Learn what it takes to become a professional nanny or au-pair for rich families living overseas, while making up to $100,000 a year. Where to find jobs, qualifications needed, and more.

Looking to change up your job this year? Maybe find one that lets you travel more? Do you enjoy working with children?

What if you could do all of the above, while making great money in the process. Welcome to the world of VIP Nannies & Au-Pairs.

In this guide I’ll explain the best way of finding and getting hired for VIP tutor, au-pair, or nanny jobs, and – in the process – why you might (or might not) want to work in this industry.

Nanny Job Guide For 2022

Childcare For Rich People: VIP Au-Pair

If you’re not yet convinced that this whole thing is doable, get on Google and do a quick search for ‘VIP nanny agency’, or check out the salaries for nanny, governess and tutor jobs.

You’ll see that salaries of £1000 or $1400 per week are fairly commonplace for full-time positions.

But if you want to reach the coveted 6-figure bracket of English teaching, tutoring and nannying jobs, you’ll need to do a little extra research into particular locations, and understand what exactly the work entails.

Nanny, Au Pair, Governess, Tutor

All of these terms are describing a similar role. Getting paid to take care of other people’s kids while also living (and traveling) with the family. These jobs are for both women & men.

The highest paying jobs are usually private, overseas positions tutoring or nannying kids for an UHNW (Ultra High Net Worth) family. It’s a pretty simple concept.

Wealthy families understand that English is a valuable language for their children to learn.

They know their children will have better opportunities to study or work abroad, or simply be more comfortable traveling if they speak English well.

For families that don’t have English as their first language but DO have the financial resources to pay for top-notch education, hiring a private tutor or nanny from the United States, Canada, or United Kingdom is often the answer.

A native-level English nanny or tutor working with their kids on a 40-50 hour per week basis can give these VIP children the kind of immersive experience that gets them fluent fast, and ultimately they are brought up speaking English with a clean accent, like a native.

For many wealthy families overseas, this is quite a prestigious matter.

The Life Of A Professional Nanny

The day-to-day experience for a nanny will include getting the charge (or charges) up in the morning, washed, dressed, fed breakfast and off to kindergarten or nursery, then probably a break.

In the afternoon perhaps walks, games, small trips and then the evening routine of getting the child ready for bed.

A tutor (or ‘governor’) might focus more on after-school sports, games, homework support and reading, whilst speaking English all the while. And, of course, tagging along on all the family’s vacations.

The pros of this type of work include the obvious great salaries (full-time work usually starts at a minimum of £1000 or $1400 per week), worldwide travel to luxury resorts (the Maldives, South of France and Dubai are popular choices for these types of wealthy families) and even occasional bonuses. Sounds pretty good, right?

Where Do Wealthy Families Live?

This is actually a pretty easy one to answer. The highest paying locations for tutors and nannies working for VIP international families are usually:

• Russia (mostly Moscow and St Petersburg)
• The UAE (tends to be Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
• The South of France (Monaco and surrounding areas).

Naturally, this list isn’t exhaustive. Whilst the areas listed above are the most common, more niche locations will include places like London or New York (international families that have moved there but haven’t achieved native-level English yet), Paris, Lagos, and plenty more.

Most large international cities will have some sort of market for VIP nannying or tutoring, it’s just a question of looking in the right place.

The bottom line is; almost all of these types of positions involve travel and relocation. If you want a job like this make sure you really are ready to commit to an overseas contract and prepare yourself accordingly.

OK, so you love travel and adventure and you’re cool with working with kids. What’s the next step?

Qualifications & Relevant Experience

It’s important to be realistic here – it’s very unlikely that you’ll find a wealthy VIP employer ready to pay you $100,000 per year to work with their family if you have zero experience or qualifications.

Time to go and get some! The qualifications to obtain will vary for a nanny or a tutor. A nanny applicant would ideally have a degree in Early Years, Childhood Education or similar to get to a top-level salary.

However it is possible to do shorter nannying courses and certifications. A CACHE certificate would be a good start for nannies based in the UK, but there are a huge variety of options – get on Google to find nanny courses near you.

You would also ideally have some sort of background check done (many agencies will ask for this) and First Aid certification would be helpful too.

For tutors, a couple of years’ tutoring English to your target age group, as well as a TEFL, TOEFL or CELTA certificate is generally enough. You can do these courses either in a school or online. A degree in education, languages or childhood education would be even better.

Full teaching qualifications would allow you to max out your salary potential.

You’ll also need to show at least a couple of years of work experience. The longer-term the better; a year or more in one stable position demonstrates to families or employers that you are reliable and committed and suitable for their family.

Families don’t want a nanny or tutor who leaves after a month or two, unless they are specializing in summer placements.

You’ll need references from previous employers (not necessarily VIP), so check that you have someone ready to speak to the agency or to a potential new boss.

As a general rule of thumb, the better your qualifications and experience, the better chance you have of finding a VIP nanny or tutor position.

Craft An Exceptional Resume/CV

The first thing to put on your CV is your qualifications and experience (as above). Family employers will also usually like a photo to ‘visualize’ how you might fit into their lives, so smile in your CV photo and wear something smart and sensible, clean and professional.

Your CV needs to include some personal information about you (but keep it professional, this isn’t the place for sentimental childhood memories) and information on any extra-curricular skills you possess.

The nannies and tutors getting paid the highest salaries usually have musical or sporting ability, or the ability to speak a second or third language on top of English. Anything you can think of here (piano, yoga, chess, Spanish) that you could theoretically teach to a child is a bonus.

When it’s all been put together, your CV should be a maximum of 2 pages (no longer, cut out information that isn’t relevant). Write a cover letter email introducing yourself, add some photos of you working with (or just spending time with) children, attach your CV, copies of your qualification certificates and your references and your application ‘package’ is good to go.

Where To Find Great Nanny Jobs

Now that you’ve got your application package prepped you need to start shopping for suitable positions.

One of the best places to get started is, as per usual, the internet. Both job sites and agencies can be your friends here. Job sites like Jobs in Childcare have a variety of positions from VIP agencies.

Alternatively, get on Google and use search terms like ‘VIP nanny jobs’ or ‘VIP tutoring’ to access individual agencies. Your best bet is to upload your CV and documents to job sites or to email them as a package to individual agencies.

Have a browse around the job sites and agencies themselves, scoping out what kind of terms are on offer. Look at schedules, responsibilities and pay careful attention to the charge’s ages and the working requirements, and see if you can find any positions that particularly peak your interest.

What Are The Downsides?

We talked about the ‘pros’ above’; this is probably a good moment to mention the dreaded ‘cons’. Working with a family can go either way. You might have a fantastic employer, or a terrible one.

Make sure that:

a) You are comfortable and confident that this is a real job (99% chance it will be, but just in case). Speak to real humans during the process, and do as much background research into the agency/ position as you can.

b) You are ready for what might be a different culture, homesickness, the possibility that people don’t speak good English where you are headed.

c) You are aware of the possibility that the children you nanny or tutor may be badly behaved, badly brought up or just generally unpleasant.

Whilst these are possibilities that you need to be aware of, that’s not to say that working for a family is a bad idea. On the contrary, a good employer with well-brought up children can bring a blissful working life that pays you a fantastic salary, and I personally know lots of people in this situation.

It’s important to be aware of potential pitfalls, to approach this kind of work with an open mind and to be ready to backtrack if the position isn’t quite what you expected. If your interview goes well, try and lock in a fixed trial to give you time to understand if the position is right for you.

The Interview Process

A professional interview is the next step if the agency or employer likes your profile. Your job interview will either be in person (if local) or (much more likely post-COVID) on Skype, Zoom or a similar video-conferencing platform.

Make sure you are on time! It is massively unprofessional to be late for your interview, so don’t make this basic mistake.

You also need to be well dressed and suitably prepared. Make sure your WiFi connection is good and make sure nobody will interrupt you, either on the phone or in person. Have sensible lighting and keep a pen and paper nearby to make notes.

If your interview is for a specific position (rather than a general ‘welcome to our agency’ interview), think of questions you might want to ask to demonstrate a little genuine interest in the role).Oh, and remember to smile!

Nanny Trial Period

So if you have put together a good CV and interviewed successfully, then it’s time for the final step – a trial period.

If you are local then you will typically make your own way there. If it’s a long way (or overseas) a good employer will generally arrange this and pay for it for you, along with any visas you need.

Trial periods should always be paid; discuss this with the agency you work with.Key tips for your trial would include:

a) Do not be late under any circumstances! Better to be there 15 minutes early and take a book.

b) Be prepared – take suitable books and games for your charge or student’s level, as well as outdoor clothes for yourself in case you find yourself outside

c) Dress appropriately, be clean, don’t wear too much perfume or aftershave, and – again – smile!

At the end of your first day, ask your employer for feedback if you get the opportunity. Remember that the trial is as much for you to see if you are comfortable as it is for the employer. So if you don’t like the position, don’t sign up for it – there will be others!

And if you are offered a job, make sure that the agency you work with provides you with a contract and that the terms are clear and concise, particularly with regards to salary, schedule, working hours and holiday conditions.

Good luck!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Photography tips

Turning freelance photography into a paid profession is a dream for many people. While difficult, it’s definitely possible. Here’s how to make money as a successful photographer.

I’ve been working as a professional freelance photographer for the past 10-years or so. Getting paid to travel the world shooting photos of exotic destinations and licensing my images to different organizations is a pretty awesome job.

I’ve even sold some images to National Geographic!

Freelance photography is a profession that’s constantly changing, and to make it work you need to stay on top of all the latest trends — like post-processing techniques, social media skills, networking, and successful business models.

In this guide I’m going to share helpful tips for how to become a freelance photographer and actually make money from your photography.

These are suggestions based on what I’ve learned over the years, along with a few wisdom nuggets from some of my favorite travel & adventure photographers.

Why listen to me? Experience! I’ve been traveling around the world for ten years as a professional travel photographer, licensing images to brands like NatGeo.

Matthew KarstenThe Expert Vagabond

Here’s everything we’re going to cover (if you want to skip around).

What Is Freelance Photography?

Freelance photography is providing photos to clients and licensing them for a fee, or working as a self-employed freelance photographer. You can get hired in advance for specific projects, or shoot the photos first — selling them later.

There are many different types of professional photography jobs out there, like travel photography, landscape photography, commercial photography, portraits, wedding photography, or fine-art photography.

In this guide I’m going to focus on a mix of travel, adventure, commercial, and editorial photography. The quintessential dream photography jobs. However the advice can be relevant for other kinds of photography too.

The Reality Of Photography As A Profession

The life of a professional freelance photographer can be hard. Especially in the beginning of your career. Personally, it took me a few years to earn any money at all. And that’s pretty common.

You’ll often work alone, for long hours, with very little stability (or income). It is a long-term commitment, with no guarantee of success, and many people eventually give up.

Pursuing a freelance photography career is definitely not for everyone…

That said, if you DO find a way to make it work, it’s one of the coolest jobs out there. And the longer you do it, the more you learn, and the more money you can make.

Even after many years working my butt off, for little pay, and occasionally questioning my life choices along the way, I wouldn’t trade working as a freelance travel photographer for anything else!

9 Steps To Professional Photography Success

1: Improve Your Photography Skills

“People start their photography career asking how to make money — not asking how to make a good picture. First you need to make a good picture, then you can think about money.”

Daniel KordanProfessional Photographer

Never stop learning! I get many emails from people asking for tips on how to make money from photography, and after viewing their work, usually my top piece of advice is — to get better at photography.

