When I explored the option of travelling and working remotely 14 years ago I’d never heard the term ‘digital nomad’.
I presume it existed, but it wasn’t as big of a trend as it is nowadays. As the years have passed and we’ve been bombarded with images of youngsters in bikinis and board shorts, galavanting across the globe, running through waterfalls and consuming floating pool breakfasts, the term has become synonymous with millennials & more recently Gen Zers.
But there’s a new and growing crowd in town!
Since Covid, remote work has exploded and along with it a new type of desired lifestyle, and not just just for the youthful adventurers. The 50+ crowd, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers alike, have started to carve out their own niche in this nomadic world.
This burgeoning group, now making up over 25% of all nomads, is reshaping the landscape. They’re bringing a wealth of experience, a touch of sophistication, and a dash of seasoned wisdom to the digital nomad community.
Working online and travelling the world is most assuredly not just for the young, and according to The Economist, an estimated 1 billion people could be nomads or location independent by 2035.
So, if you’re hesitating to jump on board, thinking you’re over the hill or past this kind of tomfoolery, think again!
We have never had the kind of technological opportunities we have today to literally generate an income from our pockets as we traverse the globe, and now, it’s your turn. Whether you’re 25 or 65, the digital nomad lifestyle is a tangible dream, ripe for the taking.
How My Husband, My Daughter & I Became Digital Nomads
14 years ago, my partner and I, tired of the cold & dreary UK winters, sold everything we owned (which wasn’t much), scooped up our four-year-old, jumped on a plane to Cyprus, and haven’t looked back since.
Some 40+ countries later, several 6 & 7 figure online businesses under our belt, and my daughter now 17, we’ve lived the lives of both digital nomad and ex-pat respectively ever since.
As I write this intro, I am sitting on a sunbed on a slightly windy beach at the beautiful Coconut Island beach resort in Phuket, Thailand.
In just a few weeks, when my daughter finishes high school, we plan to don backpacks and head off around the world adopting the digital nomad lifestyle once again.
I am 51 years old.
What is a Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is someone who uses technology to work remotely, from anywhere in the world. This could mean working from a coffee shop in Paris one week and a beachside villa in Bali the next.
The key here is the freedom and flexibility to choose your workplace, breaking free from the traditional office setting.
Digital nomads typically rely on the internet to connect with clients or manage their businesses, using tools and platforms that allow for communication, project management, and service delivery from any corner of the globe. This lifestyle is supported by a variety of jobs, from freelance writing and web design to online teaching and consulting services.
The beauty of this lifestyle lies in its adaptability. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an employee with a remote-friendly job, or a freelancer juggling multiple gigs, as long as you have a reliable internet connection and the tools of your trade, you’re set to go.
In essence, being a digital nomad is about merging work and travel, allowing you to explore new cultures and experiences while earning a living. It’s a lifestyle choice that values freedom, adventure, and the opportunity to live life on your own terms.
The fantastic thing about the internet and much-improved smartphones and laptops is that absolutely anyone can become a digital nomad. And you can do almost any type of work as well.
Below, I’m going to dive into much greater depth about the different ways to make money as a digital nomad.
But rest assured, no matter what your skills are or what you are passionate about, there is every opportunity for you to become a digital nomad if it appeals to you.
Whether that means working on a beach in Thailand or from your balcony at home in your pajamas. That part is up to you!
Why Now is the Best Time to Become a Digital Nomad
The allure of becoming a digital nomad has never been stronger. In a world where the lines between work and life blur, the freedom to blend the two on your own terms is not just appealing; it’s becoming essential for many.
Here are some compelling reasons why now is an opportune time to consider this lifestyle:
- Technological Advances: We live in an era where technology enables us to connect and work from virtually anywhere. High-speed internet, cloud-based tools, communication platforms and AI have made remote work not just possible but highly efficient. The digital infrastructure that supports the nomadic lifestyle is stronger and more accessible than ever.
- Shift in Work Culture: The traditional 9-to-5 work model is evolving. Companies are recognizing the value of remote work, not just as a necessity but as a sustainable model for the future. This shift has opened up new possibilities for those yearning to break free from the office cubicle and explore the world without sacrificing their careers.
- Global Networking: As a digital nomad, you’re not just working remotely; you’re expanding your global network. Every new destination is an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, learn from diverse cultures, and collaborate on international projects. This global networking can enrich your professional and personal life in unexpected ways.
- Personal Growth: Embracing the nomadic lifestyle is a journey of self-discovery. It challenges you to adapt, grow, and become more resilient. The experiences you gain from navigating different cultures and environments can foster a sense of independence and confidence that transcends into all areas of your life.
- Cost of Living Flexibility: One of the pragmatic aspects of being a digital nomad is the ability to choose your living costs. Depending on your destination, you can significantly reduce your expenses without compromising on quality of life. This financial flexibility can allow for a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.
- Sustainability and Wellness: More people are seeking a sustainable lifestyle that prioritizes wellness, balance, and environmental consciousness. The digital nomad lifestyle can align with these values, offering a way to live more intentionally and mindfully.
- Life Beyond Borders: At its core, becoming a digital nomad is about creating a life that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. It’s about crafting a personal and professional life that’s defined by freedom, choice, and the richness of global experiences.
In a world that’s rapidly changing, the digital nomad lifestyle offers a path to navigate these changes on your own terms. Whether you’re seeking adventure, personal growth, or a more flexible work-life balance, the time has never been better to explore what it means to be a digital nomad.
How to Make Money as a Digital Nomad
I believe that anyone and EVERYONE who wants to, can become a digital nomad.
These days no matter what your skills or passions, there is a way to monetize them online.
