Having the right skillset is super important as a freelancer. If you spend hours acquiring a skillset no company has any need for, then you’ve wasted a lot of time and put yourself back weeks.
When choosing your skillset, if you don’t already have one, it’s essential you feel passionate about it. You’ll be working with this skill set every single day for years, so it’s crucial you enjoy doing it.
The 10 Most In-Demand Freelance Skills
Here are the top 10 most in-demand freelance skills based on my own network and research. Bear in mind you can easily run a successful freelance career with skills other than these 10. These 10 are just the most in-demand skills.
1. Data Science
With AI being everywhere and accessible to anyone via OpenAI, companies are hungry for data scientists.
This is not an easy skill to acquire, but it’s possible no matter what stage you’re at as long as you’re able to invest time into learning how to work with data.
Companies want help to process their data, model it and have ideas as to what they can do with the data.
We’ve been online for so many years now that companies automatically have collected tons of data, and now it’s time to put it to use efficiently. And it’s also more accessible than ever to do this with the tools available.
They just need help from experts on what to do with the data and creative ideas for what they can use the data for.
2. No-code experts
With tools like Elementor, Webflow, Squarespace, Wix, and yes, I could go on and on. The no-code industry is bigger than ever, and the industry is exploding.
Companies need help to manage their no-code solution. Whether it’s their website, e-commerce, custom no-coded Saas or something else.
They need you to solve issues that occur and work on new elements for their solutions, whether it’s a new module for their e-commerce store, a login module for a SaaS or something third.
They can often do it themselves, but they want an expert to help them do it the right way the first time. So they don’t have to spend time doing it, and they’ll know it’ll last for ages as an expert did set it up.
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3. Web development / CMS development
This has been a top 3 in-demand skill for the last 20 years, if not more. Even though no-code is a solution for anyone looking to set something up without coding, companies still need coders.
First off, we have to remember it’s coders who are building the solutions that make it possible for us to use no-code to build a website, e-commerce sites and more.
Next up, no-code still has its limitations, and especially when it comes to scaling, no-code becomes expensive, and that’s when companies change strategy to custom coding. They get more control over a fraction of the cost.
This applies to CMS development as well. There are so many companies who have invested heavily in WordPress, for example, myself included, and they don’t just change away from that to change to a no-code solution.
It would be so expensive for them to start over, and frankly, I wouldn’t recommend anyone doing it. They still need help to further develop their WordPress solution from simple assignments to more custom coding.
This is the skillset I’ve acquired myself and worked with for more than 14 years, and it’s continuously in demand.
4. Mobile app development
Mobile apps are another skill in demand, and often web developers fall into this category as well unless it’s a requirement to code native apps in Swift for iOS or Java for Android.
There are basically 2 skill sets within mobile app development.
As the first skill, we have all the JavaScript developers who have specialised in mobile development through React-native or another compiler.
And then, as the other skill, we have the native mobile app developers who code in Swift or Java to code native apps, which requires functionality JavaScript compilers can’t deliver.
Mobile apps are not as big as it was when they exploded some years ago. However, it’s still in large demand as SaaS companies and larger companies want to develop multiple apps to make it easier for their customers to use their services.
5. Copywriting
Even though many websites use AI to generate their content, there is still a large demand for copywriters.
AI can’t do as good of a job as skilled copywriters. Anyone generating content and publishing without reading it through and optimising it will be beaten in the SERP by any copywriter.
I think the job of a copywriter will change a lot over the next few years, and it has already changed a lot. Where we now see job posts where companies mention whether they want the copywriter to use AI or not.
It’s just important as a copywriter not to stay conservative. Embrace the change which is happening in the industry, but combine it with your experience, and then you’ll become unstoppable.
6. Search Engine Optimisation
With copywriting comes search engine optimisation. If you’re great at writing content, you’ll automatically excel at SEO.
Though there are 2 parts of SEO, the technical part is where we do on-page optimisation, and then there is the content part.
One part doesn’t work without the other. So you could combine these 2 skills, and then you’ll become a fantastic SEO expert who knows how to write excellent content and optimise it for the SERP.
SEO is in large demand, AI can only do so much, we still need to do a lot of manual work, and companies have significant revenue streams from organic traffic.
They have come to learn that it’s worth investing in SEO, and they know it’s an investment that takes time before it’s paid back to customers.
7. Video production
Video marketing is vast, but video marketing doesn’t work without video production. If you know how to create enticing videos from the preparing phase through the recording and editing phase, then a lot of companies want to work with you.
TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram reels are enormous opportunities for companies, and they know that, but they often don’t have the skill set to take full advantage of these channels.
This is where you enter the picture. If you can help them increase their visibility on social media through video and increase their conversion rate from these video channels, then they want to work with you. As simple as that.
Video marketing really took over from text and images a couple of years ago, and since then, people have wanted to watch. They don’t want to read. It’s proven over and over again that videos convert better than images.
8. Marketing
This is a vast subject, and it’s more relevant than ever for companies. Within marketing, we have hundreds of subcategories like social media marketing, SEO, SEM, video marketing, and I can go on and on.
If you can create an overview, create a plan and execute it. Then you have a skillset any company need and wants.
Companies know that marketing is how to acquire leads and companies, but they need you to guide them. They don’t know what channels to pursue or how to pursue them.
As a marketeer, you don’t need to be an expert in all the subcategories. You just need to have general knowledge, know how to create a plan, execute it and report back to your clients.
9. UX/UI design
UX/UI design is a skill which has fallen in demand over the last couple of years, mainly because there are so many UI libraries today that companies can buy for a slick and get started.
But larger companies who are serious about their visual identity and want their website, mobile app and web app to have a common thread will hire UX/UI designers.
It might be difficult to get started in this industry, and either you got the skillset in you or not. I have personally tried in the past, and I must admit I’m not a graphical designer, nor will I ever be. I don’t have the flair.
But if you have a flair for design, and your eye sees pixel-perfect, then you should pursue this. As soon as you get those first clients, it’ll start to roll.
10. Script and automation
Now, this is an exciting skill set. Today we can do so much on the web and on computers that we easily fall into these manual traps.
Often when we try something new, we start with a manual process, and then we automate it later on. Because we know it’s a significant investment to automate a manual process.
If you know how to automate manual processes, then you’re a fit for almost any company with more than 10 employees. Today you can automate a great deal with Zapier, and it would be a great place to start.
When Zapier isn’t enough, then it’s back to coding a script that will automate it, and here simply Python or JavaScript will be suitable. If you can do both Zapier and a programming language for automating, then you’re a match for any company out there.
What Skills Should I Learn As A Freelancer
It’s essential you focus on one skill that you become an expert in. You want to embrace that skill and throw yourself 110% into it. It’s a bonus if it’s secured into the years to come, but no one can really tell these days. Technology develops so fast.
Ensure this skill you go with is a skill you can see yourself working with 8 hours every single day. If that’s no problem, then you’ve found the right skill for you.
If you’re looking for a non-coding skill to get started with, then I’ll recommend you to start with copywriting and transition into SEO later on.
If you’re all up for coding, then JavaScript is a great place to start. This will open you up to everything from mobile apps to web apps and websites. then you can specialise down the line.
Other skills you want to work on are your communication skills, both in your emails, but also in meetings and in-person meetings. It’s essential you communicate clearly with your client so you understand what is happening without a doubt.
Rather spend a bit extra explaining yourself on a level so your client understands what is going on and they feel comfortable and trust you.
Work on your time management as well. You will be handling multiple clients at some point. Time management will help you embrace this. Use a tool like Planzer.io to help you ease this process.
Lastly, stay confident and believe in yourself. You’ll need this not only for your day-to-day work but also for when you need to negotiate with your clients. Both for your hourly rate, but also for project pricing.
When you’ve chosen your skill, then you want to acquire your first clients. I’ve written a step-by-step guide about acquiring your Freelance clients.
FAQ
What is the most in-demand skill for freelancing?
With AI being everywhere, the most in-demand skill is data science. The industry is hungry for data scientists, machine learning experts and basically anyone who can process large datasets and produce something with the output.
Which skill is best for freelancing in 2023?
The best skill for freelancing in 2023 is data science. Whether it’s data extraction, data modelling or working with the data output. AI is everywhere, and companies want to figure out ways to utilise it and how process their own data.
What skills does a freelancer need?
The more skills, the better, but not the skills to perform the job directly. The following skillset will take you far, no matter your industry.
– Clear communication
– Great negotiating skills
– Expert knowledge about your skillset and specific industries
– Creativity to solve problems
– Time management
– Empathy
Which job is easiest for freelancing?
The easiest jobs to get started with in freelancing are the jobs which don’t require significant investments upfront except for your time.
This could be:
– Copywriting
– Programming
– Graphic design
– Virtual Assistant
– Marketing
– Search Engine Optimisation