Digital Nomads are workers who leverage the use of technology to work remotely while traveling the world.
There are three types of Digital Nomads: freelance, entrepreneurial and salaried. Digital Nomads can earn more than 70,000 euros per year, but most earn less than 3,500 euros per month. In this article, we explain Digital Nomads’ income and the factors affecting it.
We will also go over some of the best jobs to be a Digital Nomad and how to enjoy being a Digital Nomad with peace of mind.
Virtual Assistant as a digital nomad
Working as a virtual assistant has become very popular in recent years, as many companies and entrepreneurs need administrative help. In their free time, they prefer to enjoy other activities instead of spending many hours completing repetitive administrative tasks.
A virtual assistant is a person who offers administrative support services to companies and individuals from home or anywhere in the world. A virtual assistant’s work includes administrative tasks, online shopping, email management, customer service, coordination and transcription.
It’s a good option, since you can work as a digital nomad, either for a company or as a freelancer.
Definition of a virtual assistant
A virtual assistant is a freelancer who offers administrative and support services to companies and individuals from anywhere in the world. Some of the services they usually offer are answering calls, online searches, email management, coordination, audio transcriptions, organization of agendas and events.
Requirements and skills needed to become a virtual assistant
- Advanced knowledge in the use of digital tools and business technology, especially Google Suite, Microsoft Office, videoconferencing, online customer service and email management.
- Ability to work in a team and independently.
- Strong problem solving skills and ability to manage stressful situations and conflicts.
- Excellent communication skills to communicate with the customer via different channels, emails, calls and videoconferences.
- Certifications and training in areas relevant to the job, such as marketing, accounting, planning and organization, in addition to offering comprehensive virtual assistant training.
Virtual assistant job opportunities
Job opportunities for virtual assistants have grown exponentially in recent years. The relocation of companies to remote and flexible work models has allowed the emergence of new ways of working through virtual tools. It’s a growing market that has been expanding for years and has ample opportunities for further expansion.
Virtual assistants can also work with a variety of clients, from SMEs to multinationals.
They can find work on specific employment platforms, such as Upwork, Freelancer, People Per Hour, to name a few. They can also search for jobs on social networks, especially on LinkedIn and Facebook Groups.
If you want to know about which Digital Nomads jobs are going to be essential this year, make sure you read this post: 10 Remote Jobs to Be a Digital Nomad in 2023.
Digital marketing jobs for Digital nomads
What is digital marketing?
Digital marketing is the set of marketing techniques and strategies that are carried out via digital channels.
Companies use these techniques to promote their products or services in the online world, thereby increasing their visibility, attracting new customers and building customer loyalty.
Advantages of being a digital marketing expert
Being a digital marketing expert offers several benefits for those who wish to become Digital Nomads. The main pros include:
- Work flexibility, as you can work from anywhere in the world.
- High demand for qualified digital marketing professionals.
- High income, since digital marketing experts are highly valued by companies and can earn more than 70,000 euros per year.
- Possibility to work as a freelancer or entrepreneur.
- Opportunity to work for a wide variety of companies, from startups to large multinationals.
Jobs in digital marketing
There are a wide variety of jobs in the field of digital marketing that can be carried out by Digital Nomads, some of which include:
- SEO Specialist: Optimizes the content of websites to make them more visible in search engines. SEO specialists use techniques that increase visibility in search results.
- SEM Specialist: Designs and implements search engine advertising campaigns such as Google Ads. SEM specialists work to improve the company’s visibility on search engines through paid advertisements.
- Social Media Specialist: Person in charge of managing and optimizing social media presence, content creation, publishing and social media management.
- Email Marketing Specialist: Attracts website visitors through email marketing campaigns by designing specific content.
- Content Marketing Specialist: Creates relevant, useful and engaging web content to attract new customers and improve brand image and reputation.
Finding job opportunities as a Digital Nomad
If you want to become a Digital Nomad, finding job opportunities is key. Fortunately, there are platforms and networks that will help you connect with your potential clients and discover job opportunities.
Job platforms for Digital nomads
Some of the most popular platforms for Digital Nomads are Freelancer, Upwork, Fiverr and People per Hour, among others.
These platforms offer multiple work options and allow you to connect with clients from all over the world. Some platforms focus on specific jobs such as graphic design, digital marketing or programming, while others offer a wide variety of online jobs.
We recommend you check them out and find the one that suits you best.
Finding customers
In addition to the aforementioned platforms, it’s possible to find freelance clients through social networks, forums and online groups. Establishing a solid online presence and maintaining an updated portfolio is essential to attract clients and get new work.
It’s important to have an active online presence, not only to find clients, but also to establish your personal brand and attract more job opportunities.
You can also talk to acquaintances and people around you. Remember, you might end up getting hired by someone in your neighborhood.
Generate passive income from your skills
Another interesting option to generate income as a Digital Nomad is to take advantage of your skills to create passive income.
This can be achieved by creating websites, blogs, online courses and e-books etc. If you have a skill or knowledge in a specific topic, you can teach and share it with others, converting it into a source of passive income.
You can create a blog and get it positioned with SEO. You can place ads on it as long as you meet a minimum number of readers. This is a sure-fire way of generating a passive advertising income.
Overall, the key to finding job opportunities as a Digital Nomad is to always be active in your job search, keep an updated portfolio and build a solid online presence. With time and dedication, you will find many possibilities to earn money remotely and live the Digital Nomad life.