Which may sound kind of harsh, but often true.

Hey, I’ll be the first to tell you I’m not the best photographer out there. I’m constantly learning new things from others, investing both time & money into training to make that happen.

Owning a nice camera does not make you a great photographer. Practice, experience, and skill do. There is ALWAYS room to get better at composition, lighting, post-processing techniques, creativity, location scouting, and more.

For example, shooting photos is easy, but meticulously planning to be at the right place, at the right time, is far more difficult and requires more patience.

Maybe you know your camera like the back of your hand, but how are your Lightroom & Photoshop skills? Do you understand how to focus stack or create luminosity masks?

So before you start pitching brands for projects, ensure your photography will truly stand out from all the other freelance photographers doing the same. You don’t have to be the best, but you do need to hold your own among other pros.

Online Photography Courses

Want to improve your photography? Fancy gear is nice, but learning from other photographers is a better investment.

Click Here For Free Guide

2. Develop A Focus & Style

“Become a specialist. Hone your skills. Don’t get good at something you don’t want to do.”

Chris BurkardProfessional Photographer

If you’re shooting the same kinds of photos as everyone else, your work won’t stand out and you’ll get lost in the sea of people just trying to copy the most popular photos on Instagram.

While it won’t happen overnight, you need to develop a personal style of photography. Something people will remember you for. Focus on a specialty, like ariel drone photography, or outdoor sports photography, or even fantasy portraits.

While you can certainly practice other kinds of photography, you should try to keep your portfolio narrow and focused, to make it easy to “define” your style. So when someone is looking for an underwater photographer, they can see right away that’s your specialty.

Editing and processing your photos in a certain style can help with this too.

Some clients are looking for realistic images, others want a more dreamy and ephemeral vibe. Just because you CAN do it all, doesn’t mean you should.

The photographers who get regular work often do so because they become known for a particular style.

3. Create A Website

“About 75% of my professional photography clients discover my work through my blog. It’s an important marketing tool for my business.”

Matthew KarstenProfessional Photographer

I’m sure you already have accounts with Instagram, Facebook, maybe 500px too — but do you have an actual photography website & blog yet?

A professional website is what many potential clients will want to see.

Put together a strong portfolio of your best shots (more on that later) and make sure it’s easy to navigate. Buy an actual domain name — using your name or company name if possible.

Include a blog section on the website, where you can post updates about your latest photography projects, photo tips, philosophy on life, whatever. The blog will help people get to know you, and can even attract new clients.

If you want to start a blog, I’d recommend a self-hosted WordPress site. If you want to create a beautiful online photography portfolio of your work, and sell your own prints, I’d also get an account with SmugMug.

This is my personal setup, and it’s worked very well for many years! In fact, I’ve sold many images to companies who’ve discovered my work either on my blog, or on my SmugMug account after a simple Google search for a specific type of image.

Get your work out there online, learn about keywords and SEO, make sure it’s easy for others to find your images — and they eventually will.

4. Build A Portfolio & Media Kit

“Building a strong portfolio is super important because it helps you showcase your best work. While a media kit is a snapshot of who you are and what you can offer as a creative.”

Tiffany NguyenProfessional Photographer

Freelance Photographer Portfolio

One of the most important things you can do as a photographer is invest in personal projects to help build a portfolio of work that will get you noticed by clients. A portfolio is simply a collection of your best photos.

Want to become a travel photographer? Well you’ll probably need to spend your own money on travel to get some amazing shots for your portfolio, which you can then use to pitch travel destinations or travel brands.

Want to work with backpack, tent, and other outdoor gear brands? You’ll need to get out into the mountains and shoot some product photography examples for your portfolio which will match what these kinds of brands are looking for.

There are no shortcuts here. You need to spend money & time building a strong portfolio of work that will “sell” your services to potential clients later.

Your portfolio can be based online, but I highly recommend you also create a PDF version which is easily emailed or printed out and passed around an office.

Creating A Media Kit

You can think of a media kit as the story of you and your work, in PDF form. It contains elements of a portfolio, but with more information that will help clients decide whether to hire you or not.

It’s kind of like a pitch deck (which I’ll describe a bit later), but rather than pitching a specific project, you’re simply pitching yourself.

Generally a media kit starts with an introduction about you, sharing your personal mission statement, a healthy selection of images from your portfolio, and maybe some examples of past clients if applicable — plus contact details of course.

If you have a strong social media presence, many media kits will mention things like follower numbers across different social media platforms too.

Want an example? You can download my media kit here.

5. Promote Your Photos On Social Media

“The 3 key elements to social media growth are great quality content, being social on both your page & others‘, and bringing value. Hold live editing shows, produce destination guides, or show what goes on behind-the-scenes.”

Jord HammondProfessional Photographer

Share your work regularly on social media. Daily if possible. Create & share. Create & share. Rinse & repeat.

Share your work consistently, both for the encouragement & praise you receive from others, as well as to flood the market with your art.

You never know what photo or video will resonate with people, or what will viral on social media. Or when some brand will happen to be searching for a new freelance photographer to hire.

To maximize your chances of discovery, you need to constantly create — and share. Over and over again. They don’t call us “creators” for nothing!

Social Media Growth Tips & Tricks

• Do Interesting Things – The people growing fastest on social media are always creating interesting, unique, and fun content. They aren’t sitting at home worrying about followers, they’re actively creating. Does that mean selling all your stuff and living in a van? Maybe. But it doesn’t have to. Just get out there and do cool stuff on a regular basis!
• Engage With Others – Actually respond to the comments left on your photos. Leave meaningful comments on other people’s content too. Maybe send a direct message asking a follow-up question. This can be time-consuming, but valuable. Set aside an hour or two each day specifically to engage with others.
• Get Featured – The days of easy Instagram & Facebook follower growth have slowed down, but you can still attract new followers when big accounts feature your work. See what hashtags are trending. Reach out to accounts that share other people’s work via direct message to show them you have something that fits their current theme. Do it on a regular basis.
• Provide Tons Of Value – Help other people with their own photography — and your social media accounts will grow much faster. You have to give people a reason to follow your account, more than just pretty pictures. If they get some free lessons from time to time, they are far more likely to stick around.

6. Pitching & Networking To Find Jobs

“If you’re not leveraging LinkedIn to build your professional network, start now. While Instagram is great for attention, LinkedIn gets you professionally connected to editors.”

Lola AkinmadeProfessional Photographer

The truth about becoming a freelance photographer is that you need to put yourself out there to find jobs. Shooting photos is often the easy part!

Networking is the very important business skill that will determine if you make money from your photography or not. Make a list of the people, brands, and agencies that you’d like to work with, and reach out.

Try starting with smaller brands first.

Study the brand and its values. Interact with their online content for a while in a meaningful way. Then, cold call them on the phone, send an email, or reach out with a direct message on social media (Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn).

Tell them you like what they do. Don’t be creepy, annoying, or pushy. Then find out if there’s a way you can work together on a future project. Attach that media kit & portfolio you just put together!

Other than individual brands, you may want to try to reach out to “agencies” too. An agency is in charge of managing the marketing for many different brands, often in a particular category. There is potential for much more work if you can build a relationship with an agency.

You may hear a lot of “we’re not looking for anyone right now” at first. Never take it personally, and just remember this is a numbers game.

Some of the most successful freelance photographers are the ones who work the hardest at pitching & networking — day in, and day out.

Preparing A Pitch Deck

A pitch deck is different from your media kit or portfolio mentioned earlier. The purpose of a pitch deck is to “pitch” a specific project idea to a brand.

Some companies will come to you with projects, while others might want you to pitch them a new idea. Learning how to prepare a professional and convincing pitch deck for either of these situations is an art-form in itself.

A convincing pitch deck PDF usually contains the following:

• A project overview that states project objectives, and how you plan to meet those objectives.
• Reference images to support your idea — preferably from your own past work or portfolio. Again, this is why building a strong portfolio is important.
• A bid on the project (how much you’ll charge), which you might send with the pitch deck as a separate document.
• A timeline listing prep days and shooting days, plus any key dates for the agency/client to approve things to stay on schedule.

7. Making Money As A Freelance Photographer

One thing I’ve learned after working for the last 10-years as a freelance travel photographer is that to earn decent money in this business, you really need to diversify your photography income sources.

This will both increase your earning potential, as well as hedge against changes in the market (worldwide pandemics, anyone?). So if one source of income suddenly disappears, you aren’t completely screwed!

Here are the most popular ways to make money from photography.

Editorial Photography

Editorial photography basically means your images are being used in newspapers and magazines to accompany articles about a certain subject. For example, a photo of a camel in the desert published in a travel magazine feature about Morocco.

To sell editorial photos, you generally need to work with a magazine editor who can tell you what kinds of images they are looking for in an upcoming issue of the magazine. This requires networking and sending your portfolio to many different magazines on a regular basis.

Commercial Photography

Commercial photography is when your images are being used by brands for marketing and advertising purposes. It pays much more than editorial photography, but usually requires that you have already built up a name for yourself as a photographer, often through editorial work.

Some examples might include shooting photos for a clothing brand, a car company, or even the tourism board for a country.

Rates for commercial photography are negotiable, and can be based on how many images they license from you, for what use, and for how long. Alternatively, many commercial photography projects might pay a day-rate for your time that also gives them a blanket license to any images you create during the project.

Stock Photography

Licensing images you’ve already shot through stock photography sites or rights management companies is one way freelance photographers can earn money.

Many smaller brands don’t have huge budgets to hire photographers for dedicated projects, so they buy temporary photo licenses for work that’s already been created.

Photographers upload their photos to these sites, tag and organize them, then random companies search for images to license.

If you’re able to build up a large portfolio of the kinds of images that are sought after, you can make “passive” income month after month selling your old images.

There are two main types of stock photography companies out there. Rights Managed Stock Agencies and Microstock Sites.

Rights Managed Stock Agencies pay photographers better, because the quality of the work is generally higher, the clients are pickier, and licenses are stricter/more exclusive.

Microstock Websites might only pay you $0.50 for a Royalty Free photo, but hundreds of different websites could be buying and using that same image.

Rights Managed Stock Examples

• Tandem Stock
• AP Images
• Masterfile
• Offset
• Arcangel

Microstock Website Examples

• Stocksy
• Getty Images
• Adobe Stock
• iStockPhoto
• Shutterstock

Post Licensing & Rights Management Lawyers

A relatively new phenomenon is the launch of post licensing companies that proactively search for your images already being used illegally online, and contacting the copyright infringers on your behalf to demand a licensing fee.

For many photographers, chasing after people who are stealing their images online just isn’t worth the effort. However these new companies, armed with teams of actual lawyers and image tracking software, are MUCH more effective.

They take a large cut of course, but they also do most of the work for you. Here are some examples:

• Ryde One (I use these guys)
• Copytrack
• Binded

Photography Prints & Coffee Table Books

Selling photo prints, coffee table books, calendars, and other “merch” that feature your photography can be a solid way to earn income for many freelance photographers.

Prints can be especially lucrative if you have a strong online following, and it’s also a great way to help raise money for charities and local organizations that you like.

For example, with the ability to set my own prices on SmugMug, I can ensure I have enough profit to also give 10% of any print sales to the National Parks Foundation. Or launch regular free print giveaways to my social media followers, just for fun.

Selling Lightroom Presets

Lightroom Presets are post-processing settings that many photographers use to obtain a certain “look” with their photos. For people who are new to editing photos using software, using presets can help them easily improve their photos with cool colors, tones, and other adjustments. Many photographers develop and sell their own presets to their followers, which can be a decent source of income.

