You want to travel the world, but don’t want to give up your income or career. You’re contemplating side hustles for digital nomads and wandering around the world but being a full-time traveler is no walk in the park.
You need a regular income stream, stress-free work hours, and a stable schedule to sustain this lifestyle. But when you try to start a side hustle, the choices are so many that you feel overwhelmed. If this situation sounds familiar to you, high-five!
Almost every digital nomad has to go through this tug-of-war between an “actual” job and something they can do on the road. Unless you have a pile of cash shelved somewhere, you need to plan the whole thing before hitting the road and starting over as a nomad.
Sure, it’s tough to find a job that will let you work from anywhere in the world, but luckily, there are plenty of side hustles that digital nomads can take up to make a living from anywhere.
Thanks to the evolving work culture and gig economy, you can make a living no matter where you live and how you live.
From publishing blogs as a ghostwriter to managing social media handles of big shots, you’re spoiled for choice if you’re willing and motivated.
So, instead of putting your dream of a free life on the backburner, how about you pick up a side hustle (or more), hone it, and trade your regular job for it? Sounds tempting, right?
If so, here is a list of side hustles that will let you work from anywhere in the world and satiate your wanderlust at the same time:
Online Tutoring
Digital nomads are always looking for new ways to make money, and online tutoring is a great option. It’s a flexible way to earn money, and you can usually set your work hours.
Plus, it’s a great way to help people learn new skills. If you’re interested in online tutoring, you should keep a few things in mind.
First, you need to be an expert in your teaching subject. You also need to be patient and able to explain things clearly. Finally, you’ll need a good internet connection and a quiet place to work.
You can join an existing tutoring platform like TutorMe or Wyzant or start your own tutoring business by onboarding students from your professional/personal network.
Also, there are several online tutoring platforms that you can sign up for if you’re looking to start earning some extra cash. The amount you can make as a tutor will depend on a few different factors, such as the platform you’re using, the subject you’re teaching, and the number of hours you’re willing to commit.
Online tutors earn anywhere from $15 to $30 per hour. However, some platforms may pay more or less than this. For example, VIPKID pays its tutors a minimum of $14 per hour, while Chegg Tutors starts its tutors at $20 per hour.
Whichever route you choose, make sure you do your research and set yourself up for success.
Translation Services
As a digital nomad, one of the best ways to make money is by translating documents and speeches. If you’re good with words and know more than two languages (even two will suffice), one of the best freelancing gigs you can get is translation work.
Why? Well, for starters, there’s always a demand for translators. No matter what language you speak, there will always be someone who needs your services.
What’s more, as a translator, you can work from anywhere. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection. So, if you’re looking for a way to make money on the go, translation is definitely it.
Like with any gig, there are some downsides to being a translator. For one, finding a position that pays well can be difficult. And second, you often have to work with tight deadlines.
But if you’re willing to put in the hard work, translation can be a great way to earn extra cash as a digital nomad.
There are many online platforms and agencies that offer translation work, and the pay can be excellent – especially if you’re fluent in more than one language.
Of course, the amount of money you can make will depend on several factors, including your experience, the languages you speak, and the type of work you’re doing.
But if you’re looking for a way to earn some extra cash while you travel the world, translation could be a great option for you. So, how much money can you make as a translator?
As a general rule, translators can expect to earn around $0.25-$0.50 per word of translation work. So, if you’re translating a document that is 1000 words long, you could expect to earn $250-$500 for your work.
Of course, there are always going to be exceptions to this rule. For example, if you’re working on a very technical document or one that requires specialist knowledge, you could charge more per word.
And if you’re working with a particularly popular or in-demand language, you could also find that you can command a higher rate. So, if you’re looking to make some good money as a translator, it’s worth considering these factors.
Freelance Writing
One of the things I love about freelance writing is that it’s a great way to make money while traveling because a laptop and an internet connection are the only two things you need.
If you’re thinking about starting a freelance writing career, I highly recommend it! It’s a relatively easier way to make money while traveling because you don’t have to go into technicalities that often.
Just be sure to start building up your portfolio of work before applying for jobs so that you can charge what you deserve. You can start copywriting, content writing, CV writing, and eBook writing, depending upon your interest or available choices.
There are many factors to consider when thinking about how much a person can earn from freelance writing. The most important factor is what type of writing the freelancer is doing.
For example, a freelancer who writes web content will likely earn less than a freelancer who writes for magazines or newspapers. The second factor is how experienced the freelancer is.
A freelancer who has been writing for years will likely earn more than a freelancer just starting out. Finally, the third important thing is what kind of client the freelancer is working with.
