An increasing number of individuals have decided to leave their day jobs and transition to freelancing when the pandemic started. This explains the projection that full-time freelancers will continue to grow, especially in the United States. Recently, the number hit 57 million and you can expect this to grow dramatically in the next few years. With this, freelancing earned the ‘Great Resignation’ moniker.
Now, the pressure to learn the right skills to land the best freelance job is on. Freelancing may be known to provide an avenue where one’s passion and creativity are shown. However, recent reports show that the most in-demand freelance skills in 2022 are highly technical. This only means it’s critical to keep one’s freelance skills up to date.
Most in-demand freelance skills in 2022
With businesses shifting employment practices and widely turning to freelancers to fill critical skill shortages, freelancing is steadily rising. Upwork, a popular freelancing platform, recently conducted a survey and found out that 53% of freelancers provide skilled services such as computer programming.
To help improve your freelance game, here is a list of which freelance skill is in-demand this 2022, according to Upwork, Indeed, and other related surveys.
1. Web Development
Technical skills continuously top the list of in-demand skills for online jobs. Web development, in particular, has been leading the race for quite some time now. This trend is due to many brands and businesses exploring websites and their possibilities.
Specifically, web developers with JavaScript, HTML, WordPress, and CCS programming skills are the most sought-after.
2. Web App Development
Undoubtedly, many people shifted to online services when the pandemic hit. This caused many businesses to develop and transform their websites into web apps to stay afloat. Web apps and mobile apps almost work the same; hence it is the closest businesses can use to offer their products and services online.
3. Data Science and Analysis
Aside from being in demand, data analysts are among the highest earners in freelancing. The skills mainly involve assisting businesses in analyzing data, such as sales and statistics, to help optimize operations.
They are responsible for identifying trends and patterns to provide recommendations, develop strategies, or implement business solutions. This skill is critical because the business world has become increasingly competitive.
4. Social Media Management
Most businesses credit social media for allowing them to engage and respond in real time to their audiences or consumers. Indeed, the platform was a huge help for most businesses’ expansion. Hence, social media managers are in-demand because they play critical roles in maximizing the potential of social media for businesses.
Social media managers optimize content and marketing analytic tools for maximum traffic. Some of the most engaging sites for businesses are Tiktok, Facebook posts and stories, Instagram posts, and reels, Twitter, Pinterest, and even LinkedIn.
5. Copywriting
Content is the lifeblood of social media management, and copywriters are the ones who provide it. Writing compelling material, such as articles, blog posts, advertising content, and so on, falls under copywriting’s purview. These are critical contents, and copywriters ensure they are clear, informative, error-free, and professionally written.
6. Graphic Design
Graphic designers are responsible for bringing a business’s marketing materials to life. The visuals they create must capture the attention of the businesses’ target audience. These visuals usually involve graphics and images for websites, social media pages, banners, newsletters, and more. One must have a continuous supply of creativity because this job touches on the aesthetic nature of the business.
7. Consulting
Freelance consultants may be in-demand and high-paying, but they are challenging to break into, especially for beginners. They’re rarely the answer to what is the easiest skill to learn for freelancing. Freelancers vying to achieve this skill need to provide no less than expert advice on businesses. They must present vital information on how to achieve business goals. Therefore, specific knowledge is power. To master this skill, one must be wise with the industry they wish to focus on.
8. Virtual Assistance
Virtual assistants cover a lot of their job. Their job description typically includes scheduling appointments, managing emails, arranging and booking travels, making phone calls, etc. In essence, they make administrative services possible from a remote location for clients.
9. Shopify Store Development
When talking about profits in freelancing, those who build Shopify stores will surely top the game. Shopify is incredibly popular, and many entrepreneurs hurry to capitalize on the bandwagon. Aside from building an online store on Shopify, designing the store and bringing in new clients also adds to the demand factor of this skill.
10. Customer Support
Upwork recently listed customer support among the most in-demand freelance skills. To achieve mastery of this skill, one must have clear and persuasive speaking skills.
Dealing with different people every day can be challenging. Hence, the job requires empathy, adaptability, self-control, and the ability to take responsibility. However, impressive communication skills are the highest standard for this job.
Start freelancing today
Freelancing is not just a trend. The pandemic may end, but freelancing will stay and become even stronger. It’s best to adapt now rather than later when competition becomes fiercer. However, as you may already know, identifying which skills are best for freelancing is critical. Selling oneself to freelance employment markets requires both easy and expert skills.
If you’ve decided to take advantage of the freedom and higher rates provided by freelancing, we can help you. Stellar Freelancing Academy provides reasonably priced courses and guides to assist aspiring freelancers who don’t know where to start.
Contact us via Messenger using our chat plugin at the bottom right of this page or by clicking here.