Are you getting sick of your boring 9 to 5, feeling like there’s got to be more to life? Well, you’re not alone! Why not join the millions of remote workers around the world and become a digital nomad? As a digital nomad, you can work from anywhere, be it on a beach, a mountain, or at a cute cafe on the other side of the world! Sounds like a dream, right? Well, that’s not even the best part: You don’t need experience to get these digital nomad jobs – perfect for beginners!
In this article, we’re about to spill the beans on the 15 best beginner digital nomad jobs. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get into it!
Different Types of Digital Nomads
Before we dive into the top 15 best digital nomad jobs for beginners, let’s first lay out the different types of digital nomad work.
Remote Employee
While remote working has been a thing for years already, it really became much more popular after the COVID-19 pandemic. Your current company may already have a remote work policy that you can take advantage of. But if not, you may need to look for a remote job through traditional job-hunting methods. If you are a remote employee or are looking to become one, just make sure you are able to literally work from anywhere – not just your home! And keep in mind you might have to be a bit more flexible, as you are working with an employee that expects specific hours worked!
Freelancer
Another type of digital nomad work is freelancing. In this type of work, you contract out your work to various clients. Freelancers are self-employed and are not committed to a single employer. There are many different types of freelance work, and what you do would be entirely up to you and your skills. While freelancing is great and offers a lot of freedom that makes it easier to travel as you work, on the flip side, the job security isn’t great.
Online Business Owner
The final type of digital nomad is an online business owner. These digital nomads are entrepreneurs and business owners who are able to run their businesses with a laptop and an Internet connection. Interestingly, many freelancers transition to owning their own business over time.
Top 15 Best Digital Nomad Jobs for Beginners
So, let’s jump into the 15 best digital nomad jobs for beginners. These jobs do not require much experience, if any, and you can easily jump in without a padded CV. However, keep in mind that while it’s easy to jump into this type of work, it’s a whole other animal to master it. But as long as you keep going at it, you should be able to fully support yourself on these jobs! If you’re looking to become a digital nomad and are stuck on what to do, this is a great list to get you started!
1. Content Writing
Are you a talented writer? Well, you’re in luck! There’s really no shortage of opportunities for paid work to write articles and blog posts. In some cases, some clients might be looking for writers to write whole books, too! The best part? You can do this job from anywhere in the world, and there are absolutely no set hours. Simply find a writing job, write it according to the brief, and send it to your client to publish!
2. Copywriting
If you are looking for something a bit different than writing blog posts and articles, you can instead look into a career as a copywriter! How’s this different from content writing, you may ask? Copywriting involves slogans, landing pages, sales pitches, emails… basically anything that can promote a company. Generally, a copywriter and graphic designer will work together to produce and create content that is engaging and pulls potential customers in.
3. Transcription
Transcription is probably one of the most popular beginner digital nomad jobs. There is absolutely no experience required; all you need is good listening and typing skills. All this job involves is listening to audio or video and writing down everything you hear word-for-word. Keep in mind that although the job may sound easy, it may take some time to master it! But if you are consistent, this is a relatively easy job with plenty of work available around the Internet.
4. Proofreading/Editing
Are you a grammar Nazi? Do you have access to programs such as Grammarly Premium? If so, you might want to try your hand at proofreading or editing. While these jobs do not necessarily require any experience, if you have a keen eye for detail, that skill can go a long way in this profession. Ideally, as a proofreader or editor, you will be a good writer as well so that you can easily add to and delete sentences or phrases that could sound better.
5. Virtual Assistant
Another super beginner-friendly job for aspiring digital nomads is the virtual assistant position. You’d be a great fit for this job if you have the right people skills and administrative experience. But even if you don’t have the experience under your belt, a keen eye for detail goes a long way! As a virtual assistant, you would be responsible for a diverse range of tasks, including scheduling appointments, booking travel, customer support, and some data entry as well.
6. Online Teaching
You don’t necessarily need a teaching degree in order to teach online. You can teach whatever you feel most comfortable with, but many digital nomads will generally teach English online. Generally, the only caveat is that you are a native English speaker. While some companies or clients may prefer a teacher with a Bachelor’s degree, that’s not a requirement either! And for digital nomads who speak other languages, don’t worry; there are plenty of teaching jobs in other languages, too!
