The evolution of the freelancing landscape in the past decade has been unprecedented. It has become a competitive field and the income through freelancing is on the rise. It is no longer just a side hustle.
For a quarter of freelance professionals, it exceeds the salaries earned through conventional 9-5 jobs. Not to mention that freelancing can offer a better work-life balance, higher pay, and more job satisfaction. The number of self-employed freelancers is only going to increase in the future.
As good as being your own boss sounds, it’s not that easy to develop a successful freelance career. In order to remain relevant and earn well, you need to master any/few of the most in-demand freelance skills so you can quit your job.
Bonus Read: 9 Tasks Freelancers Must Automate to Save Time and Improve Productivity
10 best freelance skills to learn in 2022
1. Web Designing
With rising e-commerce, small or large businesses want an online presence and a website where they can showcase their business.
And the key to a good website is the design and how it drives vistiors to take desired action. That is why website design is one the top freelancing skills that is in demand.
As a web designer, you’ll be responsible for creating a website design that is in trend and is pleasing to the eye. You can choose any one of these specialities of a web designer -
a. User Interface (UI) - You will deal with how the visitors will navigate through website, where to place the CTA buttons, etc.
b. User Experience (UX) - Here, you will focus more on the visuals and how you to make the visitors return to your website.
2. Content Writing
No matter what most people say, content marketing is an integral part of any marketing strategy. That is why this is one of the freelance skills that will always remain in demand since companies and websites need content.
Many people would know how to write but there is a certain way to write to catch the readers’ attention and make them stop doing what they’re doing.
I would advise you to narrow down on a spcific niche and excel in that type of writing. You can write about health, food, marketing, technology, cryptocurrency, etc. The list goes on!
3. SEO Specialist
Search engine optimization is a way to write content that ranks well in search results. In this competing scenario of today, every company wants its content to be on top of the search results since there are so many players providing the same services.
Thus, SEO specialists are going to be much in demand. As a SEO freelancer, you’ll be responsible for optimizing your client’s website so that it ranks on search engines.
SEO specialists are required to possess sharp analytical skills, detailed knowledge of SEO tools and keyword research, and link-building, etc.
4. Accounting & Bookkeeping
Small businesses usually hire freelancers for accounting work since setting up an accounting department is a huge expense. You can become an expert on any bookkeeping software of your choice.
You can become an expert on any bookkeeping software of your choice by taking online accounting and bookkeeping courses.
5. Graphic Designing
This is a very diversified skill since it can be used in a number of projects ranging from social media images, website design, visuals for blogs and much more. It is a great chance to explore your creativity.
Companies do not need a graphic designer regularly so they depend on freelancers for this work. Also, it helps businesses to access newer and unique designs.
Moreover, as freelance designers, you’re constantly pushed outside of your comfort zone which allow you to explore your creativity and boost your knowledge.
6. Video Creation & Animation
Video content grabs the attention of viewers faster than text or images. Thus, all social media platforms and companies prefer videos these days. The popularity of YouTube proves it.
There is an increasing realisation among companies that videos help drive sales and that is why the demand for freelancers who know video editing or animation is also on the rise.
As a video creator or editor, you’ll be given with raw clips or videos that your clients have recorded. You’ll be expected to create an engaging & attractive video. This role comes with a great deal of pressure as your end product must entice your client’s audience into taking an action.
7. Editing & Proofreading
With every company having an online presence these days, it is important to proofread the content before putting it up online. For any person who has a good command of the English language and enjoys reading, this is the best way to make money.
With so many self-published authors having no editing support, you can help them to put their best work before the world.
8. Digital Marketing
With so many people on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms, these have become the new marketplaces. Newly set up businesses or small businesses try to leverage this vast audience base by reaching out to digital marketing experts.
An effective digital marketing approach is multi-pronged including email, social media platform, SEO and video content. As a freelancer, the more of these skills you know, the better it is for you.
Learning these freelance skills aren’t enough for a successful freelance career. There are certain skills besides your core offering that you will need to learn to run a successful freelance business. Here are some of the top freelance skills that I think you should develop to smoothly run your business -
Learn to make proposals
Creating & sending business proposals to potential clients will be one of the key activities you perform on a daily of bi-weekly basis to get new clients. Hence, it is essential to understand how to make proposals, where to make proposals, etc.
Initially, start with proposal templates and as you get a clear idea, start creating custom templates for your business.
Get tech savvy
Running a freelance business means you’ll be using different tools to manage and keep track of everything such as a CRM software like Clientjoy to manage leads, proposals, payments and everything in between, a project management tool like Trello to keep track of activities & projects, etc.
So, invest in the right tools and learn how to use them to run your business efficiently.
Know how to give presentations
Sometimes, sending proposals will not be enough. You may be required to explain to potential clients how your services can help them. That is why you need to brush up your presentation as well as communication skills to close deals!
Key Takeaways
Freelancing is a rising industry. You need to learn different technologies depending on the area of work you choose. Given above were some of the most in-demand freelance skills to learn in 2022. A freelancer must keep oneself updated through recruitment portals to know which jobs are most required.
