on my products. I also use Google Trends to find out what phrases and keywords people are searching for to decide how best to title/describe my digital goods.”

You can check out Tiffany’s beautiful digital products at kudzumonster.net.

11. Remote Marketing or Sales

There are SO many options for marketing and sales jobs that I’m going to share two examples of friends who work in this industry. Merrisa (@_girlgonenomad) had a full-time in-person job and transitioned that job into a remote position, while Thomas (@roamingwilsons) picked up his job while already on the road.

Merrisa’s Job:

“I work in marketing at Winnebago as a Community Specialist and have the opportunity to work remotely while traveling full-time with my dog in various Winnebago camper vans. My position is focused on community outreach and engaging with communities within our owner base – both digitally and in person.

Prior to COVID, I was traveling to different events to connect with owners and gain insight through Voice of the Customer interviews. Now, I focus more on the digital communities until I can get back out to in-person events.

I have worked for Winnebago full-time for three years, but prior to that I was a marketing intern for five summers throughout high school and college. My job started out much different but has evolved over the years to better suit the needs of the company and myself.

My lifestyle has also evolved and two years ago, I found myself eager to get out and live the lifestyle that so many of our owners were living. I pitched the idea to my boss three different times, each time asking for a little bit more, before I was finally able to go completely full-time on the road.”

Getting started in remote marketing:

“The pros: every little bit of my job is awesome. Awesome people, awesome vans, awesome sites and awesome coworkers. I’m lucky to work with some strong, empowering women who are constantly pushing me towards my goals.

The cons: I find myself putting in more than 40 hours a week because it’s so convenient to ‘go into work’ at any hour of the day.

This isn’t specific to any field, but if you have the ability to work remotely and want to travel… Do it! Don’t be afraid to ask and keep pushing to make it happen.”

Thomas’s Job:

“I work for Curated as a Winter Sports Expert. I mainly sell ski gear online to customers who visit the site and fill out a questionnaire. It is all online messaging or phone calls. Shifts are 3 hours long, and there is a minimum of 1-2 shifts per week, but you are able to pick up more work throughout the week if you have time.

I love to ski and enjoy talking gear so this was a no brainer when I saw that they were hiring winter sports experts. It was a lengthy interview process/vetting process.”

Getting started in remote sales and product Q&A:

“You get to essentially make your own schedule to work as little or as much as you like. It is all remote work and that suits bus life well! Cons are that it is commission based and it is sales so sometimes I feel pushy. You need reliable internet and a laptop to work as the platform is difficult to negotiate on a smartphone. 

Curated is hiring frequently for a variety of experts (camping, hiking, winter sports, golf, fishing). If you are looking for remote work and are knowledgeable in any of those areas it could be a good opportunity!”

Resources:

As Thomas mentioned, you can check Curated for a variety of similar jobs, or you can check all the standard job boards for remote marketing or sales positions. There are tons of options available in this field. Bonus – need some new outdoor gear? Use Thomas’s referral link for 10% off your first order from Curated.

12. Telehealth

Kelly (Thomas’s lovely wife, also of @roamingwilsons) works in the telehealth industry. In the past, both Kelly and Thomas have worked healthcare travel contracts – Thomas is also an occupational therapist and Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. They have both recently moved to remote work in order to travel more freely. Here’s what Kelly shared about her current telehealth work:

“I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and provide telehealth mental health therapy. I am working part-time (2 days a week) and see clients via Zoom on scheduled days each week.

I received my Bachelor’s degree and Master of Social Work degree in order to provide therapy/counseling to children, teens, and adults. I wanted a career that challenged me and let me support others and social work just seemed to really fit who I am and what I value.”

Getting started in telehealth:

“The pros: I am able to use my degree and make an income while traveling/living life on the road, something that has become easier since COVID and the expansion of telehealth services.

The cons: I have my sessions on a fixed schedule so there is the added stress in ensuring I have good reception and wifi certain days of the week versus having a remote job that does not have a set schedule.”

Kelly’s Resources:

“In order to provide therapy/counseling (via telehealth or in person) individuals would need to get their Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in a counseling/social work profession. There are also remote jobs for Bachelor’s level social workers providing emotional support or crisis services.”

Obviously, this type of work isn’t something you can pick up on a whim – but if you are already on a healthcare track it can be a great option to allow you to pursue your career while also traveling. (Also read: Monster.com – 9 telemedicine companies making big hires)

13. Coaching

Coaching is another huge field with a ton of different niches, so again I’m going to share two examples of friends who work in this industry in very different fields. Ayana (@ayana.otteman) is a Natural Dreamwork Practitioner and Shelby (@aimlesstravels) is a professional job coach.

Ayana’s Job:

“Through the practice of Natural Dreamwork I help people develop and deepen their relationship with their dreams. Dreams bring medicine and wisdom that is unique to each of us, and I guide people through the process of uncovering what their dreams are sharing with them.

I got into this line of work by exploring my own dreams with a Practitioner. I have always felt that dreams are meaningful and mysterious entities and after exploring my own for a few years, I began the training process to become a practitioner.”

Getting started as a Natural Dreamwork coach:

“Some pros of the job: You get to make your own schedule! This is a must for life on the road since you need to be able to plan wifi access, have enough solar power to work on the computer all day, etc. It’s powerful work that I find deeply fulfilling. The grounds of our dreams are intensely personal, and it is such an honor to be a guide in that tender space.

Our dreams can point to core wounds, limiting beliefs, or stories that need healing. It is so humbling to move through those deep and emotional waters with people. Plus, I get to talk to people about their dreams all the time! How cool is that?!

Some cons of the job: Not everyone is into their dreams. It’s quite a niche offering, and although I truly believe this work can be for everyone it can be a struggle to find enough clients to pay the bills. It requires good enough internet for Zoom sessions, and quiet uninterrupted space to run hour-long sessions, which can be tricky when you’re living in a bus with a partner and dog.”

