There once was a point in time where if you wanted to earn a living from traveling, the only way to do it was to work in the travel industry… You know, working as a flight attendant or on a cruise ship. But what if you didn’t want to work directly in the travel industry? What if you simply wanted to earn income but still be able to travel the world?

Well, with the technological advancements we’ve seen today, that brought about the emergence of the digital nomad. What is a digital nomad? A digital nomad is someone who uses telecommunication technology to earn a living while also traveling the world. Access to wifi is what makes the digital nomad lifestyle so attainable… without it, you would indeed have to directly work in the travel industry.

What is the “Digital Nomad Way?”

The “digital nomad way” is referring to the types of jobs a digital nomad works. The digital nomad way encompasses a wide variety of jobs that specifically require internet access. This term is used because there are, of course, other jobs that allow you to earn income that doesn’t involve internet access. Some of those jobs include:

• Becoming an Au Pair
• Working in a hostel
• Working on a farm
• Street performer
• Bartender
• Tour guide

You, of course, can work these types of jobs and still earn as a digital nomad, but the digital nomad way is your primary source of income, typically. The jobs listed above are actually great ways to take in the vibe and feel of the destination you’re visiting because you’re working more hands-on with the public… but it’s also more labor-intensive.

That’s not saying that digital nomads are lazy, by any means, but facts are facts, and the digital nomad lifestyle’s most labor-intensive aspect is being disciplined enough to work, despite knowing you don’t necessarily have to.

What that is saying is that as a digital nomad, you have the ability (not freedom) to work as little or as much as you want, but in order to be successful, you have to discipline yourself to work to make the money to fund further travels.

Some people think that digital nomads just lounge around in different countries all day and that’s just not the case… digital nomads work extremely hard, and it’s not just from one source. Digital nomads earn income from several sources, which brings us to the next point.

How to Earn Income As a Digital Nomad

Earning as a digital nomad comes in various forms. Some jobs require a certain skill set whereas other jobs don’t require a specific skill at all. The key is to find jobs that you enjoy doing and profit off of that. Take a look at some of the most common and profitable ways to earn income as a digital nomad.

Work Remotely For a Company

Working remotely for a company is something that can be done in two different ways. You have the option of checking with your current full-time job to see if there are any remote positions available, or you can simply search for remote jobs.

This might come as a surprise to you, but more and more companies are actually falling in love with remote work. According to the Harvard Business Review, the biggest reason companies are implementing more remote opportunities is because of the productivity increase it brings.

A study was conducted and found that increases in productivity were largely due to workers being able to work in a quieter place. So that just goes to show you that there are certain characteristics required in a remote office in order to be productive… location matters.

So if you’re considering working remotely for a company, you won’t have to look far. Companies like Rosetta Stone, Parexel, and Intuit are always hiring remote workers… you just have to see which company you feel is a good fit for you.

Social Media Marketer

Almost every business and major brand has a social media presence, and behind those attention-grabbing and captivating brands are brilliant social media marketers.

As a social media marketer, you’re going to be the brains behind a brand’s public face. Everything from contests and posts to responding to comments and addressing concerns, you’re job is to interact with the brand’s audience and get them interested in the company’s products and services.

Because social media plays such a significant role in today’s business environment, there will always be a need for a social media marketer. The great news is that it doesn’t require you to be in an office, making the digital nomad lifestyle a perfect fit for this job.

Online Business Owner

There was once a point in time where if you wanted to own a business, you had to purchase a building or rent an office; you also had to pay a lot of money upfront. Now, you can become the owner of a business with a few taps, clicks, and swipes. That’s, of course, speaking of becoming an online business owner!

Sites like shopify.com give business owners the power to build and design their very own store just the way they want. And because it’s an online store, you too can build your online store and take your business with you wherever you are! No office space rental required.

Customer Service Representative

The days of going into a call center office are no longer a requirement… it’s now an option. As a customer service rep, you have the ability to work from anywhere in the world as long as you have internet access, a phone, a computer/laptop, and a pleasant demeanor.

As a customer service rep, you’re going to be able to work in just about every industry, but your focus is to solve customers’ problems, whether they’re calling in to dispute something they see on their bill or to cancel a service. Whatever the case may be, your responsibility is to provide them with excellent customer service to resolve their issues.