Creating Online Tutorials

There is far more to good photography and editing than most people think, that’s why getting into the education space and teaching other would-be photographers how to improve their images can be a good way to earn extra income.

Online photography classes allow a photographer to share their knowledge with many more people than trying to do it in person.

Some people charge fees for their tutorials, others provide the training for free on platforms like YouTube and then earn money through the advertising.

Leading Photography Workshops

Leading in-person photography workshops can be an excellent source of income if you have a decent following online. Getting paid to hang out with other people while teaching them your photography techniques in exotic locations around the world can be a lot of fun too!

To launch a successful photography workshop, it helps to have already built up a following of people who love your work, and who are ready to spend money learning from you in person.

Affiliate Marketing

What’s the most common question that every photographer gets? What kind of camera do you use!

Why not recommend your favorite gear to others, and get paid for it?

I make a decent portion of my income from affiliate marketing. Photography gear guides, tripod comparisons, camera bag reviews, even photography tutorials. I’m not promoting stuff I don’t use or believe in, only products that I actually love.

You can share these affiliate links on YouTube, Instagram, or your own photography blog which will generate a small commission off each sale.

The more useful your content is, the more it gets shared, and the more people will click on your links. When more people click your links, the more you earn. Everyone wins!

Lots of companies offer affiliate marketing partnerships. Some good photography related ones include:

• Amazon
• Adorama
• Peak Design
• GoPro
• DJI

8. Figuring Out How Much To Charge

“Companies will benefit from our work, and we have to be compensated accordingly. Before you bid a job, take a moment to reflect on what size problem you’re solving for them. Imagine you are in the client’s shoes.”

Alex StrohlProfessional Photographer

How much should you charge for your photography? Well, there are many factors at play here. Editorial photography? Commercial photography? Print sales? Image use? Licensing time-period? What is your time worth to you? What size problem are you solving for the client?

In general, there is a basic path that many photographers end up following:

• Working for “exposure” (or in exchange for gear/accommodation/activities)
• Editorial photography (standard rates set by the industry)
• Commercial photography (pays much more, with room to negotiate)
• Selling prints (to individuals or companies)

I hesitate mentioning working for exposure, because many professional photographers might disagree, but the reality is many of us started by giving images away for little or no money to build up a portfolio of work to show off.

I’ll give you an example. I once let GoPro use an image I shot of a shark underwater on their social media channels during Shark Week in exchange for just a photo credit/link. The buzz around that photo ended up sending me a few thousand new followers on social media, at a time when I didn’t have many.

These days, my strong social media presence helps me attract new photography clients for paying gigs, so I really don’t regret giving some companies free photos all those years ago, when I was hungry to build a name for myself. This is a personal choice and not every photographer will agree with this route.

The Art Of Negotiation

Don’t be afraid to say no. Sick of giving images away for “exposure”? Just say no and move on. There will be other companies who are willing to pay for your images. Along those same lines, if you send over a quote for a job, and they client says yes right away, you probably should have asked for more!

If you do send a quote, and the client comes back with a lower amount they won’t budge on, the other tool you have at your disposal is to lower the deliverables they’ll receive. If they’re taking money away, you get to take something away too.

EXAMPLES:

• “Sure, I’ll license this photo to you for $500 instead of $1000, but the license will only be good for 1 year instead of 2 years.”
• “Yes — I’ll work on this project for $1500 per day instead of $3000 per day, but you won’t get an exclusive license to the images created — I can re-sell the images elsewhere to supplement my income.”

Note that those examples only really work for commercial photography, as editorial photography often has set rates, and there isn’t a ton of negotiation that goes on.

The art of negotiation in freelance photography is a huge topic, one I can’t cover completely here, but if you’d like to learn more I recommend reading the book: Getting To Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In

9: Defining Photography Success

“Success never comes. There’s always something to strive for. Plus the more people look at you, the more they attack you. Negative words sometimes make you sad. We are not all strong one hundred percent of the time.”

Kristina MakeevaProfessional Photographer

Many people love the idea of making a living with their photography. But eventually you realize just how many other freelance photographers are out there with those same dreams of success.

It’s a crowded field!

Just know that there are many levels of success in freelance photography. For some, getting their first paid gig is a huge success. For others, only the cover of a famous magazine will do.

You have to ask yourself — is photography just going to be a hobby? Or are you ready to treat it like a professional career (with all the work that entails)?

When was the last time you contemplated the ROI (return on investment) of a new gear purchase? Do you have a marketing/PR budget set aside for your photography business?

It’s easy to compare yourself to other “successful” photographers, while not truly understanding the blood, sweat, and tears they’ve put into this industry to get to where they are today.

Years of experience. Hundreds of hours of networking. Thousands (or tens-of-thousands) of dollars spent building a portfolio. The logistics & work involved setting up a functioning business.

It’s not impossible to make a living as a freelance photographer these days, but you also need to manage your expectations for what success looks like… and how long it might take to achieve.

Helpful Tools & Resources For Freelance Photographers

• Wonderful Machine – A professional art production agency that also offers consulting services & representation for up-and-coming photographers who are serious about becoming pros.
• Great Online Photography Courses – A rundown of my personal favorite online tutorials and courses for photographers who want to get better.
• FotoQuote – Industry standard photography pricing guide and quote software for freelance photographers, helping you determine a fair price.
• Getty Images Price Calculator – Free online tool for pricing your photography licenses in different mediums & situations.

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Travel Jobs

Are you good with computers, following instructions, and social media? You might be the perfect fit to work as a virtual assistant making money online remotely.

Today, my friend (and my own VA) Jess shares her experience becoming a virtual assistant, along with tips for how to find jobs while traveling. Here’s Jess:

Hi guys! My name is Jess, and I work as Matt’s virtual assistant for this blog.

After traveling around the world full time for 9-months, my savings were starting to run out, and I was determined to find a travel job that would allow me to earn an income on the road.

I was already “living the dream”, now I just needed to figure out how to afford that dream!

After many trials and errors, I finally figured out how to make extra money traveling the world while working as a virtual assistant (VA).

In this article, I’m going to share how to start working as a virtual assistant, where to find virtual assistant jobs online, what skills are important to know, and tips for working & living remotely.

Virtual Assistant Job Guide 2022

My Search For A Travel-Friendly Job

I remember the moment I decided to become a virtual assistant. I thought to myself “If other people are doing this, why can’t I?”.

It all started when I wrote out a list of all the skills I had picked up from studying and working in digital marketing, photography & video throughout the years prior to my gap year.

I knew what I was good at, but I had no idea how I was going to find someone who needed my skills.

Somewhere along the way, I figured it all out – and now it’s time for me to pass this wisdom onto you my young Padawan. ;-)

What Is A Virtual Assistant?

This will change from client to client, but essentially a Virtual Assistant can do any digital task you need them to!

Most virtual assistants provide support to their clients by answering customer emails, updating websites, organizing files, bookkeeping, coordinating schedules, social media management, research, or even photo & video editing.

Basically, any small task that your client doesn’t want to do or doesn’t have time for. Freeing up valuable time that can be used on his or her primary business objectives.

In modern times, the need for an executive assistant to work in the same physical office space as their clients has reduced dramatically with the power of the internet, online tools, and new software.

Virtual Assistant Duties & Tasks

Virtual assistants can work as executive assistants, administrative assistants, or personal assistants depending on the client. Tasks may include things like:

Email Management

Answering customer support emails, highlighting promising business opportunities for the client to follow up on, declining unattractive offers, clearing out spam messages, or putting together a monthly newsletter.

Social Media Management

Scheduling posts on social media accounts like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. Designing graphics to use. Crafting descriptions. Researching hashtags. Maybe even responding to comments, updating profiles, and more.

Website Management

Formatting, editing, drafting, and scheduling blog posts on WordPress or another CMS (Content Management System) for the client’s website. Moderating the comments section. Fixing broken links and other general website maintenance tasks.

Administrative Tasks

Managing a client’s calendar, setting schedules, booking travel arrangements, creating spreadsheets, answering phone calls, etc.

Computer skills are also very important, as is knowledge of certain common software programs like:

• Word Processors (Microsoft Word, Google Documents)
• Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets)
• Blogging Platforms (WordPress)
• Image Editors (Adobe Photoshop, Canva)
• Social Media Tools (Tailwind, Buffer)

Become A Virtual Assistant

Want to start your own business working as a virtual assistant? Learn the skills needed and how to land new clients.

Start Your VA Business Today

My Typical Day Working As Matt’s VA

While I’m going to share what my day looks like, there are all kinds of variations to this. Because virtual assistants can do all sorts of different tasks.

• 9 AM: Email Management
  Rise and shine! Time to check in on Slack (our team collaboration tool for organizing tasks, sending files and chatting about projects) to see if there’s anything to add to my to-do list for the week.
  
  

  Next, I respond to and organize emails as well as approve blog comments — which can start to pile up overnight. Matt receives a lot of similar questions & comments via email, so we have some standard replies for saving time. I save them as drafts and Matt adds his own personalizations before hitting “send”.

• 10 AM: Content Research & Blog Post Formatting
  I review Matt’s upcoming blog content, maybe do some extra research, or format unfinished blog posts so they’re ready to publish.

  We are constantly working to improve Expert Vagabond content, updating older blog posts with more relevant information, plus adding maps or additional imagery to enhance the reader experience.

• 12 PM: Social Media Management
  Over the past few months, I’ve worked on creating Matt’s Pinterest ‘brand’, to ensure that there is a consistent look and feel between all of his pins. Creating some eye-catching pins using his images.
  
  

  Once the Pinterest images are ready to go, it’s time to open up Tailwind to schedule the pins to go out for the next week. I create, source and schedule 15 – 20 pins per day. Matt recently decided to try out Flipboard as another platform for sourcing and sharing content, so I usually spend 30-minutes updating our online Flipboard ‘magazines’ for the week.

Looking For Travel Jobs?

There are many different jobs that allow you to travel the world while earning a living. Here are more examples:

Click Here For Free Guide

Benefits Of Working As A Virtual Assistant

1. Work From Anywhere In The World

For me, this cancels out ALL of the disadvantages of VA work. I found out about this position when I was traveling through Asia earlier this year.

My bank account was telling me it was time to go home, but I wasn’t ready to stop traveling yet.

Having the opportunity to work from anywhere gave me the freedom to live life on my own terms. I can work from home, from a coffee shop, from a different city, or even a foreign country!

2. Cut Costs On Your Commute

When I worked in a typical office in Dublin, I would spend €11 and 2.5 hours on my commute every day.

Working from home allows me to save €220 every month – that’s €2,640 every year. That’s the price of a new camera or an incredible holiday abroad. I’ll take that over commuting any day!

3. Set Your Own Hours

If working the 9 – 5 grind works for you, stick at it! But if not, how about finding a job that allows you to work at a time that suits you.

Not much a morning person? Do the late shift. Not much of a night owl either? Not a problem, working from 11am to 7pm solves that problem. This is the kind of flexibility you just don’t find in a typical office environment.

4. Spend More Time With Your Family

What would you do if someone gave you an extra 2.5 hours in your day? I spend mine with the people I love, doing the things I used to have to save for the weekends.

The Downside Of Virtual Assistant Jobs

1. Loneliness

If you are thinking of getting into the digital nomad world, you’re going to have to get used to the idea of being alone.

There’s no one sitting beside you to support you or even just have a little chat with over lunch. If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you should look into co-working spaces or networking events that you can go to in the evenings to get some human interaction in your day.

