Digital work in return for lodgings and food?

Very interested in this - but I would expand this outside of just digital work. There are housesitting websites that are already doing this, but think there could be a market for more fluid, flexible Digital Nomads. Currently I am staying in Interlaken with a great host, and in exchange for free housing (after helping to pay for utility bills), I have to take care of two goats. Max time commitment is 1.5 hours per day, then I spend the rest of my time working or hiking in the Alps. Would love to find more places like this, and my host is looking for more Digital Nomads after I leave. Her motivation is to have some flexibility in her life so she does not have to worry about the goats all the time, but also really likes sharing the house with others. http://verabeetschen.com/

I host quite a few couchsurfers, and whilst many have had luck doing WorkAway or WOOFing, an equal number have been escaping a terrible experience in which their labour was taken for granted or worse.

Such volunteers need a way to try out (and to potentially escape), for the benefit of both sides. But in the same spirit as couchsurffng, I believe that there has to be more to the experience, of exchange.

It’s true that for many digital nomads their time is just worth a whole lot more than board to even consider it, even if you discount the value of the social aspect. Arguably (and as @tuesday said) it’s an arrangement more suited to those just starting out or going through tough times.

Yet aren’t many of us seeking new experiences and skills? So it seems by far the most value is the potential for wider exchange and learning. If a host can provide more than just board then I think it’s an arrangement that would appeal to far more of us. @ivankaraman is bang on that there’s a business angle (and I look forward to seeing what might come out of it ;)). https://jobbatical.com/ is another interesting example. BTW there’s a thread about finding biz partners on here, and the principle of a volunteer and a host actually working together, could help lead to the formation of solid partners and relationships.

I’m actually planning to offer some work/board exchanges for several roles at my next nomadbase—community manager and artist or developer in residence. Beyond board, as both these roles involve some uncommon skills, I figure that if training is also provided the exchange has a fairer balance.

This would be more akin to some of the ‘jobs’ offered on the volunteering sites, e.g. a volunteer provides labour to help build a house, and (ideally) is taught the process at the same time.

But targeting DNs isn’t necessarily the way to find the ‘labour’, they/we already know a lot and will evaluate the value more directly as this thread is suggesting; there’s lots of other people who may yet become DNs…whether knowing it or not. So as DNs mking such offers, perhaps we can propagate the philosophy and lifestyle by reaching out to those others and give them an opportunity to join the fold…

@reboramuriel Haven’t seen worldpackers before, good site, there are quite a few others (that I can’t remember right now, although Escape the City has a cool little job board) except they generally seem limited by the fact they only have a few organisations participating, rather than individuals. It’s great that as somebody with a specialised skillset you’re interested in doing such work/board arrangements! I’m seeing some opportunity for those of us with such skills, in suitable places we might be able to tutor or offer paid courses teaching those skills, but I suppose that’s something for another thread…

Hey lovely nomad folks!

So, YES, I think the idea’s great! TL;DR: I personally did it and loved it (in Cambodia a year ago), and I’m also considering creating a business in this fashion (but with a twist).

A lil’ back of background. I’m a sworn freelancer, 6+ years, ex academic (ghost)writer now turning copywriter for the startup/creative/DN community. Started travelling like crazy about a year and a half ago, but spent only half that time on the road.

About my experience, I was in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for a month in February 2015, after starting the “true” digital nomad dream with Thailand the prior 2 months. So, I find myself in this amazing backpacker hostel, where I befriend a crazy Italian countrymate volunteering there.
After a bit of mediated talks with the owner, I start doing some very basic SMM (writing posts on FB) for the hostel’s page and flyering some 2 hours/day (a great way to see the city and approach chicks, btw), in exchange for a bed and unlimited beer at the rooftop bar. Bring it on! Funny thing is, at one point, while waiting for a client to pay, I had -4 USD in the whole world, (had my bag with ~ 3000 USD of stuff inside stolen back home, just before the trip). The volunteering deal actually saved my life.
Highlight? I felt a part of the hostel’s “family,” made of great locals and super-cool Western volunteers. Best month of 2015!

