If you’ve ever wanted to make your own hours, work from the comfort of your home (or anywhere else on the planet), and flex that creative muscle you usually keep hidden under countless spreadsheets, then freelancing is for you.
The internet has made it easier than ever to find freelance work. Thanks to sites like Upwork and Fiverr, employers can now search a massive database of skilled freelancers who are looking to take on new projects without a pesky full-time commitment.
From writing, graphic design, and web coding to photography, market research, and translation, freelancing offers opportunities in nearly every skill set imaginable. And while not all positions will require experience or specific educational credentials in order to apply, those that do often provide the freedom that a traditional office job can’t match.
Ready? Here’s our list of 21 jobs that might fit your interests and skillset:
1. Transcriber
Perhaps you’ve always been known as the friend with perfect spelling. Or maybe you became fast friends with your grammar checker in college.
Either way, if you have an ear for language and a knack for detail, transcription work might be right up your alley.
Transcriptionists listen to recordings and type out the words they hear. These recordings might be voicemails, notes from class or lectures, interviews, videos, or any other audio recording that requires documentation of its content. And because we live in such a digital world (thanks to smartphones and computers), there is plenty of need for transcription work!
2. Blog Writer
As a blogger, you’re in the unique position to share your expertise and point of view with your readers. You’ll be writing on topics that are important to you (and to them).
You can pick up blogging gigs on sites like Upwork or FlexJobs. You could also reach out directly to local small businesses that may be interested in having an online presence but lack the skills or resources to maintain one. As a freelance blogger, you can expect to make anywhere from $15–$50 per hour depending on your level of experience and the value you provide in your work.
3. Project Manager
As a freelance project manager, you’ll be tasked with managing details and making sure deadlines are met. You’ll also need to be able to communicate professionally, clearly, and respectfully with all parties involved in your projects.
As a project manager, you’ll need skills such as:
- Project management tools (e.g., team chat software like Slack and collaborative project management software like Trello)
- Time management (e.g., creating workable schedules for multiple projects)
- Conflict resolution
- Prioritization
Here’s what a sample job description might look like: “Company XYZ is looking for an experienced freelance project manager to join our team. This person should have at least 3 years of experience working as a project manager on web design teams or similar groups in technology companies. Our ideal candidate will be able to work independently and effectively manage their own time across several projects at once.”
4. Content Strategist
As a content strategist, you’d be responsible for the overall effectiveness of all content published by your client; this could be in the form of web copy, blog posts, social media posts, and more. You’d have to understand how to best deliver your client’s message through carefully chosen words that connect with their target audience. It’s important to understand how people interact with the brand so you can better guide their voice and tone on various channels.
You should also be familiar with marketing strategies to figure out the most effective ways to reach a wider audience using content. Content strategists need strong communication skills because they often work alongside other members of the team like marketing managers, graphic designers, and others. The success of content strategists depends heavily on their ability to communicate effectively with these different types of people.
Finally, it’s essential that you’re comfortable in both an agency setting as well as working freelance because many clients prefer one over the other! If you’re ready for this type of job, check out our list below for companies who are hiring!
5. Book Editor
As a book editor, you would be responsible for reading and correcting manuscripts to ensure their overall quality (and marketability) before publication. You would also need the patience and skill to communicate any necessary corrections clearly to authors or publishers, and sometimes you may even have to come up with an alternate way of expressing your client’s ideas. This position often involves extensive knowledge of grammar and writing styles, plus an understanding of the publishing industry. Some positions require that you be able to work independently without supervision for long periods of time.
The median annual salary for book editors is $58,830 so this job can provide a good boost in income while you look for full-time work; however, keep in mind that some entry-level positions may not pay too well. As a general rule, if compensation seems low but the company has good reviews online then it’s probably worth considering the opportunity anyway.
You can find freelance book editing positions on sites like FlexJobs as well as Upwork (where I found my first freelancing gig).
6. Social Media Manager
If you’re good at managing your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, think about becoming a social media manager. Many businesses are hiring people to manage their social media accounts, especially on the weekends when they don’t want to spend time on those sites.
As a social media manager, you’ll help businesses reach out to potential customers through the many different types of social media platforms available today. You’ll be in charge of creating and sharing content that captures the attention of your followers and shows them why they should shop with your client.
7. Graphic Designer
Design logos for businesses. Businesses of all sizes will always need a graphic designer to help them create a brand image. Creating a logo is the foundation of this, and it’s a great way to make money freelancing.
Design websites. People are looking to hire freelance web designers at an increasing rate and many who are entering the field don’t have much experience yet (which means they may be more willing to consider hiring you).
