A nomad is a person who doesn’t stay in one place for long. They move from place to place in search of fresh pastures, fresh ideas, fresh spaces and fresh people. You have probably heard the term nomad, but a term that has come into our language more recently is that of digital nomad and digital nomadism.
What is a Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is, simply put, someone who works in different locations. They might work
- at home
- in the library
- in a coffee shop
- in a hotel room
- in a park
- anywhere really that they can do their work.
That is the simple version, some people may take this to another level, travelling around the country or the world, working wherever they please. As long as they have internet connection, they are ready to go, and ready to work.
So digital nomadism is the umbrella term used to describe people who can travel and work anywhere, as long as they have internet access.
The Growth of Digital Nomadism
Technology
Nomads have been around since human society began. Working in different locations has always been necessary for some. For example,
- Writers in particular might seek out a different location to work, to gain inspiration and fresh ideas.
- Agricultural workers might move around the country to seek farming jobs at different times of the years.
- People have moved to other countries in search of work and better work opportunities.
Digital nomadism is similar but different. People require the internet connection and the growth of Wi-Fi availability has also increased the opportunities for people to work outside the office and outside of their own home. Think back just a few years and if people wanted the internet, they would often have to be in an office. Eventually more and more people had the internet in their own home and were able to work from there.
So, the changes in technology and the internet has meant that more people can work from a range of different locations.
COVID-19
There are people out there who have been working at home for many years, running their own businesses, working for other people. It has been their day to day life for years if not decades.
But COVID-19 brought this work-at-home, work-outside-the-office idea to far more people.
Yes, the dreaded COVID-19 also brought about many changes. Suddenly, many people were having to work from home. This led to changes in how people work. Some people realised that they hated working at home alone, but for others, this was a new and exciting way of working. This was something they wanted and aspired to. No more travelling to work. No more distractions from other people in the office. No more being trapped in an office 9 – 5 Monday to Friday. They were able to work in their own home. Or after COVID lockdowns lifted, they could pop to the coffee shop, maybe work in the library or in the garden.
Business Changes
Some businesses have also embraced these changes in technology and the changes due to COVID. They suddenly realised that they had to look at work in a different way. Some businesses stopped renting offices and office space realising that this was not essential. They could run a work force from their own homes, managing workers who were working in their own homes. It was a seismic shift for many.
Removing the Shackles
It is currently estimated that 34% of British people are working four or five days a week outside the office and 25% of Australians. It is predicted that these levels will increase as individuals and businesses recognising the advantages of digital nomadism. To name but a few -
- flexibility
- versatility
- reduced office space costs
- reduced travel costs
- reduced childcare costs
Who Can Work Remotely?
Many different jobs lend themselves to working remotely, such as –
- writing
- copywriting
- editor
- influencer
- transcription
- translation
- online teacher/tutor
- virtual assistant
- software development
- sales
- marketing
- accounting
- designer
- ehealthcare/telehealth
- IT
But these are not the only options. As more and more businesses are realising that remote working is a good option, more opportunities become available.
One group in particular who are embracing the idea of digital nomadism are the millennials. Born in the 1980s to early 2000s, millennials generally are
- Keener to take risks
- Want to set up their own businesses
- Have grown up with social media and technology and know how to use it
But virtually anyone can work remotely as long as they have good skills in relation to the use of technology.
Becoming a Digital Nomad
How you will become a digital nomad will depend on exactly what you intend to do. If you plan to work from home, visiting coffee shops and libraries, then your plans will be different to someone who intends to sell up, buy a mobile home and work from anywhere.
So, consider –
- Where you plan to work. If it’s at home, make sure you have a suitable location, free of distraction that is comfortable and suitable. If it is a mobile home, where will you work? What about internet access? Plan carefully.
- Can you work anytime you want or do you have to work set hours?
- Do you have to go into “work” sometimes for meetings?
How Can Digital Nomadism Benefit the Individual?
Digital nomadism can benefit the individual in a number of ways –
- It can increase productivity. In an office environment, you may find yourself talking to other staff, answering emails, taking part in unnecessary meetings. Being a digital nomad means that you have more time to do the work that you need to do.
