Are you bored with your 9 to 5 job? Do you want to become your own boss and earn with the freedom of time, location, and work? Freelancing is one of the best options to monetise your passion with the freedom you desire.
First, What is Freelancing? Freelancing is doing a particular work as an individual company without being employed full-time. As a Freelancer, you will sign a contract with your client before starting the assignment and get paid per project, assignment, or hourly basis.
You can work with multiple clients at the same time. However, you need not commit to a single client and can keep working with different clients. If you offer top-notch services, you might pocket a retainer client.
Initially, freelancing was considered a way to monetise your passion as a side hustle. But, with a boom in the gig economy, Freelancers are considered self-employed. Successful Freelancers in India earn anywhere over INR 40 Lakh annually.
But, first things first. What are the best freelancing skills in demand in 2023? This article is a comprehensive guide on the best freelancing skills for beginners in India.
The Rise Of Freelance Work
The Pandemic ravaged the job market and brought the economy to a standstill. However, the barriers to remote working became negligible. Organisations shifted to remote work rapidly, opening a spree of opportunities.
The geographical borders were erased, enabling companies to hire a global workforce. This trend was especially noticeable with creative and skilled talent. On the other hand, organisations downsized, and scores of employees lost their jobs. They shifted to freelancing to utilise their high-paying skills and make extra money.
This trend has increased the demand for freelancers with the best freelancing skills. There are countless opportunities for freelancers to earn a good income. With one of the world’s highest young populations, India can use this trend to its advantage. Millennials are identifying the best freelancing skills to upskill themselves.
What Skills Should A Freelancer Have?
The global demand for creative and skilled professionals is growing. Organisations are taking advantage of remote working opportunities. Freelancers specialising in Software development, UI and UX design, Writing, Digital Marketing, etc., are in high demand.
The work environment of a Freelancer is different from a full-time employee. Apart from their domain knowledge, Freelancers should possess certain soft skills to excel in freelancing. Some of the key skills are listed below:
1). Communication
Effective communication is crucial in freelancing. It helps you to understand client requirements, convey your ideas and manage expectations.
2). Time management
Managing time effectively is crucial to maintaining discipline in freelancing. This will allow them to meet deadlines and juggle between work and self-development.
3). Marketing and branding
Freelancers are brands by themselves. Freelancers have to market themselves to attract clients and build a strong brand.
4). Project management
Apart from their core skill, they need to be able to plan, execute, and deliver the project on time. Being able to manage projects from start to finish is essential.
5). Flexibility and adaptability
The main benefit of being a Freelancer is the ability to work with different clients on different projects. Being able to juggle varying expectations and maintaining flexibility is the key to success.
18 Most In-Deman Freelance Skills in 2023
Are you aspiring to become a successful Freelancer? Learning the best freelancing skills is necessary to survive this competitive job market. Investing in the right training can make you competitive to thrive in today’s digital economy.
Let us look at the top 18 freelancing skills that will help you earn a six-figure income.
1). Data Science
Data Science is one of the most in-demand freelancing skills in 2023. With the exponential growth of data around the globe, it is not just the large tech companies hiring Data Scientists. Big and small companies hire them from all kinds of industries.
Data Science is one of the most indispensable disciplines for effective decision-making and strategic planning. The Data Scientist’s role is to uncover actionable insights hidden inside countless data.
Data Scientists pick the relevant questions and find answers amid countless data. They should be equipped with the business and analytical skills to mine, refine, and present data. These refined results are used in the strategic decision-making of an organisation.
Key Skills Required:
Programming skills
Statistical and Mathematical skills
Storytelling and data visualisation
SQL
Machine Learning, etc.
2). Data Analytics
Data Analytics is different from Data Science. Data Analysts will bridge the gap between Business Analysts and Data Scientists. They will assess the information to find answers to particular questions raised by an organization. It helps in solving a particular problem or achieving a specific goal.
They present these trends or patterns to the decision-makers through charts and other visuals. The analysis can be descriptive, diagnostics, predictive, or prescriptive. Some business applications for Data Analytics are risk management, budgeting and forecasting, marketing and sales, and new product development.
Key Skills Required:
Data Visualisation
Statistical Analysis
SQL
Data Wrangling
Programming Skills
3). Cybersecurity
As global businesses are inching towards digitalisation, security is becoming a common concern. Almost every business collects and stores customer information. Securing this data is the responsibility of every business. This makes Cybersecurity one of the top 18 freelancing skills.