Design social media graphics. In addition to traditional websites, companies are also in need of high-quality visuals that can be used on their social media pages and platforms.
Design flyers, brochures, etc. Many businesses need fliers, pamphlets, and other types of printed materials designed in order to promote themselves or advertise upcoming events or products but not all companies have the resources for an in-house team dedicated solely to these tasks. This gives you plenty of opportunities as a freelancer!
8. Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant is someone who provides administrative, technical, or creative assistance remotely. You may help with a multitude of tasks, including assisting with presentations, managing databases, and using spreadsheets. In order to be successful as a virtual assistant, you need to have strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects at one time.
Virtual assistants should excel in tasks such as scheduling appointments and making phone calls on behalf of their clients. For example, if John Smith has an appointment scheduled with Jane Doe, he will not have to make the call himself but can instead rely on his virtual assistant to set it up for him.
The pros:
Working from home! In this job, you won’t have to commute anywhere which can save you both time and money.
Flexibility to work when you want you to get to set your own hours
The cons:
Not being able to meet people at work you’re working in isolation so unless you go out there and find other remote workers that’s what it’ll be like most days
You don’t get any benefits (in most cases) so if something happens where you need medical attention then it’s up to yourself whether or not they cover those costs or not
9. UX/UI Designer
The short answer: A UX/UI designer is someone who creates things that are easy to use and make people’s lives better. The long answer: The job title of “UX/UI designer” encompasses a wide range of roles, but they all have the same core function. According to user experience (UX) expert Janna Hagan, UX design involves researching what the user wants and needs, designing something that conforms to those wants and needs, then testing it with users to make sure it does what you wanted it to do.
A real-life example: Let’s say you’re a freelancer working for a company that has several different products; you might be tasked with making all of them work together in a cohesive way. You could start by interviewing users about how they interact with your client’s various tools so that you can understand their pain points, and then create new designs that address these issues.
As is the case with many other freelance jobs on this list, there are no hard-and-fast rules for landing this kind of role as a freelancer in fact, some companies won’t even consider hiring full-time remote UX designers–but if you’ve got the credentials and experience necessary for a particular organization or project, you’ll be able to find work in this field fairly easily.
Here’s what an employer would want from their ideal candidate:
- A degree in design or related field
- At least four years professional experience as a designer (this can include internships)
- Experience creating digital products from start to finish without any direction needed from others (such as wireframes for websites and apps)
You’re also expected to know basic coding languages like HTML and CSS or at least understand them well enough not to ask stupid questions when something goes wrong during implementation as well as have excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
10. Proofreader
Proofreaders check for errors in documents, with a focus on grammar, spelling, and punctuation. They are responsible for making sure that the document you’re reading looks professional and clean. This job is separate from editing; an editor can change the content of the document to fit their goals, but a proofreader simply reviews the content to make sure it’s correct.
To become a proofreader you will need to be able to demonstrate above-average command of English language rules as well as have both a keen eye for detail and excellent patience. You will also need the ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in pursuing, there are plenty of websites you can use to find freelance work: ProBlogger, BloggingPro, CareerBuilder, Craigslist (the gigs section), People Per Hour, Reedsy, FlexJobs (for full-time telecommuting roles), etc.
11. Copywriter
One freelance job to look into is copywriting. Copywriters create the text for a range of advertisements and materials for businesses. They may also be employed by advertising agencies or public relations firms, but some work independently as freelancers.
Copywriters work closely with art directors and designers to create a variety of written materials, including:
- Ads for television, radio, newspapers, and magazines
- Brochures
- Catalogs
- Direct mail packages
- Scripts for company videos and multimedia presentations
To work as a copywriter, you should have strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills. In addition to understanding grammar rules, you should be able to write creatively without compromising your message. It’s also important to be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously while still meeting deadlines.
12. Developer Or Programming
Working as a software developer is a highly-skilled job that can allow you to generate significant freelance income while you look for permanent work. Regardless of whether they’re building desktop applications, mobile apps, or websites, developers write code to create the infrastructure required for them to function.
As a profession, coding requires much more than simply knowing how to write code—that’s the easy part! It takes strong communication skills and the ability to work well with others in order to be successful.
For example, if you’re working on an app but don’t know what features should be included in it, you’ll need to communicate your needs clearly so that whoever designs it understands exactly what’s required.
If this sounds like something up your alley, there are plenty of ways for people who aren’t familiar with programming languages yet but have some experience working remotely (or plan on it) to get started: learn Python first before diving into JavaScript or Ruby; enroll in an online course; create small projects on your own time using existing programming resources such as Codecademy and Code School (both free).
