So, you’re dreaming of becoming a digital nomad, living the life of adventure, exploring exotic locales, and working whenever, wherever—preferably from a hammock by the beach with a cocktail in hand. But before you trade your office chair for a sun lounger, here’s a little advice: don’t quit your day job just yet.
If you’re currently employed full-time or have secure work, the best way to kickstart your nomadic lifestyle is by building your online freelance presence before you pack your bags and head out into the great unknown. Trust me, your future self (the one who doesn’t want to eat instant noodles for every meal) will thank you.
Spend a few months establishing yourself on some of the freelancing platforms we’re about to dive into. This will not only give you a steady stream of income but also a feel for what it’s like to work remotely. Think of it as a trial run for your digital nomad dream—a chance to make all the rookie mistakes from the comfort of your current living situation rather than on the road in a place where you don’t speak the language and the Wi-Fi is questionable at best.
Now that we’ve got that piece of sage advice out of the way, let’s talk about where you can find design work online. Strap in; it’s going to be a wild ride full of highs, lows, and everything in between.
1. Upwork: The Wild West of Freelancing for Digital Nomads
Good for: Masochists who enjoy submitting 60+ proposals before getting a “maybe.”
Average Earnings: $25,000 to $75,000 a year, if you can survive the bidding wars and aren’t allergic to eating ramen noodles daily.
Work Availability: Jobs are plentiful! So are the clients who think $5 is a reasonable rate for 20 hours of work. Don’t forget your magnifying glass—you’ll need it to find the decent gigs buried under a mountain of nonsense.
Time to Establish: Several weeks to months. You might get lucky sooner, or you might grow old and gray before landing that first gig. But hey, it’s all about the journey, right?
2. Fiverr: The Digital Bazaar of “I’ll Do Anything for Five Bucks”
Good for: Offering your soul to the internet one gig at a time.
Average Earnings: Varies widely. In the beginning, you’ll make enough to buy a cup of coffee. But hey, caffeine is a freelancer’s lifeblood! The big bucks? They come later, if you survive the grind.
Work Availability: Endless gigs. Competition is fierce, though—think “Hunger Games” but with more Clip Studio Paint and less archery.
Time to Establish: A few months, depending on how quickly you can hustle, charm, and bribe your way to those elusive five-star reviews.
3. Freelancer: Where the Battle Royale of Freelancing Begins
Good for: People who enjoy battling hundreds of others for a single project. May the odds be ever in your favor.
Average Earnings: A wild rollercoaster. One day you’re eating steak; the next, you’re considering how edible cardboard really is.
Work Availability: Lots of projects, lots of competition, and lots of tears. Bring a helmet—this arena’s rough.
Time to Establish: Several months. But hey, nothing says success like finally getting a gig after 300 failed proposals. Perseverance builds character, or so they say.
4. We Work Remotely: The Fancy Jobs You Dream About
Good for: Designers who want to sound impressive at parties when they say, “I work remotely for a tech company.”
Average Earnings: Competitive salaries that might actually pay your rent and leave some change for avocado toast.
Work Availability: The platform offers a steady stream of remote job listings, with a focus on tech and creative industries. There’s generally a good mix of short-term contracts and full-time remote positions.
Time to Establish: Depending on your niche and competition, it can take a few weeks to months to secure a remote design job. However, once established, many freelancers find consistent work through this platform.
5. Remote OK: A Treasure Trove of Remote Opportunities
Good for: Anyone who wants to casually browse job listings while pretending they’re not terrified of rejection.
Average Earnings: Similar to We Work Remotely, so expect to earn enough to keep the lights on and maybe even buy some real food.
Work Availability: Plenty of jobs across various sectors. Just don’t expect to land your dream gig without some serious elbow grease.
Time to Establish: A few weeks to months. You’ll get there eventually, but only after spending hours tweaking your resume and wondering if you should have gone to med school instead.
6. FlexJobs: Because Not All Jobs are Created Equal
Good for: People who want to avoid the sketchy underbelly of freelancing and find legit work. Yes, it does exist!
Average Earnings: Varies, but at least you’re not competing against a guy in a basement willing to work for peanuts. These jobs might actually pay you what you’re worth.
Work Availability: FlexJobs offers a curated selection of remote jobs, prioritizing quality over quantity. This can be particularly appealing if you’re looking for reliable, long-term work.
Time to Establish: A few weeks to months, depending on how good you are at pretending to be a highly organized, self-starting professional.
7. Jobspresso: Like Your Morning Coffee, But with Jobs
Good for: Those who like their job listings like they like their coffee—high quality and not too bitter.
Average Earnings: Competitive, especially if you’re into tech and can convince people you know what you’re doing with all that coding/design mumbo jumbo.
Work Availability: A curated list of jobs that won’t make you want to cry. At least, not immediately.
Time to Establish: A few weeks to months. Like that fancy coffee, good things take time—unless you’re desperate, then maybe just settle for instant.
8. Remotive: For When You Need a Job and a Hug
Good for: Designers who want remote work and the comforting illusion of community.
Average Earnings: Varies, but competitive enough to keep you from panicking (too much) about next month’s rent.
Work Availability: A variety of listings, with a focus on tech and digital roles. No guarantees on finding a therapist, though.
Time to Establish: A few weeks to months. You’ll get there, just hang in there. And maybe join a support group while you’re at it.
9. SkipTheDrive: For When You Just Can’t Deal with Traffic
Good for: People who want to avoid commuting so badly, they’d consider almost anything else—like freelancing!
Average Earnings: Depends on the job, but you’ll likely make enough to justify your life choices (or at least to afford takeout once a week).
Work Availability: Lots of options, though you may have to kiss a few frogs (or weird job postings) before finding your prince (or, well, decent job).
Time to Establish: A few weeks to months. It’s a journey—just keep telling yourself that as you scroll through listings for the fifth time today.
Conclusion
So there you have it, fellow digital nomad—your roadmap to the thrilling world of finding design work online. It’s a jungle out there, filled with low-paying gigs, tough competition, and the occasional diamond in the rough. But with a little patience, a lot of coffee, and maybe a bit of luck, you’ll find your place in this crazy world of freelancing. And if all else fails, there’s always that tropical beach—you might not have much money, but at least the view is free.