Now, about the business thing, I totally agree with @reboramuriel. It’s human nature to share and to enjoy being part of a team. As a DN, I sometimes feel alienated when working alone. Coworking spaces help, but again, the people there are all onto their own thing.

So, I was thinking: what about an “office couchsurfing” variant? Companies offer you a desk for free or in exchange for technical work (e.g. write a few blog posts describing our corporate culture, or tweak our landing page design a bit, because we don’t have the time now). It’s a win-win, with the value added that both you and the team benefit from networking and new perspectives shared over a coffee.
This could also be an alternative to freelance marketplaces (e.g. upwork), now made more personal, “teamworky” and local.

Any thoughts? If it’s interesting enough, I’ll make a new thread, eventually.

One love from Russia. I love every single one of you crazy lifestyle designers <3

Hello everyone
Interesting conversation.
I’ve been thinking about this myself as I am a video maker/photographer, so there are things I can offer only if I am AT the place, eg producing a promo video for a hostel.
One of the complex aspects is that our digital skills are typically much more expensive, our “hour” is worth more than a standing-behind-the-counter hour is, so barter agreements would not be hourly based but project based, meaning the agreement should be food, housing in exchange for so many videos, photos, sites, etc. in a certain time frame. However business managers are usually aware of this and if they’re just starting, they might like the idea of not having to spend actual money but only give you an idle room/bed to get a product they wouldn’t have been able to afford just yet.
I think the legal aspect of it meaning you should pay taxes is interesting and relevant in some countries but not a real risk in many others, like in Latin America, where I am from and will be travelling around.
Finally, I’d like to say that there’s a human side to bartering that many of us deeply enjoy and crave for. Being a digital worker often means no offline sharing in work. And project based offline collaboration is something many of us prefer. It gives you an old school connection to the place you are visiting, means you’ll know locals and people actually living there and it usually means you end up with a true friendship to go back to. I am interested in bartering for this reason, even if it might mean earning “less” for the same service. Most of us had to get rid of some social and background pressure or preset idea of how life should be lived. Money is important but it is never ever the ONLY factor in one equation, especially once you have more than enough for your desires/needs. I am not a freelancer only to earn more money than I did before (although this is happening, luckily!) The main reason was I wanted to own my time and give myself pleasant working experiences while exploring the world. Bartering while travelling is definitely a interesting option to me.
Recently did it in Brazil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYJvqS00IRM

Also, @tuesday, check this out <12>www.worldpackers.com

I watched a documentary year ago about people signing up for volunteering for food/lodging while spending some time in camps with orphans in return.
There are agencies where you signup and pay like ~1-2k € (I don’t remember exactly), then you go somewhere like Vietnam, Burma… for a month/two where you help children, work as a teacher, cook, maintaining facilities there, and spend the rest of time with other people doing same things, doing some travel etc…

Problem was that there is a business model behind that where they are using children.
They buy children, take them away from their parents, and put them in camps.
With that they are making 6-7 figure € profits while presenting them self as an agency that helps poor orphans etc.
Everything looks legit if you look at the company books, but on the other side…

I understand you want to do something digital, but just be aware that there are all sort of people.

Seems like some here are interested with this idea. It’s good for you. I personally don’t like the concept. Just a heads up, if you are going to do a digital work in return for lodging and food, you will be seriously considered “working” by immigration if getting caught because your services are directly provided to locals. You then should not enter the country with a tourist class visa.

@Don_Lee Sorry, I missed your comment “Digital nomads should be expected to be digital entrepreneurs instead.” If you’re a nomad with some digital skills, there’s no implication in the label that you’re anything more. When I think of “entrepreneur”, I think of a start up, not someone taking more or less whatever’s going to make ends meet.

@wanderingdev Re “anyone who’s built a wordpress site can usually manage it.” - When I worked for a creative agency as a dev, we had a number of clients who asked us to build Content Manageable websites for them, but then, despite training, or perhaps due to a small staff or high staff turnover, they always contracted us to make the actual content updates. We also built (admittedly highly customised) WordPress sites, and they always took much longer than “about 5 hours of work”. Of course if you’re just talking about the Famous 5-Minute Install, a few good plugins, a readymade theme and some very basic training, then that’s something different.

