Top 10 Most Sought-After Freelance Skills in 2022

The demand for freelancers is growing. According to the latest Freelancing in America report, there are currently 57.3 million freelancers in the U.S., which make up 36% of the entire workforce.

The freelance market is expected to grow by another 20% over the next five years, which means you have a great opportunity to start your own business and be your own boss!

However, knowing where to start is not always easy. There are so many different freelance skills out there, and it can be hard to know which one will give you the best opportunity for success.

This is why we researched the most sought-after freelance skills in 2022 and put them together in this handy guide.

We spoke to experts who told us about the top skills that are in demand for freelance work.

Takeaways
1. Web development is one of the most sought-after freelance skills in 2022.
2. Graphic design is in high demand for freelance projects.
3. Content writing skills are valuable for various industries and businesses.
4. Digital marketing expertise is essential for companies looking to expand their online presence.
5. Data analysis skills are increasingly sought after in the freelance market.
6. Mobile app development is a lucrative skill for freelancers in 2022.
7. SEO knowledge is in high demand to help businesses improve their online visibility.
8. Video editing and production skills are valuable for content creators and businesses.
9. Social media management skills are sought after to enhance brand presence and engagement.
10. Project management skills are essential for freelancers to successfully deliver client projects.

1. AI And Machine Learning

AI and machine learning are becoming increasingly popular when it comes to automation, and it’s not surprising. AI is efficient, intelligent, and can work tirelessly on repetitive tasks whilst identifying patterns in customer behavior. It’s no surprise then that the demand for AI skills is on the rise, with many companies looking to recruit and train people in these areas.

Whether you’re a freelancer or a budding entrepreneur, there are several key AI-related skills that will be useful in the future. These include:

Data Science – Data scientists use scientific methods to extract and analyze information from unstructured data sets. This data is then used to improve business practices in marketing, sales, and customer service, for example.

Business intelligence – Business intelligence (BI) refers to the tools and systems that collect, store, analyze and present business information. Reports from BI systems are used by businesses to make informed decisions based on data-driven insights into their operations.

Big data – The term big data refers to extremely large data sets that cannot be easily stored, processed, or analyzed by traditional computing methods. Freelancers who can develop cloud platforms or visualizations for big data will be in high demand as it becomes more widely adopted by businesses.

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2. Blockchain Technology

Blockchain is the technology that powers cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. And it’s not just a fad. Experts predict that blockchain will generate an annual business value of more than $176 billion by 2025 and more than $3.1 trillion by 2030.

As you might expect, jobs involving blockchain are booming too. According to Forbes, demand for blockchain developers has increased by 400% over the last two years.

What does this mean for freelancers?

It means that if you’ve got skills in blockchain development and related technologies, you can pick up a lot of highly paid freelancing work right now.

The same goes for related technologies like NFTs, cryptography, and privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs). Businesses are struggling to find skilled workers in these areas, so anyone with expertise can earn a pretty penny.

3. Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is probably going to be one of the major technology trends for years to come. In a nutshell, cloud computing is the delivery of on-demand computing services (anything from servers and storage to databases, analytics, software, and intelligence) over the internet.

As a freelancer, you can either specialize in this field or add some cloud-related skills to your resume. As you can see in trends, there’s a growing demand for cloud engineers, developers, and architects.

4. Content Writer

According to a study by Fiverr, a freelance marketplace, content writing is among the top 10 most in-demand skills in 2022. This can be attributed to the fact that today’s businesses are increasingly dependent on content marketing and need skilled writers to provide them with engaging and informative content.

According to the Content Marketing Institute, more than 80 percent of B2B companies use content marketing as their preferred method of attracting new customers. With millions of blogs and websites competing for consumer attention, organizations know that quality content is key to growing their business.

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5. App Development 

We live in a world that is increasingly app-oriented. From ordering groceries to watching movies, apps have become the new way to do anything and everything. That’s why the demand for skilled app developers has never been higher.

If you have the coding chops to create apps for the web, iOS, or Android, you could easily transition those skills into a freelance career. All you need is the right portfolio and the motivation to succeed.

App development requires specialized knowledge of one or more programming languages and frameworks. For example, if you want to develop apps for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, you’ll need to learn Swift or Objective-C.

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6. Web development

Web development is the job of creating things for the internet. This includes websites, games, web apps, extensions, and more.

Web developers tend to specialize in one of three areas:

Front-end development — The front-end of a website or web app is what users see. It’s everything you can interact with and click on. Front-end developers write code that lets them manipulate what’s on-screen.

Back-end development — The back-end of a website or web app is the code that runs behind the scenes. Back-end developers create all sorts of logical processes that make these apps run, like processing payments and validating user logins.

Full-stack development — Full stack developers are an expert in both front-end and back-end development! They are essentially masters of all aspects of web development.

Web development is one of the most accessible freelance skills to learn online: you can find plenty of free resources online to learn these languages, including CodeAcademy and FreeCodeCamp.

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7. Digital marketing 

Digital marketing skills will be in high demand. This includes areas like content marketing, social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC), and email marketing.

You should start learning these now because they’re not just skills of the future — they’re already in high demand right now. If you want to learn digital marketing, I recommend starting with this free course from HubSpot Academy that covers all the basics.

