Hi all,
I’m an American living in Brazil. I work in AI at a Brazilian firm on a Brazilian contract.
So here’s the thing: Before I accepted this current work contract it was a real struggle for me. I was thinking to myself, “Hey, wouldn’t it be great if I was earning in US Dollars down here, that would surely give me an advantage.” I tried applying for US jobs but there simply not a lot of firms that want to hire an employee living in Brazil. I tried following a bunch of digital nomads on Instagram and they keep talking about how easy it is to make passive income digital marketing or on PInterest, or some other site, I just can’t understand how I could get involved with something like that. I tried freelancing on Upwork in my area and couldn’t find many opportunities. I tried looking on remoteok and other digital nomad sites where programmers could get hired. There were barely any postings that went to AI. And most of them went to very senior front end developers with LOTS of years if experience. Finally I applied to local jobs down here and got an offer.
Which brings me to my question, how exactly do you guys make money as digital nomads? It seems like everyone but me has a get rich quick scheme going on or some digitial marketing thing and I just can’t get it. Are people lying and just getting some money on the side from their parents or something?
Get skills, learn how to sell skills, find a job, become a contractor for that job. Upon negotiations tell them you’re going to travel slowly, this is key. Start job by building trust that you can get your stuff done. THEN go become DN.
I personally know how to code, read data, and used skills for conversion rate optimization. Make low six figs, super proud on this one. Traveling is awesome. I do hostels cause I don’t mind getting to know people and saving. I got super lucky, but key is that I know I can sell my skills if I get laid off, but also get shit done. Also put myself in a position that I am needed. No one else can do my job besides the manager.