The best business models for digital nomads

Digital nomadism is all the rage. An increasing number of people are posting a (sometimes annoying) number of photos from incredible places around the world, working from wherever they have a fast enough internet connection. 

Lunch by the pool, dinner on the beach, it sounds perfect, right? It can be, if you take the right approach and pick the right role for your skillset. There are tons of different remote jobs available, which we explore below.

Web design

A classic business model for digital nomads, one of the originals, in fact, is to work as a remote web designer, or even start your own digital web agency over time. There have never been fewer barriers to entry – you don’t even need to study coding in a formal capacity these days, all you need is a computer and the will to learn. You can either study in your own time, or you can take a web design boot camp which will equip you with all the skills you need to get started. 

Once you’ve attained a base level skillset, you can either try to get a remote position at an existing company, or go freelance and offer your skills directly to prospective clients. If you choose to go freelance, you’ll want to make sure that you have some sites you can put in your portfolio. This might be making sites specifically for that reason, or helping friends or family with businesses to update their own sites, to give you some experience and examples to show. 

Digital marketing

Another niche that you can carve a remote role in is digital marketing. There are a number of different approaches you can take; if you consider yourself a social media aficionado, you can take that approach, and design posts and other content for businesses on Facebook or Instagram.

If you have a mind for data, you can take a more analytical approach, and help people spot weak spots in their SEO strategies. SEO is a complex subject, but if you dedicate a little energy and time to the subject and put your head to it, you’ll be able to develop a skill set that can provide real value to a wide range of companies.

Copywriting

Another classic role for digital nomads is that of a copywriter. Whether you’re particularly knowledgeable about a specific niche or just like to write about any topic you’re given, there’s plenty of work out there. While getting set up can take a while, eventually you’ll be able to find a remote position at an agency, or if you fancy going freelance, you can just start looking for your own clients right away.

It can be a big plus to learn a little more about the ins and outs of copywriting, so you can offer your clients more than just standard content. You can learn these tips from a wide variety of sources, from YouTube to online courses, many of them free.