Ideal destinations for Digital nomads
Digital Nomads are lucky enough to work from anywhere in the world. This gives them the possibility to choose from a wide variety of cities and countries to spend time. Some of the most popular and highly recommended destinations for Digital Nomads are:
Countries and cities recommended for Digital nomads
- Bali, Indonesia: one of the most popular destinations among Digital Nomads. Bali offers a great quality of life, low cost of living, pleasant climate and fantastic coworking infrastructure.
- Chiang Mai, Thailand: an affordable destination with a low cost of living, great weather, a vibrant Digital Nomad community and affordable housing options with fast and reliable Wi-Fi.
- Mexico City, Mexico: an attractive destination for Digital Nomads looking for urban living. The city is full of shared workspaces, good transport connections and a vibrant nightlife.
- Budapest, Hungary: a charming city that offers a great quality of life and a low cost of living. Budapest is famous for its thermal baths and stunning architectural landscape, making it one of the most popular destinations in Europe.
To learn more about The Best Cities for Digital Nomads, or if you want to know The 3 easiest-to-get Digital Nomad Visas, check out these two posts where we go into much more detail.
Quality of life, cost of living and safety in recommended destinations
Other factors to consider when choosing a destination to live as a Digital Nomad are quality of life, cost of living and safety.
Ideal destinations for Digital Nomads tend to be those with a high quality of life and a low cost of living, allowing them to earn more while spending less.
Quality of life
Countries and cities with a good quality of life usually have a stable economy, comprehensive healthcare services, good education and suitable amenities for remote work.
Cost of living
Cost of living is also important, as Digital Nomads look for affordable destinations. It’s important to take into account the cost of housing, food, transportation and other types of services to get an idea of the total cost.
Safety
Digital Nomads, lacking the security of being at home, tend to look for destinations with low crime rates and a good security system.
Digital Nomads experiences in recommended destinations
Digital Nomads share their experiences online and many of them have blogs or YouTube channels where they share their opinions and tips about the different destinations they visit. This can be very useful for those looking to choose a suitable destination for their Digital Nomad lifestyle.
Life as a digital nomad
Nomadic Lifestyle
Digital Nomads enjoy a lifestyle that allows them to work from anywhere in the world, giving them the freedom to choose where and how they want to live. In general, Digital Nomads are adventurous, curious and creative people who enjoy constant exploration and learning.
By working remotely, they can adapt their work life to their lifestyle and have more time for hobbies or activities. This helps a lot with striking a work-life balance.
Social benefits of digital nomadism
Digital nomadism is not only about working remotely and traveling, but also about getting to know new cultures and making friends around the world. Digital Nomads have the opportunity to meet people from all kinds of backgrounds and nationalities, which allows them to broaden their outlook of the world and understand different forms of living life.
In addition, around 75% of Digital Nomads claim to have found more friends than when they had a conventional job thanks to their lifestyle.
Tips for experiencing different cultures and living sustainably
Digital Nomads can make significant contributions to the environment by living sustainably, reducing their carbon footprint and focusing on more environmentally friendly consumption and recycling.
In addition, to get a more authentic and enriching cultural experience, it’s important to interact with local communities, learn their language and customs, and support local businesses. If you want to live sustainably and respectfully with the local culture, it’s crucial to research the area beforehand and be aware of any environmental or socioeconomic impacts you may have.
- Get to know local customs and respect them
- Support local businesses
- Learn about local culture, languages and customs
- Use more sustainable transportation options, such as bicycles or public transport
- Consume consciously and minimize the use of plastics
Keep in mind that it may be a little difficult for you to get used to the culture, so always be respectful. If you go to a foreign country, you really should respect the traditions and culture of that country.
How much do Digital Nomads earn?
The income of Digital Nomads can vary significantly depending on several factors. According to statistics, more than 72% of Digital Nomads earn less than €3,500 per month, while only 4% earn more than €10,000 per month.
Digital Nomads revenue statistics
According to a survey conducted by MBO Partners, including those who work full or part-time, the average salary of a Digital Nomad freelancer is around €70,000 per year.
However, the majority of Digital Nomads, around 63%, report that their total income is less than €30,000 per year. Freelancers who work full time have higher incomes, with an average salary of €58,000 per year.
Factors influencing a Digital Nomad’s income
Several factors can affect a digital nomad’s income, such as work experience, skills and certifications, the business sector, and market demand for a Digital Nomad’s specific skills.
Income can also vary based on geographic location and living costs in different places.
In addition, some Digital Nomads may be hired full-time by companies with traditional salaries and benefits, while others may work as freelancers or entrepreneurs and have to find their own work, clients and ways to monetize their skills.
Experiences of Digital Nomads and their views on the Nomadic lifestyle
Some Digital Nomads may say that digital nomadism can have several financial advantages, such as reduced expenses in renting office space, in addition to savings on transportation and food.
Digital Nomads can also enjoy greater freedom and flexibility in their work, allowing them to travel and explore new cultures and experiences.
However, other Digital Nomads point out that one of the biggest challenges of being a Digital Nomad is the lack of financial security and job stability. Despite concerns about loneliness and social isolation in the life of a Digital Nomad, it has been reported that a great deal of issues can be solved by collaborating with colleagues remotely.
Conclusions about being a Digital Nomad
In the end, the income of Digital Nomads depends on many factors. You can save a lot of expenses depending on where you are. Do keep in mind any forex rates from the currency you get paid into the local currency.
With this knowledge in mind, be smart, think very well about where you’re going to go and how much your income is going to be.
We strongly encourage you to kickstart your adventure as a Digital Nomad!
