15 Proven Ways to Work While Traveling: How to Land the Best Remote Jobs with These Insider Tips
Dreaming of traveling the world while maintaining a steady income? Today’s remote work landscape makes it easier than ever to earn money while exploring new places. But with so many people jumping on the digital nomad train, how do you stand out and secure these opportunities? Here are 15 proven ways to work while traveling, along with specific tips to increase your chances of success—and a few types of jobs you might want to avoid.
1. Freelancing
Freelancing offers flexibility across various fields, from writing to design. To stand out, focus on building a specialized niche that sets you apart from generalists.
- Create a killer portfolio: Use platforms like Dribbble for designers or Contena for writers to showcase your best work.
- Use referrals: Ask previous clients for testimonials or referrals to build credibility on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
2. Remote Employee
Securing a remote position often means competing with applicants worldwide. Highlight your ability to work independently and across time zones in your applications.
- Tailor your resume for remote jobs: Use Enhancv or NovoResume to craft a standout resume that emphasizes remote work experience.
- Showcase time-management skills: Employers value self-discipline—use tools like RescueTime to prove your productivity while working remotely.
3. Blogging or Vlogging
Starting a blog or YouTube channel is a slow build, but high engagement is key. Focus on quality over quantity and target a specific audience.
- Nail your SEO strategy: Use tools like Ahrefs and Yoast to optimize your blog posts for search engines.
- Consistency is everything: Create an editorial calendar using Trello or Notion to stay on track and post regularly.
4. Teaching English Online
Teaching English online is highly competitive. Obtaining a TEFL certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) will make you a more desirable candidate.
- Choose premium platforms: High-paying platforms like VIPKid and Preply prioritize teachers with advanced certifications. Consider completing your TEFL through International TEFL Academy.
- Boost your rating: Encourage students to leave positive feedback, which can elevate your profile on these teaching platforms.
5. Virtual Assistant
VAs are in high demand, but to really stand out, develop a niche specialty—like email marketing, bookkeeping, or project management.
- Get certified: Platforms like Belay and Boldly often look for assistants with specialized skills. Consider taking courses in areas like social media management or QuickBooks.
- Stay organized: Use tools like Asana or Slack to demonstrate your efficiency in managing remote teams and tasks.
6. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing requires time to build, but choosing high-ticket products will earn you more per sale.
- Join niche affiliate programs: Rather than relying solely on Amazon Associates, target niche programs with higher commissions. For instance, join CJ Affiliate for specialized product categories.
- Create a funnel: Use ConvertKit to build an email list and market affiliate products effectively.
7. Social Media Management
Success in social media management comes from demonstrating ROI (return on investment) for businesses. If you can show how you increase engagement and followers, you’re golden.
- Get certified in ads: Take free certifications like Facebook Blueprint or Google Analytics to master paid campaigns, something businesses will gladly pay for.
- Offer a free trial: Offer potential clients a short trial period or audit their accounts for free to show immediate improvements in engagement.
8. Digital Products
Creating and selling digital products is highly scalable, but focus on solving specific problems for your audience.
- Do market research: Use Google Trends and AnswerThePublic to see what people are searching for, and create products that fill that gap.
- Pre-sell your product: Validate your idea by pre-selling courses or eBooks using platforms like Gumroad or Teachable before you invest too much time in creation.
9. Online Coaching
To stand out as an online coach, position yourself as an expert in a specific niche like fitness, business consulting, or personal development.
- Build authority: Leverage platforms like LinkedIn or Medium to write articles and share your expertise, positioning yourself as a thought leader.
- Offer free workshops: Use platforms like Zoom to host free webinars to build trust and generate leads for your coaching services.
10. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is highly competitive, so choose a niche market and build a brand around it.
- Pick quality suppliers: Use services like Oberlo or Spocket to find reliable suppliers with fast shipping times.
- Invest in branding: Use Shopify and design tools like Canva to create a visually cohesive and trustworthy online store.