A freelance writer who works with large companies will usually earn more than a freelance writer working with small businesses.
A freelance writer can expect to earn between $0.01 and $0.08 per word, depending on the type of writing, the client, and the freelancer’s experience.
This means that a freelance writer can easily cross $1000 per month once they have regular and returning clients. Sure, this is just an estimate, but you get the idea, no?
Graphic Designing
There are a few key reasons why graphic designing is an evergreen choice for digital nomads. Firstly, it’s a very creative and expressive field, which means it can be extremely satisfying and personally fulfilling.
Secondly, it’s relatively easy to get started – all you need is a laptop and some basic software (although, the more experience and skills you have, the more in demand you’ll be). Also, graphic designing can be a stable way to make some extra money on the side because almost every business needs visual content.
Whether you’re freelancing for clients or selling your designs online, there’s good potential to earn a decent income from graphic design – especially if you’re working as a digital nomad.
If you want a side hustle or gig that combines creativity, flexibility, and earning potential, graphic design might just be the perfect option for you.
By offering your services as a freelance graphic designer, you can easily earn a good income while exploring different parts of the world.
How much you can earn will depend on many factors, including your experience and portfolio, the type of work you’re doing, and the clientele you’re working with.
However, if you’re able to land a few good clients, there’s no reason why you can’t make a very comfortable living as a graphic designer while traveling. So, if you’re good with designs and colors, take up a few graphic designing courses and start selling this service.
This skill alone can earn you a decent living in your nomadic lifestyle and bring financial freedom along. So, if you want to make some extra money on your next trip, why not give graphic design a try? You might be surprised at how much you can earn through this skill.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping can be a great way to make some extra money on the side while you travel. It’s a relatively easy business to set up, and it doesn’t require much capital or maintenance.
But you surely need some training before entering the world of dropshipping. eCommerce is here to stay forever, and digital nomads can benefit from its endless opportunities by learning its nuances. You can run your dropshipping business from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of starting a dropshipping business. First, you’ll need to find a niche market that you can serve.
Dropshipping companies that focus on a specific niche tend to be more successful than those that sell a wide range of products. Second, you’ll need to find suppliers willing to work with you.
Dropshipping suppliers are usually manufacturers or wholesalers who agree to ship products directly to your customers on your behalf. If you’re interested in starting a dropshipping business, there are a few resources that can help you get started.
Shopify is a popular ecommerce platform that offers everything you need to create and run an online store, including a dropshipping app.
Oberlo is another dropshipping app that integrates with Shopify and makes it easy to find products to sell and suppliers to partner with.
Dropshipping is a great option for those who want to start their own business without much upfront investment. But how much can you realistically expect to earn from dropshipping as a side hustle?
The answer really depends on the niche you choose, the quality of your products, your marketing efforts, and more. However, it is possible to earn a decent income from dropshipping as a side hustle.
Even beginners can make up to $800 a month through dropshipping, and they only go higher from there. If you’re willing to put in the work, dropshipping can be a great way to supplement your income as a side gig.
Website Flipping
Website flipping is like house flipping. In house flipping, you buy a rundown house, upgrade it, and sell it for a higher price. Website flipping works the same way. It’s basically buying an existing website, improving it in some way, and then selling it for a profit.
It’s a great side hustle for digital nomads because you can do it entirely online and don’t need much money to get started. If you’re interested in website flipping, here are a few tips to get you started:
- Find websites that are undervalued and have potential. The key here is finding websites with good traffic but are not generating much revenue.
- Once you’ve found a website that you think has potential, the next step is to improve it. This could involve anything from redesigning the website to adding new content, improving its interface, or including more features.
- After you’ve improved the website, it’s time to sell it. You can sell these websites on places like Flippa, Empire Flippers, Digital Point Forum, Trademysite, Website Broker, etc.
If you’re thinking about starting a side hustle as a web flipper, you might be wondering how much money you can make. The answer varies widely – but we’ll give you some ballpark figures to help you get an idea.
On average, most web flippers make between $500 and $5000 per month. Of course, some make more – and some make less. It really depends on how much time and effort you’re willing to put into it, as well as a bit of luck.
If you’re starting out, it’s probably best to set your expectations somewhere in the middle – say, $1200 per month. Once you’ve got a few successful flips under your belt, you can start aiming for the higher end of the spectrum.
Game Design & Development
Designing and developing video games can be a great way to make some extra money on the side. You can create your games or work with others to develop their ideas.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re thinking about starting a game design and development side hustle. First, you’ll need to be familiar with the different aspects of game design and development.
This includes everything from concept creation to coding to graphics and animation. You’ll also need to have a strong understanding of the gaming industry as a whole.
