My dream of spending every summer on the beach could only become a reality if I managed to start a successful location-independent business. Over the years, I’ve grown several businesses, each with varying degrees of success.
My strategy was simple: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. By diversifying my ventures, I ensured that if one business faced challenges, I had others to fall back on. If you’re looking to create a life that combines work and pleasure, just like I did, here are some options you might want to consider.
1. Blogging
Starting with less than $100, this blog initially was just a hobby. Now, it is a successful, location-independent business. While some bloggers earn thousands, most don’t. The reason? Many look for quick and easy money and give up too soon. Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint; it requires patience and consistent effort.
The main ways I make money from my blog are through ads and affiliate marketing. I display ads on the blog, and the more people visit and interact with the content, the more money I make. Affiliate marketing is another key part of my income.
I include links to different products or services in my posts. If someone buys something through these links, I get a commission. This approach isn’t just about earning money; it also helps my readers find things they might need or like.
2. YouTube
YouTube today isn’t what it was back in 2010; the competition is fierce. But that doesn’t mean success is out of reach. A friend of mine proved it’s still possible by growing his channel to 100,000 subscribers in just a year.
His secret? A combination of talent, hard work, and perseverance. I’ve also tried out licensing videos. Basically, you can work with a video licensing agency, and they’ll help you sell your videos to TV stations all around the world. I’ve done this before and it actually worked out pretty well for me.
3. Amazon FBA
Starting an Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) business today is different from when I began almost ten years ago with just a $500 investment. Nowadays, you need a larger initial investment, but the basic principles remain the same.
The key is to select the right products, understand Amazon’s platform, and manage logistics effectively. If you’re interested in this business model, I wrote detailed guides on how to sell on Amazon, start your own private label, and source products from China.
4. Instagram Influencer
If you have a substantial following on Instagram, you can make a significant amount of money by promoting products and brands. Accounts with large audiences can command thousands of dollars for a single post.
However, reaching this level of influence on Instagram doesn’t happen overnight. It requires consistently posting engaging content and building a genuine connection with your followers. Once you’ve established your presence, it’s crucial to maintain the trust you’ve earned.
5. Podcasting
Many YouTubers are now branching out into podcasting as a way to grow their audience or connect with a completely new one. Podcasts are great for people who don’t have time to watch videos but still want to consume content while they’re driving, working out, or doing chores around the house.
6. Selling Digital Products on Etsy
Etsy isn’t just for handmade physical goods; it’s also a thriving marketplace for digital products. You can sell a variety of items like printable art, digital planners, templates, and more. The beauty of digital products is that you create them once and sell them repeatedly without worrying about inventory or shipping.
7. Life Coaching
You don’t need a special degree to become a life coach, but getting certified is important. The field is pretty open, welcoming anyone who wants to guide others.
What really makes a life coach stand out are great people skills and personal success stories. Your background matters depending on what you focus on. For instance, if you’re into career coaching, a business background helps. If it’s about health or relationships, your personal experiences in these areas can be your selling point.
8. Dropshipping
Dropshipping has become one of the most popular location-independent businesses today. It’s a retail model where you sell products to customers but don’t keep the items in stock. Instead, when a sale is made, the item is purchased from a third party and shipped directly to the customer.
9. Facebook Ads Management
As an ad management agency, you’re not just managing ads; you’re helping businesses reach their target audience on one of the largest social platforms.
It involves crafting and optimizing ad campaigns, and analyzing their success. This business requires a mix of creative thinking for engaging ad design and analytical skills to track and improve campaign performance.
10. Freelancing
My firsthand experience with freelancing began as an experiment for writing an article. I opened a seller account on Fiverr and, to my surprise, made $200 in the first week.
Now, I won’t claim it’s always that easy, but there’s a significant opportunity to stand out, especially with so many average freelancers in the market. If you possess skills that are in demand, there’s a real chance to capture attention and gain clients.
11. Sell Courses
With the rise of e-learning, there’s a growing demand for online courses in various fields. Whether it’s about coding, cooking, photography, or personal development, there’s an audience eager to learn.
The key is to create content that is not only informative but also engaging and accessible. Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, Skillshare or your own website can be used to host and sell your courses.
12. SAAS
Software as a Service, commonly known as SaaS, presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs in the tech space. It involves developing software that users can access and use over the internet, typically on a subscription basis.