11. House Sitting or Pet Sitting
Landing the best house-sitting gigs requires building trust through stellar reviews.
- Start with smaller gigs: Platforms like TrustedHousesitters and Nomador allow you to build reviews quickly. Start locally to establish credibility.
- Create a professional profile: Use high-quality photos and get verified with background checks, which can make your profile stand out to homeowners.
12. Work Exchange Programs
Work exchanges can be competitive, so target programs that align with your skills for a higher chance of acceptance.
- Pick hosts with mutual benefits: Look for listings on Workaway or WWOOF where you can offer specific skills (like social media or design) that might give you an edge over others.
- Get glowing reviews: Communicate clearly with hosts and leave detailed reviews to build a strong reputation on these platforms.
13. Photography
To make travel photography a viable income, license your work on multiple platforms and specialize in a unique style or subject matter.
- Diversify your income: Upload photos to Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and also offer custom photography services through Snappr.
- Build a portfolio: Use SmugMug or Squarespace to create a professional online gallery.
14. Selling Handmade Goods
Selling handmade items is easier when you focus on storytelling and unique branding.
- Leverage Etsy’s SEO tools: Use Etsy to create a shop with strong product descriptions and keywords to rank higher in search results.
- Use Instagram: Promote your handmade goods on Instagram by showing the behind-the-scenes creation process to build a connection with your audience.
15. Travel Planning or Consulting
Rather than being a tour guide yourself, you can offer travel planning or consulting services, helping travelers create customized itineraries and connecting them with local guides.
- Offer travel consulting services: Start on platforms like Airbnb Experiences or build your own consulting website using Wix.
- Promote sustainable and local travel: Focus on eco-friendly or lesser-known spots and partner with local tour operators to create authentic travel experiences.
3 Online Remote Jobs That Are NOT Recommended
While there are plenty of great ways to work remotely, not every online job is worth your time. Here are three types of remote jobs that aren’t recommended due to low pay, instability, or lack of growth potential:
- Content Mills for Writers
- Why Avoid: Sites like Textbroker or iWriter offer writing gigs, but they often pay extremely low rates for high volumes of work. Writers may end up earning less than minimum wage, with little to no long-term growth or creative freedom.
- Click-Work or Data Entry Jobs
- Why Avoid: While platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk and similar data entry jobs may seem like an easy option, they often pay pennies per task. You’d need to complete hundreds or even thousands of tasks to make any meaningful income, and there’s very little room for advancement or skill development.
- Pyramid Scheme “Sales Jobs”
- Why Avoid: Many pyramid schemes disguise themselves as legitimate sales jobs, often requiring you to purchase inventory upfront or recruit other sellers. These jobs promise big returns but are notorious for exploiting workers, leaving you with more expenses than income. Be cautious with companies that sound too good to be true, especially those that rely heavily on recruitment.
Final Thoughts
Don’t Be Put Off: Shine, But Respect the Local Community
When you’re working remotely and traveling, it’s easy to feel discouraged by the competition or criticism from others who may not want to see you shine. But don’t let that stop you! Stay focused, trust your skills, and remember—there’s room for everyone to succeed. Not everyone will want to see you thrive, but your unique talents and work ethic are what set you apart. Keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.
However, it’s also important to be mindful of the impact you have in the places you visit. While working remotely allows you to live and explore amazing destinations, always remember that local communities rely on certain jobs for their livelihoods. Instead of taking opportunities away from locals (like tour guiding or hands-on work), look for ways to support and uplift the local economy. Whether it’s by recommending local guides, purchasing goods from small businesses, or sharing your skills in ways that benefit the community, you can shine and travel responsibly.
In the end, your journey isn’t just about working while you travel, but also leaving a positive impact wherever you go. So go ahead—embrace the opportunity to live your best life, but do so with respect, kindness, and consideration for the communities you’re visiting. You’ll not only succeed but also create lasting connections and a positive legacy.