Second, you’ll need to be able to work independently and smartly manage your time. This is especially important if you’re working with others to develop their game ideas. You’ll need to be able to communicate effectively and meet deadlines.
Lastly, you should have a strong portfolio of previous work to show potential clients. If you don’t have any prior experience, plenty of online resources can help you get started. You can turn your passion for gaming into a successful business with a bit of preparation and technical knowledge.
As a game designer or developer, you can make a lot of money from your side hustle if you’re good at it. Many people make a full-time income from their game design and development skills.
If you’re a beginner, you can easily make $50-$100 per hour from this side gig and make it your full-time career a few months down the line.
You need to keep in mind a few things if you want to make good money from your side hustle. For example, you need to be good at what you do.
Many people claim to be game designers or developers, but only a few are actually good at it. If you’re not good at game design or development, you won’t be able to make much money from it.
Making games is a lot of work, and it’s not always easy. If you’re not willing to put in the hours, you won’t go much far with this side gig.
Virtual Assistance
Virtual assistance is one of the best side hustles for digital nomads and frequent travelers. It’s a great way to make some extra money while you’re on the road, and it can even be a full-time job if you want it to be.
You should know a few things before you start looking for work as a virtual assistant. First, you need to have a strong internet connection and a quiet place to work.
You also need to be organized and detail-oriented and have good written and oral communication skills.
If you have all those things, you’re ready to start looking for work! There are a few different ways to find work as a virtual assistant. You can look for jobs on online job boards, or you can reach out to companies and businesses directly.
The best way to find work is to network with other digital nomads and travelers. If you know someone already working as a virtual assistant, ask them for advice and tips.
They’ll be able to help you start networking and reach out to companies and businesses today. The great thing about virtual assistance is that there are many services you can offer, and you can typically find clients who are willing to pay handsomely for your time.
One of the most popular services is social media management. As a VA, you would be responsible for managing a client’s social media accounts, creating content, and engaging with their audience.
This can be a great way to make extra cash, as social media management services can range anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour.
Another popular service is email management. This involves managing a client’s email inbox, responding to messages, and filtering out spam.
Email management is a good way to make some extra money, as it is a service that is always in demand. Email management services can range anywhere from $20-$100 per hour.
So, if you’re looking to make some extra cash as a virtual assistant, there are many services you can offer. Once you dip your toes in the world of VA services, you’ll get a better idea of the niche you can manage better and if this is something you can do in the long run or not.
Travel Vlogging- Popular Side Hustle For Digital Nomads
Travel vlogging can be a fun way to make some extra money while you’re on the road. You can use your vlogs to promote products or services or even to document your travels for others to enjoy.
If you’re interested in travel vlogging, you’ll need to invest in good quality equipment. A DSLR camera and a tripod are a must, and you should also know video editing. Second, you need to be interesting.
No one wants to watch a boring travel vlog, so make sure you’re always on the lookout for exciting things to film. Be creative and have fun with it.
But how do you make money from travel vlogging? Hmm, interesting question. I was just seeing a social media influencer enjoying a fully-sponsored vacation in Thailand, and it seemed so dreamy.
The good news is, you can also live that kind of life if you’re good at what you do. It will take some time to build your audience, but people love travel-related content, and you can ace this hustle with your determination.
There are a few ways to make money from travel vlogging, but one of the most effective is through sponsorships.
By partnering with brands that are relevant to your audience and content, you can create sponsored videos or blog posts that promote their products or services.
Another way to make money from travel vlogging is through affiliate marketing. This is where you promote products or services on your blog or channel and earn a commission on your sales.
Finally, you can also sell products or services directly on your travel vlog. This could be anything from e-books and online courses to physical products like clothes or jewelry.
Digital Marketing
As a digital nomad, I often find plenty of time on my hands. And since I’m always looking for ways to make money online, I’ve been wondering if there’s a way to use my skills in digital marketing to make some extra cash.
So far, I’ve had some success using social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to promote products and services for companies.
I’ve also used my SEO and content marketing skills to help businesses rank higher in search engines and get more traffic to their websites.
Overall, I think there’s a lot of potential for digital nomads to make money by providing digital marketing services on a freelance basis. If you understand the nuances of this service and build an impressive portfolio, you’ll find yourself creating Instagram posts and Facebook ad headlines right from your camper van.
Also, the potential of making money with digital marketing is impressively high. I have done a few digital marketing gigs, and the payout was pretty nice.
Blogging-Our Favorite Side Hustles For Digital Nomads
As a digital nomad, one of the best ways to make money is by starting a blog. Not only can you make money through advertising and affiliate marketing, but you can also use your blog to sell products and services.