This model is highly scalable and can be incredibly profitable. The key to success in SaaS is identifying a specific problem or need and creating a software solution that addresses it effectively.
Building a SaaS business requires technical expertise, or at least the ability to partner with skilled developers. It’s not just about creating a great product; you also need to focus on user experience, customer support, and continuous improvement based on user feedback.
13. Create an App
Developing a mobile app can be a lucrative venture in today’s tech-driven world. With the increasing reliance on smartphones, there’s a growing market for apps in various categories – from entertainment and lifestyle to productivity and health. The success of an app business lies in identifying a niche or a specific need that your app can fulfill.
14. Sell WordPress Themes
Selling WordPress themes is a lucrative business for those with web design skills. With WordPress being one of the most popular website platforms, there’s a constant demand for fresh and functional themes. Whether it’s for blogs, business sites, or e-commerce, unique and user-friendly themes are always in demand.
The key to success in this business is creating themes that are not only visually appealing but also intuitive to use, responsive, and SEO-friendly. You can sell your themes on marketplaces like ThemeForest or directly from your own website.
15. Proofreading
Proofreading involves reviewing written content to correct grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and ensure overall clarity and coherence. With the surge in content creation for websites, blogs, and marketing materials, the demand for skilled proofreaders is high.
Starting a proofreading business requires minimal investment, primarily in marketing yourself and possibly some software tools. This line of work can be done entirely online, making it a perfect fit for a location-independent lifestyle.
16. Tutor
Starting a tutoring business can be relatively straightforward. You need a good grasp of your subject, some basic digital tools for communication, and a way to reach potential students. Platforms like Zoom or Skype can facilitate sessions, and websites like Tutor.com or your own site can help you connect with students.
17. Pinterest Management
Managing Pinterest accounts is a unique and growing niche in the social media management field. With its focus on visual content and its power to drive significant traffic to websites, Pinterest is a key platform for many businesses, especially those in the creative, lifestyle, or retail sectors.
Starting a Pinterest management business involves creating, organizing, and optimizing pins and boards, understanding analytics, and developing strategies to increase engagement and website traffic.
18. Teach Languages
Starting a language teaching business online can be relatively simple. You need proficiency in the language you’re teaching, some basic digital tools for conducting lessons, and a platform to connect with learners. Websites like iTalki or even setting up your own teaching platform can be effective ways to reach students.
This business not only offers the flexibility of working from anywhere but also provides the joy of bridging cultural gaps and enhancing global communication. Whether you’re teaching English, Spanish, Mandarin, or any other language, you’re opening doors for your students in both personal and professional realms.
19. Cybersecurity
Starting a cybersecurity business requires a strong foundation in technology and a keen understanding of current security threats and prevention strategies. Services can range from securing network infrastructures to providing consultation on best practices for data protection.
20. Web Design
Web design is all about making websites that not only look good but are easy to use. In this digital era, every business or personal brand needs a website that stands out. As a web designer, your job is to turn their ideas into a website that really catches the eye.
Getting into web design means you can work from pretty much anywhere. You need to know a bit about design and how websites work, but the main thing is understanding what your client wants and bringing it to life online.
You can do this job from a beach, a café, or your living room. You’re not tied down to one place, which makes it a great fit if you’re looking to work on your own terms and maybe travel a bit while you’re at it.
21. Transcription
Transcription involves converting spoken words from audio or video into written text. It’s a service in high demand across various sectors, from legal and medical to media and academic. If you’re good at listening and can type quickly and accurately, transcription could be a great business option for you.
Setting up a transcription business doesn’t require much – a decent computer, quality headphones, and some transcription software are the main tools. The real advantage of transcription work is its flexibility. You can do it from anywhere, fitting it around your schedule, which is perfect if you’re looking for a business that doesn’t tie you down.
22. Voiceover Business
Think about the last time you heard a commercial, watched a TV program, or listened to a narration in a video. Chances are, they used a voiceover artist. It’s a huge industry, and there’s a lot of demand for voices that can add life to various types of content.
If you’re interested in getting into voiceover work, there are several platforms where you can start selling your services. Voice Bunny, Voices.com, and Voice123 are popular options. These sites can be a great launching pad for your voiceover career. But that’s not the only way. You could also go the direct route and find clients on your own.
