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?
Hey there,
I totally understand where you're coming from, and I can assure you that you're not alone in feeling a bit perplexed by the seemingly easy-going lifestyle of digital nomads that's often portrayed on social media. The truth is, making a consistent income as a digital nomad can be quite challenging, and it's not always as glamorous as it's made to look.
Many digital nomads do indeed make their living through various online ventures such as freelance programming, digital marketing, content creation, and more. However, what's often not shown is the amount of hard work, dedication, and time that goes into building these income streams. It's rarely a "get rich quick" scenario. For every successful digital nomad, there are many others who are still figuring things out or who may supplement their income in less visible ways.
Regarding your specific situation in AI, it's true that remote opportunities in specialized fields like yours may not be as plentiful as in more general tech areas like web development. That said, the fact that you're working in AI is actually a huge advantage, given how in-demand and future-proof that skill set is. It might be worth looking into more niche job boards or communities that cater to AI professionals, or even considering contract work where you can negotiate higher rates due to your specialized skills.
Also, don't discount the value of the experience you're gaining right now at the Brazilian firm. As you continue to build your expertise and network, more opportunities may open up for you, potentially even ones that allow you to work remotely for higher-paying international companies.
In the meantime, remember that the digital nomad lifestyle isn't a one-size-fits-all. It's okay to carve out your own path and find what works best for you, even if that means combining local work with your digital pursuits. And yes, it's very possible that some people might have supplemental income from other sources, but that doesn't diminish the success of those who have found a way to make it work purely through their own efforts.
Keep exploring, keep networking, and most importantly, keep honing your skills. The right opportunity could be just around the corner.
Best of luck!
David , SR team