If you’re not sure where to start, check out these five tips for starting a successful blog:
Choose a Niche: One of the most important things you can do when starting a blog is choosing a niche. By focusing on a specific topic, you’ll be able to attract readers interested in what you have to say.
Come Up with Fresh Content Ideas: Once you’ve chosen your niche, it’s time to start brainstorming content ideas. What topics would your ideal reader be interested in? What problems can you help them solve?
Create Valuable Content: After you have a list of content ideas, it’s time to start creating. But don’t just churn out any old article – make sure that each piece of content is high quality and provides value to your readers.
Market Your Blog: Once you have a few articles published, it’s time to start marketing your blog. Share your content on social media, reach out to influencers in your niche, and do whatever else to get the word out.
Monetize your Blog: The final step is to start monetizing your blog. You can do this through advertising, affiliate marketing, or selling products and services. But whatever route you choose, make sure you’re providing value to your readers first and foremost.
Blogging is a great way to make money as a digital nomad. By following these tips, you can set yourself up for success. Once your baby blog has enough content, and it’s monetized, you can easily make $500-$900 as a passive income. Imagine earning a handsome amount from your blog without actively working. Sounds good, right?
Affiliate Marketing
If you’re looking for a way to make some extra money on the side, affiliate marketing might be a good option for you. As a digital nomad, you probably have some skills and knowledge that others would find valuable. Why not share that with the world and earn some commissions in the process?
If you’re thinking about starting an affiliate marketing side hustle, there are some things to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to find a niche that you’re passionate about.
This can be anything from personal
finance to travel hacking. Once you’ve found your niche, it’s time to start promoting products and services relevant to your audience.
There are different ways to promote products as an affiliate. You can start a blog and write product reviews or create videos and tutorials that show people how to use the products you’re promoting.
You can also share affiliate links on social media or set up a website or online store specifically for selling the products you’re promoting.
The key to successful affiliate marketing is to find products that you believe in and that you know your audience will benefit from. If you’re promoting products that you don’t use or believe in, it’s likely that your audience won’t either.
Do your research and choose products wisely, and you’ll be on your way to earning some extra cash as a digital nomad. Affiliate marketing can easily make you around $1000 to $1500 per month.
You can also make more if you promote higher-priced items. If you want to make a full-time income from affiliate marketing, you will need to promote more expensive items and get a higher sales volume.
Get Out and Explore All The Different Jobs For Nomads
The potential of working online is limitless, especially if you’re willing to put in the required effort.
From writing to designing and development to virtual assistance, you can do anything to enjoy a nomadic lifestyle.
Sure, going down an unknown path will be tough, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never trade it for a 9-5 job.
You’ll find many more options on the internet – I only listed the ones I understand well and have experience in. In the end, you’ll have to choose a career trajectory according to your skills and interests.
Feel free to take up multiple hustles at once, drop the ones that don’t work out for you, and invest even more effort in the rewarding ones. Good luck with your dream life ahead!
FAQs About Side Hustles For Digital Nomads
Is Being a Digital Nomad Hard?
It’s a common belief that living an on-the-road life is hard and unpredictable, especially when we talk about finances. However, a nomadic lifestyle can be easier than you think with a bit of planning and research.
Since being your own boss and working with new people almost every time are prerequisites of digital nomadism, you need a great deal of self-discipline.
Some people paint a pretty easy picture of this lifestyle, but if there’s no check-and-balance and consistency, you won’t be able to go far with it.
That’s why it’s imperative to plan everything, ranging from your work hours to the jobs you’ll pick and how you’ll land new clients as a nomad.
How to be a Successful Digital Nomad?
As we mentioned earlier, there’s no one-fits-all answer to this question because everyone’s circumstances are different.
But if you have a marketable skill, i.e., graphic designing, web development, etc., your journey will be less bumpy.
You must have a reliable network before hitting the road to have the least possible dry days. Also, continuous learning and acquiring new skills will improve your success chances as a digital nomad.
Can I be a Digital Nomad with No Skills?
Nope, not happening. Succeeding (and even sustaining) in this competitive world is only possible if you’re willing to do the required work.
Having a blank canvas means your chances to try different skills are endless, and you aren’t bound because of anything. So, instead of making your “lack of a skill” an excuse, pick any of the above-listed skills, learn it, and start it as a side hustle.
Once you’re confident about making a decent living from a skill you can do entirely online, you’re free to live as a nomad.
I love this photo!
I stumbled upon this article and I really appreciated your honesty, especially how you highlighted the fact that being a digital nomad requires skills (either having them or acquiring them) and working hard at your chosen niche. Solid advice!