Top 10 most in-demand Freelance Skills (2024)

Even after you earn your degree, if you can’t make good money to meet your financial goals, know that you’re not alone. 

As a matter of fact, regardless of whether you have a degree or not, you can still earn more than 6 figures monthly anywhere in the world by learning at least one freelance skill that is in high demand today. 

The best part is that almost all of these skills can be learned online in the comfort of your own home. In this article, I’ll list the most in-demand skills.

Most in-demand Freelance skills 

Here are the most in-demand freelance skills:

1. Video editing

The age we live in is the age of digital media. With a single click, you have access to a large amount of information, products, and services. 

With the growing popularity of digital platforms like Instagram and Facebook, many brands have shifted their focus to their online presence. They pay more attention to their products being aesthetic and appealing to the masses. This is where video editing plays an integral role. 

It is one of the most in-demand freelance skills these days and offers various opportunities for you to earn enough money.

2. Software development

Around the world, software is used to run a growing variety of organizations and systems. However, you must meet the eligibility criteria to work as a software developer in accredited organizations. 

Some organizations require a 4-year degree in software development, however, some of them, such as Apple and Google, have removed any degree requirement from their hiring process. This means that even if you didn’t have the chance to go to a University, you can still work for well-known organizations as a freelance software developer.

You can learn software development online for free on various online platforms like Coursera and Udemy.

Every year, more transactions/purchases are made online. In virtually every part of their lives, more people are using apps, internet tools, and technical devices. So, this skill is a good spot to pitch your tent.

You may also like: How to become a Software Developer

3. SEO

To thrive and make money, websites need traffic. Search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, in addition to social networks, are the main sources of this traffic. For this, companies regularly trust freelancers specializing in SEO to appear on the first page on strategic queries.

The average annual compensation for an SEO consultant is $69,499 and a well-rated SEO consultant on a freelance website like Upwork earns between $60 and $250 per hour. 

You may be interested in: A beginner’s guide to SEO (All you need to know)

4. Web design

Web design is a highly sought-after freelance skill. Many companies specializing in different sectors are constantly looking for talented website designers, capable of producing beautiful creations in a minimum of time.

Beautifully, you don’t have to learn coding to be able to design a website. There are now many easy, drag-and-drop tools that you can use. 

On average, Website Design is not as lucrative as Software engineering, but the best web designers can still earn $100,000 or more in a year. So, I think it’s a great, well-paying skill if you’re interested in working in tech.

It’s also a great option for people who have a background in art or visual design and want to make a lot of money from their skills

5. Digital Marketing

Developing your digital marketing skills will pay off. Companies are investing heavily in digital marketing because they see it as a viable alternative to traditional marketing.

You can easily earn a 6 to 8-figure income if you find a few reputable companies you can work for as a freelance digital marketer.

6. Content creation

For every word written online or offline, there’s someone sitting at their computer putting their heart into it.

With hundreds of thousands of websites, newspapers, blogs, and magazines, imagine the opportunities available to you when creating content. For this, you must optimize your writing skills, your syntax, and your grammar, and learn how to create engaging content.

7. Social Media Marketing 

In recent years, sites like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, have emerged and have become the reference social networks. Companies want to interact with potential customers through these social networks: for this, they need experts.

It is in this context that a social media manager can put their talents to good use and help brands increase user engagement.

You don’t necessarily need technical expertise for this role, the main thing is being able to interact with a community.

Check this out: How to become a social media marketer

8. Graphic design

Graphic design is a particularly popular field of work. Top Freelance designers often find more work than they can handle.

To be a Graphic Designer, you have to be creative and have a certain taste to harmonize shapes and colors.

Also, you will need to use some graphic design software like PhotoShop. It is therefore essential to stay up to date and follow industry trends, learn new tools and develop your skills.

As a beginner, you can also use some graphic design tools accessible with a free trial such as Canva to make your first creations. 

9. Virtual Assistance

A freelance virtual assistant works from home to complete a number of administrative tasks and various services for their clients. 

A good Virtual Assistant must be versatile, organized, and ultra-responsive. 

It involves a wide range of services such as managing emails, making appointments, scheduling meetings and managing diaries, receiving and making calls, monitoring social networks, research, and data collection…

A beginner freelance virtual assistant can earn between $6 and $10 per hour. With experience, you can earn $15 per hour on average.

To start as an independent virtual assistant, start by listing the services you can offer your clients. 

Align yourself with the lowest prices on the market to land your first contracts and try to surpass yourself in the task to obtain positive feedback and consolidate your profile.

10. Copywriting

The title is still the same as ‘writing’, but copywriters and content writers have different responsibilities. Copywriters are devoted to writing web page content, product descriptions, email copies, and much more.

Looking at the list of top Copywriters on UpWork for instance, on average they are paid 15-100 USD per hour for this work.

Conclusion

If you’re stuck in your current job, especially if you have a position that feels worthless, why not learn one of these in-demand freelance skills? 

They will help you define the value you bring to the table, make your work time flexible, and get paid more! Best wishes!