16 Skills That Will Get You Hired As A Freelancer

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and become your own boss, we salute you. However, becoming a freelancer isn’t all about big paychecks, flexible hours, and working in your pajamas.

It takes a mixture of hard work and talent to succeed as a free agent but if you’ve got what it takes, the payoff can be huge. Take this list of skills that will get you hired as a freelancer (not to mention keep clients coming back for more) and use it as both an inspiration for where to start and a checklist for where to go next on your journey toward self-employment.

MOST in Demand Freelance Skills to Learn | How to Choose!

Takeaways
1. Develop a strong portfolio showcasing your skills and previous work.
2. Cultivate excellent communication skills to effectively interact with clients.
3. Master time management to meet deadlines and deliver quality work.
4. Stay updated with industry trends and continuously learn and adapt.
5. Showcase your ability to work independently and take initiative.
6. Build a network of contacts and leverage referrals for new opportunities.
7. Demonstrate your expertise in specific niche areas to stand out from competitors.
8. Showcase your problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
9. Be adaptable and flexible to meet client needs and work on diverse projects.
10. Develop a strong work ethic and demonstrate professionalism in all interactions.
11. Highlight your ability to deliver results and achieve client goals.
12. Develop effective self-promotion and marketing strategies to attract clients.
13. Cultivate strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
14. Demonstrate your ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
15. Showcase your attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work.
16. Develop a solid understanding of pricing, contracts, and negotiation skills.

Table of Contents

1. Excellent Communication Skills

Communication skills are another important skill for freelancers. The ability to express yourself clearly and effectively is crucial when you’re working in an environment where you’re the only person who knows what your end product should be.

In addition, your communication skills will be tested as a freelancer because of the variety of people with whom you’ll be communicating: clients, their employees, other freelancers, and professionals within your industry.

To get started improving your communication skills, work on making every email a little bit clearer than the last one. Pay attention to how many people might read each email: Are they short emails? Longer ones?

Do they have attachments or links? Keep these things in mind while crafting your message so that it’s clear enough for any reader (even if they don’t have time to read all five paragraphs).

Also, think about how much time someone has before responding; if there’s no deadline approaching or other pressure-filled situations at play (like an impending meeting), give your recipient some space by sending shorter emails rather than longer ones.

This gives them more time to process what you’ve sent and let them write back without feeling rushed.

Tracking key metrics is crucial for freelancers to maintain consistent success in their careers. Our comprehensive guide on tracking important metrics provides valuable insights and strategies for optimizing your freelance business.

2. Tech Skills

Most freelancing jobs require a pretty in-depth knowledge of technology. You don’t have to be a programmer or designer, but having a basic understanding of the technologies that underlie almost every web-based business can help you get hired for more jobs and make you more productive.

For example, if you know how to code in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP (and maybe even Ruby), then you can take on frontend web development projects that involve creating static websites or building interactive elements like forms with AJAX.

Similarly, if you know some basic graphic design skills like how to use Photoshop you’ll be able to create logos and other visual assets for your clients’ websites.

3. Top-Notch Copyediting And Proofreading Skills

Copyediting and proofreading are important skills for freelancers to have. While some clients may be able to find someone on the cheap, it’s much better to write quality content from the get-go than have to go back and fix mistakes that could be easily avoided. What’s worse is when you hire a client who isn’t willing to pay you for your work!

Copyediting typically involves checking grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors; while proofreading also checks for consistency, flow, and logic as well as grammatical problems.

Both of these skills are critical for any type of writing project because even if everything looks great on paper (pun intended) if there are mistakes that can be caught before publication then they should be caught before publication.

Are you curious to know if you’re on the right path to a thriving freelancing career? Our article on signs of success in freelancing highlights 15 indicators that demonstrate you’re heading in the right direction.

4. Web Development Smarts

If you’re interested in building websites, you have a great skill set on your hands. Web development is one of the most in-demand skills out there, and because it requires so many different types of knowledge and experience, there are multiple paths for freelancers to take.

To land gigs as a web developer, though, you need to be able to show that you have both the technical know-how and conceptual understanding needed for this type of work. If not, chances are good that clients will end up feeling like they got gypped by hiring someone who didn’t know what they were doing, and then they’ll never hire again!

5. The Ability To Manage Your Time Well

It’s important to have a solid understanding of your time management skills and the ability to manage your time well. If you’re constantly running late, can’t get organized, or find yourself working through lunch hours and weekends, then this is something that needs to be addressed.

Don’t worry it’s not as hard as it sounds! The first step is defining what your goals are so that you know what kind of schedule to create for yourself.

Once those goals are set in stone (or rather, on paper), it’s time to make a schedule and stick with it: block off times during the day when you’ll be working on particular projects and stick with them.

