Freelancing is a great option for people who want more flexibility in their work-life balance. But it’s not just about working on your own time.
Freelancers have to manage many different aspects of business, including HR and accounting. It’s important to know what skills you need before you start freelancing, so we asked several experts for their best pieces of advice. Here’s what they had to say:
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Time management is essential for freelance success. |
| Ethical client acquisition strategies are key. |
| Freelance writing jobs can have vulnerabilities. |
| Underrated skills can set you apart on Upwork. |
| Monetizing your writing business is attainable. |
1. Writing
Writing is an important skill to have, especially if you’re looking to freelance. Freelance writing can be used in many different ways and industries. Writing can be used as a means of communication, advertising, or promotion.
Writing is also a skill that can be learned over time by anyone with the right motivation and effort.
It’s not something you were born with it’s something that only comes from hard work and practice.
If you’re willing to put in the time it takes to become a good writer then I’m sure you’ll find great success doing so!
Time management is a crucial skill for freelancers to thrive in their careers. As the saying goes, “Time is money,” and efficient time management can significantly impact your success. Check out our article on Time Management Tips for Freelancers to learn how to make the most out of your work hours.
2. Design
Design is a skill that is in high demand, and if you have the talent to design things then it’s an easy way to make money.
Design skills can be applied to many different industries. The great thing about graphic design is that it can be used as a portfolio builder, meaning that if you’re looking for freelance opportunities then graphic design should be one of them on your list!
3. Marketing
Marketing is a process to communicate the value of a product or service to customers, clients, partners, and other stakeholders.
It involves the management of the customer relationship. In many ways marketing is an art form that can be practiced by individuals as well as large corporations.
Marketing is also a process that uses techniques such as research and analysis to understand and respond to customers or market segments based on their desires and needs.
4. Research
Research is a key skill for freelancers to have. You need to know what the market is looking for, who your competition is and how you can differentiate yourself from them.
A freelancer needs to be able to understand what the needs of their clients are and find ways of meeting those needs effectively.
This means that research is essential when it comes down to finding new clients, pitching ideas, or working out how best to go about creating a product or service for them.
Growing your client base on Upwork requires ethical strategies and honest efforts. Learn how to attract more clients without resorting to dishonest practices in our guide on How to Get More Clients on Upwork Without Lying, Cheating, or Stealing.
5. Social Media Management
Social media management is simply the act of managing a company’s various social media channels. This can include:
- Responding to customer service requests
- Posting content on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other platforms
- Creating and scheduling blog posts or other types of content (such as email newsletters)
Social media management is not marketing. Marketing is the process of attracting new customers through advertising and word-of-mouth.
Social media managers promote brands by creating engaging content that people find interesting or helpful and then they make sure that their followers see it by promoting it across all their platforms.
6. Web Analytics
Web analytics is the process of collecting and analyzing data from a website. It allows you to measure the activity of a website, as well as its effectiveness in marketing campaigns.
Web analytics can be used to track:
- How many people visit your website
- How long do they stay on your page?
- What pages do they visit before leaving or converting (if applicable)
As an example, let’s say you have a blog on WordPress that features content about web development.
You want to know how many people are visiting your site each day and what their demographics are like so that you can improve the experience for new customers.
You’d set up Google Analytics on both your blog and its host site (WordPress), then monitor it periodically over time so that you have better insight into what kind of traffic comes in.
Analytics tools like Google Analytics allow freelancers who work online, especially those who rely on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) techniques to keep track of whether their efforts are paying off in terms of traffic growth and revenue generation.”
Freelance writing jobs may seem attractive, but they come with their own set of vulnerabilities. Discover why freelance writing jobs are not always as secure as they appear in our article Freelance Writing Jobs Are Vulnerable, and Here’s Why.
7. WordPress
If you’re a freelancer, the best thing to know is how to create an online presence. That’s where WordPress comes into play but what is it?
WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) based on PHP and MySQL.
It was first released in 2003 by its founder, Matt Mullenweg. With over 70 million websites using it today, WordPress is the most popular CMS on the internet.
8. Customer Service
Customer service is one of the most important skills to have as a freelancer. You are your boss, and you will have to deal with clients regularly.
