Difference between Digital Nomad and Freelancer

We live in a fast-paced world where everything happens quickly. The same is true of technological progress. Thanks to technology, remote work is now possible. Thanks to tools, software and computers, we have the ability to work from anywhere. This has created two types of remote workers, digital nomads and freelancers. Although both types of people work remotely, they are not necessarily the same. Here we explain what the difference is between a digital nomad and a freelancer.

There is one main difference between a digital nomad and a freelancer and it is lifestyle. Digital nomads are people who work in the following way: “they spend at least a few months of the year abroad, change their destination frequently (usually every few weeks, but can stay up to 6 months) and make a living working online ”.

Usually they do not have a house, but rather rent apartments, hotels, hostels or wherever they can be at the best possible price. They pack their suitcases, tools and equipment and spend several weeks or months in a certain country. Their lifestyle allows them to work from anywhere, be it America, Europe or Asia. However, being a digital nomad requires the ability to cope well with different cultures and customs.

On the other hand, the freelancer does not necessarily travel constantly. Of course, you can take your work with you if you are traveling. However, freelancers usually work from home and live in the same place, sometimes for the rest of their life, but also sometimes move. But they are more tied to their place and do not have as much flexibility as digital nomads.

ARE YOU A DIGITAL NOMAD OR A FREELANCER?

Both the digital nomad and the freelancer are people who have jobs that require self-discipline and flexibility. However, being a digital nomad can be more difficult at first and can pose more challenges. After all, not everyone is so eager to travel and work at the same time.

If you are considering working as a digital nomad, ask yourself the question: are you willing to sacrifice stability for the sake of adventure? But you should also consider the following aspects:

1. Choose your business model: Before starting your work as a digital nomad, you should consider whether you want to simply work as a remote employee of a company or if you want to have your own business.
2. Find your customers: There are many ways to do it. The best is to subscribe to websites for freelancers and remote workers, such as UpWork, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour, etc. Once you have clients, the job will be a lot easier. Sometimes your own clients can recommend your services to other people. There are also websites and online communities for digital nomads where you can also find job offers, for example NomadList or remoteok.
3. Pack your bags: Once you have defined the previous points, all you have to do is pack your bags and start working. However, you must remember things like the SIM card to keep in touch from another country, the bank account that accepts all kinds of payments, insurance and other aspects of your work.
4. Stay motivated: The beginnings are always difficult, but once you have clients and experience, you will know how to reach your goals.

At first, you can try working as a freelancer just to see if it’s the kind of work you want to do. At the end of the day, it all comes down to working remotely. Wherever you work as a remote employee, where you do your work becomes your home, even if it’s temporary.