Top 10 In-Demand Freelancing Job Skills
The pandemic changed the work environment permanently. It accelerated the adoption of remote work globally, leading to a surge in freelancing, as more traditional workers turned to freelancing due to job losses, remote work opportunities, and the need for flexible work arrangements. This has resulted in a larger pool of freelancers offering a range of services.
Freelancers now make up 46.6% of the global workforce.
Coupled with the major disruptor of ChatGPT, it’s time to look at the shifts in the freelancing job landscape. AI-powered tools and platforms have emerged, making it easier for freelancers to manage their businesses, communicate with clients, and streamline their workflow.
Project-Based Work for Freelancers
The freelance job market has seen a shift towards project-based work as businesses increasingly hire freelancers for specific projects or tasks rather than long-term employment. This shift provides flexibility for both businesses and freelancers.
With this shift comes the need for freelancers with digital skills: think Web Development, Digital Marketing, Content Creation, and Graphic Design. Businesses have recognised the importance of having a strong online presence, which has led to an increased demand for freelancers with digital expertise.
As a quick snapshot of 2021, these were the Top 10 In-Demand Freelancing Skills:
Accounting & Bookkeeping, Consultancy, Graphic Design, Photography & Videography, SEO, Social Media Manager & Community Manager, Virtual Assistant, Website Design, Website Development, and Writing.
It’s time to get into 2024!
1. Copywriting, Content Marketing, Report Writing
Copywriting, Content Marketing, and Report Writing are all fields of written communication. These disciplines aim to effectively communicate messages to specific audiences for different purposes.
Copywriting
A copywriter is a professional specialising in creating written content for promotional or advertising purposes. They craft persuasive and engaging copy to communicate a brand’s message and entice the target audience to take action, such as making a purchase or subscribing to a service.
💡 Skill Set: Bachelor in Communications, English or Marketing (equivalent) is recommended. Website portfolio and blog. Excellent grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, formatting, editing, communication, and research skills, with a creative flair. Superior attention to detail.
💡 In-Demand Industries: Advertising, Digital Marketing, Internal Comms, Social Media, Website Content, eCommerce, Retail.
Content Marketing
Content Marketers leverage advanced tools and deep analysis to craft innovative content strategies. By generating compelling, platform-specific copy they drive brand visibility and lead generation. Their roles encompass strategic trend analysis and dynamic content creation, fueling engaging brand narratives and effectively capturing audience attention.
💡 Skill Set: Copywriting skills above, sales & marketing, data analysis, SEO, SEM, technical and analytics tools, social media platforms.
💡 In-Demand Industries: Public Relations, Social Media Marketing, Brand Management, Website Content, Event Marketing, Travel, Hospitality.
Report Writing
Report Writers are research-based, highly analytical, and specifically structured document writers who present organised investigations, examinations and results into events, experiments or processes. Clear and concise grammar combined with meticulous formatting skills, presents findings on a subject through explanation, conclusion and recommendations.
💡 Skill Set: Bachelor in Communications, English or Marketing (equivalent) is recommended. Data analysis, format, structure, evaluation, proofing, editing, methodologies, regulatory standards, and meticulous attention to detail.
💡 In-Demand Industries: Technical Manuals, Research & Development, Finance, Education, Politics, Regulatory Bodies, Science, Healthcare, Technology, Software, eLearning Courses.
2. Data Analyst
A data analyst is a professional who collects, organises, and interprets large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights. They use various statistical and analytical techniques to translate data into meaningful information, assisting businesses in making informed decisions and optimising their operations.
💡 Skill Set: Many professionals start with a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related discipline. Programming languages, machine learning, data cleaning, critical thinking and attention to detail to ensure accurate analysis and interpretation of data.
💡 In-Demand Industries: Business Intelligence, Technology, Finance and Banking, Telecommunications, Healthcare, Government and Public Sector, Transportation, Logistics.
3. Digital Marketing
Digital marketers develop and execute strategies to promote products or services via digital channels. Their job is to increase brand awareness, generate leads, and drive sales by creating and implementing content marketing, SEO, social media, email marketing, and PPC campaigns. They primarily work on website traffic optimisation and conversion rates.
💡 Skill Set: Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or Business (equivalent) is recommended. Data analysis, content creation, market research, consumer behaviour, competitor analysis, SEO, G-Suite, CRM tools, and communication strategies.
💡 In-Demand Industries: eCommerce, Retail, Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Tech Companies, Hospitality, Education, Entertainment, basically the Internet!
4. Graphic Designer
Graphic Designers visually translate a brand, message or goal through memorable, effective, and aesthetically pleasing imagery. Developing concepts, graphics and layouts for clients to promote their products, they grab the consumers’ attention instantly. Jobs typically encompass signage, logos, ads, labels, and displays in either analogue or digital mediums.
💡 Skill Set: Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design (recommended) or Graphic Design Course. Proficient in industry-standard photo editing/design software. Abundance of innovation, creativity, insight into current environment and trends. Accuracy and attention to detail.
💡 In-Demand Industries: Digital Marketing, Advertising, Signage, Brand Awareness, Print Media, Multimedia, Product & Packaging, Web Design and Development, eCommerce, Entertainment, Education, Hospitality, Fashion and Apparel.
5. Mobile App Developer
A Mobile App Developer is a software engineer who designs, develops, and maintains mobile applications for smartphones and tablets. They use programming languages such as Java, Swift, and Kotlin to create the mobile app’s logic and functionality, leveraging various tools and frameworks to build user interfaces that are intuitive and visually appealing. They ensure a seamless user experience and work closely with designers and other developers to deliver high-quality mobile apps that meet the needs of their clients or end-users.