You might even want to consider breaking up tasks into smaller chunks throughout the day so they don’t seem quite so daunting; if all else fails there are countless apps available now that can help simplify scheduling processes like these by integrating them directly into other programs such as Google Calendar or Outlook Express Mailbox!

Now that we have an idea of how much work goes into managing one’s own time effectively, let me take this moment before moving on towards discussing some tips for overcoming obstacles related specifically

6. Skill In Using Social Media As A Marketing Tool

Social media is a great way to connect with potential clients, employers, and employees. It’s also very useful for promoting your work and brand. Social media can be used to find new clients, partners, and employees.

When you are looking for freelance jobs on websites like Upwork or Fiverr, you will often see what types of skills the site requires before you can apply for a job. In many cases, one of those requirements is that applicants must have experience in using social media as a marketing tool.

If you are interested in becoming a freelancer yourself or hiring other freelancers then you must understand how social media can benefit both parties involved in the process.

7. Marketing Skills, Especially Online Marketing Skills

Marketing skills are a must. You can’t get ahead as a freelancer without them.

Marketing is not an innate talent that some people have and others don’t. It’s a skill you can learn, and it will help you to better understand your audience, know your product inside out, know your competition and what they offer, and find niches where your services are required.

There are many different types of marketing techniques that work for different situations but here are just some examples:

Publicity

This could be anything from press releases, being interviewed on radio or TV shows, giving interviews in magazines or newspapers, etc.

Social Media Marketing

This includes Twitter marketing (tweeting), Facebook page management, etc. You should also consider other social networks such as LinkedIn which has become very popular recently for business networking purposes.

In a competitive freelancing marketplace, having a standout Upwork profile is essential for attracting clients. Discover effective techniques and best practices to optimize your profile in our comprehensive guide on making your Upwork profile stand out.

8. The Ability To Produce Great Content

Being able to write well is a skill that you can learn and hone, but it’s also one that many people just have. If you are one of these people, congratulations! You can use your natural talent as a writer to get hired as a freelancer.

However, even if writing isn’t your thing (yet), there are ways to improve your writing skills so that they meet the standards required by employers. In this section, we’ll go over some basic guidelines on how to improve your written communication abilities and then dive into specific tools for writing content at home or on the go.

9. A Refined, Professional Look And Attitude

Dress appropriately. The first thing that people notice about you is your look, so make sure you’re dressed like the professional freelancer you want to be seen as. Whether that means wearing a suit and tie or yoga pants and a t-shirt, do it with confidence and pride.

Keep your clothes clean and pressed, and don’t forget the details: always have clean shoes on (shoe matter!), keep your nails trimmed short and filed neatly, and wear minimal makeup (if any).

Shave every morning (or at least every other morning), brush your hair regularly so it doesn’t become frizzy or unruly during the day…you get the idea! What makes a professional look professional is attention to detail from head to toe!

Don’t be afraid of color! If you have an eye for style or fashion design, take advantage of this by trying something new each day but always be cautious about how many colors you use in one outfit because too much can overwhelm an outfit quickly! If the color doesn’t come naturally though then stick primarily with neutrals such as black/gray/white.

These are classic choices but there’s nothing wrong with keeping things safe if they’re more comfortable for YOU.”

10. The Ability To Create An Outstanding Website Or Portfolio

Your website or portfolio should be your best chance to show off your skills. If you’re applying for freelance work, it’s the first thing potential clients will see. And if you want to work with a client, but they don’t have any openings at the moment? They can still check out your portfolio and consider working with you in the future!

The most important thing is that it has to look good. This means having nice pictures, easy navigation, and coming up with a memorable name that describes what kind of work you do (and makes people want to hire you).

It should also be easy to update when new projects come along or if there are changes in pricing/payment methods. A well-designed website is worth its weight in gold don’t underestimate its importance!

Interacting with difficult clients is a common challenge for freelancers. Learn valuable strategies and techniques to handle challenging situations with grace in our article on dealing with difficult clients and maintain a positive freelancing experience.

11. A Knack For Networking Effectively With Other Freelance Professionals And Potential Clients

Of course, it’s not enough to just know how to do the work you’re hired to do. You also need the ability to network effectively with other freelance professionals and potential clients.

Networking is a critical skill for freelancers; it can help you find new clients, and build relationships with existing clients. It’s also something that can be learned even if your natural inclination is not normally outgoing or social.

Your ability to network effectively isn’t just about meeting people; it’s about building relationships with those people so they know who you are when they need someone like you in their lives (or businesses).

12. Top-Notch Professionalism, No Matter What The Situation Is

Principle: Professionalism is a core skill

There are many skills that you will need to develop to succeed as a freelancer, but none of them is more important than professional behavior. It’s always been true that professionalism separates the pros from the amateurs, and this is even more true today with so many new opportunities for work opening up all over.

