Digital Nomads: Are they the future of work?

Digital nomads have been a growing workforce group for many years now. In the US alone, it’s estimated that by 2025 over 22% of the entire workforce will be remote or digital. And globally, the numbers are staggering: there’ll be an estimated 1 billion digital nomads worldwide, by 2035. 🤯

The changes we experienced during the COVID years – mandated lockdowns, working from home – have certainly amped up the digital nomad lifestyle trend. But since we stepped out from the worst of the pandemic, more and more people have decided a remote and digitally nomadic way of working, is for them.

So... who are these digital nomads?

A digital nomad is a worker who is location-independent, and who travels to different destinations to work in jobs that can be successfully executed with just a laptop and an internet connection.

Digital nomads tend to work contract or freelance and are less likely to take on traditional jobs. It’s a nomadic life as it typically involves regular, long-term travel via a non-traditional, roving existence. Sounds pretty good to us!

The professional life of a digital nomad is definitely enticing: this is more lifestyle than job description. And it’s becoming ever more common and viable given the post-COVID shift in how we work and live. That is, the desire (and need?) to work remotely.

What Do Digital Nomads Do?

Digital nomads work across a broad range of industries and skills. From our research, the most common type of work, includes:

1. Programmer or Website Developer

Programmers are one of the biggest categories of work for digital nomads. Writing code for apps, websites and software can be done anywhere there’s an internet connection. Website developers are really popular too: these workers are programmers with specific skills in web language, such as Wordpress, Squarespace, Wix or many others.

2. Social Media

Digital nomads are totally social media savvy. So, campaign and brand management for companies based anywhere is perfect for these guys! And like most remote jobs, time zone management can work in their favour, especially if their client wants new content up in the evening.

3. Blogging / Copywriting / Editing

Writing gigs are a great option for workers on the road. These roles are in abundance across both part-time and full-time options. And many digital nomads make side-hustle income from writing about their current (and often changing!) location.

4. Customer Service

The perfect digital nomad gig! Many companies that offer 24/7 customer support, need workers to do night shifts. And depending on where the worker is based, this could well land in their normal working hours. Sometimes, these jobs may require a quiet location if phone support is called for, but many companies today offer customer support on IM and email only.

5. Virtual Assistant

Working as someone’s remote assistant is a great digital nomad gig. The work is mostly digital, creative, administrative or technical in nature. And when little experience is needed, the VA is a great option for the rookie nomad!

6. Designer

Creative design, across both web and graphic channels, is another popular digital nomad job. Designs for company logos, marketing materials, company reports, merchandise and communications are always in high demand. Building up a portfolio of past work, helps the digital nomad to land more future work and secure their nomadic income.

Other popular categories of work, where digital nomads are making a successful living sustaining their indefinite travel lifestyle, includes:

•    Data entry

•    Transcribing

•    Voice acting (voiceovers voice ads)

•    Tour guide

•    Online course developer

•    Website tester

•    Video production and editing

•    Cryptocurrency trading

•    E-Commerce business

•    Business consultant

•    Teaching languages

•    Affiliate marketing

•    Freelance researcher

•    Translating

•    Programming

Where are Digital Nomads located?

The short answer is everywhere there’s a reliable internet connection.

The better answer is this: there are hotspots for digital nomads, and these tend to change or shift, year on year. From our research, the hottest digital nomad locations in 2023, include:

•    Lisbon, Portugal

•    Melbourne, Australia

•    Bali, Indonesia

•    Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

•    Buenos Aires, Argentina

•    Berlin, Germany

•    Barcelona, Spain

•    Rio, Brazil

•    Mexico City , Mexico, NA

•    Austin, Taxes, NA

The best piece of advice for companies managing digital nomads, is this: Have a digital nomad company policy in place. This makes perfect sense. Establishing ground rules for everyone in the relationship, will make for a better, more cohesive and productive outcome. Here are the key factors to consider for a company digital nomad policy:

1. Timezones

Agree on time zones and the flexibility allowed for communications and reporting, both ways. If the nomad is in a completely different time zone, agree on the few hours each day where both parties can be online.

2. Network Infrastructure

Have the right network infrastructure in place: this means remote and digital nomad workers can securely, safely and easily access relevant company files and documents. Limitations on access to software and company databases can heavily restrict productivity.

3. Hardware

The policy needs to state who is responsible for the acquisition and upkeep of hardware, including mobile phone, laptop and any other technical device required to undertake the job. The policy also needs to state who’s responsible for maintaining up-to- date malware, encryption and anti-virus software.

4. Project and Collaboration Softwares

Invest in cloud-based project management and collaboration tools to allow digital nomads the flexibility to perform outside the standard 9- 5. This way, the nomads can see project updates virtually, instead of via scheduled meetings and can contribute and report on their work in a version-controlled environment.

5. Signed Contracts

Ensure digital nomads sign contracts stating that they’re telecommuters. This will assist the client with compliance and taxation laws of their home country.

6. Timeframe It

When a company takes on workers located in another country, they may be liable for immigration, tax or other legal obligations. To limit this, the company may wish to limit the number of days the digital nomad is engaged in a given period.

7. Insurance

Make sure the policy states who is responsible for all relevant insurances (such as workers compensation, general liability, global health and evacuation insurance)

8. Code of Conduct

The policy should state that digital nomads need to comply with the expected code of conduct for the company.

9. Policy Vibrations

The policy also needs to outline consequences of policy violation and compliance standards expected by the company.

Other tips to make the most out of digital nomad / employer relationship

• Think about the values of your company and your employer brand, as these are important to consider when engaging any type of new worker for your business. When reviewing and selecting potential digital nomad workers, consider their culture fit for your business, as though they were going to work in the office.
• Allow the digital nomads to ask you interview-style questions. It’s important for them to feel the right fit, as much  as you want to.
• Onboarding is potentially more important for digital nomads than regular workers as, being offsite there will be factors you might miss or assume the worker is across. Again, keep your company values, your employer value proposition and your employer brand in mind when onboarding. And make sure the process is super robust, with      no stone left unturned.
• Establish a regular meeting schedule, so lines of communication remain open and everyone to the relationship feels  informed and able to perform productively. You might need to consider a slight change to your people management approach too.
• Where relevant (and without overdoing it), involve the digital nomads in company and team activities, such as  meetings, WhatsApp group chats, and group emails. If they feel a sense of attachment to your business, they’re  going to be more engaged and more likely to perform better.
• Provide job and project descriptions with deliverables and KPIs so the digital nomad has a clear pathway for delivering on the company’s expectations. And as mentioned above, by having the right tools and infrastructure, like cloud-based project management tools, the worker will always be across project progress and won’t feel in the dark.

The digital nomad lifestyle used to be mostly made up of male millennials. But this is changing as more people across all (working) ages are taking up the opportunity, including more females. The important thing to remember is this: the numbers are continuing to rise across the globe. And their value is proven by these numbers: companies are embracing digital nomads and seeing their impact on the bottom line. In summary, digital nomad relationships are working. So, workers and companies, it’s time to buckle in and get on board the digital nomad express!

If you would like to discuss digital nomads and how they may work for your organisation, you can reach me here. I look forward to speaking with you.