7. Social Media Management
Social media is everything nowadays – especially when it comes to a brand’s image, whether it be a company or an individual. As a social media manager, you’ll be in charge of creating and managing the brand’s social media presence. What does this mean? Well, you’ll have to design, post, and schedule social media posts on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook… whatever the clients want! By doing this, social media managers can build a community and promote the client’s products or services.
8. Data Entry
A super easy digital nomad job for beginners is data entry. While the job itself may not be glamorous, the best part is that there is absolutely no shortage of work in this industry. Plus, since it’s so easy, you could easily do it anywhere – even at a noisy cafe! All you’ll need is good typing skills and an eye for detail. The work involves reviewing data, verifying information, and other simple tasks. While the pay for this work may not be the best, it’s an effortless job you can do for some extra cash.
9. Translation
Do you know more than one language? If that’s the case, you might look into translation jobs! Whether you speak French, Italian, Korean, or Japanese, there are clients all over the world looking for translators. You might be translating documents, videos, blog posts, or entire websites! While you will need to have a good knowledge of both languages in order to succeed in this role, this is where all you bilingual queens and kings will shine!
10. User Generated Content (UGC)
If you’ve looked for online jobs in the past, one acronym you might have come across is UGC. User Generated Content is actually relatively simple to do, as long as you have a good knowledge of social media trends (yes, it counts if you scroll on your TikTok to no end!) and a decent phone to take videos. As a UGC creator, you would be creating videos for brands to be used in paid ads. And no, you don’t need a following on social media to do this!
11. Affiliate Marketing
Another popular digital nomad job is affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing takes many forms, but the gist of it is this: You earn commission on sales by promoting products or services. How you market these products and services is entirely up to you, but most affiliate marketers will use social media and blogs. Since you earn a commission-based salary, the more reach you have, the better!
12. Voice Acting
Do you have a nice voice, good diction, and a microphone? Try your hand at voice acting! While some experience in this field comes in handy, as long as you have the right equipment (that is, a good voice and microphone), you can jump into this field. Simply read scripts provided by your clients and send them the recordings. You’ll be padding up your voice acting CV in no time!
13. Customer Support
While customer support may not be the most exciting job, it can provide a steady stream of both income and opportunities. Plus, you can do this job anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. All you need is good communication skills and the ability to empathize with customers. In this role, you’ll be assisting customers with their inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring their satisfaction with products or services.
14. Graphic Design
If you’re an artist with a creative eye, graphic design can be an excellent option as a digital nomad. There are potential clients all over the internet who want logos, website images, and graphics made. While knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud is a huge plus, Canva makes this digital nomad job much easier for beginners. Canva doesn’t have much of a learning curve at all, so as long as you have a good eye for design, you’ll be lining up clients for sure!
15. Video Editing
One of the most in-demand digital nomad jobs right now is video editing. As a video editor, you’ll work with YouTube videos, ads, promos, vlogs, and more. To get started, you’ll need video editing software, a capable computer, and, of course, a creative eye for detail. As you gain experience, you can develop your own unique style and potentially build a portfolio that attracts more clients. Some experience with video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro will come in handy here.
Where to Find Digital Nomad Jobs for Beginners
So, how do you even find a digital nomad job in the first place? Here are some of the best resources for finding jobs in your chosen field.
Upwork
This is where we got our start as content writers! Upwork is a popular platform for finding freelance gigs – both small and large. There is a huge pool of clients searching for freelancers to complete certain jobs or to join a team within a company! From video editing and writing to graphic design and translation, you can find pretty much every type of job here. While there is no fee for joining, Upwork does take a fee of 10% of whatever you earn on the platform.
Fiverr
Fiverr is another popular platform for freelancers to get their start. You can discover a wide range of freelance opportunities, from small jobs to more extensive projects. Whether your expertise lies in creative writing, digital marketing, graphic design, or programming, you’ll find something for your talents here. The best part? You can sign up for free and start offering your services. Just like Upwork, Fiverr charges a small fee for what you make.
