For the past seven years, I have called around 50 countries home. I’ve woken up in a different city every month and I don’t intend to stop anytime soon. Being a Digital Nomad has its perks and has helped me live some of my best years in the best possible way.
All on my own terms.
There are a lot of Digital Nomads now as compared to the days back when I started. All thanks to COVID-19, the surge in the remote gig economy has been very profound. There are more remote job opportunities now. That means getting started has never been easier.
The potential of the internet is such that you cannot easily quantify the amount of opportunities to make money. So much so that there are Mobile Applications that help you Make Money.
After months of persuasion from my friends and family, I have finally decided to write this article on Beginner-Friendly Digital Nomad Jobs. This article contains the type of jobs you can apply for that are not only remote but also do not require any experience. Excellent starting points, if you ask me. But before we get to that, let me help you truly understand what being a Digital Nomad is all about.
What is a Digital Nomad?
I am sure that you already know what a digital nomad is. But just to clarify and remove any misconceptions about this term, ‘A Digital Nomad is an individual who uses telecommunications technologies to earn a living and conduct their life in a nomadic manner.’ In simpler terms, a digital nomad is someone who uses the internet to work from anywhere they want. They don’t have a fixed office and can travel while they work. They use laptops and smartphones to do their jobs, which can include things like writing, designing, or consulting.
It’s important to note that it’s not all rainbows and sunshine with digital nomadism. Digital Nomads have their fair share of troubles and getting started is difficult.
But not impossible.
Types of Digital Nomad Jobs
Digital Nomads usually work jobs that fall into these three broad categories:
- Freelance
- Remote Employment
- Online Entrepreneur
1. Freelance
Many digital nomads work as freelancers, offering their skills and services to clients on a project-by-project basis.
I’ve encountered many interesting folks whose whole income is purely from freelance contracts. Freelance jobs can include writing, graphic design, web development, translation, virtual assistance, and more. Freelancers typically enjoy the flexibility of choosing their projects and clients, setting their own schedules, and working from anywhere with an internet connection.
Freelance is a great option if you want to be a Digital Nomad. But you need to have a bit of experience in what you do and be able to network well. You will also have to do the admin work all by yourself and this entire process is very similar to starting your own business.
2. Remote Employment
Some digital nomads work for companies that offer remote positions. These jobs can be in various fields such as software development, customer service, marketing, sales, and project management. Remote employees enjoy the benefits of working for established companies, including a steady income, access to benefits like health insurance and retirement plans, and opportunities for career advancement, all while having the freedom to work from any location.
I was employed remotely at one point in time. I was appointed as an SEO Consultant at Foundr. I slowly rose through the ranks and ended up becoming by Head of SEO at Foundr. Who says you can’t build a promising career as a digital nomad?
3. Online Entrepreneurship
Digital nomads have also started their own online businesses and become online entrepreneurs. This usually involves creating and selling digital products, such as e-books, online courses, software, or digital artwork. They also run e-commerce stores, dropshipping businesses, affiliate marketing websites, or monetized blogs and vlogs.
With online entrepreneurship, you have the opportunity to build scalable businesses that can generate passive income streams. This will allow you to sustain your nomadic lifestyle while you pursue your passions and interests.
I am so good at SEO that when I used to run my own travel blog, I managed to rank it in the top 10 search results back in 2018-2019. Using this to my advantage, i built an affiliate site around my travel blog and it’s been smooth sailing.
Currently, I have founded a digital marketing agency where I onboard clients and help them with all things marketing. Handling this blog and the agency remotely is not easy. But it does allow me the life I want to live.
Each of these types of digital nomad jobs offers its own set of advantages and challenges, but they all provide individuals with the flexibility and freedom to work from anywhere in the world.
In this article, I will talk about some of the jobs and gigs you can start with as a complete beginner. While it may seem daunting, there’s nothing to worry about. It all starts with the first step.
Digital Nomad Jobs for Beginners
1. Teaching English
You’ll be surprised at how many globetrotters you will encounter who sustain their traveling lifestyles by teaching English online. When I was in Nepal, I recall meeting a lovely couple in their late 30s who taught English online. I learned all about the rage that teaching English Online was all about, especially in non-English speaking countries. For example, the demand for online English teachers, particularly in countries like China, is highest during weekday evenings. Pretty convenient if you have a flexible schedule.
But to get started, you’ll need to have a TEFL Certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certification). TEFL Academy has some great programs if you want to get certified and start teaching soon!
I’ve met some who earned almost $1800 a month and lived a very comfy life traveling in Asia. All that and still have a few bucks to spare for savings! All in all it’s a pretty good gig if you ask me.
2. Virtual Assistant
Virtual Assistant gigs have been trending for the latter half of the decade, all thanks to COVID-19. More and more companies have been looking for VAs to take care of their administration tasks. Especially in the US and Europe.