2. Distractions

I’m learning how to master this slowly but surely…

When there is no one looking over your shoulder all day, making sure you are focused on the task at hand, it is easy to become distracted by anything and everything!

You have to remember that you will only get paid for the hours you actually complete, not the 40 minutes you spend daydreaming out the window.

3. Self Discipline

Tying in nicely with the last point, self-discipline is a skill. Technically, you are your own boss now, so you have to make sure that you get the task done on time.

If you lack in self-discipline, you will lag in productivity. Set yourself boundaries, time frames and rules – then stick to them.

How Much Money Can You Earn?

Virtual assistants can usually make between $10 to $35 an hour with a median hourly rate of about $16. It will really depend on your skills, qualifications, and experience level.

If you’re just doing data entry, the pay might not be that great.

But if you’ve built up some basic graphic design skills, understand WordPress, know how to edit videos and photography, have in-depth experience with social media platforms, or other specialized knowledge, you can earn more.

Where To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs

If you’re ready to start making extra money on the side with a virtual assistant business, here are a few places to get started.

Freelancer Websites

• FlexJobs
• Upwork
• People Per Hour

Social Media

Let your family and friends know you’re looking for a virtual assistant job by posting it on social media. Networking is a powerful tool. You may be surprised who knows someone that may be able to help you up with a job.

In fact, this is how I got my job! By posting on social media that I was looking for VA work.

Reach Out To Potential Clients

I’m sure you follow some professional bloggers, YouTube video creators, or social media influencers who you’d love to work with. It doesn’t hurt to send them all a quick message via email offering your services.

Be friendly, don’t be pushy, and if they aren’t hiring — maybe they know someone who is?

Tips For Landing Your First VA Position

Step 1: Work On Your Skills

The first step is to define the skills that you can use as a Virtual Assistant. Not sure if you have the right skills for the job? No problem!

Put some hours aside every week to learn skills and within a few months, you will be ready to put your new knowledge to the test.

There are millions of Youtube videos you can watch that will teach you how to run a successful social media campaign, manage calendar appointments, edit video on Final Cut Pro, create social media images using Adobe Photoshop and more.

You can also sign up to Skillshare (2 months free with that link!) to get unlimited access to over 23,000 classes.

This is exactly what I did to improve my organizational skills, digital marketing, video editing and photography before I started to look for jobs online.

Step 2: Find The Right Industry

For me, I knew that I wanted to work in the travel industry so that immediately narrowed down my options.

A lot of people go straight to the internet to search for a job. I decided to start my job search using the “networking” route by telling everyone I knew what I wanted to do.

I told my family and friends “I’m looking for a Virtual Assisting role in the travel industry. If you know someone who might be able to help me, could you give them my details?”

Then I put the message out to my connections on Facebook and Instagram.

Within a week, a friend of mine posted that Matt from expertvagabond.com was looking for a virtual assistant! Moral of the story – put it out into the world, and the world will often support you.

Step 3: Create A CV & Cover Letter

Throw away that boring Microsoft Word CV that you created when you were 16 in computer class! It’s time for a modern upgrade.

My go-to tool for CV creation is Canva.com. Not only does it have a tonne of templates for you to use, but you can also customize them to really showcase your top skills and highlight the many reasons why someone should hire you.

Don’t be afraid to add a little bit of personality to your CV. Keep in mind that your potential employer is probably sifting through a hundred CV’s, so you want them to open yours and say “Ooooh, what’s this?”. Leave them feeling intrigued.

Please remember that your CV should only be 1 – 2 pages long and your cover letter should be 2 – 3 paragraphs maximum. Employers usually don’t have a lot of time to look at them, so you need to present the information as concisely as possible.

Step 4: Interview Prep

Now that you have nailed the CV & Cover Letter, it’s time to prepare for the interview stage.

It is almost 100% guaranteed that they are going to ask you to tell them more about yourself, so make sure to have a little elevator speech worked out in advance.

Remember you don’t have to solely focus on the business side of life. Give them an insight into your hobbies, where you get inspiration from and how your life has lead you to this new role.

This is your moment to show them exactly why you are perfect for their virtual assistant position, so take the time to discuss your skills, your experience, your education (even if it is just from Youtube and Skillshare!).

They will love to hear that you are constantly learning and improving your knowledge of the key skills needed for the role.

ALWAYS have 2 – 3 questions prepared to ask them at the end of the interview. If you don’t, it can look like you are not interested in finding out more about them or their business.

If they have already answered all of your questions throughout the interview, you can tell them the question you wanted to ask, and thank them for already answering it in so much detail.

Step 5: Go Above & Beyond

If you want to really knock their socks off, why not create an example of the work you will create for them.

Show them your social media image designs, or write out a sample travel blog post to show them how serious you are about taking these tasks off their hands.

Not only will you stand out from the crowd, but it will instantly build trust that you can get the job done.

In the past, I’ve created video CV’s for clients who have a background in Youtube and have even created a brand new CV in the style of my favorite book for a position to work with the book’s author.

You have to do whatever it takes to stand out from the hundreds of other candidates.

The truth is there are many advantages and disadvantages to this type of job, but if you can master the art of virtual assisting, the world is your oyster!

It takes dedication, drive and an enormous amount of self-discipline, but it is definitely a dream job that will give you the freedom to live life on your own terms (and travel if you want to).

If you are attempting to find a VA job at the moment, just remember that the first client is the hardest. If you can land that first client, the next 50 clients should be no problem.

So keep on trying, keep improving your skills, and don’t stop learning until you’re living it up swinging from a hammock somewhere with your laptop in one hand and a cocktail in the other! ★

BIO

Jess Glynn is the author of The Gap Year Guru and has worked in digital marketing for over 5 years, specializing in Social Media and Content Creation. In 2017, she decided to quit her job and write about her travels through Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines for 9 months. Follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter!

Virtual Assistant Job Resources

Remote Job Listing Websites

• FlexJobs.com
• Guavabean Facebook Group
• Remote.co
• Freelancer.com

Useful Tools & Software For VAs

• Canva
• Slack
• Trello
• WordPress

Become A Virtual Assistant

Want to start your own business working as a virtual assistant? Learn the skills needed and how to land new clients.

Start Your VA Business Today

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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Alexandra is an Online Translator

Travel Jobs

Did you know that if you’re fluent in another language, you can find online translation jobs and make money from your computer while also traveling the world?

Today, my friend Alexandra shares her experience working as a nomadic translator, along with tips for how to find work while traveling. Here’s Alexandra:

[su_note note_color=”#DCEFF5″ text_color=”#333333″ radius=”3″ class=””]For more travel friendly job ideas, check out my ultimate guide:
Finding Work While Traveling[/su_note]

Hi guys! My name is Alexandra, and I work as a professional language translator. Online translation is one of the best careers for language lovers who wish to see the world.

Unlike teaching English as a foreign language, translating may give you more flexibility and financial freedom, akin to other popular digital nomad careers such as freelance writing or graphic design.

You may choose who to work with, where to work from, when to work, and even how much you earn.

However, if you want to make a living with online translation, it’s not as easy as just being bilingual. In fact, many unsuspecting prospects don’t realize it can take years to build up the knowledge and references to become successful (a.k.a. well-paid) in this field.

But don’t fret! I’m going to share how to get started with online translation, and some of the best lessons I’ve learned for success after a decade in this business.

Typical Day For A Freelance Translator

• 8 AM: Wake up for yoga session. A clear mind always translates better.
• 9 AM: Breakfast and coffee while checking email (focus on client emails only)
• 10 AM: Check my status Excel sheet including current projects, in descending order, by deadline
• 10:30 AM: Open up Linguee.com, my favorite context-translation online resource for cross-referencing, and start translating away
• 12:30 PM: Lunch break (swim and beachside meal preferably!)
• 1:30 PM: Check client-only emails again for potential project updates
• 1:45 PM: Continue working on translation project at hand
• 3:45 PM: 15 minute afternoon coffee break
• 4 PM: Follow-up on invoices, send any new ones
• 5 PM: Look for new opportunities on websites like ProZ.com
• 6 PM: Dinner and a sunset
• 7-9 PM: Explore the city

Some days it’s just the reverse: explore a new city in the morning while the weather is still cool, then start working from home by midday. Other days you just work half the day and take the other half off.

No pending projects and enough funds in the bank? What the heck, take it all off!

What if you land a gig with a full-time client? Then it’s typically an 8-9 hour day, just focusing on translating, proofreading, and publishing content for said client, clocking out around sunset.

Every other Friday I usually take the day off to either work on passion projects or just relax.

Online Translation vs. Interpretation

Many people confuse online translation with interpretation. Translators convey the meaning from one language to another in writing, while interpreters convey the meaning orally.

Each career track requires different skills sets, too.

After working in both tracks, I can confidently tell you that translation is the most digital-nomad-friendly of the two.

Many interpretation opportunities require your physical presence and/or more sophisticated equipment for over-the-phone interpretation or video conferencing.

This makes online translation the preferred career track for those who wish to have the freedom to travel the world and work from anywhere.

Selection Of A Language Pair

Translators work in language pairs, so you must pick the two languages you are most proficient in to get started.

You are expected to specify your language pair(s) on your resume or professional profile, accordingly.

Most importantly, the language pair you choose to work with will also play an important role in determining your earning potential for any translator job.

In the rare occasion that you’re allowed to translate into a target language that isn’t your native one, a bachelor’s degree and/or significant professional experience in-country is typically required.

Highest Paying Language Pairs

• English to Arabic
• English to Chinese
• English to Japanese
• English to Danish

A 2008 report from a survey conducted by the American Translators Association (ATA) explained:

“At an average of $0.19 per word, the language combinations commanding the highest rate per word were English into Arabic and English into Danish. At an average of $0.12 per word, the language combinations commanding the lowest rate were English into Italian and English into Portuguese. The highest average hourly rates by language combination were English into Chinese ($74.92) and Chinese into English ($65.79).”

The following article by TranslationRules.com may also help you better understand competition, demand, and earnings for translators as they relate to selection of language pairs.

My primary language pair is English into Spanish, as I’m a native Spanish speaker (that being my target language here); while my secondary language pair is Spanish into English, as English is my second language and I can read and write it at a professional level.

Even though this is the language pair with the highest demand and competition for translation jobs, I still managed to earn six-figures working in the United States.

Become An Outstanding Writer

Being bilingual is not enough to become a competent freelance translator. In fact, you also must be an excellent writer in both languages and highly skilled in your industry (niche) of choice.

Moreover, there are many cultural nuances in language that you won’t learn unless you experience it in a country that speaks it.

Truth be told, I was not ready to be a professional translator until I finished four years of intense writing courses in an American college and lived in the United States.

Ways to properly prepare for an online translation career and improve your language skills include taking advantage of study abroad programs, enrolling for classes in a foreign university or hire a private language tutor from your country of interest.

Picking A Niche For Translation

Picking a niche or specialty in the language industry is as important as deciding whether you want to be a translator or an interpreter, as this will dictate the other set of skills and abilities you will need to develop before your career (and pay) takes off.

Individual translation project length is typically linked to its niche, so take that into consideration when comparing the industries you’re interested in.

Your obvious passions may not necessarily be the industries you want to be translating in, so I suggest you practice translating your top topics at home in order to zero in on your ideal translation niche.

Interested in translating websites about general topics such as tourism, lifestyle or celebrity news?

Becoming an expert on website localization and frequently reading about those topics in both languages of your pair should be part of your career development in order to have a competitive edge.

