What is a Digital Nomad?
The phrase digital nomads is one that has been thrown around a lot recently. As a result, we find a lot of people are asking; what is a digital nomad?
The nomadic lifestyle has massively grown in popularity over the past few years. According to Global Workplace Analytics, the remote workforce has increased by 140% since 2005. More and more people are looking to opt into life as digital nomads. They’re searching for more freedom, more flexibility in order for them to live how they want to live.
But, what is a digital nomad?
By definition, ‘digital nomads are remote workers who usually travel to different locations. They often work in coffee shops, co-working spaces, or public libraries, relying on devices with wireless internet capabilities like smart phones and mobile hotspots to do their work wherever they want.’ (HubSpot)
Its pretty straight forward really and, unsurprisingly, the clue is in the name.
I think people often think ‘digital nomad’ is, essentially, a job title. In some cases it is, but its more of a lifestyle than it is ‘job title’.
A follow up question to what is a digital nomad is often what do digital nomads do?
And that is a much harder question to answer. I guess you could say they ‘work online‘ but even that doesn’t really give much of an insight.
In reality, it’s much more varied than that. Everyone has their own take on it, almost.
For example, we ‘do’ a lot of online and digital marketing – and with DNF in particular we look at Affiliate Marketing (something we will be touching on soon).
But even with DNF, we all do slightly different things as digital nomads – and to varying degrees – that allows us to opt into the nomadic lifestyle.
DAD
Dad/Mike was really the pioneer of opting into this lifestyle for us. He brought it to our attention, having realised it was something he wanted to incorporate into his lifestyle. It was also something he wanted to us to have the opportunity to opt into, should we want to.
As a result, DNF was born in 2012.
Despite also running an online agency, Dad/Mike still opts into the digital nomad lifestyle, more so opting into the flexibility aspect. Although his ‘base’ is still in the Midlands for those purposes, he is still able to take a couple of trips a month – exploring somewhere new and setting up shop as a remote worker.
LARA
Lara has often, on the blog, been referred to as our ‘original digital nomad’. She spent a number of years, running all over the world – seeing anything and everything. She went full nomad from the start and loved every minute of it. Now, she still does all that whilst combining the online work with other freelancing work too.
PETER
Peter used remote work as an opportunity to help fund his time at University. Studying to be a doctor, meant the flexibility was a perfect fit. He was able to put in work around his uni schedule and mould it to suit him. Having now graduated, and in his Junior Doctor training, he does less work as a digital nomad – but still pops in and out every now and then. I mean he is a Doctor after all, so there’s only so much ‘free’ time he has!
SAM
I, Sam, have been based in London for a number of years now, and similarly to Lara, I now utilise the remote work aspect alongside my other job. Providing the extra flexibility and freedom, that allows me to do what he wants. It is has also allowed me to set up my new business, Florence + Blank.
ELLA
Ella has spent the past year working fully remotely, travelling around the world before the pandemic hit. She also used it as a platform to generate cash throughout her gap year 3 years ago. Now she’s back at Uni for her final year and using it as a way to fund Uni life too. It also means that in her breaks, she has the freedom to travel and have more flexibility when she’s off timetable.
I think it’s a common misconception that this can be ‘easy work’. Let me tell you, it’s not.
It’s no easier than a ‘normal’ job, but the perks of flexibility etc. do help to make life a bit easier sometimes.
These are the types of things that we want to continue to touch on and discuss with you all going forward, to ensure that we’re all keeping an open dialogue.
So, digital nomads, typically classifies HOW someone works as opposed to WHAT they specifically do. Because everyone has their own versions.
I really hope you enjoyed this post today and, if you have any thoughts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
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Some more information…
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Have an epic day!