Today’s workforces are realising they can ditch working from a soulless office with fluorescent lighting, ditch their commute and work from the comfort of their own home, or indeed, anywhere else they prefer.
If you’re thinking of changing things up and hitting the open road, but the only thing stopping you from taking the leap is your work, now is the time to take that step and see the world.
Whether you’re continuing to work remotely or looking for a new opportunity, there is plenty out there for the entrepreneurial spirits travelling the globe.
Whether you’re craving the bustling streets of Tokyo, the pristine beaches of Bali, or the rich culture of European cities, it’s possible to explore as much as you want and make money while you do so.
In this guide, we’ll go through the best ways to earn cash, the tools you’ll need for success and offer tips and tricks for keeping a steady income as you explore.
Let's take a look at how you can make money all around the world.
Remote Opportunities That Let You See The World
As we already know, there are countless opportunities for those looking to take up a new role and hit the road. Not all jobs are good for the digital nomad lifestyle, but there are plenty that are a perfect match.
If you’re trying to think of how to earn money while travelling then you should consider these options; they’re perfect for those looking to be an entrepreneur and travel while making money along the way.
Freelancing
Becoming a freelancer can seem like an intimidating prospect, but in actuality, it can be a working world of freedom and opportunity.
Offering services like copywriting, graphic design, marketing, or programming can be lucrative in terms of pay which control into your hands as a freelancer, allowing you to travel and earn at the same time.
E-Commerce
E-commerce is a great option for those who are looking to delve into an exciting world of sales and true entrepreneurship.
Setting up an online store might sound like a crazy thing to do when you’re on the road and don’t have a fixed address, but if you make the most of dropshipping and 3rd party sales, you can manage a successful store from anywhere in the world.
This can even extend to selling physical products to other travellers or locals. Perhaps you are talented in crafting handmade jewellery using local materials, art prints, and even photography of your travels.
It’s worth carrying a portable card reader so you’re able to take payments on the go, whether you’re at a pop-up beach stall, co-working hub cafe or hostel gathering.
This ensures payments are seamless and keeps your remote business (and income) running smoothly, wherever you are and whatever you’re looking to sell.
Content Creation
Whether you’re a travel blogger, a YouTuber, or an influencer, travelling the world naturally leads to plenty of opportunities for fantastic content.
Make the most of your experiences and turn them into sponsorship opportunities, utilise affiliate marketing to promote products and collaborate with tour operators.
You might not earn a lot initially at first, but travelling for free is still a fantastic perk!
Consulting or Coaching
If you’re an expert in your field, whatever it may be, then you could sell your expertise to those who need it, offer coaching to those who are looking to grow and consult with those looking to excel; you can do it from a laptop, anywhere with an internet connection.
These new career paths, or extensions of your existing path, mean that you can make money from pretty much anywhere on the face of the earth, as long as you have a stable internet connection.
Tips and Tricks to Earn Money While Travelling
Making money and exploring the world may sound like a ridiculous dream to some, but with the right mindset, entrepreneurial strategies and work ethic, it’s far more attainable than it may at first appear.
Diversify to Survive
One of the key things to take away from this guide is to diversify your income streams; relying on a single source of income can be risky, particularly when you’re operating within a niche that might not draw that much attention.
Instead, mix freelance gigs with passive income streams like affiliate marketing or digital products like e-books or online courses; items that require minimal input to create, but can be sold repeatedly and infinitely.
In doing this you’ll gain a bit more financial stability, even when one stream of income slows.
Network, Network, Network
One of the true joys of travelling, of which there are many, is the fact that you get to meet people outside of your usual circles, people from different walks of life, and people you’ll have an instant and indelible connection with; which of course, means you’ll have unlimited opportunities to network.
Attend events and local meetups, join coworking spaces, or connect with people online. The more you do, the more opportunities you’ll create; you never know when a chance encounter could lead to a new business partnership or even a client.
Organise and Overcome
As you can probably imagine, the key to running a successful business in any field, is to be organised, and this goes double for those on the move; managing a multi-faceted business is tricky when you’ve got a set HQ, so it becomes even harder when you’re constantly switching locations.
Make the most of project management software. You’ll be working from your computer anyway and there are some incredible options out there.
It’s also worth investing in some cloud storage with fast upload and download speeds; you’ll struggle to keep hold of hard drives and other physical storage as you unpack and repack, and it will add an extra layer of security to your operation.
What You Need to Work While Travelling
If you’ve been trying to figure out how to make money and travel there are a few essentials you’ll need to keep yourself in the money, so to speak.
Reliable internet is an absolute necessity, and this is pretty non-negotiable. Be sure to research your next destination thoroughly, call the hotels and hostels you’ll be staying at, research internet local cafes, make sure you know where the nearest co-working spaces are and check with mobile service providers for data coverage in the area.
Being caught short without wifi would be a disaster for most online businesses, so don’t let it happen to you.
Portable equipment is another must for any digital nomad. Your laptop is everything, so invest in a high-quality device that won't be defeated by a few knocks on an overnight bus.
You’ll also need things like noise-cancelling headphones to avoid distraction when working in a public space, as well as having all the right chargers and adapters for the countries you’re visiting, and many nomads will opt for battery packs so they can charge on the go.
One final consideration that anyone wanting to travel and make money should take into account is getting some good travel insurance. Aside from not wanting to eat into your profits with missed flights, cancelled journeys and other inconveniences, damaging or losing your equipment could have a major impact on your business.
The right insurance can stop a minor hiccup from becoming a major financial disaster and can keep you in business.
Balancing Work and Travel
One thing that ends up surprising many people looking to travel and make money is how hard it can be to keep the right balance of work and play.
It’s easy to assume that you’d be able to enjoy your travel and keep work in check, but there is always more behind the scenes work than you may at first think.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by work, especially when things are going well. Decide on your work hours and stick to them, don’t forget that the reason you’re doing this is to enjoy your travelling.
On the flip side of this, it’s important to remember that you will need to do some work to be successful; it can be all too tempting to simply enjoy your travel and end up not doing anything productive. If you’ve got entrepreneurial goals, you’ll need to be committed and willing to work to reach them.
Both elements must live in harmony, and those who can successfully balance their work and travel will reap the rewards financially.
Start Your Globetrotting Today
So there you have it, a guide for those looking to get out there and see the world. With the right tools, mindset and business strategy you can become a successful globetrotting entrepreneur, enjoying life to its fullest extent.
No matter what you choose to do, the opportunities that travelling creates are endless, all you have to do is find your niche, make the most of your time and keep the balance between work and play at the right level.
Enjoying the freedom and excitement of life as a digital nomad is the key to having a successful business, and a successful business will reward you in kind, allowing you to keep travelling!
So pack your bags, grab your laptop and get ready to harness your entrepreneurial spirit as you experience all the adventure the world has to offer.