As long as there have been offices, there have been people who keep their desks tidy and their emails professional. And as long as there has been freelance work available on sites like Upwork and Fiverr, there have also been bad apples who take advantage of their fellow freelancers.

Professionalism means treating everyone you meet professionally no matter what happens! If someone sends an email with typos in it (and they will), send one back with fewer typos (and fewer exclamation points).

If someone calls you “friend,” correct them politely but firmly by saying “I’m sorry; we don’t know each other well enough yet.” There’s no need to get into a heated argument over mere semantics but it’s important not to let anyone push you around either!

13. Dedication And Enthusiasm For Client Projects

Dedication and enthusiasm for client projects can be a great way to show the employer that you are committed to the work. Freelancers often do personal projects on the side, so you must be able to communicate your passion for this outside of just being a good employee.

It’s also important to display your dedication by being flexible with deadlines, especially in cases where you’re working with clients who don’t have as much experience with this type of work.

Dedication and enthusiasm for client projects can be a great way to show an employer that you are committed to the work.* Freelancers often do personal projects on the side, so you must be able to communicate your passion for this outside of just being a good employee.*

It’s also important to display your dedication by being flexible with deadlines, especially in cases where you’re working with clients who don’t have as much experience with this type of work

14. A Willingness To Work Hard And Do Whatever It Takes

As a freelancer, you’ll have to be willing to do whatever it takes. You can expect that there will be times when you’re working late into the night and even on weekends. This is what it means when we say “work hard.”

It’s also important that you are willing and able to work hard because sometimes the work can be difficult and tedious. If you have trouble focusing on tasks that require a lot of attention for an extended period, then freelancing is probably not for you.

15. A Strategic Mindset That Helps You Plan Ahead

For a freelancer, every day is different. Your clients come to you with their projects and deadlines, and sometimes they shift as the project progresses. You don’t have an employer who tells you what to do or when to do it; that’s all up to you.

So to get things done effectively and on time, you must stay organized and strategic about your work schedule.

This means being able to manage your time well even when there isn’t much of it leftover for other tasks such as cleaning out your inbox or making dinner (but let’s be honest: if those things aren’t getting done anyway, there might not be much point in being strategic about them).

Crafting persuasive proposals is essential for freelancers to win projects and stand out from the competition. Explore our article on writing effective proposals to discover 13 practical tips that will help you create compelling proposals and increase your chances of success.

16. You Will Need Skills That Are Not Taught In School

If you’re new to this freelancing thing, you might be surprised to find out that there are a few qualities that can make or break your success as a freelancer:

communication skills

the ability to work independently and on your schedule

how well you get along with others (and their schedules)

time management skills (and the ability to prioritize)

There are many more factors involved in being able to land high-paying freelance gigs but if you have these five traits, they’ll help give you an edge over other candidates.

Conclusion

I’m excited because I’ve been wanting to be a freelancer for a while and now I finally have the chance! I hope the tips in this post will help you find clients too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Freelance?

Freelance work is an arrangement in which individual works for a company, but rather than being hired by them to work full-time, they are hired on a project-by-project basis. Usually, freelancers are independent contractors who have been hired to do a specific job or task and then move on after completion of said task or job.

What’s The Difference Between Freelance And Permanent Jobs?

There aren’t too many differences between permanent jobs and freelance jobs; however, there are some very important ones:

The main benefit of being a freelancer is that you get to choose what you want to work on when you want to work on it, and where (if applicable).

You can also charge more money because people know that when they hire someone from the outside world instead of hiring someone from within their own organization/business unit (and paying for all those benefits), they’ll be paying more in terms of salary + benefits + overhead costs associated with having employees.

Therefore, if someone wants something done quickly or even if it’s just something small like making changes here or there now and again they might consider hiring someone outside their organization.

Because doing so will save them money overall when compared to hiring another employee from within their ranks who could potentially cost more due solely because that person would need 401k plans set up just like everyone else working at this company does already has access too.”

How Do I Get Started As A Freelancer?

You can start by setting up a website and blog. This will give people an opportunity to learn more about you and your services, which they can then use to decide if they want to hire you or not.

What Is The Best Way To Find Clients?

There are two ways: referrals (people who know someone who knows someone) and cold-calling (making calls). If you’re just starting, it’s best to stick with referrals because cold-calling is incredibly nerve-wracking for most people!

Make sure that when you do reach out for referrals that whoever gives them has an understanding of everything else going on in their lives as well – remember what we said about networking not being about getting business but rather enjoying relationships with others? This applies here too!

What’s The Average Salary For A Freelancer?

The average freelance writer earns $63,000 per year. More than 50% of these writers make more than $50,000 each year.

How Long Does It Take To Get Hired As A Freelancer?

The length of time it takes to find work depends on your industry, but generally, you can expect to wait anywhere from one day to three months before getting hired.

Costantine Edward

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.