When I first started online some 14 years ago, I first built a following teaching people Facebook Marketing. I went on to launch a membership site and generated £117,000 in 7 days. As my site grew, I became an affiliate marketer, sold ebooks, dabbled in software, and made a lot of money over the years with video courses.
Eventually, I built a 7 figure Amazon business with my partner and subsequently bought and sold some Shopify businesses.
My latest project and the one that wraps my whole journey up and that I have very long-term plans for, is what you’re reading right now. My goal with The Working Traveller is to share my travel experiences and help you build your own source of monthly income that can fund world travel.
To learn more about how you can make money while traveling around the world as a digital nomad watch my video:
NB: This video is a few years old now and we’ve actually sold our Amazon business, but the principles and advice in the video is still very relevant!
Almost all online money making ideas tend to fit neatly into three very distinct categories.
- Creator Economy Business – monetizing digital content & products
- Service Based Businesses – providing a service
- Ecommerce – selling physical products
Strictly speaking, eCommerce refers to selling anything online, be it physical or digital products. But for the sake of simplicity, I’m going to group the sale of digital products into creator economy, keeping eCommerce as the sale of anything physical.
Let’s now look at each of these categories in a little more depth …
1. Creator Economy Business
Perhaps the broadest of the three categories, here are four main types of the creator economy.
The Educator
An educator is someone who provides information in exchange for money. This could include writing eBooks, creating courses, recording videos, hosting a podcast or writing blog posts. Anything that they can then package and sell for a fee.
The latest craze taking the internet world by storm is that of newsletters as a business.
Years ago, email marketing was part of your overall business strategy. These days, if you have a specific interest in a topic that has a passionate audience, you can grow a successful newsletter-centric business.
A prime example of this is The Hustle, a daily newsletter that curates engaging content on business and tech, delivering insights and trends directly to the inboxes of millions, effectively turning readers’ interests into a thriving business model.
This is just one example, of course. Other education models include, podcasting, online courses, youtube, blogging and more.
The Author
This is somebody who successfully packages information or stories into a book format. These books can be either digital or physical. There’s a lot of crossovers here with eCommerce.
And to be honest, when it comes to making money online, there are many crossovers!
A great example of a successful author is Joanna Penn. In recent years, she’s published dozens of books, many of which have become international bestsellers.
She writes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction and has leveraged her experience as a successful author to expand into the realms of information marketing.
- How to market a book
- How to make a living with your writing
- Audio for authors
She teaches others how to become an author while diversifying her income into an entirely new market. If you want to go down this route of being a digital nomad, I recommend buying some of her books!
The Creative Penn – resources that help you write and make a living with writing
The Affiliate Marketer
Affiliate marketing is when you get paid a commission for recommending somebody else’s product. These products could be physical or digital; it doesn’t matter.
As long as a reader clicks through an affiliate link online and then makes a purchase, the affiliate marketer will have made a percentage of the sale.
Initially built by Martin Lewis, MoneySavingExpert.com is a fantastic example of a successful affiliate marketing site.
Martin Lewis is a huge public figure in the UK, speaking out regularly on a wide range of financial topics, aimed at the every-day person who’d like to do a better job with their finances.
His rise to fame came alongside MoneySavingExpert.com, which is fundamentally an affiliate site though it may not be immediately apparent.
It covers a wide range of topics such as sourcing the best mortgage, consolidating credit card debts, and saving money on energy bills.
The overall end goal for most of his content is for readers to take action, such as picking a mortgage provider, choosing a new credit card, or switching to a new energy provider.
MoneySavingExpert then gets a commission for referring that customer to the chosen company.
The personal finance niche is perhaps one of the most profitable affiliate marketing niches (and also one of the most competitive).
In 2012, Martin Lewis sold the website to MoneySupermarket.com for a whopping £87 million! That’s roughly $120 million.
MoneySavingExpert
The Influencer
The fourth category which is what the creator economy has become known for is becoming an influencer. Influencers tend to be associated with bikini clad youngsters, with tens of thousands of followers on Instagram or popular gamers on YouTube.
But these days it’s a huge industry spanning young and old, celebrity and person next door.
A couple of accounts that stand out are;
Celeste Barber – a comedienne who by parodying super models has grown to 9.6 million followers and worldwide acclaim
Jenna Kutcher – a Mum, entrepreneur and podcast host. Her tips on business, body positivity and living your best life have brought her over 1 million followers on Instagram alone.
Anyone can become an influencer and as there are so many different niches, interests and people online these days you don’t need millions of followers to be successful anymore.
Many brands and companies actively look for ‘micro influencers’, to endorse and promote their products as they tend to have a smaller but extremely engaged audience.
But promoting other people’s products isn’t the only way to monetize your influencer status. Both examples above sell their own brands and products alongside sponsorship deals.
The ideal scenario is to be a mix of all of the above diversifying your audience and your income streams, but no matter which you choose they all share one main secret to success and that is to have an engaged audience interested in you and your topic.
2. Service Based Business
This is more straightforward than many of the techniques mentioned above. Making money through services simply refers to doing a job for someone over the internet and getting paid for it.
You are essentially taking your skills and knowledge and selling them to people looking for those same services.
Here are 4 common routes for those looking to become a digital nomad and earn their living by utilizing their skillset.
Freelancing
This is the most straightforward and fastest way to get started. You are simply replacing your full time job, which requires you to be in one place, doing your prescribed tasks for a specific number of hours, for freelance work which you can do in your own time, picking the jobs you want to do and completing them from wherever you want in the world.
Typical freelancing work includes:
- Copywriting
- Social media management
- Web development
- Graphic design
- Video editing
- V