A digital nomad is someone who uses telecommunications technologies to earn income and, more specifically, someone whose lifestyle is similar to that of a nomad. They can often be spotted in foreign countries, public libraries, coffee shops, recreational vehicles and co-working spaces. Digital nomads have no fixed homes or workspaces — some simply pack their bags, throw in all of their life’s possessions in a backpack and set off into the unknown.
Millennials are known to be the generation that really embraced technology and quit their jobs to travel the world, so the rise of the digital nomad is not surprising.
One of the few upsides of the COVID-19 crisis is that it forced the whole world to shift to remote work. People need not travel all over the world to be considered a digital nomad now because most countries still have a travel ban in place. With the rise of teleworking, people may find a way out of burnout and monotony. If you want to become a digital nomad but don’t know how you can earn money while you travel, at least domestically, here are some potential careers that don’t require you to stay in one place.
Writer
Being a writer by profession may not necessarily make you millions of dollars (unless you sell a novel that becomes a big hit and gets turned into a Hollywood blockbuster). You’ll also need a breadth of knowledge on subjects if you’re a digital writer, from learning about low loader trailers to grasping the concept of custody laws in Arizona.
But writing is a great way to earn some money pay the bills and can be a lucrative side hustle.
Here are some ways to make money out of writing:
- Writing for magazines, journals, and blogs. Since the world is saturated with content, major publications are always on the lookout for writers with a voice and something new to say. Scour search engines for opportunities to write for websites that pay for guest articles.
- Writing to promote third-party products. You can build a blog from the ground up, but it’s not gonna be easy. You will need to put in the work to engage audiences and eventually build a loyal following. So start by creating a blog that caters to a niche market, one that you can find excellent products from trusted names that you can eventually help promote and boost sales. You can also monetize your blog eventually.
Gig worker
Websites like Fiverr and Upwork gave rise to the gig economy, an industry of independent online platform workers, contractors, on-call workers and other temporary employees. Gig workers are contractual employees that enter into formal agreements with companies to provide services for them and for their clients. Some examples of gig work you can explore include but are not limited to:
- Graphic design
- Proofreading and editing
- Food delivery driving
- Consulting, if you are a veteran in your field
- Professional services like engineering, architecture, and interior design
- Software developing
- Copywriting
- Data and science analytics
Remote professional
If you are a doctor, a veterinarian, a lawyer, a therapist, or a licensed practitioner of a specific field, consider switching to teleconsulting. With stay-at-home orders and travel bans still in place, not many people are able to go to the hospital, pet clinic, counseling center and other essential services, especially those who are considered more high-risk than others. Now more than ever, there is a lot of demand for professional services that primarily use online solutions, so don’t hesitate to practice your field and provide services online.
Online tutor or teacher
If you have a specific skill that not everyone has, leverage it by hosting online classes or tutorials. With the majority of the world forced to spend at home, they have the means and capacity to learn a new skill. Students must also need a lot of help with their work, so if you have knowledge of specific subjects, you can leverage that.
Here are some ideas of skills you can use to teach others:
- Foreign languages
- School subjects like math, physics, chemistry, and others
- Music (instruments and voice)
- Cooking
- Yoga, aerobics and other exercise styles
Whatever you decide to teach, make sure to partner with a legitimate home tuition agency that facilitates online classes. Make sure you have the proper credentials and requirements as well.
Be on the Lookout
The only way to find career opportunities that can help you earn is to be on the constant lookout for open doors. Just as there are a lot of job opportunities, there are also a lot of people waiting to take advantage of those opportunities. Be prepared, be open and do your best with whatever job that comes your way.