A bachelor’s degree in creative writing and/or translation in either language may be a good idea in order to land internships during your studies and/or a good entry-level translation position.

Interested in better-paying technical translation fields such as information technology, engineering, medical or legal?

I highly recommend a bachelor’s degree in your technical field of choice, with a related entry-level translation job post-graduation for a minimum of two years.

A master’s degree in translation and/or the selected technical field is also recommended in lieu of an entry-level translation job.

Either track — getting a higher-education degree in translation or two years of translation experience — will typically give you the minimum skills and preparation necessary to sit for and successfully pass a translation certification examination such as the ATA’s, if that’s what you’re interested in.

Should You Get Certified?

Getting certified as a freelance translator is as much a personal as it is a professional choice. No translation degree or certification is technically required — but it can help.

One of the nice reality checks, when I started translating, is that no translation degree or certification is required for many translator jobs unless you’re interested in a specialized field such as medical or legal.

The flip side is that, if you are certified, you are more likely to land a better translation job — or any translation project for that matter.

More likely than not, whether you get certified will depend on the niche or industry you select to work in.

Interestingly, top certification bodies such as the ATA only recommend certification to experienced, mid-career translators anyway, so I suggest you experiment translating in different industries to get a feel of what you’re really passionate about.

An ATA certification, along with other local and foreign equivalents, typically gives you an edge when applying for full-time technical translator positions or technical freelance projects online.

While this also applies to prospective non-technical online translators, references/a portfolio are more valued in the latter than the former (from my personal experience).

Still, I advise you to look up the eligibility criteria for freelance translator positions in your industries of choice for more insight related to your top niches and/or their certification requirements.

Be Willing To Work For Less

Well, at least at first.

I officially started my translating career by working for a startup while I was still in college. This first translation job is actually what helped me zero in on the niche I was interested in.

Since I didn’t have a translation degree, didn’t have a translation certification, and graduated amid the Great Recession, I was grateful and simply saw the low starting salary as a paid internship (even though it wasn’t).

All they asked me to do to prove I could do the job? Translate a sample during the interview – that was it!

So my starting salary was way less than the average college graduate is “supposed” to get. But you know what? I gained so much experience on this job, got promoted to project manager within 18 months, and that bona fide translation reference helped me get my foot in the door of the world of freelance translation.

This position also led me to other projects that I was passionate about (tourism/marketing), as it built up my confidence and resume to successfully network with destination marketing professionals on travel blogging conferences.

The Small Projects Matter

Still working on your writing skills or simply trying to get some translation experience?

Small jobs or projects such as translating restaurant menus in a foreign country can not only help you improve with real-world practice but can surprisingly serve as excellent networking opportunities.

Word-of-mouth goes a long way, particularly abroad! You can also pursue these kinds of opportunities in international neighborhoods within your city, whose businesses may have a need for quality translations within your language pair.

Make your professional profile stand out. Even if you have little to no translation experience, setting up an online professional profile is one of the most important steps of your career.

If you have not built a translation portfolio yet, I recommend you post samples of translations you have done in your spare time of topics or industries you are interested in working in.

This will allow prospective employers and recruiters to see the quality of your translations early on.

I landed several interviews by doing this!

REMEMBER: Both volunteer and paid translation projects and positions count, so fill out your online profile as thoroughly as possible, updating it whenever you start or finish a relevant project or position.

Don’t forget to include any awards, company goals attained, etc.

Finding Online Translation Jobs

While ProZ and Translators Cafe are some of the best websites for translators looking for paid projects or positions, it may be hard to compete with the more experienced translators who typically bid on those job boards.

Thus, if you are a beginner, I recommend you look into People Per Hour, Upwork or Fiverr for shorter, typically-lower-competition translation projects to build up your portfolio.

Most importantly, be creative! A unique way I landed some of my first freelance translation jobs involved reaching out to the marketing/public affairs contacts of multilingual online travel websites or magazines to see if they needed freelance translators for individual projects or ask if were hiring entry-level translators.

Additionally, I went to travel blogging and tourism conferences, networking with destination marketing professionals to land this type of translation projects.

Applying For Translation Projects

Making your online professional translator profile stand out is just as important as crafting a successful pitch. The best pitches are those that are brief, concise, and personalized to each translation project you are bidding for.

That being said, there are certain elements that should be included in all of your pitches: your current per-word rates in the currency of the offer, a brief byline highlighting your years of experience and how that experience or areas of specialization match with the translation project being offered.

Below is a sample pitch I successfully used early in my translation career. I included/excluded information depending on the client or project at hand:

Average Translation Project Length

There’s no real way of telling what your average project length will be, as it highly depends on your niche and which projects you apply for.

However, I can tell you from personal experience that website articles/blog posts average between 500-1200 words; press releases hover around 1000 words; and full website localizations can be in the hundreds of thousands of words, as you also have to translate backend items such as text on menus, photo captions, alt text, and other SEO metadata.

Interested in becoming a technical translator? Unless you are translating blog posts or website articles for a tech site, you will likely be translating guides or manuals containing hundreds of thousands of words.

If you are easily bored, this is not a field for you, as you could be working on the same guide/manual translation for weeks or even months.

Charge Per Word, Not Per Project

When looking for online translation jobs or projects you will find that the most common way translators charge for work is per word, not per project.

Per-word rates vary widely depending on industry, technicality of a particular project, and popularity/demand-supply of the language pair.

For example, even experienced English-Spanish translators rarely earn over US $0.20 per word unless they work in very technical fields or hold a full-time position that includes website localization and bilingual marketing.

By contrast, English-Arabic translators can easily expect to earn up to US $0.40 per word for freelance projects or $200,000 for salaried positions when working with an American or European client, even in fields not considered as technical.

A simple Google search (i.e. “per word rate French into English translators”) will help you calculate an average that is best for you, your language pair, and location of your desired clientele.

From personal experience, I have found that a good starting point for beginner online translation jobs in my language pair (English into Spanish and vice versa) is US $0.10 per word.

[su_note note_color=”#F7EFE6″ text_color=”#333333″ radius=”3″ class=””]Per-word rates is a highly debatable topic and some translators still feel $0.10 per word is a lowball offer.[/su_note]

How To Get Paid As A Translator

Most translator or freelance marketplaces make clients pay you via PayPal, so expect to lose about 4% of the total of each translation project — in addition to any other fees each particular marketplace may or may not charge.

Some freelance marketplaces offer the option to get paid by ACH or check from the client, but be careful: these payment methods usually don’t include a protection by the marketplace, which exposes you to fraud and scams.

Best way to get around this? Bid for translation projects with established companies, which you can identify by visiting the profile of each translation offer.

This way, you can reach out to the translation company separately through their official website, in the hopes that they will broker future deals directly through you and without the middleman marketplace.

You can then request they send you money via other methods with lower to no fees. I did this to establish certain business relationships, plus avoided all fees by getting paid by check (which was sent within the U.S.), then have it mobile-deposited into an account by a trusted family member.

If you plan to become a freelance translator to travel the world however, it is unlikely you will be able to avoid all fees if you wish to get paid safely (and electronically).

Telecommuting Translator Positions

Those who are not as comfortable working on an independent contractor basis (a.k.a. freelancing) and beginners should also look into telecommuting translator positions.

Benefits include a predetermined salary, payment via ACH or direct deposit (bye-bye fees), a set amount of hours worked per week, paid leave, and even health insurance coverage and 401(k) for some U.S.-based positions.

I highly recommend this type of telecommuting opportunities to translators with little to no experience, as they can be a great career launching pad.

Some companies offer apprenticeships, certifications, and/or other valuable perks in addition to the aforementioned benefits.

This is a great way to build up your resume before going solo, as you are unlikely to be awarded high-paying freelance translation projects without solid references.

Remember: you must build a strong foundation as competition can be fierce, especially for the most common language pairs such as Spanish into English, French into English, Italian into English, and vice versa.

Initiative & Networking Are Key

Whichever track you choose, I can assure you that individual preparation and networking will be the main key to success as a translator.

I have two bachelor’s degrees in criminology and political science; have 8 years of professional translation experience, but only got certified in interpretation by a former company I work for; I never got certified in translation.

Yet, I still earn six figures as a chief Spanish translator in the public affairs/marketing/law enforcement/tourism industries in the U.S. I currently work full-time for one client—occasionally doing other side gigs/passion projects.

I got where I got by experimenting with translation gigs in different industries early in my career, in addition to individually honing my writing skills in both languages and networking online, or with industry conferences to obtain gigs/projects that eventually became part of my translation portfolio.

As you can see, your ability to hustle independently will be the major predictor of how successful you’ll be as a freelance nomadic translator! ★

BIO

Alexandra Laborde de Bess is the author of LatinAbroad.com, where she shares her struggles living with chronic pain, travel tales, and advice after exploring over 30 countries across 5 continents. Follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest!

Freelance Translator Resources

r/TranslationStudies – A Reddit community featuring articles, tips, and resources for people who work as translators.

ProZ.com – The most popular job board for finding online translation work.

Translators Cafe – The second most popular job board for translation projects.

How To Succeed As A Freelance Translator – Great book to help you get started as a professional translator.

[su_note note_color=”#DCEFF5″ text_color=”#333333″ radius=”3″ class=””]For more ways to make money while traveling, check out my Ultimate Travel-Friendly Job Guide.[/su_note]

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Have any questions for Alexandra about working as a freelance translator or landing your first job? Drop her a message in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Travel Jobs

I’ve met quite a few “yachties” during my travels. People who work as yacht & sailboat crewmembers for a living.

Today, my friend Katie shares her experience working on yachts, along with tips on how to find yacht jobs. It’s a cool way to earn money traveling the world! Here’s Katie:

For more travel friendly job ideas, check out my ultimate guide: Best Travel Jobs To Make Money Abroad

There are around 37,000 yacht crew members employed on the 6,000+ superyachts around the world. And that doesn’t even count the smaller yachts and sailboats out there too.

I’ve worked in the yachting industry on and off for almost a decade while traveling on my own in the off periods. Yachting helped me travel the world both on and off the boats, “living the dream” as they say.

I initially worked as a stewardess, then began taking jobs as a chef after cooking courses at the Culinary Institute of America, to increase my earning potential.

After learning the ropes on sailing yachts, I also worked as a deckhand on the racing yachts Wild Wings and White Horses, a pair of 76’ modern classic rig sloops in the W class out of Newport, R.I.

Eventually, I also got my Captain’s License and Master of Yachts 200T certification with a sailing endorsement. So this is an industry I know very well!

Working in the yachting industry is all about being in the right place at the right time. You won’t find a yacht job from your computer at home — you need to get out there and pound the pavement.

But chances are, if you’re dreaming of a life working on mega-yachts, the ability to travel and work is one of the main attractions. And it’s a fantastic perk!

How To Work On A Yacht

Yacht Job Benefits

You don’t have to pay rent when you work & live on boats, and your food is included too, so you can really save a lot of money. But many yachties get lost in the endless party lifestyle and waste their income.

Save your money, and when you’re done, you should have a nice nest-egg.

Another huge benefit is the ability to travel. Hopping around beautiful islands of the Caribean and Mediterranean, and while working most of the time, it’s possible to escape and enjoy these locations during time off.

Many people use the good money they save while working “in-season” to travel for fun in the off-season. It’s a nice perk that’s included when you work on yachts!

How Much Can You Make?

Inexperienced yacht crew working as deckhands or stewardesses can earn between $2000-3000 a month. With more experience and higher positions, your salary can be between $3500-$6000 a month.

