by Lauren Lynch
Read part one of this article if you’re interested in opportunities that will allow you to camp for free at state and national parks in exchange for volunteer hours — or to leverage creative talents into artist residency that covers your living expenses while you create in inspiring locations. If you’re interested in more traditional jobs you can take on the road, allowing a work-while-traveling lifestyle (aka freelancing or being a digital nomad), read on!
We are not affiliates with any of the companies listed below,
we are simply sharing our experience
and a few of the resources we believe are worth exploring...
REMOTE JOBS
Full-time remote jobs offer the steadiness of working for one company with the flexibility of working from anywhere in the world. Working part-time remotely allows even greater freedom to travel and explore while still bringing in a modest income to cover expenses.
- WorkingNomads.co
Remote jobs for digital working nomads. Work remotely from your home or places around the world. Curated digital jobs for those seeking telecommuting careers in development, management, marketing, system administration, design, sales, writing, customer success, consulting, finance, administration, human resources, education, health and legal. Subscribe with your job preferences and receive daily or weekly alerts. Fees are paid by employers posting the jobs. - Flexjobs.com
4845 Pearl East Circle, Suite 101 #23790, Boulder, Colorado 80301-6113
(866) 991-9222
Whether you want full- or part-time work with a flexible schedule, Flexjobs offers over fifty career categories ranging from entry-level to executive. This reputable, Better Business Bureau approved service not only offers curated job listings, but also skills testing, resume review, and career coaching. Fees start at $14.95 for a month up to $49.95 for a year. Subscribers receive emailed job alerts and may upload a resume and work samples for employers to review. - Jobspresso.co
9 Bogert Ave, Suite 3001, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M2N 0H3
Email: hello@jobspresso.co
Find quality remote jobs in tech, marketing, customer support and more. Create a job search, then receive daily updates through email, Twitter or Facebook, or post a resume to be reviewed by employers. Listings on Jobspresso are paid by employers, so the service is free for job seekers. (Canadian based company – about 65% of the site’s traffic is from job seekers in the U.S.)
FREELANCE
Freelancing allows workers to take individual jobs as desired.
- Upwork.com
441 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043
Phone: (650) 316-7500
Browse freelance jobs by category, complete a profile, and find ideal freelance jobs. Each project includes an online workspace shared by the freelancer and the client where you can send files, share feedback. There is even an app to access features on the go. Invoices and payment are handled through Upwork and can be received by direct deposit, PayPal, wire transfer and other options. A service fee of 20% for the first $500 billed per client, 10% for billing up to $10,000 and 5% for total billings of more than $10,000. The more business you do with a specific client, the more you’ll earn. Any work you can do on a computer can be done through Upwork (web development, design, writing, admin support, customer service, marketing, accounting, and more).
- Guru.com
5001 Baum Blvd, Suite 760, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: (412) 687-2228
Freelancers create a profile and quote on listed jobs. Create agreements with individual employers to be paid by each milestone, task, hour or schedule. Payments are handled through Guru.com and a job fee of 4.95-8.95% is taken. Bid on up to 10 jobs per month for free, then pay a small additional fee for additional bids. Optional skills tests are offered to show your expertise levels for an additional fee.
A WORD OF WARNING
As someone with a design career that now exceeds the three-decade milestone, I want to offer a warning to those who are just starting out. Sites like 99designs and DesignCrowd enable companies seeking design work to post a “contest” to make a selection from a variety of submitted designs — which means designers are only paid if their design is chosen. New designers are eager to build a portfolio and just want to get some work experience, but this sort of service devalues design work as a whole and our future earning potential. There will always be plenty of clients eager to take a chance on inexperienced designers willing to work for lower rates. It is short-sighted for freelancers to work on speculation or work for next to nothing, hoping that someday they will make more. (Unfortunately, there will always be newbies willing to lowball.) Value your time and your work and think about the industry and your career as a whole.
A downside of the internet is that we are now competing in a global market. It’s a legitimate first world problem. We can’t compete with designers who live in countries where the exchange rate and their low cost of living allow them to charge almost nothing to make a decent living. Bidding against them on freelance sites is usually futile. Something to consider before considering starting a freelance career using the above sites. The odds are not in our favor.
What has worked best for me over the years is developing long-term relationships with clients. Most clients prefer returning again and again to a working relationship built on trust and familiarity. It’s win-win since the designer doesn’t need to waste time getting to know
FREELANCE AND REMOTE WORK RESOURCES
- Behance.net
Get the App: Android | Apple
Behance showcases portfolios, connecting creatives with companies needing help with design, illustration, art, photography and more. A division of the Adobe company, they feature artwork created on their many software options. Create a profile, display a portfolio, show off your projects and gain exposure. Behance is free for creative professionals. - Dribbble.com
Get the App: Android | Apple
Dribbble is a social network that connects creative professionals with companies looking to expand their design teams. Dribbble itself is comprised of a 100% remote team and can assist designers and artists in working from anywhere. There is a $36 annual fee for Pro accounts.
