One of the most amazing things about the internet is that you no longer need to be tied to a location or office in order to make a living.
If it’s your dream to hit the road, live out of an RV, globe trot or live abroad, you don’t have to compromise. Once you decide on your dream job and have created a website, you can start lining up gigs that’ll enable you to live your nomadic lifestyle.
We’re going to look at 20 digital nomad jobs you can do remotely from wherever you are in the world.
Read Also: How to start a business
Digital nomad jobs
What is a digital nomad?
A digital nomad is someone who makes a living online while traveling. Because of their location independence, digital nomads rely on strong wi-fi and a good laptop to make money. They can work from any location that works for them, whether they’re trotting the globe or road tripping across the country.
In many cases, digital nomads do freelancing work for a variety of clients in order to earn a living. That’s not always the case, though, as some digital nomads are able to hold down regular jobs with employers, across a variety of types of businesses.
So, how do you make money online when you’re flying around the world, enjoying life on the road or exploring new locales?
A digital nomad job needs to be:
Location-independent
Something you’re skilled at
Easy to do off-site according to your own schedule
20 digital nomad jobs
Buckle up and get ready, because we’re covering 20 freelance jobs you can do from anywhere.
01. Graphic designer
There are many types of graphic designers, so you’ll need to figure out which you want to be. For starters, you should have a design specialty, like branding design, website design or illustration.
Designers may also want to choose a specific industry or client type to work for. For instance, you might build websites for restaurants or design logos for startups.
As you gain more experience, you can consider niching down even further. You could become a UX specialist that develops user journeys or a UI designer that perfects website interfaces.
02. Wix website designer
Another way to specialize as a designer is to become a Wix website designer. This will allow you to become an expert on a single platform that offers a plethora of built in tools and editing features.
Some of the benefits that come with working as a Wix designer include:
It’ll be easier for clients who want a Wix website to find you.
You’ll only need to master one platform rather than having to learn the ins and outs of many.
With a platform like Wix, there’s the added benefit of having a supportive partner community and resources.
You can find jobs easily through the Wix Marketplace, an online platform that allows you to offer your services (see our guide on how to start a service business).
03. Freelance web developer
If you’d prefer to write code and handle the more technical aspects of a website, then web development and programming jobs would be the perfect work-from-anywhere options for you.
There are three primary types of web developers: frontend, backend and fullstack. The differences between the three are:
Frontend developers: write code for what visitors see directly on a website
Backend developers: write code for servers, databases, and apps
Fullstack developers: are capable of both front and backend development
You can also choose to niche down in terms of industry or business type if there’s a specific type of website you prefer to build. However, this may depend on which programming languages you know and which website builder you use.
04. Freelance app developer
Do you want to build games? How about money management software? Or perhaps you want to build and monetize your own apps?
As people spend more time on their smartphones, they’re turning to apps over traditional web browsers and websites for all types of purposes. Therefore, becoming an app developer could be a very lucrative career.
Just keep in mind that it can be a competitive industry, so you’ll need to be at the top of your game if you’re going to create apps that can compete in a heavily crowded space.
05. Freelance copywriter
As more businesses move online, the demand for freelance copywriters is increasing.
Freelance copywriters are responsible for writing concise, clear and educational website copy for advertising purposes. The goal is to effectively tell a brand’s story, convey its mission and market its products.
While it's not a necessity, it can be much easier to do if you carve out a niche for yourself. The better you understand an industry or a segment of customers, the more naturally the language will flow. Additionally, the more experience you have in a specific field, the better clients you’ll get. Your services will be in higher demand if you can write high-converting web copy.
06. Freelance content writer
Unlike copywriting, content writers create other types of content that are not purely for advertising purposes. This may include blog posts, e-books and case studies that are aligned with a company’s marketing strategy. The goal is less about selling and more about building brand authority and attracting an audience through high-quality content. Here is our full guide on how to become a freelance writer.
07. Digital marketing strategist
Freelance digital marketing can be a lucrative, creative career path for people who like to do it all. Social media, search engine optimization (SEO), content writing and email campaigns are just a few of the things you get to do as a digital marketer. Once a company is up and running, they’re going to need to get the word out.
And this is where your skills can come into play.
08. SEO specialist
SEO is the process of optimizing websites with the right keywords, content and layout to increase Google rankings. And as more and more people are becoming familiar with SEO strategy in today’s digital world, it’s become increasingly important for business owners to hire SEO specialists with true expertise.
Consider taking an online course through Udemy or Coursera to get your skills up to par. Then, you’ll want to look for a position with a marketing department or agency or even freelance to help professionals increase their SEO potential
09. Blogger
While you can make a living by blogging for others, you can also create a free blog of your own. The trick is to find a blog niche that you are knowledgeable and passionate about that is also in demand. And keep in mind that to ensure your blog receives steady traffic, you’ll need to maintain a consistent posting schedule.
To make money blogging, you’ll need to find advertisers. If you think of your blog as a business, you’ll understand that it’s not only about writing engaging content, but also making strategic marketing decisions. You’ll have better luck if your blog solves specific pain points of a target market, as opposed to just writing articles about daily life. For example, a blog about carpentry could provide a variety of tips, tricks and products that make the job easier and more efficient.