On charter trips, guests typically tip 5% – 15% of the weekly charter fee, which is split between crew members. This can mean another $1000 per person, per week, in tips. Yay!

Typical Yacht Crew Positions

Deckhand

As a deckhand, you generally clean and wash the exterior of the boat. You drive the tender (smaller boat that ferries back and forth between the yacht and dock). You take out the garbage, change light bulbs, do maintenance on the tender outboard engine when it needs it, clean the winches, etc.

If you work on a sailboat, there’s a lot more to learn about all the rigging & sails, but that can be done if you’re interested.

Stewardess

As a steward or stewardess, you’re generally on duty in the interior of the boat, as a waitress, a maid, a laundress, sometimes a nanny. You work with the chef to see that dinner happens in a fluid way. You work with the deck crew to plan the guests’ daily outings and pack their day bags.

Chef

Most yachts have a chef, and they are well paid, but you will need some prior cooking knowledge & skills. The larger the yacht, the more formal the expectations and entry requirements will be (like experience cooking at high-end restaurants or a cooking degree).

Other Positions

These other yacht jobs are not entry-level. You generally need to work as a deckhand or stewardess first — and need a lot more specialized training too. But you also make a lot more money.

Engineer – Upkeep and repair of engines and electrical components. Requires a proper engineering degree.

First Mate – Second in charge to the captain, helps manage crew and sail when the captain can’t.

Bosun – Responsible for maintaining the exterior of the yacht and managing crew members.

Captain – Sails the yacht. Hires crew members. Requires a captain’s license and lots of sailing experience.

USEFUL TIP: I always loved working as a deckhand, even though it was kind of the ‘man’s zone.’ The pay is better as a chef on white boats (motor yachts) though, so I often switched back and forth taking some jobs for money and some for fun.

Working On Yachts: A Typical Day

On Charter

When the yacht owners are on-board, or other people have chartered (aka rented) out your boat for a holiday, you are “on charter.”

Being on charter means you don’t leave the boat, you can’t drink alcohol, you keep to your work duties, and otherwise stay inside your cabin.

You are room service, the bellman, the front desk, their personal attendants, their laundress (washing clothes), sometimes their masseuse, taxi driver, waiter, chef, etc. Get the point?

When the guests or owners are off the boat, maybe sight-seeing in town or at the beach — it’s time to clean, turn the cabins, iron sheets, stock the drinks fridge, etc. Preparing for their return.

If guests stay up late drinking, you take turns with other crew members to wait on them and bartend as late as the last guest.

The yacht’s chef will be up at 5am to start pressing oranges for freshly squeezed juice at breakfast, and with the steward(ess), will set up the breakfast buffet.

When guests leave their cabins for breakfast, stews (aka stewards/stewardesses) clean their rooms, make beds, and prepare day bags for whatever the guests would like to do that day.

It’s a long hard run of working when you’re on charter. However, if the guests are not the owners of the yacht, often there will be a decent tip at the end of the trip.

Between Charters

Some boats charter (are available for rent) and others do not. If you want to work hard and earn more money, I recommend working on a boat that charters.

If you want to sit back and relax more and take a regular salary, choose a boat that doesn’t offer charters.

When you aren’t on charter, you essentially work a regular 9-5 job, just in some exotic location. The chef cooks a few meals for the crew so you’re taken care of.

Your job is to do general maintenance and upkeep work on the boat (there’s a lot) and are done around 4pm or 5pm each day, with days off.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Started?

To get started working on a yacht, all you need is a plane ticket to one of the international hubs, 2-3 months worth of cash to feed and house yourself while you find your first job, and $1000 – $1200 for a yacht training course or two.

Yacht Training Courses

STCW’2010 (previously STCW‘95) is not a regulatory requirement to work on yachts, but it’s becoming an un-official requirement from Captains and owners for safety and insurance reasons.

Investing in this course is also a sign of your commitment, and will improve your chances of getting hired for your first job.

The STCW’2010 course is a week long and costs about $1000 depending on the country. You learn the basics of safety at sea, and it’s actually a lot fun!

At IYT in Ft. Lauderdale, where I went, you’ll wear real firefighting suits complete with oxygen masks and fight REAL fires on a fake ship and then use survival suits, inflate an emergency raft and jump into a pool. Quite memorable!

To boost your resume and improve your odds over other green (in-experienced) yacht job hunters, consider taking a separate Marine Engineering course for deckhands, or the Silver Service course for working as a steward(ess).

Yacht Training Resources

• International Yacht Training in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
• Maritime School of the West Indies in St. Maarten
• Palma Sea School in Palma de Mallorca

Where To Find Yacht Jobs?

Location is everything in this business. Yachts move around the globe seasonally like migrating birds, chasing the best weather.

There are only a handful of international yachting hubs, and if you want a job, you need to spend time in one of these locations. Ideally 1-2 months.

Winter Season: The Caribbean

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida is America’s capital of yachting, and they kick off the winter season with the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show usually scheduled around October 1 each year.

If this is your season or location of choice, plan to be there in September and have your STCW course done so you’re ready to walk the docks and hand out resumes during the boat show buzz.

Ft. Lauderdale is a decent place to look for work in the winter, but if you don’t have a job by December and want a change of scenery, you can fly down to English Harbour, Antigua or Simpson Bay, St. Maarten (a larger community) and you might be able to snag a job for a holiday trip.

Summer Season: Mediterranean & New England

Most yachts leave the Caribbean in the summer months because of hurricane risk, and because it’s too hot.

Which is perfect because the Mediterranean and New England are wonderful in the summer and host all sorts of mega-yacht races for the sailing elite.

Summer season in the Med (yachtie slang for Mediterranean) begins in May as most of the boats are crossing the Atlantic in April.

The center of the Mediterranean yachting industry is Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Antibes, France is also a hub for sailboats, but it’s a bit smaller.

In the United States, the New England area has a smaller yachting scene, made up of smaller boats and more sailing oriented. Your best bet to find crew jobs here is Newport, Rhode Island.

Visas & Immigration Advice

Always check visa and entry requirements for any country you’re visiting. Depending on your nationality, the laws will be different.

Generally, Americans visiting Europe get 3 months visa-free travel, while Europeans get 6 months in the U.S.

When you fly into a country, make sure you have proof of ties back home, an income source or job that demonstrates you don’t have plans to stay forever.

While looking for yacht jobs on a foreign-flagged vessel in America is not technically illegal, it’s frowned upon and not something you want to tell immigration officers.

Don’t keep evidence of yacht job hunting with you nor electronically when you fly into America. It doesn’t have to be illegal to get you sent home!

Another immigration rule to be aware of, when flying into St Maarten you can’t arrive on a one-way ticket. The notorious “proof of onward travel rule“.

If you are flying into the country to join a boat you’ve already been hired for, the Captain will help you arrange all necessary B1/B2 visas for America, or whatever country, which you’ll show at customs.

If you’re European, Australian, Kiwi or South African or any other nationality, keep in mind that the Jones Act in America limits employment on U.S. flagged vessels to Americans.

This doesn’t mean it isn’t worth going to Florida though, there are tons of foreign-flagged vessels to make the job prospects real. And many American owners register their boats offshore, for tax reasons.

Informal Networking For Yacht Jobs

Make sure you stay in/on the right part of the island or city you choose to base yourself. As close to the marina as possible.

If you see the line drawing of a yacht on someone’s shirt, and they’re wearing khaki shorts and flip-flops, they probably work on a yacht — go talk to them!

Sailors are drinkers, so don’t be afraid to hit the local sailing bars!

Yachting is one of the oldest industries in the world and still runs largely in a social context — the more people you meet, the better your chances.

Crew housing is always a good place to meet other crew and hear about new jobs and day work.

Neptune Group or Mary’s Crew House in Ft Lauderdale are a bit nicer than hostel accommodation and are more likely to have seasoned yacht workers.

There are crew-specific hostels too, so ask around, some hostels are regular pick-up spots for day-work. If you sit out front every morning at 8am… Mates and Captains often stop by looking for day workers.

Yacht Day Work

What is day work? Work one day, get paid in cash. Simple. It’s a great way to earn a bit of extra cash and network with other yachties! Day work can often turn into a full-time crew position.

What will you do day-working? Clean. And if you want to keep getting work, clean with a level of perfection you never dreamed possible. If you’re in the interior, think maid on speed. Use toothpicks, q-tips, soft scrub, whatever is necessary to make every nook and cranny sparkling clean.

If you’re on the exterior, expect the same detail and attention, but with boats you’ll have to dry everything you wash. Chamois chamois chamois! (Pronounced shammy; if you don’t know what it is… you soon will!)

Working With Crew Agents

There are probably 30 crew agencies between Palma and Ft. Lauderdale, dozens of Facebook groups, social media and online sources. They help boat owners find crew.

It’s a good idea to register yourself with as many crew agencies as possible. Exposure is key. The first job could come from anywhere.

When meeting with crew agents and interviewing with captains, be sure to iron your clothes, have groomed hair, be clean, awake and presentable.

Working for mega-wealthy yacht owners means you must be presentable and dress conservatively.

It might be wise to cover tattoos, remove face piercings, apply fresh nail polish, trim your beard, and tie back your hair too. Some owners don’t care, others do.

Popular Yacht Crew Agencies

• Blue Oceans Yachting
• Elite Crew International
• Crew Unlimited
• The Crew Network
• Northrup & Johnson
• Crew Finders
• Nautic Crew Worldwide

Motor Yachts VS Sailing Yachts

You don’t actually have to be a sailor to work on a sailing yacht (especially if you work the interior), but you have to be willing to learn.

There will be more to your boat, in rigging, maintenance, and sailing. Some find it fun, while others find it intimidating. You must see if it suits your passion.

Pay can be higher on motor yachts, but not always. My advice, work a year on both and see which you prefer.

Sailboats tend to have a more relaxed vibe. From the cities sailboats tend to dock in, to the captains and the owners who have a passion for the sport. The joy of sailing is what draws them all together.

Sailing is a sport, a hobby, and a lifestyle.

Whereas “white boats” (motor yachts) tend to be a bit more status oriented and have higher standards of service from their crew. These boats are a status symbol, they are essentially a private floating resort.

They want the highest level of service and attention to detail.

Having staff at the beck and call of all their personal whims is what the ultra-wealthy one-percenters are all about. You have to be ready to suck it up, put your ego away, and be a servant.

But if you can fit the persona of a servant when guests or owners are on board (which is usually only 2-8 weeks per year), and you can clean like a maniac, you will make great income traveling the world on mega yachts.

Living The Yachting Life

The sea will forever be a part of my soul, and sailing through those starry nights with a 360-degree horizon is a meditative place I return to. I have been forever changed by my time at sea.

I have young kids now so it’s not possible to leave for weeks on end. But once they are older I will take them sailing, and cross oceans once again.

The sea calls me back. And I hear the call.

Working on yachts can give you an exotic life of adventure, world travel, beautiful beaches, and a glimpse of what luxury living is like… all with a pretty damn good salary.

Just know that working on yachts can be hard, and it’s not all glamorous.

But if you can handle the workload, you’ll return with great memories, new friends, and a fat savings account. ★

Thanks for sharing your experience with us Katie! I’m sure it will help those who have been contemplating working on yachts in order to travel more. ~ Matt

Work & Travel The World

For more travel-friendly job ideas, check out my ultimate guide to finding jobs that let you travel.