- Different locations can lead to increased creativity and more ideas. If you are always staring at the same four walls, it can be hard to be creative. Spending time in different locations can increase that creativity, increase your experiences of the world, which can improve your creativity and ideas. George was an article and blog writer. He had writer’s block. He decided to start working in different places, such as the beach, the park, the coffee shop. He listened to other people, he talked to people, he saw different views and he found his creativity surged back.
- Having more ideas can mean that we have more great ideas. If a person is thinking of a new business, a new plan, spending time in different areas can increase our ideas.
- Moving around, whether that is across country, or through your home town can make you more adaptable. Adapting to new environments, new people and perhaps new cultures. This can help our brain to cope better with change. The more new experiences and challenges we experience, the better we get at dealing with this. This is a new, transferrable skill, beneficial in a range of different jobs and careers settings.
There are also practical advantages -
- Digital nomads can work from their own home. There are reduced travel costs.
- They might have to work set hours, but they can organise their daily life around those hours. They also might have extra hours in the day as they do not have to spend time travelling. For example, Andrew spent two hours a day travelling, five days a week. That is ten hours a week. He now works his set hours at home and has ten hours more a week to do what he would like to do.
- It may be possible to work varied hours. As long as the work is done, digital nomadism can mean that some people are able to work more flexibly. For example, Nana is an early bird. She gets up, walks her dogs, has a cup of coffee and starts work at 5am. By 12 midday she has finished her days work and is able to do what she would like to do. Casey, on the other hand, does not like working for long periods of time. She works two hours in the morning, two in the afternoon, then works again after her evening meal. Working from home or elsewhere can mean that you can work when and how you want to.
Being a Digital Nomad can mean, the individual can work -
Where they want to
When they want to
How they want to
AND
WHO they want to.
What does that mean? Well, digital nomadism can also be a great way for individuals to set up their own businesses, working from home, or wherever they choose to work.
Making Money as a Digital Nomad
You might be lucky enough to get work for an organisation where you can work where you want to. Or you might become a freelancer.
Another option is to work for yourself.
An Example
Moira worked in a clothes shop. COVID affected sales and the company went out of business. Moira set up her own online clothes store. Every morning, she goes to her local coffee shop –
- She processes orders
- Carries out her banking and bookkeeping
- Prepares blogs and social media posts
- Answers messages from customers and suppliers
In the afternoon, she returns home and prepares all of her orders. Then takes them to the post office.
Being a digital nomad is not just about sitting on the beach with your laptop.
It can mean hard work and sometimes difficulties, such as –
- Internet connections letting you down
- Not being able to find a suitable place to work
- Other people at home causing noise and distractions
- Etc.
Being a digital nomad offers people the opportunity to work in your own home for other people, but it also offers you the opportunity to work for yourself.
- Being a digital nomad is usually cheaper. You do not have to rent or buy expensive office space and equipment. You can have the bare minimum. For example, a laptop, office supplies, a desk perhaps. You might not even need that. If you work in a library, all you might need is your laptop, depending on the type of work you do.
- It reduces other costs. An office-based business might have other costs, such as public liability insurance. This is not always necessary for online-run businesses.
- It means that you can work for yourself, where you want to and when you want to.
As we have seen earlier, digital nomadism can mean you are more –
- Flexible
- Adaptable
- Creative
- Bursting with new ideas
It can also mean that you are more productive. There is no travel time, no wasting time in pointless meetings. You can work in a way that is effective and efficient.
Is Being a Digital Nomad Right For You?
- Are you ok working alone?
- Do you want to meet different and new people?
- Do you want to work in different environments?
- Are you flexible and adaptable?
- Are you hard working and self-disciplined?
- Do you want to work for yourself?
If this sounds like you, you might be interested in considering starting your own online business with us.
ACS Distance Education was established in 1979 and currently have over 700 courses available. We offer our affiliates the opportunity to resell our courses and set up their own online school.
- We supply all the course content
- The LMS (learning management system)
- Procedures and assets necessary for you to begin your business.
- You just choose the courses you want to market and sell and get your front-end website and branding etc setup.
We also have –
Highly experienced staff who have successfully helped other affiliates to set up their own businesses.
If, you like the sound of –
- Running your own part time or full time business
- Working where you want to work
- Working when you want to work
- Selling courses and educational products to clients
- Having a satisfying daily life helping others with their educational needs
- If you like the sound of being a digital nomad
Then this could be the way forward for you.
Contact us to find out more and speak with one of friendly Affiliate Managers who can answer any queries you may have .