Do you have the travel bug but lack the time or the money to make your vacation dreams come true? Or do you find yourself repeatedly scrolling through travel accounts on social media, wishing that could be you? Well, I’ve got good news for you. Becoming a digital nomad and making a decent income while you travel the globe is much easier than you think. And, in 2020, remote work has become more popular than ever, so you’re even more likely than ever before to find an online job in your preferred field.
With some simple planning and preparation, you too can become location independent and have the life you’ve always dreamed of. Keep reading for some tips to help you become a successful digital nomad.
Why Become a Digital Nomad?
If you can’t choose a single place to settle down, or if you just want to have the freedom over your own schedule, then the life of a digital nomad is right for you. A digital nomad is someone who employs telecommunication and technology in order to earn a living online. This allows digital nomads to live a flexible lifestyle and to move about freely as they work. You can essentially work from anywhere as long as there is a strong wifi connection.
And, due to technological advances and widespread internet connectivity, there are more possibilities to work remotely than ever before. According to MBOpartners, in 2018 alone over 4.8 million people identified as digital nomads. Those numbers today are increasing, as more and more companies have moved online in order to compete in the digital sphere.
How to Become a Digital Nomad
In order to start your career as a digital nomad, you’ll need to put in some work. Being in charge of your own schedule and income does not come without its own challenges, so it will take some motivation to get started. You might even want to start out on your travels as a student or by taking a course abroad. That way you’ll be able to make connections abroad before you work remotely.
Next, you should consider the skills you already have. Does your degree lend itself to a job you can do online? Do you have experience working in a particular field? Maybe you want to change careers completely. If that’s the case, think about what interests you. What are your hobbies, and what kind of work would you enjoy doing. If you find yourself lacking in professional experience, you should invest in an online course in order to boost your resume.
It’s a good idea to join an online digital nomad community. That way, even if you’re constantly traveling or on the move, you can build up a network of support and be part of a like minded community. You might find some tips for saving money or even some job leads among your fellow digital nomads. Check out one digital nomad forum https://locationindie.com/join/.
Jobs for Digital Nomads
So, what kind of work do digital nomads do? There’s a myriad of jobs to choose from, and if you can’t find one you like, you can simply create your own. However, it might be best to ease your way into the nomadic lifestyle by choosing a popular remote job. Here are three remote jobs that are easy to get started in and will help you along your digital nomad journey.
1. Copywriting
You may not realize it, but you encounter some form of copywriting everyday. More than just blogging, copywriting is a type of persuasive writing that inspires someone to take action. It includes article writing as well as newsletters, short ads, or persuasive blogs. Copywriting is required by most businesses for campaigns, advertising fundraising and more. What does that mean for digital nomads? The market for copywriters is infinite. You can send emails to just about any company to see if they require a copywriter, and you’re bound to find some positive responses. All you have to do is find your niche.
If you’re interested in copywriting, I recommend taking a course online to understand the business behind it. You can check out Sarah Turner’s free videos on Youtube to see copywriting is the write path for you.
2. Teaching English Online
In recent years, the market for TEFL (teach English as a foreign language) online has grown tremendously, so if you’re interested in working with foreign students, this is the job for you. The best part? You don’t need to be a classically trained teacher in order to find the right job. Most online teaching platforms require a bachelor’s degree in any field and give priority to native English speakers.
However, if you want to really get ahead of your competition and secure a job that you’ll absolutely love, you should become certified to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL). This certification will enable you to teach in any country, and it will give you the skills you need to manage a classroom full of eager learners. You can opt for a virtual certification course at your convenience, or you can even choose to complete the course in person. For more information, check out the various certification courses offered at The tefl Org.
Are you interested in teaching young learners? Then you might consider working for VIPkid, one of the largest companies for online English learning. Do you want more flexibility with your rates and schedule? Check out a company like italki. Once you have your certification, you’ll find the perfect company for you.
3. Freelancing
It’s easy to find paid freelancing jobs online. Freelancing jobs range anywhere from doing voiceover work, to writing amazon reviews, to programming and coding. A good place to start looking for freelancing jobs is on job portals such as www.upwork.com. However, don’t plan on relying on these portals for a long-term career. Most freelancing sites take a percentage of your income earned for each job. Instead, once you’ve built up a portfolio, you can find the perfect freelancing job by contacting your dream company directly.
Save Money While You Travel
The amount of money you save during a time as a digital nomad is completely up to you. It’s perfectly reasonable to live a lavish lifestyle on $12,000 a year in Southeast Asia. However, if you want to live in Europe, you’ll have to work a lot harder than that. So choose your destination wisely.
Once you’ve decided where to go, It’s important to design a budget that compares your cost of living and daily needs with the amount of hours worked each week. First, you’ll need a place to stay. If you’re looking to really save money, you can spend time in a hostel dormitory and easily make new friends. If you prefer more down time, you might look into Airbnb or homestays. Then plan out a detailed budget in order to support your choices. For example, if you choose to teach online, you should plan out how many classes you need to teach each week in order to cover your cost of living and food.
Whichever path you choose, it’s clear that working remotely is a great, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the world around you. So what are you waiting for? Make a plan, get certified, and start exploring.