Click Here For Free Guide

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Travel Jobs

The best travel jobs allow you to earn income while exploring the world. Here are real-life examples of people living the dream – making money traveling abroad. Learn how to land one of these awesome careers!

COVID UPDATE: The worldwide pandemic has been devastating to many people, however it’s also proven that remote work is growing faster than ever. Many of the jobs in this list are remote-work friendly!

Do you wish you could travel more? If you love traveling as much as I do, but can’t afford to completely quit working, you’re in luck.

There are actually many different travel job opportunities to make money traveling the world.

Whether it’s seeking opportunities to trade work for accommodation, landing a location independent job that gives you the freedom to travel abroad, working as a digital nomad, or other long-term traveling careers — you have options.

There are even travel jobs out there for people without a college degree.

The reason I’ve been able to travel the world for the past 10-years is that I’ve slowly turned my travel blog into a very successful business that earns 6-figures a year.

However that’s certainly not the only path to freedom and long-term travel.

How To Work & Travel The World

First a little disclaimer. If all travel-friendly jobs were easy to get, everyone would have one! Many of these professions require passion, specialized training, time commitment, and talent. For those that don’t, the pay isn’t always great.

There is no magic way to instantly earn lots of money traveling.

The truth about becoming a location independent nomad is that it takes years of hard work and sacrifice behind the scenes — something too many people conveniently ignore.

That said, it’s not impossible to work and travel either. The people I interviewed for this article below have invested their time to learn how to make these jobs work for them — which means you can do the same if you make it a priority.

We all have the same 24 hours, how will you spend yours?

Expat, Digital Nomad, or Backpacker?

Not all “travel” jobs are created equally. The wanderlust opportunities listed here fall under one of the following categories — expat jobs, digital nomad jobs, travel industry careers, or what I’ll call backpacking jobs. What’s the difference you ask?

Expat Traveling Jobs

Expat stands for “expatriate”. Meaning while you are a citizen of one country, you choose to live/work in a foreign country. Expat jobs are only related to travel in that you’re not living in your own country. You may live in a country for months or years at a time (possibly on a remote work visa), and not fully nomadic.

Examples: English teacher, nanny, foreign service, etc.

Digital Nomads

A Digital Nomad works from their computer. This makes them location independent. As long as they have access to the internet, they can earn a living. Blogging falls under this category, so it also describes my lifestyle. Digital nomads are free to travel at will, working from coffee shops, hotels, or co-working spaces. Or they can work from home too.

Examples: Online business, freelance writing, social media, etc.

Backpacker Jobs

Backpackers and vagabonds do work that I’ll call “alternative” travel jobs. The type of work that may not require a computer or a college degree, but has a more hands-on approach. Think musicians, artists, or manual labor. Pay could be under the table.

Examples: Street vendor, musician, farm work, etc.

Travel Industry Careers

Finally, I’ll include a few popular travel industry career options too. These are more “traditional” business travel jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry. Positions like travel agents, local tourism boards, and travel marketing.

Examples: Travel agent, tour guide, tourism marketing, etc.

Not Ready To Travel Yet?

Make sure to read my other article sharing different creative side-hustle ideas to make extra money from home.

How To Make Extra Money

Best Travel Jobs In 2023

The following travel jobs encompass one or more of the categories mentioned above.

If you crave the safety of permanent work, but you also want to live in a different country, then working abroad in a regular full-time type position might be best.

Keep in mind not all of these jobs are suitable for everyone. If you have a university degree, you might not be as willing to pick berries on a farm as someone else might be. Or maybe you are! I won’t judge.

We all have different backgrounds, skills, and comfort levels.

1. Travel Blogging

People who travel a lot while making money blogging can seem like a dream job. But like most things in life, it’s hardly simple. Earning a living with a travel blog is hard work — and can take a few years.

However, a travel blog isn’t the only option. Other examples include food bloggers, mommy bloggers, fashion bloggers, and lifestyle bloggers. Income generally comes from advertising, affiliate marketing, selling products, and influencer projects. But first, you need to build an audience!

WORKING EXAMPLE

Me! Check out my free guide on how to become a travel blogger.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$500 – $20,000+ per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• How To Start A Travel Blog
• Making Money With Your Travel Blog

Start A Travel Blog Today

Blogging started as a hobby, but is now my full-time job. Ready to start a blog and make money traveling?

Click Here For Free Guide

2. Teach English Abroad

Do you know how to speak English? Perfect! English teachers are highly sought after around the world — and the pay can be decent. You can get jobs teaching overseas, or even teaching classes online from your computer.

For the online jobs (basically teaching through Skype) a college degree is required, and for the foreign-based jobs, a TEFL certification (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is also required (these jobs include accommodation too).

WORKING EXAMPLE

My buddy Drew Binsky first made money traveling and teaching English in Korea.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$2000 – $3000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Professional TEFL Language Course

3. Teach English Online

In addition to traveling overseas to teach English at a foreign school, there’s also a demand for online English teachers to tutor kids via video chat, like Skype. A bunch of online English teaching services have popped up over the last few years, mainly based in China.

To apply for a position, you generally need a college degree, be a citizen of the United States or Canada, and speak fluent English. A TEFL certification helps too. Classes are about 30 minutes long.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $3000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• VIP Kid Online English Classes

4. Yacht Sailing Jobs

Can you imagine sailing around the world working on some rich guy’s private sailing yacht? This is an awesome job that requires travel! It’s a fun way to see some exotic locations. Your food and accommodation are covered too, which is great for saving money.

It’s ok if you’ve never worked on a yacht before because the job of deckhand or steward(ess) are entry-level positions that pay really well. All you need to do is take a short course beforehand and spend time in a beautiful yachting destination while looking for work.

EXAMPLE

My friend Katie made money traveling & working on private yachts for almost a decade.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$2000 – $3000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• The Yacht Guru’s Bible

5. Freelance Travel Photographer

Becoming a professional travel or adventure photographer selling your images from around the world is a dream job, but takes a lot of work too. You can upload photos in bulk to micro-stock sites or sell images to clients directly for use in magazines, books, brand campaigns, or websites.

Running guided photography tours or selling online photography tutorials are additional ways to make money as a traveling photographer. If you build up your social media audience over time, you can start to get hired for paid “influencer” projects too.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Brendan earns money selling stock images from his travels.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $10,000 per month

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY RESOURCES

• 10 Best Online Photography Courses
• How To Become A Professional Photographer

6. Bartending Jobs Abroad

Bars, nightclubs and restaurants are located worldwide and the job description is pretty much the same everywhere. It helps to speak the language, so you may need to invest in a few weeks of language classes.

Touristy places will be easier to find work in this industry and there’s no minimum or maximum time requirement. Plus the more experience you gain as a bartender, the more job opportunities will open up, with a potential for higher income.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My buddy Jeremy traveled and worked as a bartender in Australia.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $3000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Bartending For Dummies
• How To Get A Bartending Job Overseas

7. Remote Work & Telecommuting

More and more businesses are discovering the benefits of hiring remote workers — allowing employees to work from home or anywhere with a wifi connection. Working online or telecommuting is becoming an option for professionals in a variety of industries.

So you may not even need to learn new skills, depending on what your current profession is. But how do you find the companies that pay you to travel or who are hiring remote workers? There are some good remote work job boards that post these types of positions. Jobs like data collection, research, sales, administrative assistants, and more.

JOB INCOME RANGE

Varies Greatly

USEFUL RESOURCES

• FlexJobs Remote Work Job Board

8. Become A Local Tour Guide

You could consider working as a local tour guide or assistant for an international tour company, either at a single popular location or for multi-destination tours. Another option is to become a travel entrepreneur and create your very own custom tours!

Maybe it’s the best unmarked surf spots, an awesome local hiking trip, or showing people the coolest bars and restaurants in town. Becoming a tour guide is a great way to earn money in the travel industry while sharing your love of traveling.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Lauren started a successful food tour business in Spain.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $10,000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Work Abroad Leading Adventure Tours

9. Online Translation Jobs

Obviously, you need to know a second language to be a freelance language translator. But if that’s you, there are all kinds of companies out there who need translations done for websites, product manuals, books, and more.

If you’re just starting out, you could even translate restaurant menus, help run bilingual tours for tourists who speak your language or translate websites and blog posts. The more fluent you are, the more money you can make.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Alexandra works as a freelance language translator from English to Spanish.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$25 – $70 per hour

USEFUL RESOURCES

• How To Succeed As A Freelance Translator

10. Work At Backpacker Hostels

Backpacker hostels frequently hire travelers to fill positions on a short-term basis in exchange for free room and board. There are many different types of jobs, from working at the front desk to housekeeping or bartending.

If you plan to stay long-term, some hostels offer paid positions too. Actually, I once got paid to work at a backpacker hostel in Hawaii many years ago. It included a small salary and a free apartment to live in.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My buddy Dave worked the front desk at a backpacker hostel in Singapore.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$7 – $10 an hour, possibly with accommodation included

USEFUL RESOURCES

• How To Find Hostel Jobs

11. Traveling Yoga Instructor

Another job that allows you to travel the world while making money is working as a freelance yoga instructor. You can teach classes on pilates, yoga, zumba, dance, or provide services as a personal trainer if you have enough experience.

Some yoga instructors make deals with local gyms, backpacker hostels, or fancy all-inclusive resorts in order to use their facilities with clients during trips. You can also be hired as an in-house yoga instructor to lead classes for guests. It’s a cool career for travelers!

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friends Brandon & Anne make money teaching yoga while traveling.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$30 – $100 per hour

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations & Techniques

12. Freelance Travel Writer

Writing about travel seems to be a dream job for many, however, it’s not something most people can just jump into. First, you have to be great with words. Next, you need to learn about networking, pitching to editors, and all the other business stuff involved.

Once you have those down, then it’s possible to write for magazines, newspapers, websites, or travel guidebooks and travel the world. Freelance copywriting and other types of writing are also options.

USEFUL EXAMPLE

My friend Jodi earns income on the road as a travel & food writer.

INCOME RANGE

$0.10 – $1.00 per word

USEFUL RESOURCES

• How To Become A Travel Writer
• Essential Guide To Freelance Writing

13. Freelance Massage Therapist

Massage therapy is in demand worldwide as an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. Trained therapists can offer their skills to weary travelers or expatriates near popular tourist destinations.

Work for a larger company or strike out on your own as an entrepreneur. Find clients by teaming up with hotels and giving them a cut for referring customers. Print flyers to hang up around gyms, coffee shops, etc.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Kach made money traveling working as a massage therapist.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$50 – $200 per day

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Business Of Massage Therapy: Building A Successful Career

14. Website & Graphic Design

One of the most common travel careers for digital nomads is graphics or website design. All you need is your computer, an eye for design, and knowledge of certain software programs and online platforms. Things like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, WordPress, Illustrator, etc.

Talent for writing code helps too — specifically HTML, PHP, and CSS. School is great, but it’s also possible to learn on your own with tutorials. Building websites for others can lead to new clients, no matter where you are in the world.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My buddy Adam makes money traveling while designing websites.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $4,000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Running A Web Design Business From Home

15. Work On A Cruise Ship

Traveling the world while working on large cruise ships is an awesome way to see some pretty exotic places. Food, accommodation, transportation, and insurance are covered too — so it’s a great way to save money.

Many jobs also provide plenty of vacation time to travel on your own. There are different types of positions and careers available like tour manager, ship entertainment, engineer, housekeeping, cooks, and more.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Earl made money while working on cruise ships for a few years, and saving money to travel.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $4000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• How To Work On A Cruise Ship

16. Trading Stocks or Crypto

Like many of the jobs in this list, you can’t just jump into day trading on the stock market without any prior experience and expect to become rich. However, I’ve met quite a few people who make money traveling and day trading stocks and/or cryptocurrency.