The evolution of the freelancing landscape in the past decade has been unprecedented. It has become a competitive field and the income through freelancing is on the rise. It is no longer just a side hustle.
For a quarter of freelance professionals, it exceeds the salaries earned through conventional 9-5 jobs. Not to mention that freelancing can offer a better work-life balance, higher pay, and more job satisfaction. The number of self-employed freelancers is only going to increase in the future.
As good as being your own boss sounds, it’s not that easy to develop a successful freelance career. In order to remain relevant and earn well, you need to master any/few of the most in-demand freelance skills so you can quit your job.
10 best freelance skills to learn in 2022
1. Web Designing
With rising e-commerce, small or large businesses want an online presence and a website where they can showcase their business.
And the key to a good website is the design and how it drives vistiors to take desired action. That is why website design is one the top freelancing skills that is in demand.
As a web designer, you’ll be responsible for creating a website design that is in trend and is pleasing to the eye. You can choose any one of these specialities of a web designer -
a. User Interface (UI) - You will deal with how the visitors will navigate through website, where to place the CTA buttons, etc.
b. User Experience (UX) - Here, you will focus more on the visuals and how you to make the visitors return to your website.
2. Content Writing
No matter what most people say, content marketing is an integral part of any marketing strategy. That is why this is one of the freelance skills that will always remain in demand since companies and websites need content.
Many people would know how to write but there is a certain way to write to catch the readers’ attention and make them stop doing what they’re doing.
I would advise you to narrow down on a spcific niche and excel in that type of writing. You can write about health, food, marketing, technology, cryptocurrency, etc. The list goes on!
3. SEO Specialist
Search engine optimization is a way to write content that ranks well in search results. In this competing scenario of today, every company wants its content to be on top of the search results since there are so many players providing the same services.
Thus, SEO specialists are going to be much in demand. As a SEO freelancer, you’ll be responsible for optimizing your client’s website so that it ranks on search engines.
SEO specialists are required to possess sharp analytical skills, detailed knowledge of SEO tools and keyword research, and link-building, etc.
4. Accounting & Bookkeeping
Small businesses usually hire freelancers for accounting work since setting up an accounting department is a huge expense. You can become an expert on any bookkeeping software of your choice.
You can become an expert on any bookkeeping software of your choice by taking online accounting and bookkeeping courses.
5. Graphic Designing
This is a very diversified skill since it can be used in a number of projects ranging from social media images, website design, visuals for blogs and much more. It is a great chance to explore your creativity.
Companies do not need a graphic designer regularly so they depend on freelancers for this work. Also, it helps businesses to access newer and unique designs.
Moreover, as freelance designers, you’re constantly pushed outside of your comfort zone which allow you to explore your creativity and boost your knowledge.
6. Video Creation & Animation
Video content grabs the attention of viewers faster than text or images. Thus, all social media platforms and companies prefer videos these days. The popularity of YouTube proves it.
There is an increasing realisation among companies that videos help drive sales and that is why the demand for freelancers who know video editing or animation is also on the rise.
As a video creator or editor, you’ll be given with raw clips or videos that your clients have recorded. You’ll be expected to create an engaging & attractive video. This role comes with a great deal of pressure as your end product must entice your client’s audience into taking an action.
7. Editing & Proofreading
With every company having an online presence these days, it is important to proofread the content before putting it up online. For any person who has a good command of the English language and enjoys reading, this is the best way to make money.
With so many self-published authors having no editing support, you can help them to put their best work before the world.
8. Digital Marketing
With so many people on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms, these have become the new marketplaces. Newly set up businesses or small businesses try to leverage this vast audience base by reaching out to digital marketing experts.
An effective digital marketing approach is multi-pronged including email, social media platform, SEO and video content. As a freelancer, the more of these skills you know, the better it is for you.
Learning these skills aren’t enough to become a successful freelancer. There are certain skills besides your core offering that you will need to learn to run a successful freelance business. Here are some of the top freelance skills that I think you should develop to smoothly run your business -
Learn to make proposals
Creating & sending business proposals to potential clients will be one of the key activities you perform on a daily of bi-weekly basis to get new clients. Hence, it is essential to understand how to make proposals, where to make proposals, etc.
Initially, start with proposal templates and as you get a clear idea, start creating custom templates for your business.
Get tech savvy
Running a freelance business means you’ll be using different tools to manage and keep track of everything such as a CRM software like Clientjoy to manage leads, proposals, payments and everything in between, a project management tool like Trello to keep track of activities & projects, etc.
So, invest in the right tools and learn how to use them to run your business efficiently.
Know how to give presentations
Sometimes, sending proposals will not be enough. You may be required to explain to potential clients how your services can help them. That is why you need to brush up your presentation as well as communication skills to close deals!
Key Takeaways
Freelancing is a rising industry. You need to learn different technologies depending on the area of work you choose. Given above were some of the most in-demand freelance skills to learn in 2022. A freelancer must keep oneself updated through recruitment portals to know which jobs are most required.