Need Temporary Work Space?
Sometimes you just need a little creative interaction or a place to meet for a collaboration. Coworking spaces offer flexible use of office space at affordable, short-term rates. Many will offer guest passes for a day, with daily rates if you’re in an area for a short stay (or just curious and wanting to try coworking out). Private meeting rooms are usually available by reservation for an additional fee. If you’re able to stay in an area a little longer, a monthly fee might offer additional perks like member lunches or networking events.
Search for one in your area:
Maker Spaces
Invented something that will make RV life even better? Create a prototype at a maker space. Monthly memberships usually offer a variety of membership options, often for less than a hundred dollars per month. Most offer a day pass or short-term package to try out the facility. The maker space in our area offers studio space for woodworking, metals, tech (3D printers, laser cutters, design computers, and flex space (for things like textiles, screen printing, and more). They also offer workshops so you can learn how to use all the equipment.
DO I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
Freelancing isn’t for everyone. It takes a certain kind of person to manage every aspect of a business on their own. While you can outsource things like accounting, you will still need to do some billing and bookkeeping, answer phones, market
It takes a well-organized person with a willingness to perform administrative work in addition to the fun, creative aspects. Freelancing also requires the ability to budget both time and money well. And the resilience and creativity to survive on an income that can be sporadic. That said, with multiple streams of income in a household (or a variety of additional passive income sources).
I prefer developing working relationships with a few key clients and establishing a somewhat predictable work flow. I generally work with clients for years and gaining additional ones through word-of-mouth. While it’s not required, I would also recommend keeping this lifestyle as debt-free or as low-debt as possible (or at least have an emergency fund). Deadlines can be stressful enough without the extra added pressure of needing to cover an unrealistic pile of bills each month.
Freelancers must learn to say no: to too much work, outrageous demands, giving your intellectual property away … and yes, sometimes even to family members who just want you to play when you’re under deadline.
Freelancers also need to provide their own health and/or life insurance, and to have the discipline to save for retirement. The job also doesn’t come with paid sick days or holidays. You only get paid when you’re producing.
If you don’t think you can manage all that’s described above, save yourself the heartache — and the expense of investing in the equipment and software you’ll need — and find a way to enjoy a steady job (and perhaps save and lower debt so you can retire early instead). If you still think you have what it takes, then go for it! For some of us, the freedom is worth it.
RESOURCES FOR BENEFITS
- Freelancers Union
Find health, dental, disability, term life, liability, and retirement plans. They also provide member discounts, tax guides and insurance guides. - Graphic Artists Guild
Health, dental, business, life and disability insurance. Member portfolios, legal referral network, and freelancers union.
(212) 791-3400 - Rver Insurance Exchange
Auto/RV, health insurance for extended travel, Medicare, warranties, telemedicine and more. Information on establishing state residency if you RV full-time. - HealthCare.gov
Affordable Care Act marketplace
(800) 318-2596
WORKING ONLINE IN REMOTE AREAS
While on the road or camping at remote locations, it can be a challenge to get internet access. In state park campgrounds, we’ve found that even if the park offers Wi-Fi, the range and bandwidth is limited (often only near the office and bathhouses) and the connection can be sporadic. This Wi-Fi is adequate for checking and sending emails, but not appropriate for uploading large files.
My person favorite for getting work done is a library. Look up a local branch — most offer Wi-Fi access with no password required, not to mention a comfy, climate controlled workspace. I’m easily distracted and appreciate a quiet work environment, so I think a library is ideal. I love the additional warm fuzzy of being surrounded by books since I am a book-lover! (If there is free parking outside other government buildings where you are, they’re a good bet too, if you just need a quick work session in your car.)
More cities are offering free public Wi-Fi these days, so Google that before you get started (or look for hot-spot spot signs around town). Our small hometown of Lexington has offered free Wi-Fi for years.
Businesses That Offer Free Wi-Fi:
- Starbucks, Peet’s Coffee, Dunkin’ Donuts, Denny’s
- McDonald’s, Subway, Arby’s, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, KFC, Burger King, Chic-Fil-A,
- Panera Bread
- Walmart, Apple Stores, Best Buy, Whole Foods, Target, Lowe’s
Protect your personal information
- Turn off sharing
- Turn on firewall (Windows – Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall OR Mac – System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall)
- Virtual Private Networks (VPN) – route your activity through a secure private network.