8. UX design

The best freelance careers are those that align your skills and interests with an industry that’s likely to be in demand well into the future. With technology always advancing, it can be difficult to stay on top of the newest trends and skills that will be in high demand. But one skill that never goes out of style is design — specifically, user experience (UX) design.

Why UX design?

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, so it’s no surprise that the demand for designers is high. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2022, the industry for web developers will have grown 20% and UX design jobs will have increased 18%.

What makes this field so attractive?

If you ask me, it’s because there is always a new challenge to tackle. The internet is full of information and people want to find what they need quickly. A UX designer’s job is to make sure they can find it easily. This means that every project is unique and a UX designer has to adapt to the situation at hand.

UX design is more than just making apps and websites look good; it’s about creating a user interface that’s intuitive, functional, and valuable for its users. UX designers have to understand the needs of their users, build relationships with their clients, and keep up-to-date with the latest trends in technology to ensure they’re creating products that will resonate with their target markets.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a UX designer, you’ll need to learn a variety of hard and soft skills. Thankfully, there are tons of resources out there to help you get started on your path to becoming a successful UX designer.

Considering a freelance writing career? It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before diving in. Our article on The Pros and Cons of Becoming a Freelance Writer highlights the advantages and challenges of freelancing in the writing industry, helping you make an informed decision.

9. Virtual Assistance

In today’s challenging job market, it is important for freelance professionals to have a competitive edge in order to find the best jobs and earn more money. Having the right skill set can make you more attractive to potential clients, and help you find new freelance opportunities.

If you are looking for a lucrative career path, consider becoming a virtual assistant. This is one of the fastest-growing freelance careers, and there is a lot of opportunity in this area. Plus, you don’t need much start-up cash or experience to get started as a virtual assistant.

What Is A Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant is an independent contractor or freelancer who provides administrative services to clients remotely from a home office. Virtual assistants usually work on an as-needed basis and their main job is to provide support services to clients. Examples of common tasks include answering emails, scheduling appointments, making travel arrangements, data entry work, and general administrative duties.

Is Becoming A Virtual Assistant A Good Career Choice?

Virtual assistants have flexible schedules, and can often work from anywhere in the world (as long as they have an internet connection). Plus, there are many different types of tasks that fall under the umbrella of “virtual assisting”.

10. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is a big part of the digital landscape and will continue to be in the future. It’s a skill that businesses need for the long term.

The demand for freelance SEO specialists will increase in 2022, as businesses are continuously trying to rank their websites on search engines. With more people now using the internet, you can expect the demand to rise dramatically. If you’re an SEO specialist, this is an excellent time to start freelancing. You may even find yourself with too much work.

As a freelancer, time is of the essence. Streamlining your workflow can significantly boost your productivity. Explore our recommended time-saving tools to streamline your freelance workflow and discover how automation and organization can enhance your efficiency and maximize your earning potential.

Final Thoughts 

So here you go, today’s job market is the best place for freelancers. If you are an imaginative person with innovative ideas, do not hesitate to become a freelancer. Your time has come because the demand for talents is growing rapidly. One more important thing to mention is that it doesn’t matter how long you have been in the business world or how much you charge (the charges should be competitive). Your age and gender won’t limit your opportunity to succeed.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources for further reading on in-demand freelance skills:

Top Demanding Freelancing Skills in 2022: Explore the top freelance skills that are in high demand in 2022 and learn how to enhance your expertise in these areas.

Freelancing Skills That Are in High Demand: Discover the most sought-after freelancing skills and gain insights into how to develop and market these skills effectively.

Top In-Demand Freelance Skills to Learn: Find out which freelance skills are currently in high demand and learn how to acquire and sharpen these skills to stay competitive in the freelance market.

Freelancing In-Demand Skills Frequently Asked Questions 

What does it mean for a skill to be in demand?

In this article, we define a freelance skill as being “in demand” if that skill has grown by at least 20% over the past four years, and its popularity is predicted to continue growing in the coming years.

Is freelance a good career?

Yes, freelancing is an excellent career option especially if you’re just starting out or have no experience in any particular field or profession.

How hard is it to become a freelance writer?

Becoming a freelance writer isn’t as hard as you think. It DOES take time and effort though. I mean, if you were applying for a job at a company, you’d expect to put in an application, write a cover letter, prepare your resume, and wait for the interview. Being a freelance writer is no different!

What are the Freelancing Skills?

Freelancing skills are those that allow people to complete tasks independently and with minimal supervision. A person who can think critically, communicate effectively, negotiate effectively, manage their time well, and solve problems creatively will find that they are high in demand.

Why does it matter what kind of freelancer skill you have?

When you know what kind of freelancer skill you have and you know how to market yourself, then you will find that there are many opportunities for you out there.

Which industries have a high demand for freelance skills?

Industries such as technology, marketing, design, writing, and consulting often have a high demand for freelance skills. However, the demand can also vary depending on current market trends and emerging fields.

How can I market my in-demand freelance skills effectively?

To market your in-demand freelance skills effectively, create a strong online presence, showcase your portfolio or previous work, network with potential clients or employers, and leverage social media and freelance platforms to reach a wider audience.

How can I stay updated with the evolving demands of freelance skills?

To stay updated with the evolving demands of freelance skills, regularly research industry trends, follow industry-specific blogs and websites, join professional communities or forums, and engage in continuous learning through online courses and professional development programs.