Cybersecurity works towards keeping this data secured, increasing the demand for specialists.
Key Skills Required:
Scripting
Analytical Skills
Diagnostic Skills
Intrusion detection
Network security control
Operating Systems
4). Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
In today’s digital world, getting discovered by prospective customers online is as important as your product. Optimizing websites for Search Engines is a key skill that helps in Search Engine Rankings.
An SEO specialist ensures the website is shown on the Search Engine Result Page (SERP). An online survey result reveals that the first 5 results on SERP get 62% of clicks. Generating the right traffic is critical to the success of SEO investments.
Key Skills:
Analytical Thinking
Writing Ability
Technical and Programming skills
Networking skills
Data Skills, etc.
5). Online Tutoring
Generate one of the most profitable and passive income streams by tutoring newbies online. Your area of expertise can be anything under the sun, from how to train dogs to Software Developing. You can earn by sharing your knowledge with a global audience.
All you need to have is the expertise in a particular subject. Starting as a Freelance Online Tutor is easy by signing up on platforms like Chegg. Become a Q and A expert to earn by answering questions from curious minds around the globe.
Key Skills:
Expert in the subject
Knowledge of the teaching platform
Ability to formulate a curriculum
Effective Communication and leadership skills
Compassionate about teaching
Listening skills
6). Social Media Marketing
Social Media platforms have become indispensable components of online marketing. This has made Social Media Marketing an important job opportunity. The main goal of a Social Media Manager is to improve customer engagement on these platforms.
This improves brand visibility, gains trust, and even increases sales. There is a growing demand for SMM professionals to create and implement effective social media strategies.
Key Skills:
Creativity
Writing skills
Effective communication skills
Marketing skills
Networking skills
Strategic thinking
Analytical thinking
7). Graphic Designing
Graphic Designing is an important aspect of Digital Marketing. Graphic designers make your website more attractive and engaging. The main goal is to make your marketing campaigns visually more attractive.
Graphic designing makes the brand more attractive, and the demand for Graphic Designers is growing.
Key Skills:
knowledge of Graphic Designing tools
Sketching and Drawing
Layout making
Creativity
Planning and organising
Time management
Colour Theory
8). Application Development
More people are spending more time on mobiles, and most online shopping is happening via phones. Businesses need to have a user-friendly application that offers easy navigation.
With the boom in the e-commerce sector, brands are moving towards e-store. So, brands are increasingly hiring App Developers to design and test their apps. Demand for a wide range of apps, from gaming to productivity.
Key Skills:
Knowledge of Programming Languages
Computer Proficiency
Back-end computing
UI/UX design
Website Design and Development
Communication skills
Problem-solving skills
Analytical thinking
9). Artificial Intelligence
AI developers build systems that interact with end-users, making online interactions easier. It includes Machine Learning, procedural content generation, etc., to develop applications and systems.
The main goal is to improve organisational efficiency, cut costs, improve profits and make better decisions. Any system or application that mimics human actions is considered AI. Problem-solving and learning are examples of AI. As more and more data is input, the algorithm is trained, and the system’s performance improves.
Key Skills:
Programming
Math and analytics
Problem-solving
Database Management
10). Blockchain
Blockchain technology is a programming language that is rapidly gaining popularity. It is becoming the most in-demand freelance skill in 2023. It is used to store and manage information about cryptocurrency transactions. It is highly secured and capable of completely restricting external modification.
It is still an emerging technique, and newbies can benefit from it. Invest in learning the technology, and it will be a highly paid, sought-after best freelancing skill in the future.
Key Skills:
Expertise in the Blockchain technology
Programming languages
Knowledge of Cryptocurrency
11). Low Code Development
Low Code Development is a platform for developers to design applications through a visual approach. When you learn low-code development, apps can be developed quickly with minimal coding. The Low Code Development platform enables you to create an application easily with drag-and-drop features.
Key Skills:
Knowledge of Programming Languages
Experience in Low-code tools
Knowledge of Database Management
12). Voice User Interface Design
The voice user interface is gaining popularity because of its sophistication. TVs, phones, smart home appliances, and many more products use a VUI. It is very different from designing a Graphical User interface.