Ayana’s Resources: 

“If you’re interested in learning more about the Natural Dreamwork approach (it is quite different from other schools of dream interpretation) you can visit thenaturaldream.com. There’s a newsletter you can subscribe to, and additional info about the practice.

My first bit of advice would be to start working with your own dreams! Witness and experience the healing your dreams can offer you, and then see if you may be interested in guiding others through the same.”

For more information, you can contact Ayana via Instagram (@ayana.otteman) or on Facebook at naturaldreamworkwithayana.

Shelby’s Job: 

“I work for a remote resume writing company as a professional job coach. Essentially, I help clients align their goals and experience with their targeted job. I realized after I was in graduate school that I didn’t really wanna work a 9-5. Instead, I looked for other ways to make money.

I actually came across my primary job (professional job coach) on Craigslist. Thought it was a fake ad at first, but I’ve been with the company for almost 3 years now!”

Getting started as a job coach:

“Pros to job coach – I get to control my own hours which is awesome for life on the road because you have to be flexible. Cons – it goes through busy and dry seasons. In addition (not gonna lie) people can be very foul online and it can be a lot to deal with sometimes.”

Shelby’s Resources:

“Look for remote-specific jobs on an assortment of platforms including Indeed, Glassdoor, even Craigslist. While I was looking for writing jobs that were online, there were a ton of great free resources that were constantly posting job updates. Twitter is also a fantastic source for finding remote writing updates.”

Shelby offers nomad community discounts on professional resume writing – contact her via Instagram (@aimlesstravels) for more information.

14. Blogging

As I mentioned, blogging is separate from writing on this list because with blogging, you aren’t getting paid to actually write the articles, but you can make money from affiliate marketing, ad revenue, and so forth. Your blog needs to have a significant audience for this to yield a decent income, however.

Shelby has several income streams, including her blog aimlesstravels.com. She said that while blogging, she primarily focuses on SEO strategies to boost views, affiliate sales, and ad revenue. 

On the blog, Shelby and her partner David also sell merchandise and market David’s bus and van conversion services.

Getting started with blogging:

The pros of blogging are that you can earn passive income and you have no one to report to but yourself, but the cons are that it can take a ton of work and a lot of time to build your readership up to a level where you can earn a good amount of money. So, for the initial stages it can feel like a lot of work for little reward.

Anyone can start a blog, you just need to purchase a domain name, build your website, and start creating content!

Resources:

I learned how to create a WordPress website entirely from watching YouTube videos – it’s not terribly difficult but it is time consuming if you don’t already know what you’re doing. There are tons of free online resources on how to start a successful blog, SEO techniques, and basically everything you need to know to monetize your blog. 

 

15. Programming, Coding, or Website Development

Shelby also occasionally designs websites for other people as yet another income stream. WordPress is a very popular website builder, although Squarespace and Shopify sites are often in demand as well. App building, programming, and coding are similar skills that can also be done on a freelance basis.

Getting started in web development:

The pros are similar to any other type of freelance work – you can work as much or as little as you want, you can set your own hours, and you can work from anywhere. The cons are that you need a fair amount of processing power for certain website building/coding/programming work, and you need a good internet connection.

Start with practice websites/apps/programs to ensure that you can create flawless work, which will also give you a portfolio of samples to share with potential clients.

Resources:

You can learn to code for free online with programs like freecodecamp.org and you can learn how to build websites via YouTube tutorials.

16. SEO and Digital Marketing

SEO and digital marketing are services that virtually every single business needs in today’s online world, so you can certainly capitalize on this demand like Eric (@edkwriting) did:

“I run a digital marketing agency that handles email marketing for lifestyle/apparel e-commerce brands. I use a relationship-driven approach to build long term relationships with the business and the customer, which leads to more sales in the future. 

At the end of 2019, my wife and I decided we wanted to travel full time. Obviously, it’s hard to do that working a 9-5. So I started looking around and ended up finding a video on copywriting. After doing some research, I found a mentor and quickly developed my skills while working my 9-5 and just recently went full time back in October of 2020.”

Getting started in digital marketing:

“Some pros are I’ve got tons of freedom during the day. I work my own hours and no longer get paid for my time, but my skills. I’m also in direct control of my income. Some cons are income can fluctuate month to month, especially if clients don’t pay their invoices. You have to put in the work to get enough clients to fund your ideal lifestyle, then branch off to scale. This can be difficult without the right guidance.

If you’re ready to dive into this career, I 1000% recommend you find a mentor. Going off on your own can be very tricky. You’ll make tons of mistakes but with a mentor, it’s less likely that you will.

Another thing I recommend is don’t waste ALL of your time developing skills before searching for a client. It’s better to find a client with absolutely no knowledge on what to do than to be over prepared and not have put in time to find clients. That way you can get paid to learn.”

For more about Eric’s work, check out www.edkwriting.com.

Resources:

There are all kinds of free and paid digital marketing training courses and YouTube videos available online. I completed the DigitalMarketer course a few years ago and it helped me understand SEO techniques for writing as well as general online marketing principles and best practices. As Eric said, finding a mentor can also be extremely helpful in this industry.

Other Remote Work and Business Ideas To Consider

Obviously, there are more than 16 options for ways to make money as a digital nomad, but it wouldn’t be possible to cover them all in one article. Some other popular options include: being a virtual assistant, remote customer service, remote IT work, being a virtual accountant, data entry, selling online courses or ebooks, and being a social media manager.

I’ve even met someone who sells insurance from his bus conversion. Truly, the options are endless.

Up Next In Making Money:

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How Much Do Mountain Guides Make?

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