Freely working nomads? The ‘Digital Nomads’

October 31, 2023 228 Views

“Nomad” is an English word meaning a wanderer. Adding “Digital” to it, the term “Digital Nomad” refers to someone who uses digital devices based on internet connectivity, working remotely and living freely without constraints.

The concept of Digital Nomads emerged around the 2010s with the popularization of smartphones and advancements in Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

“Digital Nomads: A Trend of the Past?”

I recently revisited a book that sheds light on “Digital Nomads.” Though I had read it before, I revisited it to see what content it introduced. The concept of Digital Nomads was once widely popular, but it seemingly disappeared abruptly, especially with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This term, which appeared suddenly, became almost obsolete, perhaps due to the challenges posed by the pandemic.

While remote work and telecommuting gained prominence during the COVID-19 situation, the term “Digital Nomad” faded away. It was a term that gained attention for a while but now seems to have lost its popularity.

“Is the Dream-like Digital Nomad Lifestyle Feasible?”

Earning over 10 million won per month, using digital devices and working freely without being tied to a single job or a corporation, is an attractive prospect. In an era where it’s challenging to earn more than 2 million won a month without entering a large corporation, having the freedom to commute as desired and work at preferred times is a concept of a different order.

While the book introduces various online methods to generate income, achieving the dream-like scenario described would require significant effort and may not be feasible for everyone.

“Methods for Earning Online Income”

The book outlines various methods for earning income online, including affiliate marketing, Google AdSense, and growing platforms like Facebook pages, Naver cafes, and KakaoTalk Plus Friends. However, it doesn’t delve deeply into the substantial time and effort required for meaningful earnings through these methods.

While the book serves as an entry-level guide for those unfamiliar with the Digital Nomad concept, it falls short in highlighting the extensive commitment and effort needed to achieve significant income through the mentioned methods.

“Methods for Generating Income as Introduced in ‘Digital Nomads'”

Earning through Affiliate Marketing
1. NineFounder: 9founder.com – Site not in operation
2. AdPick: adpick.co.kr
3. Tenping: tenping.kr
Google AdSense
1. Creating a Tistory blog and earning through Google AdSense integration
2. Developing an application, incorporating Google ads for revenue
Running ads on Google AdWords to generate income through affiliate marketing
Growing a Facebook page
Expanding a Naver cafe
Creating a KakaoTalk Plus Friend

“Is Digital Nomadism Achievable?”

Answering the question of whether Digital Nomadism is achievable is complex. The book, published in 2017, reflects a period when the described scenarios might have been somewhat plausible. However, earning 10 million won monthly, as casually mentioned in the book, is not a reality for everyone.

Even earning a million won monthly online is not as easy as the book might suggest. It’s a challenging endeavor that demands substantial time, accumulated expertise, and experience. While it’s not impossible, it’s certainly difficult.

“Despite Challenges, Motivation is Provided”

Nevertheless, the book provides consistent motivation and introduces ways to generate income online. In terms of motivation, it functions more like a self-help book.

The methods for earning income online, as introduced in the book, include affiliate marketing, blogging, Google AdSense, application development, Google AdWords, and growing social media platforms. Each method has its challenges and requires persistent effort.

“Online Income-Generating Methods”

Writing paid blog posts.
Contributing blog content to magazines or other outlets for additional income.
Monetizing blogs through ads (Naver AdPost, Google AdSense, etc.).
Assisting in product sales and earning a commission (affiliate marketing with platforms like Coupang, Amazon, AliExpress, etc.).
Compiling blog content into PDFs and selling them directly (using platforms like Kmong).
Compiling blog content into books and receiving royalties.
Offering coaching services based on expertise gained from blogging.

In summary, while the concept of Digital Nomadism presented in the book may seem enticing, its feasibility depends on various factors, including individual effort, dedication, and expertise. It serves as an introductory guide for those new to the concept but falls short in providing a comprehensive understanding of the substantial effort required for meaningful income generation online.

“Digital Nomads”