💡 Skill Set: Traditionally a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, (or related field.) Programming principles and languages, algorithms, software design, coding boot camps.
💡 In-Demand Industries: Technology, Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Android App Developer, iOS App Developer, eCommerce, Banking & Finance, Healthcare.
6. Photographer
Photographers are masters of capturing moments, telling stories, and selling products through high-quality, evocative imagery. From perfecting lighting and shooting to developing, printing, and retouching, they craft compelling images in both film and digital formats. Writing captivating captions, descriptions, and articles to complement their photos is all part of their artistic process.
💡 Skill Set: Arts Degree or Photography Course (recommended.) Industry-standard hardware and software technical skills. Mastery of composition, light, colour, shape, space etc. Developed interpersonal and communication skills. Superior attention to detail and context.
💡 In-Demand Industries: Advertising, Multimedia, Events, Fashion, Products & Packaging, Exhibitions, Print Media, Social Media, Websites, Stock Imagery.
7. Social Media Manager
Social Media Managers create engaging multi-platform content to promote and manage organisations’ online profiles. They develop and deliver a variety of content to create brand awareness, launch product campaigns, enhance customer service and build influencer relationships. Familiar with the latest trends, they implement strategies that elevate brands and stay ahead of competitors.
💡 Skill Set: Degree in Communications, Media, Digital Marketing, Advertising or relevant course (recommended.) Nuances and analytics of all Social Media channels such as LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube (at a minimum.) Self-starter, creative, on-trend, strategic and organised. Industry-standard hardware and software.
💡 In-Demand Industries: The World Wide Web! Digital Marketing, Advertising Agencies, Multimedia, Brands, Corporations.
8. Videographer
Videographers are the ultimate storytellers, capturing ideas, scenes, and events through mesmerising moving images. With their keen eye for directing live action, they bring briefs, brands, and concepts to life in a vibrant and captivating manner. Running studio sets or location shoots, coordinating with talented casts and crews, and seamlessly overseeing post-production necessities like editing, sound, and music are all second nature to these contemporary artists.
💡 Skill Set: Bachelor of Film & Television or Production Course (recommended.) Proficiency with industry-standard hardware & software in the pre-production, production and post-production stages. Exceptional interpersonal, communication, time management, budgeting and storytelling skills. Stamina to sustain long production days.
💡 In-Demand Industries: Weddings, Events, Entertainment, Advertising, Social Media, Corporate Training, Digital Marketing, Real Estate, Travel.
9. Virtual Assistant
A Virtual Assistant coordinates an employer’s daily administrative duties, via remote location. These include but are not limited to, scheduling calendars and meetings, filing, researching, managing expenses and responding to calls, emails and various messaging services. Attention to detail is crucial as you may be assisting several employers simultaneously.
💡 Skill Set: Excellent verbal and written communication. Self-starter, highly organised, multi-tasker, industry-standard computer literacy in project management and time management applications.
💡 In-Demand Industries: Marketing Agencies, IT, Law Firms, Real Estate, Financial Institutions, Entrepreneurs, Start-Ups, Healthcare.
Website Development, Coders, Programmers & Software Engineers
Just as Writing is an umbrella industry, so too is Website Development, encompassing several different jobs, such as Coders, Programmers, and Software Engineers who all work in the field of software development. They all bring specific technical skills and expertise to the Website Development process and collaborate to deliver high-quality software solutions.
Coders
Coders are typically entry-level or junior programmers, delegated to write straightforward code across tech platforms by Developers or Software Engineers. Skilled in one or two coding languages, their focus is on programming software, markup writing, organising and formatting text.
💡 Skill Set: Certificate IV in Information Technology, Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development or Computer Science (or equivalent.) Industry-standard hardware & software capabilities, programming languages such as HTML and Javascript, problem-solving, mathematics, accuracy, attention to detail, and communication skills.
💡 In-Demand Industries: Big Tech! We live in the Digital Age so take your pick… Software Companies, IT, Advertising, Marketing, Mobile Phone Design, Finance, eCommerce, Electronics, Healthcare, Education.
Programmers and Developers
Programmer and Developer titles are often used interchangeably. More experienced than coders, they have the ability to write several error-free coding languages and supervise the end-to-end design and development of an application. Well-versed in algorithms, their insight creates superior levels of software programming.
💡 Skill Set: Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development or Computer Science (equivalent.) Industry-standard hardware & software capabilities, programming & formatting languages such as HTML, CSS, PHP, SQL, Java, C++, or Python, problem-solving, mathematics, accuracy, attention to detail, communication and interpersonal skills.
💡 In-Demand Industries: Startups, Tech Giants, FinTech, Healthcare, Gaming, eCommerce, Aerospace, Military, Entertainment, Automotive, Manufacturing.
Software Engineers
Software Engineers are at the pinnacle of website development. Versed in multiple programming languages, systems and algorithms, they can identify and improve standard operating procedures as well as oversee the architecture of a program from concept to completion. With an innate understanding of UI and UX, they possess detailed design sensibilities to create engaging and effective applications.
💡 Skill Set: In addition to the Developer and Programmer Skill Set ^^^, Master’s Degree in Systems Design, Engineering or Software Development (or equivalent.)
💡 In-Demand Industries: As Above on an enterprise level. Enterprise Software, Network Solutions, IT Companies, Cybersecurity, Multimedia.
The dynamic landscape of freelancing has been significantly reshaped by the global shift towards remote work and the emergence of AI-powered tools, facilitating efficiency and productivity.
As businesses increasingly opt for project-based work, freelancers with digital expertise will be in high demand. Embracing these key freelancing job skills will be essential for success and growth in the evolving freelancing landscape.