- Turn of Wi-Fi When not in use (on the task or menu bar at the top of the desktop)
Using Your Cell Phone as a Wi-Fi Hotspot
Internet tethering allows you to use your cell phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Your phone will act as a router, connecting to the internet through its 3G/4G connection, then broadcasting to your device (or wired to your computer’s USB port.) When using your phone’s internet connection pay attention to how much data you are using — or better yet, get an unlimited plan. We currently use the Verizon Network Unlimited Data Plan through Spectrum Internet.
- On an Android phone: Open the settings menu and select “More” under Wireless Networks. Choose “Tethering and portable hotspot,” then “Wi-Fi hotspot.” Set up the Wi-Fi hotspot, then connect to it as you would on any wireless network. Set the Wi-Fi hotspot to turn off when idle to conserve your phone battery.
- On an iPhone: open the Settings app, then select “Mobile Data.” Choose “Personal Hotspot” and set to “On” (tap to turn slider green). Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on (unless you’re using a USB connection). Create a “Wi-Fi Password.” Click the Wi-Fi icon on your menu bar, or open the Settings app, and select the Wi-Fi hotspot. Once you enter the password you just made, you should be connected.
Delivering the Goods
If your work involves large files (as it does for my graphic design work and my husband’s photo files), coordinating delivery with new clients can sometimes be a challenge.
Handling Data Transfer
Computer Savvy clients will most likely be familiar with at least one of these options. (If not, try one of the email options in the next section).
- Google Drive (15GB of free storage with your Google account)
- Dropbox (up to 2GB free, no expiration storage)
- Apple iCloud (5GB free, built into every Apple device)
Email Large Files
Delivering huge artwork files to design clients by email can be hit or miss. Use cloud-based computer file transfer services to deliver large files to clients or co-workers. Premium accounts offer larger file transfer and storage options. Even the most computer illiterate clients can usually figure out how to get their file by this method (no registration required on their end).
- WeTransfer.com (up to 2GB free, no registration)
- WeSendIt.com (up to 5GB free, no registration)
CONFESSIONS OF A “SEASONED” FREELANCE DESIGNER
If you’ve read this far, I’ll make a confession here—just to illustrate a point. Technology has come a loooong way in my lifetime—and I’m not even that old. (Mid-50s isn’t that old, right?? Does quinquagenarian sound better? Sigh.) In my last semester of college, I learned to use Ready-Set-Go! software on a brand new Mac SE. Desktop publishing had just become a thing, but few knew how to use the technology and software yet. The timing of my education was such that with a single semester of Macintosh use, my art/graphics education, and a modest laser printed portfolio, employers were thrilled to hire me.
My first job out of school (1987) was doing ad layout for a coupon magazine. I got to use a swanky new Macintosh II. The owner had spent about $10,000 on the computer system I worked on (the equivalent of spending over $22,000 today). I did daily backups on a Bernoulli Box. Yup, no cloud back in the day. I doubt I even knew what a gigabyte was then, much less a terabyte. I was impressed with the 80 MB hard drive I was working on (after the 20MB SE with a 9-inch monochrome display).
I wouldn’t even hear about the internet until the early 90s and probably only because I was dating a computer programmer at the time. He encouraged me to learn HTML and create my first website.
Over the years, I taught myself Aldus Pagemaker, Quark Xpress and finally Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. I even managed to stay cutting edge by learning web design (DreamWeaver).
I’m sharing this to emphasize the point that adaptability and self-teaching are not only achievable but also necessary to make a longterm career out of anything tech-related (which will soon be, well … everything). I’ve learned, relearned and relearned again as technology advanced. You can do this too! I initially developed my web design skills from poring over Lynda Weinman books which eventually led to Lynda.com which became LinkedIn Learning. Thankfully, there are now services like SkillShare.com and Udemy.com. They’re great resources for continuing education throughout a career.
“Self-teaching is not only achievable, it’s necessary
to make a longterm career out of anything tech-related.”
If someone had told younger me that I’d one day be able to do graphic design work from an RV in a remote location and deliver a file digitally (while working on computer with a 500GB internal hard drive and 15- and 27-inch displays while also using it to play digital music), my younger mind would have been BLOWN! My older mind takes it all for granted much of the time. Our world today is so small (and convenient … and a little overwhelming, so I’m SO thankful to have the ability to unwind in nature at the same location (see my blog post on nature & creativity).
After several decades of graphic design and writing, I still love the work. Now, I also have the flexibility of taking that work to beautiful scenic locations and getting a substantial amount of free time to enjoy it. Life is good.
Subscribe to our blog below and get tips in your inbox
for a creative approach to life on the road!
© Lauren Lynch and artofrv.com, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lauren Lynch and artofrv.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