To be a Virtual Assistant, you don’t need any special or specific skills. It’s fairly easy and all you need to do is perform administrative tasks like making phone calls, data input, managing schedules, etc. Something a receptionist would do.
Basically a Virtual Receptionist. Fully remote.
All of this with a laptop. In some cases, even a smartphone would suffice.
You can find plenty of jobs on Upwork.com.
3. Writing Jobs
There are several writing jobs that can be done remotely. Roles can vary from an in-house fully remote writing job to a freelance position.
If you are looking for a bit of stability and consistent income, you can try working at a publication as a Journalist. There are remote journalism jobs out there too. And while journalism can be super competitive, it remains an option for digital nomads with writing and editing online remotely. If you have the right training and experience, you can even branch out into print media.
You can even become an Author if you have a penchant for crafting fiction. Keep writing stories and books and have them published by a publication. You can try self-publishing but it’s not an easy process.
Lastly, Content Writing can be pretty beginner-friendly too. All you need to do is write about things. Things like product reviews, website articles, product copy, and a lot more. You can work as a ghostwriter, editor, or copywriter. All of this can be done freelance or as a remote employee.
4. Graphic Designer
Demand for good taste and good quality graphic design has always been there. Companies have always been looking out for those who can create interesting and appealing images. If you have a bit of experience and a stellar portfolio, you’ll be able to land gigs easily. Or you can even try freelance on Upwork.
In all of these years, I have met many graphic designers over all my years of travel and most of them use travel as a means of inspiration. Travel can be pretty stimulating when it comes to jobs/gigs based on creative cognition. Who knows? Maybe it will work out pretty great if you give it a shot.
Also if you have no experience in this field, you can start by learning a graphic designing program and then applying for an internship. It may take a while but it’s pretty lucrative.
5. Data Entry
One of the most beginner-level friendly jobs out there is Data Entry. You don’t need to have a lot of experience and knowledge. Basic understanding of data entry apps like Microsoft Excel or Word.
While it may not be an exciting job, it’s one of the most basic entry-level jobs out there. The pay won’t be much but you’ll be able to have a pretty flexible schedule while you travel.
6. Transcription
Being fairly easy and beginner-friendly, you’ll need to be able to type efficiently if you want to try transcription. The role of a transcriptionist is to listen to audio recordings or videos and convert the information into written text. It can be boring, and repetitive and the pay may not be much but it can be an excellent starting point. You can then move on to something else. Or you can also try to manage something like transcription as a side hustle.
7. Social Media Management
If you have a keen eye for trends and are pretty adept at social media, then you should try giving social media management a shot.
Over the years, Social Media has pretty much evolved into one of the most important aspects of online marketing. More and more companies have started to realize the impact a good social presence can have. While companies may have physical headquarters, much of the day-to-day tasks associated with social media management can be done remotely, which makes it pretty ideal for digital nomads.
Brownie points if you are well versed with short-form video content and staying up to date with Millenial/Gen-Z meme culture. Companies target these specific demographics since most of them are glued to their mobile screens and very adept at social messaging apps.
There’s a subset of social media managers called Community Managers. While creating content, they also moderate forums, and broadcast channels and interact daily with the company’s followers. Thus driving up the brand’s engagement with its customers.
You can either get recruited by a firm to handle their social media full time or you can go freelance and handle multiple social media accounts by charging your own rates.
I had a friend who owned an agency and would handle multiple social media accounts of various businesses. She was a Reddit Moderator as well. She was super passionate about r/BatmanArkham and would spend her free time engaging the community. She had an in-house employee and managed everything remotely.
8. Customer Service Representative
As a customer service representative, your role would involve assisting customers with their inquiries, concerns, and technical issues, all while delivering top-notch service that enhances their overall experience. If you are great with people and can hold a conversation pretty well, this job won’t be too difficult.
You won’t be able to do customer service as a freelance. You’ll need to be hired by a firm and you’ll also likely have to go through training as well. A reliable internet connection and a laptop are a must. Most of the co-working spaces and coffee shops will have you covered when it comes to a good internet connection.
The search for a customer service representative is always there due to high employee turnover. And these jobs are always beginner-friendly. If nothing works out, you can try giving this a shot.
9. Blogging
This one’s a special one. When I dropped out of college to see the world, I had barely $200 to my name. And while I had to go through a lot of challenges, one of the first few things I did was quickly learn the ropes of making money while traveling. One thing led to another and soon I was running my own travel blog that ranked in the world’s top 100 and the digital nomad top 10 (2018-19).
It’s certainly not a get-rich-quick scheme though. Blogging has its own hardships and it can be very competitive. If you want to get started with blogging, I would suggest starting to blog as a side hustle and then going fully into it once your log gets traction. You can refer to my guide for all the details on getting started.