This can be in person or over the phone; either way, it’s important to be able to communicate effectively and professionally with clients.
It’s also vital that you understand exactly what you are selling yourself as before taking on any freelance project.
9. Project Management
Once you’ve landed a freelance contract, the next step is to break down the project into smaller tasks and create a schedule for the work.
Then stick to it! The client will expect you to build their website in three months (or whatever), so make sure that’s what they get.
You’ll need all the right resources too: this means knowledge of your tools, skills, and time management techniques.
Once you have these things in place, establish a routine that makes sure nothing slips through the cracks and takes care of yourself as well!
10. Accounting And Finance
Accountants and finance professionals are in high demand. Accounting is a career of choice for many students as it offers the opportunity to work independently and be at the forefront of decision-making.
Accountants also have a great deal of responsibility when it comes to dealing with large sums of money.
In addition to being able to read financial statements, accountants must also be able to provide advice about how best to allocate resources within a business.
This can include areas such as human capital management (e.g., hiring), and investment strategies (e.g., choosing between two or more alternative investment opportunities).
Sales forecasting (e.g., projecting how much revenue will come in over the next quarter based on historical data), determining whether an acquisition would make sense financially, etc.”
While certain skills are widely acknowledged as essential for freelancers, some underrated skills can make all the difference in your Upwork journey. Check out our list of The 10 Most Underrated Skills You Need to Succeed on Upwork to stand out from the crowd.
11. Time Management
Time management is an essential skill for freelancers. It’s one thing to be able to complete projects efficiently, but it’s another thing entirely to manage your time at the task level.
In addition to knowing how much time each project will take, you need to be able to prioritize and schedule tasks in a way that helps you get them done promptly.
If you’re new to freelancing, one of the first things I recommend is learning how to use calendars effectively.
Whether it’s Google Calendar or iCalendar (Mac), having an easy-to-access calendar where all your appointments are visible can help cut down on the number of times you forget about important meetings with clients or colleagues.
Additionally, setting reminders for yourself can give you peace of mind by keeping track of due dates for specific projects and deadlines for when they need to be completed.
Are you a freelance writer looking to boost your income? Monetizing your freelance writing business is the key. Learn valuable insights and strategies in our comprehensive guide on How to Monetize Your Freelance Writing Business to turn your passion into a profitable venture.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot here, and maybe you feel like you don’t have all eleven of these skills. Don’t worry!
Even if it takes you a while to learn each one, remember that the most important thing is to keep on trying.
The good news is that there are tons of resources out there to help you with whatever skill you’re working on.
For instance, we have plenty of free tutorials for WordPress and Adobe Creative Cloud, as well as an entire blog devoted to freelancing (just click here)!
Further Reading
Freelancing Skills That Are in High Demand: Discover the most sought-after skills in the freelance market and how to leverage them for success.
The Best Skill for Freelancing: Uncover the single most important skill that can propel your freelance career to new heights.
Career Advice: Freelance Skills: Get valuable insights into essential skills that can make you a successful freelancer in today’s competitive job market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Freelancing?
Freelancing means that you work for yourself, rather than working for an employer. You set your schedule, choose the projects and clients you want to work with, and determine how much time you’ll put into each client.
How Do I Get Started?
There are many ways to start freelancing: some people find jobs on craigslist or Reddit forums like r/forhire; others use platforms like Upwork to find work, and still others approach companies directly with their portfolios in hand.
Whichever method you choose, it’s important not just to ask questions but also, perhaps more importantly to listen closely when people respond.
If someone says “that won’t work here,” this isn’t just a chance for them to say no; it’s also an opening for further conversation about what might make sense instead (and for future opportunities).
What Is A Freelancer?
A freelancer is someone who works as an independent contractor, rather than being employed by a company.
They can work in any industry, from software development to content writing and graphic design.
What Skills Do I Need To Be A Freelancer?
The most important skill you’ll need for freelancing is the ability to manage your time effectively, particularly when it comes to setting aside time for marketing and client work.
Other useful skills include communication (both written and spoken), organization, problem-solving, self-motivation, and adaptability you won’t always have someone else telling you what needs doing when working alone!
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.