13. Salesperson or Analyst
Salesperson
A salesperson is responsible for acquiring new customers and closing sales. They often make cold calls or send cold emails to prospective clients, trying to get them interested in their product or service. The best salespeople are extroverted, friendly, persistent and hardworking.
Analyst
An analyst is responsible for analyzing data and drawing conclusions that can be used to improve a company’s internal processes and/or products. This usually involves developing an in-depth understanding of the company’s business model and determining how best to optimize this model moving forward. Analysts typically hold a bachelor’s degree, though some very successful analysts only have high school diplomas (and probably know a lot about SQL).
14. Resume Writer Or Editor
Think of the resume as a living, breathing piece. Your job is to make it a good one. You can start by reading up on the difference between chronological resumes and functional resumes, or this list of buzzwords to avoid in your resume. You can also take a writing class for some tips and tricks (or even your local library).
Once you feel confident in your skills, find some job boards to look for freelance gigs. A quick Google search will bring up many sites like Indeed or FlexJobs that are specifically tailored to freelance gigs, but you can also find some through general career boards like LinkedIn.
Alternatively, you may want to reach out directly to hiring managers at companies who may be willing to outsource their resume review needs; this works especially well if they’re already familiar with you or your work through other means (friendship, networking connections, etc.).
Finally, keep in mind that if someone has hired you as a resume writer/editor, they probably have an existing resume already but help them make it better! This means going beyond just grammar errors or spelling mistakes and making sure everything is laid out clearly and effectively for potential employers.
You might need a second pair of eyes on it first before showing them what changes were made so they know what exactly was done differently from their original draft; this way nothing gets mixed up along the way!
15. Videographer Or Video Editor
Videographer/video editor. If you’re a skilled videographer, there’s plenty of work out there for you, especially if your style is documentary-esque or cinematic. Because this field requires a lot of technical expertise, it can be difficult to get started without an educational background or formal training.
However, if you’re in the market for this type of freelance position, start by combing job boards like Freelancer and Upwork to find remote gigs that match the skills listed on your resume. This can also be a good opportunity to learn new skills and grow as a professional if you’re willing to take on low-paid jobs with flexible deadlines at first.
As for compensation, video editors typically make between $25 and $50 per hour (though some may charge more depending on their experience). If you’re using up-to-date software and have a strong social media or portfolio presence that demonstrates your talent in this field, then it shouldn’t be too difficult to land paying clients who need help with their videos.
Final Thoughts
There are many freelance opportunities you can do while your job search continues. Freelancing gives you the opportunity to make money while you look for your next full-time opportunity, but there’s much more to it than that: when you work with various clients and employers, you learn new skills and expand your experience.
This makes freelancing not only ideal for people in a transitional phase of their career but also great for recent graduates who might be struggling to find their footing on their first job search.
People Also Ask
How Can I Find Freelance Work?
The most obvious answer is to look for it. While job boards and classifieds are good places to start, keep in mind that it’s often best not to post your resume on them (at least not without a link to an online portfolio) since these places are geared toward traditional employers who want a complete résumé and cover letter as part of their screening process for new talent. If you’re looking for work as a freelancer, you may have far more luck finding clients via online networks like Craigslist and Indeed, which cater specifically to freelancers.
Should I Join An Agency Or Work Solo?
This depends on your goals. If you want to build up your portfolio quickly and get lots of experience in different industries, then joining an agency is a great way to go. If you want to be more independent, though or if there aren’t any agencies in your area then working solo might be better for you. The important thing is that whatever option you choose fits with what YOU need from this situation (which is why we have so many questions about it).
What Should I Do?
A lot of people are convinced that they have to be working on their dream job at all times, but there’s nothing wrong with taking a break. Maybe you want to take some time off to travel, or maybe you’re just burned out and need a chance to relax and recharge. Whatever the reason, it’s OK to take some time off.
But What If I’m Tired Of Traveling?
It’s totally normal to feel like you’re ready for a change. Your job is important and it provides for you, but it isn’t your whole life. You can always pick up another job when you get back from vacation.
How Will I Pay My Bills?
Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to make money when you don’t have a full-time job. There are lots of companies that offer part-time work or even freelance projects that can help you make ends meet while you look for something more permanent. You might also consider getting a second job or doing some freelance work on the side to bring in some extra cash.
How Many Hours Should I Work As A Freelancer?
As much as you can. Delegate time in your day to focus on your own projects, and treat it like a full-time job. If you make good money, then use that to fund future projects or investments.
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.