The best thing about Blogging is that you can work at your own pace. Work wherever and whenever you want. But you have to be consistent. With the right strategy and consistency, you can achieve results sooner. Maybe you’ll reach a point where all your travel needs are taken care of by your blog’s income.
Platforms Where You Can Apply For Remote Jobs
In this section, I have listed down some of the platforms where you can apply for a remote job. This is one of the easiest ways to get started. Prepare a CV and start applying. I highly recommend setting a daily goal or target for the number of companies you apply to.
1. Flex Jobs
Flex Jobs is a website that is dedicated to remote job opportunities only. No onsite job postings here. The only catch is you have to pay a certain amount to start using their services. It’s a subscription-based service and you can apply for remote jobs in various categor 
But the best part? The platform screens all job postings to ensure they are legitimate and scam-free. No more handing out your personal details to potential scammers.
2. We Work Remotely
Programming, designing, writing, customer support, and a lot more. We Work Remotely has extensive categories of jobs that span across multiple fields and sectors. You can search for the kind of job you like and apply directly through the website. You can even toggle through contract-based freelance jobs or full-time. Also, if it’s not obvious enough, We Work Remotely is a job board that exclusively lists remote job opportunities.
3. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform where you can build your profile, connect with other professionals, join groups, and search for remote job opportunities. Many companies post job openings directly on LinkedIn, and you can apply directly through the platform. Competition may be fierce for remote applications but it’s absolutely worth giving it a shot.
But understand that LinkedIn stands out from other job boards with its networking aspect. Just like social media, you can make posts and share images but in a lot more professional sense. Some users share insights, articles, thought leadership content, and industry updates. Users can engage with posts by liking, commenting, and sharing. You can chat with others and even form meaningful connections. It’s all about getting yourself out there.
4. Upwork
Upwork is a freelance marketplace where you will need to create a detailed profile highlighting your skills, experience, and expertise. If the clients like what they see, they will choose to avail you of your services.
From Graphic designing, video editing, and virtual assistance to writing copy, articles, and a lot more, Upwork has freelancers doing all kinds of things. It tends to be competitive and you need to price your services right.
If you are starting out on Upwork as a freelancer, my suggestion would be to observe others and how they have designed their profiles. Crafting a compelling profile that effectively communicates your strengths and a couple of work samples should help you land clients.
Digital Nomadism is not What it May Seem Like
I’m sure you must have noticed the exciting lifestyle of Digital Nomads. Many are drawn to this allure of working remotely and moving from city to city every month. Some days you are out there attending a virtual meeting from the beach whilst sipping a Margarita while on other days you are surrounded by hills and their breathtaking views all while you try to get some work done.
Honestly, while I am working and living my life on my own terms, it took me a while to get here. Like I said earlier, it’s no sunshine and rainbows.
You have to put in the work.
You have to be ready to fold up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. At this point, it’s pure survival. There will be times when you won’t have a gig and you might have to resort to volunteering at a hostel or start fruit picking at a farm. The grass may always seem greener on the other side.
Be mentally prepared to face hardships when it comes to being a Digital Nomad. Sometimes you don’t get steady gigs. Sometimes the expenses are high. You should be able to make the best out of the situation life throws at you.
I have seen many try giving this lifestyle a shot only to give up after a couple of months. Which is absolutely fine. It’s not meant for everybody. But you have to set your expectations right if you are serious about pursuing a lifestyle like this.
Make Sure to Always Network!
My last tip is that you need to always be networking. Access to other opportunities and gigs will often be given to you by your network. Always be out there to assist others achieve their goals. You are only as good as your network. Heard the saying, ‘You are the average of five people you spend the most time with’?
I’ve many Digital Nomads and collaborated with quite a few! I have even networked with clients who then got me a lot of business and leads down the line. Be efficient with LinkedIn to stay connected and showcase your credibility.
Once you land a gig and are planning to embark, I suggest trying Remote Year.
If you have never heard about Remote Year then allow me to show you. Remote Year is a company that helps bring remote workers and Digital Nomads together to work and explore. Accommodations, food, experiences, everything is organized and taken care of by Remote Year.
Traveling solo for the first time can be daunting and I get that. Back when I started out, i had no clue that a service like this existed. If I had known about it back in the day, I would have definitely gone for it. But it’s not too late for you.
How it works is pretty simple. You pay a certain fee and purchase either the 1-month, 3-month, or 6-month program and then they organize everything. All the legwork and heavy lifting is done by them and you just have to rest easy. Maybe go with the flow.
See If Remote Work Is For YOU!
You will meet great folks who think along the same lines as you and most of them tend to be very passionate about their careers. You have to put yourself out there and be ready to become an information sponge. Basically, soak in all the knowledge and experiences!
Leave a Reply