10. Course creator
Everyone's an expert in something. The only question is, can you find a group of people who are interested in learning what you know? If so, consider making a living by teaching.
To do this, you’ll not only need expert knowledge in a specific area, you’ll need to have a quality teaching setup. It should include:
A clean, well-organized space
A high-quality video recorder
Good lighting
A noise-cancelling microphone
Video editing software
Your content should be valuable and easy-to-follow. Additionally, the quality of your setup will impact how many people continue with your course. So, if you are moving around often and can’t commit to a high quality setup, this career may not be suitable.
11. Online tutor
One-on-one tutoring can be an incredibly lucrative career with the right marketing tactics. The first thing you’ll need to do is figure out what subjects you can teach. You could tutor school-aged kids in subjects like math, English, or SAT prep. Or you could tutor students in subjects such as business management, fitness and sports or musical instruments. Another option is to teach English online to non-native speakers through platforms like Skooli.
Just keep in mind that some tutoring platforms require you to get certified in any subjects you want to teach. So, be realistic and pick a topic that you have expert-level knowledge and experience in.
12. Coach or consultant
With coaching or consulting, the goal is usually to start by making a name for yourself as a one-on-one guru in whatever your area of expertise is.
Then, once you have a steady stream of clients coming to you for pro tips, guidance and support, you can scale your efforts by offering your services to groups of people.
For instance, a lifestyle coach might start selling biannual wellness retreats. Or a business coach might sell a do it yourself course on how to generate recurring revenue.
If you can automate these services and sales, you can then go on to get paid for premium speaking engagements, such as at industry conferences. This in and of itself could give you more opportunities to travel.
13. Videographer
If you’re a video pro, you can lend your skills to brands that need it. Videographers film advertisements, events and documentaries along with many other types of content that require a skilled professional to capture it.
Videographers work ion-site, which may be more difficult if you're a digital nomad. However, if you’re willing to travel to places with your equipment where your services are needed, this field could be a great fit. Then, you can do the editing from anywhere.
14. Podcaster
You can host a podcast from anywhere. All you’ll need is the right recording and editing equipment. Then, you’ll need to find sponsors to actually earn money. To do this, you can reach out to potential companies directly or check out Midroll to find advertising opportunities. Because the projected global ad spend on podcasts is expected to reach $1.6B by next year, this can be highly lucrative.
Podcasting can be a great way to get your ideas out into the world. To get started, you need to find a subject matter and format that works well that people will tune in for. You’ll also need to be sure to commit to a schedule so your listeners know when to expect the next episode.
Make sure to plan each episode ahead of time and create an outline of what you want to talk about. You can even bring on guests to vary your content. Digital streaming tools make this easier than ever. For instance, Wix's own SERP's Up SEO Podcast features weekly guest features to add richness and variety from global experts.
15. Social media influencer
An influencer is someone who uses social media to create a brand and grow a large, loyal following. To do this, they create and publish valuable content to their channels regularly. Instagram, in particular, is one way to succeed as an influencer. Just be sure to post high quality images, use engaging captions and stick to a posting schedule in order to be successful.
Travel or food influencers are particularly good options for digital nomads because their social media content is built into their lifestyle. Every time they visit someplace new, they can create a post about it. But the possibilities are endless, as long as you can be sure to post a steady stream of content.
16. Translator or transcriptionist
Considering how many videos and podcasts are published to the web every day, there’s always going to be a need for someone to create transcripts of the audio. You could also work as a transcriptionist for busy CEOs who need meetings, calls and other conversations documented.
Another option is to work as a translator if you know more than one language. You could work as a contractor for a translation company and take on work as they need it or translate books and e-books for publishing companies.
17. Voiceover talent
Do you have a voice that was made for radio or TV commercials? Then you may have found yourself the perfect digital nomad gig. Just make sure your lifestyle allows you the space and quiet you’ll need to do the job. You’re also going to need recording equipment wherever you go, so that’s something to consider if you’re interested in doing voice over work.
18. Virtual assistant
Working as a virtual assistant can be extremely rewarding work if you find the right clients. By working with people online, you’ll be able to help clients with meaningful tasks like managing social media, data entry, handling travel logistics or tackling customer or client support.
This is also a great opportunity to learn new skills that may open up new pathways to profitability for you.
19. Bookkeeper or accountant
Which of these finance jobs you choose depends on your education and experience. Bookkeepers tend to be people who manage companies’ day-to-day finances. While financial management know-how is a must, you don’t need to be a certified accountant to do this.
Accountants, on the other hand, need formal education and certification.
The neat thing is if you end up working as an accountant, you can capitalize on tax season. Plan ahead to slow down on your travels and take on work in the lead-up to the tax filing deadline. Then, you’ll have the rest of the year to enjoy as you manage a significantly lighter workload.
20. Project manager
While you might find it difficult to find freelance project manager jobs, these jobs can be done remotely. And many agencies are now open to hiring project managers from afar, as digital collaboration and communication software has greatly improved.
With this in mind, you can expect to work somewhat regular business hours in the same time zones as your employer and their clients. If that works for you, you’ll have guaranteed work stability and pay while you’re living abroad or traveling.