Designing a VUI requires a great understanding of how people communicate. The main goal is to recreate the feeling of interacting with human beings rather than technology. It is an emerging trend, and talents are scarce in this field. Invest in learning this competitive skill, and you will likely become a successful Freelancer.
Key Skills:
Knowledge of VUI design
Knowledge of Natural Language Processor
Creating Interactive models
Knowledge of Web Services, Databases, and APIs
Scripting Languages
Sound Design Principles, etc.
13). Digital Currency Development
If you are an expert with cryptocurrencies, this might be an interesting Freelancing skill. With the rise of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, digital currency development has become an in-demand freelance skill.
Skills Required:
Blockchain development
Cryptocurrency trading
Smart contract development
Cryptography, etc.
14). Video Editor
Video content is becoming increasingly popular among consumers. Hence video editing has become one of the most in-demand freelance skills. Video editors are responsible for assembling raw footage into a polished final product. You are also responsible for incorporating special effects, music and sound effects.
Key Skills:
Video Editing Software Skills
PC skills
Colour Grading
Soundtrack selection
Attention to detail
15). Voice-over Acting
If you have a great voice, make money by Voice-over Acting Freelancer. There are opportunities for Voice-over Actors in many industries. E-learning, animated video production, audiobooks, podcasts, etc., are some examples of opportunities.
Key Skills:
Versatile voices
Acting skills
Interpret and convey emotions
16). Content Writing
Content writing is one of the most in-demand freelance skills in 2023. Companies and individuals are looking to create engaging and informative content. There are numerous content forms like blogs, social media, articles, newsletters, etc.
The main goal of content creation is customer engagement and triggering a call to action. It could be a signup, filling up a form, or sales.
Key Skills:
Excellent writing skills
Research skills
Storytelling and communicative skills
Understanding the audience
Empathy and conveying emotions
17). Web Design and Development
With digitalisation becoming a norm in business, website Design and development is a highly demanded skill. Anyone with the required technical knowledge and creativity can become a Freelance Web Designer and Developer.
You can become a Front-end developer, back-end developer, or full-stack specialist based on your skill set.
Key Skills:
Technical know-how
Knowledge about the Principles of Design
Typography and composition
Knowledge of CMS platforms
UI/UX design
Graphic design
Editing skills
Communication skills
18). Information Technology
Information technology (IT) is a broad field encompassing software development, database management, Cybersecurity and network administration. Areas like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are in high demand. You can hone your freelancing skills to earn hefty pay according to your area of expertise.
Final Words
People are moving towards a flexible work atmosphere. Similarly, organisations are hiring talents globally without any restrictions on boundaries. So, it is high time to hone your freelancing skills to live your dream life.
However, freelancing is not a shortcut to overnight success. It requires a lot of commitment and dedication to be a successful Freelancer. Staying up-to-date with changing industry trends is a key factor for success.
FAQs
Q1). Which skill is best for freelancing?
The best skill for freelancing varies based on the industry and demand. Some popular options include content writing, graphic design, web development and social media marketing.
Q2). What is the easiest freelancing skill?
The easiest freelancing skill depends on an individual’s strengths and interests. Data entry, virtual assistance or online surveys can be easy entry-level options.
Q3). What is the highest-paying skill?
The highest-paying freelance skills include software development, blockchain development, artificial intelligence, digital marketing and Cybersecurity.
Q4). What is freelancing work?
Freelancing work involves providing services or completing projects for clients on a contract basis without being tied to a single employer.
Q5). How do I start freelancing?
To start freelancing, identify your skills, determine your rates, create a portfolio, and market your services to potential clients.
Q6). What is a freelancer’s salary?
Freelancer salaries vary depending on the industry, experience level, and skill-set demand. The average freelancer’s salary in India is around Rs. 20,000 per month.
Q7). What is the eligibility for freelancers?
There are no specific eligibility criteria for freelancing. Anyone with a skill set can become a freelancer.
Q8). How do freshers start freelancing?
Freshers can start freelancing by identifying their skills, building a portfolio, and networking with potential clients. They can access these through online platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.
Q9). Is a freelancing job easy?
Freelancing can be challenging and requires hard work, discipline and managing multiple clients simultaneously. However, it can also be a rewarding and flexible career choice for those willing to put in the effort.
Read Also: Cyber security: everything you need to know for your business!