The reality is it usually takes a few years (and losing some money) before this line of work starts to pay off. A background in finance and spare cash to invest helps too. Just be wary, there are a lot of day trading scams out there too. Do your research and learn from someone who knows what they’re doing.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My buddy Marcello makes money day trading stocks while traveling.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$100 – $5,000 per day

USEFUL RESOURCES

• How To Day Trade For A Living
• Advanced Cryptocurrency Trading

17. Traveling Street Vendor

Jewelry is the most popular item to sell as a street vendor, but it could also be art, clothing, leather goods… anything where you can source materials locally in bulk to make a product yourself.

Setting up as a vendor requires supplies, possibly meaning a long time in one location, but if you’re going to spend a season in one place it can be worth it. Popular locations with lots of tourist traffic work best.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Sorina sells leather accessories while traveling around Europe.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$20 – $200 per day

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Bohemian Inspired Jewelry Ideas

18. Traveling Festival Work

You don’t have to be a big name performer to work at festivals or events around the world. There are side-stage acts, installations, event staff, and food vendors too. Festivals always bring on lots of staff before, during and after the events.

You can time southern hemisphere Australian and New Zealand festivals between Canadian, American and European summer circuits.

JOB INCOME RANGE

Free tickets – $12 per hour

USEFUL RESOURCES

• How To Get A Job At A Music Festival

19. Scuba Diving Instructor

Scuba diving is a sport that is enjoyed all around the world. From Fiji to Iceland! The scuba diving community travels frequently, hunting for the best dive sites. And scuba divers have money to spend.

The training required to become a dive master can take a few weeks in beautiful places like Utila, Honduras or Koh Tao, Thailand while you get your certifications. Or, with more training become a Scuba Instructor, teaching people to become certified PADI divers.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friends Antonio & Amanda make money as scuba diving instructors.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $4000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• True Stories From A Diving Instructor

20. Au Pair Traveling Jobs

An au pair is a professional live-in babysitter or nanny hired by a family to help their kids learn a new language and do some household chores in exchange for room, board, and a weekly income.

The job allows you to live in a foreign country, learn a new language, and experience the culture first-hand while making some money. Some countries pay more than others (the Middle East especially).

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Ashley made money working as an au pair in France.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$500 – $4000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• How To Become A Nanny (For Rich People)
• Au Pair Guide: A Helpful Handbook

21. Work As A Flight Attendant

The life of a flight attendant may seem glamorous. Constantly jetting around the world, partying it up in different cities, experiencing different cultures, 90% off airline tickets, hotel discounts, cheap rent, and employment in the clouds.

The career training is tough, the hours are long, and all the moving around can get kinda lonely. However, for those with a case of wanderlust, it can help you travel the world for a while too.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Mia makes money traveling the world as a flight attendant.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $4000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Cruising Attitude

22. Foreign Service Travel Jobs

Working for the foreign service (aka diplomats) or an intergovernmental organization (IGO) is one position that allows you to experience life in a different part of the world.

Most of these international government jobs are only open to people with university degrees and knowledge of foreign languages. Applications and tests for these types of positions can be found online.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My wife Anna once worked abroad for the Polish embassy in London.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$500 – $10,000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• So You Want My Job: Foreign Service Officer

23. Travel Agent

Travel agents sell vacations to regular people who don’t want to deal with the logistics of planning their own trip. They often organize transportation, lodging, and activities, along with first-hand advice on destinations. You can either work for a large travel agency or work for yourself once you have experience.

Travel agents are expected to know the destinations they are “selling” which means spending lots of time traveling! Often, travel agents get to travel for free on what’s called FAM (familiarization) trips, so they can share their own travel experiences with clients.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$3000 – $6000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Selling Fun: Working As A Travel Agent

24. Drop Shipping / Private Labeling

It has a few names and variations, but buying or manufacturing products overseas and selling through Amazon under your own brand is an increasingly common way to make money while traveling.

Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) means you don’t need an actual storefront location because inventory is stocked at Amazon’s network of fulfillment centers around the world.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Aileen makes money traveling & selling her own stuff on Amazon.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $30,000 per month

AMAZON RESOURCES

• Amazon Selling Blueprint

25. Musician / Street Performer

Also known as busking, use your best talents to make some money from tourists. Create an act, grab an instrument, pick a spot with lots of foot traffic, and drop a hat. Many cities require a permit for busking, so make sure to do your research first.

Do you have any special talents? Acrobatics, painting, fortune telling, music, break dancing, henna art, it could be anything. You can turn your hobby into a job that allows you to travel.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Nadia earns money playing street music while she travels.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$10 – $100 per hour

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Busking For Beginners
• Busking And Street Performing To Fund Your Travels

26. List Your Place On Airbnb

I’m sure you’ve heard of AirBnB by now, the holiday apartment booking site that lets you stay in other people’s homes rather than hotels.

Well, some enterprising individuals are renting out their flats while they travel, making a decent income. The key is automating the process so you don’t have to be there in person. This allows you to freedom to see the world!

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Alyssa makes money renting her apartment on AirBnB.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $7000+ per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Get Paid For Your Pad

27. Seasonal Travel Jobs

I’ve met many travelers around the world who work seasonally, spending part of the year earning money and then traveling for months in the off-season. The number of jobs in this category are countless.

Construction, school teachers, commercial fishing, oil workers, electricians, ski resort staff, etc. These jobs depend on what skills you currently possess or are willing to learn.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My buddy Brian has worked construction jobs while traveling.

JOB INCOME RANGE

Varies widely

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Oil Rig Jobs Reloaded

28. Internet Poker

It almost sounds too good to be true. Playing poker for a living, online or at real tables, from anywhere in the world. But like anything else, it requires lots of hard work to make that lifestyle sustainable.

You need to be good with numbers, possess the strong willpower to play for hours, keep your emotions in check, and be able to stay focused on repetitive tasks. There are whole communities of players who sometimes travel together this way.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My buddy Konrad makes money playing online poker for a living.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $30,000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Phil Ivey Teaches Poker Strategy
• Strategies For Beating Small Stakes Poker Games

29. Peace Corps / NGO Work

Want the experience of a lifetime helping others less fortunate than yourself? Try volunteering with the Peace Corps or a Non-Governmental Organization. Just keep in mind that volunteer work is a full-time job.

While it makes your life rich with experiences, the money isn’t great. You’ll build confidence to handle any challenge — because the work itself is challenging.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Danielle worked as Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$314 per month plus food & accommodation

USEFUL RESOURCES

• I Quit My Job and Joined The Peace Corps

30. Freelance Travel Marketing

Again, not something you can just learn in a week. There is a reason people go to school and get a degree in marketing. However, if you have a business/marketing background, there is no reason why you can’t freelance this type of work from a hammock in Bali.

In fact, it’s becoming much more common — I’ve met plenty of people helping authors or brands get their name out to a wider audience while traveling. Or, you can work in travel marketing itself — for national tourism boards or large travel brands like hotels, magazines, tour companies, etc.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friends Pete & Dalene run a travel marketing company.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $10,000+ per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• The New Rules Of Marketing & PR

31. Videography / Vlogging / YouTube

Getting paid to travel making videos is another dream job, and some people make a very good living with it. There are a few different paths too — shooting and selling stock footage, becoming a popular YouTuber, or producing highly polished marketing films for tourism boards & travel brands.

A strong knowledge of video, editing, networking, and marketing is highly recommended for this type of work. And of course, this is a job that doesn’t absolutely require travel, but it certainly helps for creating amazing content.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Nadine earns income traveling as a professional YouTuber.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$1000 – $20,000+ per month

YOUTUBER RESOURCES

• How To Create Kick-Ass Travel Videos

32. Traveling Nurse Positions

To become a travel nurse, you must first get a degree as a registered nurse (RN) which takes 2-4 years. Once you have that, it’s possible to apply for temporary travel nursing jobs which can last up to 13 weeks.

Depending on the assignment, sometimes these jobs include tax-free income, free housing, medical coverage, rental cars, and more. There are travel nursing staff agencies that specialize in helping you locate a job overseas too.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Rachel worked as a travel nurse for a while.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$30 – $40 per hour

USEFUL RESOURCES

• How To Be A Successful Travel Nurse

33. Nomadic Computer Programmer

If you already have the skills & training needed as a computer programmer, then transitioning your cubicle office job into a freelance position that allows you to work remotely would give you the freedom to travel.

There are special freelance programming websites where you can bid on jobs, or you can try to launch a company to build your own products like iPhone apps or custom web applications.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friends Simon & Erin develop smartphone apps as they travel.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$3000 – $10,000 per month

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Software Engineer Career Guide
• Introduction To Web Development

34. Online Virtual Assistant

With advancements in office technology and a desire to reduce employee costs, businesses are increasingly looking to hire virtual assistants who can work from home (or anywhere). There is little that personal assistants can’t do remotely these days.

Social media scheduling, responding to customer inquiries, calendar management, and all sorts of other tasks can be taken care of by a competent virtual assistant. It’s a job that often allows you to work from anywhere in the world!

WORKING EXAMPLE

My own assistant, Jess, travels & works as a virtual assistant.

JOB INCOME RANGE

$15 – $35 per hour

VIRTUAL ASSISTANT RESOURCES

• 30 Days To Becoming A Virtual Assistant

35. Professional Consultant

Are you an expert in your field? Working as a professional consultant for companies may give you the ticket to location independence. Consultants work on short-term projects, helping businesses grow by training staff how to do something better.

For example, instructing a business on how to use social media effectively, or how to become more environmentally friendly. Generally, they are paid to share their specialized expertise.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Dave travels and works as a consultant for oil companies.

JOB INCOME RANGE

Varies widely.

CONSULTING RESOURCES

• Never Chase Clients Again: The Art Of Consulting

36. Working Holiday Visas

A working holiday visa is a special residence permit allowing younger travelers to legally work in foreign countries and supplement their travel funds. They are generally intended for people between the ages of 18 to 30, and requirements differ based on the country.

Some popular destinations for working holidays include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, Ireland, and Singapore. Many GAP year students will get a working holiday visa to travel for a while before returning home and looking for a more permanent job.

WORKING EXAMPLE

My friend Marta has lived in 3 different countries on working holiday visas.

JOB INCOME RANGE

Depends on the type of job.

WORKING HOLIDAY RESOURCES

• Countries That Offer Working Holiday Visas

Ready To Start Working While Traveling?

The truth is there are many ways to work while traveling the world, but many remote positions require some prior skills, a solid time commitment, or previous experience.

If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Dream jobs often take years to materialize and include unimaginable effort & sacrifice that the average person just can’t understand until they experience that same journey for themselves.

While I make a good living with my travel blog — it didn’t happen overnight. It’s the same for most of these other jealousy-inducing jobs.

But I hope this article has demonstrated that there are plenty of people out there working hard and “living the dream” who manage to make money while traveling. It’s not impossible!

So get out there and start making your own travel dreams come true. ★

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READ MORE ON NOMADIC LIVING

I hope you enjoyed my guide to making money while traveling! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:

• My Ultimate Travel Gear Guide
• How To Take Better Travel Photos
• 15 Common Travel Scams To Avoid
• This Is How I Get Paid To Travel
• How To Become A Digital Nomad

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Have any questions about travel jobs or earning money on the road? Anything I missed? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to share!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.