Don’t underestimate LinkedIn as a valuable resource when searching for digital nomad jobs. This platform is not just a social network but also a powerful tool for job seekers. It’s the perfect place to connect with potential employers, showcase your skills and achievements, and explore countless job opportunities while you’re at it. Whether you’re looking for a full-time remote job or a freelance gig, you should be able to find something in your field on LinkedIn’s extensive network. Plus, building your professional presence on LinkedIn is free!
Flexjobs
With a focus on providing the best remote job opportunities, FlexJobs provides a curated list of job postings from reputable companies. From part-time freelance positions to full-time remote work, you can tailor your search to find the perfect fit for you. Although FlexJobs requires a subscription fee, the value lies in the fact that you’ll have access to quality, scam-free job listings (of which there’s an abundance on platforms like Upwork). Plus, you’ll get access to more than 50 categories of jobs from almost 50,000 companies!
Indeed
Any jobseeker is familiar with the massive versatile job search platform that is Indeed. It offers a huge job database filled to the brim with full-time positions, part-time gigs, and freelance opportunities. While you’ll see a mix of remote and non-remote work on this website, you can filter your search to match your preferences. Indeed’s user-friendly interface, coupled with its free access, makes it a great resource for digital nomads seeking remote work.
Tips for Finding Digital Nomad Jobs for Beginners
Here are our top tips for finding beginner digital nomad jobs for those who want to finally live their dream!
1. Know Your Skills
First things first, take note of your skills and leverage your existing skills and expertise. Whether you have a background in writing or graphic design, these skills can open doors to various remote opportunities, as you can see from the list above. Of course, having a more niche skillset will prove much more lucrative for you. For example, instead of simply being a content writer, be a content writer who specializes in DIY and home projects.
2. Take Advantage of Freelancing Platforms
Online freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr may not always have the best opportunities, but they are a great place to start! And you never know what gold mine you might land on while you peruse the sites searching for freelancing opportunities. These platforms allow you to create profiles, showcase your skills, and bid on projects that align with your skills and interests. Plus, since everything is in one platform, future clients will be able to see your past projects and growing experience.
3. Network
Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram are all excellent resources for job hunting. Join digital nomad Facebook groups and follow relevant hashtags to stay updated on job and freelancing opportunities. Connecting with fellow nomads and sharing your journey can also lead to potential job referrals, so don’t underestimate the power of networking!
4. Develop an Online Presence
Building on tip #3, an online presence can significantly help your job search. While you don’t need hundreds of thousands of followers on your TikTok account, you should create a personal website or portfolio showcasing your work and skills. That way, potential clients can immediately see what it is that you can offer them. Plus, it certainly doesn’t hurt to actively engage in social media to further build a network of contacts.
5. Be Adaptable
Be open to learning new skills and trying something new you may have never considered. This adaptability will not only increase your marketability but also make you a more resilient and successful digital nomad.
Average Digital Nomad Salaries in 2023
According to various sources, on average, a digital nomad will earn anywhere between (USD) $40,000 and $99,999 per year. In terms of hourly pay, the majority of digital nomads charge between $10 and $30 per hour, which can be much higher depending on the nomad’s experience and qualifications!
Now you can see that life as a digital nomad ain’t too shabby! Couple that with the fact that most digital nomads tend to go to countries with lower cost of living than they’re used to, and many digital nomads are really living it up!
Ready to Be a Digital Nomad?
Who knew becoming a digital nomad didn’t have to be as complicated as you thought? While being able to support yourself on a remote job might not come immediately, with a bit of work and effort, you should be able to call yourself a digital nomad in no time! That dream of traveling the world with just a laptop and a backpack is within reach, thanks to these beginner digital nomad jobs.
Now that you’ve got your job situation sorted, what’s next? Well, you’ll need to apply for a digital nomad visa, of course! While the visa process differs depending on where you want to go, head over to our Visa Page to see what countries have digital nomad visas, including Portugal, Italy, Bali (Indonesia), and Estonia.
About the Author