@jtroth In terms of wwoofing-style work, my understanding is that the business owner sets the rules rather than the incoming worker. I mean, how do you value shovelling sh*t? Wouldn’t the person that did that job have to work around the clock? Just food for thought.

Cheers,
Dan

As long as everyone’s expectations are set in the beginning, I don’t see any issues with it, and might consider it myself if the circumstances were right.

If nice food/lodging is valued at $50/day, and a worker values their time at $50/hour, 7 hours per week of work would be fair for both sides. Adjust numbers as necessary.

@Don_Lee
Hey Don, thanks for your feedback.

“Digital nomads should be expected to be digital entrepreneurs instead.” thats an interesting point, however I don’t think every nomad is or wants to be a digital entrepreneur, some just want to be freelancers that travel?

I think digital peasant is a little strong… I wouldn’t describe the people working on these farms as peasants! I wasn’t proposing 8 hr days chained to a computer in a mud hut in Portugal. I was thinking 3-4 hours a day then the rest of the day is your to do what you like. Be it other freelance work or relaxing in the sun knowing your rent and food is covered.

@bisonravi Hi Bisonravi thanks for your comments, interesting standpoint.

@grum thanks for your comments good points.

Hi @panoramica thanks for your positive response! Yes I think your right and it’s nice to hear someone say it out loud! I know that a lot of established nomads might scoff at the idea, but for others that are struggling to get by or simply want a different paced life, something like this could be a breath of fresh air.

Dan, I guess like you say it’s all about bartering and finding some common ground. And maybe realising that this kind of deal could make a lot of sense for some people.

When I was struggling a few years back, a chance to build my company without having the constant struggle of paying rent, sure would of helped! Thanks for your other points too!

@wanderingdev thanks for your couple of kind comments. You make some good points as you say bartering and finding some common ground is normally the best way, while this might not be an option for every nomad it might be appealing to others with different circumstance/goals .

Thanks everyone for their feedback. Any more? Don’t hold back!

From a sunny Sitges :)grinning:

honestly, the stuff that usually needs done at these kinds of places aren’t developer skills. anyone who’s built a wordpress site can usually manage it. i’ve done a lot of bartering when I was just getting started years ago and it worked great. now i would prefer to find a good charity to give my time to instead. but i don’t see a problem with it. on more than one occasion i’ve gotten a month of free lodging in exchange for a wordpress site and some simple SEO that took about 5 hours of work.

Hi @tuesday, I like it.

I’m tired of this idea of web development being an elitist profession. Maybe we fool ourselves into thinking that we’re special, but it’s just another job that needs to be done.

Why not barter with whatever skills you have? The owner’s needs will vary and be somewhat different to your dev niche, but take it has an opportunity to get some perspective and practice flexibility.

It would be important that the owner realises that your responsibility is limited to the duration of your stay.

Your role in the site maintainance/whatever is temporary and a replacement may not come along soon.

You should provide good handover notes/docs and not undertake anything too massive.

There’s no paperwork at your end, just an under-the-table barter arrangement.

You get the same hours as everyone else and you get experience of operating a foreign farm on a digital level.

Cheers,
Dan

Voluntourism is a pretty popular thing in certain areas of Europe and Asia, often it’s hard to find the IT related work as there is a percentage of people who use this as an exercise in getting free accommodation and food instead of being a good human being. Any job that doesn’t require you to work hard on the farm is prime. With this in mind, most places I’ve seen that offer digital work usually throw that in with administration or customer service-esque duties.

If you like to help people, I’d recommend it purely for the cultural exercise of it all. If you want to continue operating your nomadic business whilst this happens though, it’ll be rather difficult. Voluntourism is generally a full-time job.

Bad. Nobody would want to be a digital peasant because digital works pay much more than that. Digital nomads should be expected to be digital entrepreneurs instead.

You can find opportunities like that, but generally they have to do with online marketing and website updating.