This Simple Digital Nomad Newsletter Makes $1,000 a Month

The traditional concept of a workplace is rapidly evolving, and Olumide Gbenro is capitalizing via his online business Nomad Cloud.

In this article we'll get into the specifics of what Nomad Cloud does, how it makes money and how Olumide came up with the idea.

Who are you and what does your business do?

Hi, my name is Olumide Gbenro and my newsletter Nomad Cloud shares the latest news and insights for digital nomads and remote workers around the world. Last time I counted, we’re currently read by people in 100 countries, speaking over 52 languages.

What inspired you to start your business and how did you identify the opportunity?

COVID, of all things! I started hosting online events to educate people about how to become a digital nomad because I’d already been doing it for 5+ years. I invited other pioneers and people already living the digital nomad lifestyle and that core group of people became my founding community.

When I found out about Beehiiv early this year I saw the potential for massive scale over the years and we evolved into a weekly newsletter sharing key insights in travel, remote work, and digital nomad lifestyle.

Can you describe the moment or situation where your business idea first came to mind?

After Covid ended, I was watching videos on Youtube about newsletters selling for millions.

I caught the “newsletter hustle bug” and knew that due to my networking ability in the remote work space, we had an immediate opportunity to catch attention and also attract sponsors.

There are so many brands looking to be in front of this massively growing audience but very few newsletters targeted at them. I jumped into it without looking back and it paid off as I had a sponsor sign up for an entire year’s partnership from one Instagram DM.

Proof of income via Sponsorships

What were the biggest challenges you faced in the early stages of conceptualizing your business?

The biggest challenge was determining what exact content nomads would find interesting. What started with different sections like “Lifestyle” “Fitness” “Side Hustle” was way too long and busy. Turns out people just wanted the latest trending news with a sliver of Community Corner. This is where they meet new and interesting digital entrepreneurs traveling the world and learn what they’re working on.

How did your personal background and experiences influence the development of your business idea?

I left San Diego to travel the world in 2016 and lived across places like Mexico City, Hamburg, Germany, and Bali Indonesia hustling as an Instagram growth consultant way before the term “digital nomad” became a buzzword.

How did you validate the market for your business idea and assess its potential success?

I first shared the announcement of evolving my core community into a full blown newsletter on my Linkedin where most of my remote work connections are hanging out. When I saw positive feedback and interest, I had no choice but to stay consistent and not let people down.

What were some initial assumptions about your business that changed over time?

My assumption again was that people wanted something super comprehensive like Wellness tips. But that got boring quickly because there’s only so many meditation and breathwork tips you can give!

Can you share a pivotal decision or turning point in your journey that was crucial for your business's success?

For me it was definitely closing the 1 year partnership with a major global insurance company. It was the quick and strong validation that if someone is willing to pay five figures to be in front of this audience after one phone call, there must be something here.

I’ve since gotten numerous offers to sponsor from the travel insurance industry but since I signed an exclusive for year 1 I have to wait to onboard in 2024.

How did you gather the resources and support necessary to launch your business?

Not trying to over promote here but Beehiiv had everything I needed. I am a solo founder/writer and hired 2 writers from Upwork for when I’m in a jam and can’t write that week.

In what ways has your business evolved from its original concept?

I was writing mainly myself but recently started bringin on other Key Opinion Leaders in the digital nomad space to co-write. This has added a lot more color to the editions as people get some diverse styles and people get exposure rather than just me.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are in the process of developing their own business ideas?

I would say you need to be patient and validate your ideas without making assumptions. I’ve been at this for 8 years and failed so many times because I assumed what people wanted. I don’t launch anything without asking target customers what they think!

Conclusion

Olumide Gbenro’s journey with Nomad Cloud exemplifies the essence of innovative online entrepreneurship. Leveraging his personal experiences as a digital nomad and an adept networker, Olumide successfully tapped into the burgeoning market of remote workers and digital nomads. Olumide's story is a testament to the importance of validating business ideas with target customers and remaining flexible and responsive to market needs. Olumide's advice to aspiring entrepreneurs underlines the significance of patience, customer feedback, and avoiding assumptions in the journey towards sustainable business success.

Nomad Cloud FAQ

Q1: What is Nomad Cloud and who is behind it? A: Nomad Cloud, created by Olumide Gbenro, shares news and insights for digital nomads and remote workers globally, reaching readers in over 100 countries.

Q2: How did Nomad Cloud begin and what was the inspiration? A: Inspired by the COVID pandemic, Olumide, with over 5 years as a digital nomad, started Nomad Cloud. It began as online events educating about the nomadic lifestyle, evolving into a newsletter focused on travel, remote work, and digital nomad life.

Q3: What were your initial business challenges and how did you address them? A: The main challenge was identifying content that resonated with digital nomads. Initially diverse, the focus shifted to trending news and a community corner, highlighting digital entrepreneurs' stories worldwide.

Q4: How has your personal journey influenced Nomad Cloud? A: Olumide's travel experiences since 2016, living in diverse locations and working as an Instagram growth consultant, have deeply influenced the creation and development of Nomad Cloud, bringing authentic insights to the community.

Q5: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs? A: Patience and market validation are key. Avoid assumptions and seek feedback from your target audience. Consistently evolve and adapt based on the needs and interests of your community.

For more info, or to get in touch with Olumide, check out the links below.

My Newsletter Nomad Cloud: https://thenomadcloud.com/

My AI Venture Studio, Leonardo Labs: https://leonardolaboratories.com/

My boutique Web3 Marketing Agency: https://norugagency.com/