Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
Though freelancing has been around about as long as paid work has, it’s often seen as risky. As a freelancer, you don’t have the same rights and protections an employee has.
But that trade-off means you are free to chart whatever professional path you want.
As a result of changing employer-employee relationships, many professionals are choosing to freelance as a way to take control of their careers, finances, and future. In fact, an estimated 64 million U.S. professionals performed freelance work in 2023.
If you’re one of the millions considering making the leap to a freelance career or looking to maintain your level of remote work and job flexibility, we’ve got the latest trends and data on the freelance market and freelance jobs.
Another advantage of freelancing is that you often have the ability to work remotely, including as a digital nomad.
FlexJobs analyzed more than 60,000 companies and their job postings across more than 50 career categories to pinpoint rising freelance careers with the highest growth and the most in-demand job titles and companies.
The following lists are ordered from highest to lowest and are based on job postings for remote freelance opportunities in the FlexJobs database from July 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
The most significant growth occurred in four categories: bilingual, graphic design, art and creative, and copywriting. They all grew by at least 20%, with bilingual and graphic design growing by 33%.
Ranked from highest to lowest, these companies had the most remote freelance jobs in the second half of 2023.
Ranked from highest to lowest, these are the most popular remote freelance job titles that companies hired for.
Next, we’ll look at tips on how to find freelance jobs.
Targeting your search is essential. When focusing on freelance work, you can target different keywords to expand your results.
In addition to using “freelance” as a search term, consider using other well-known terms, such as contract work, independent contractor, 1099 worker, and contract consultant.
If you’re game to move into an employee role again, contract-to-hire is also an option.
Refrain from assuming that clients already know a referral is wanted. Many customers will forget or move on, no matter how delighted they are after a project ends.
Make it easy for your freelance clients to share testimonials by sending a polite email with a link and a couple of targeted questions they can answer.
Don’t underestimate the power of social media and a powerful network in finding and landing freelance clients. Get your name out there, interact professionally, and build relationships.
While you may not get a freelance client right away, having your name out there means they may come searching for you.
And make sure to connect with other freelancers. Building a community for industry tips, information, and connections is essential.
Job boards can be an excellent way to find new clients and remote freelance jobs.
Sites like FlexJobs can help you narrow your search in a safe environment while connecting you with potential clients and opportunities.
Cold pitching is emailing or messaging potential freelance clients to offer services. Research companies, customize emails, and do proper due diligence that will help to meet their needs.
Being a successful freelancer takes grit, drive, and determination, not to mention a lot of paperwork!
Whether you’re a new or a seasoned freelancer, there are several things you can do to build a successful freelance career.
Do some market research before quitting your 9-to-5 job.
While going “all in” may seem like a good idea, you’ll be setting yourself up for failure if you don’t understand your competition or the demand for your services.
Take some time to understand what the market looks like so you can build your business on solid ground.
Having a strong personal brand is essential when freelancing. It is what will help you communicate who you are and what you can do. This helps clients understand you and see your expertise in the field.
It’s also the personality of your business, which allows you to market yourself more successfully.
One of the realities of freelancing is the feast-or-famine cycle. This can depend on a number of things, including your field and the time of year.
Planning out your finances and building a cushion will help when your clients aren’t in need of as many services.
Part of being a freelancer means performing the administrative tasks of running a business.
These include finding health insurance, planning for retirement, paying self-employment taxes, and dealing with more mundane tasks, like ordering office supplies and tracking your time.
Just like a mentor can help with navigating a traditional career, a freelance mentor can help professionals navigate their freelance careers.
Learning from someone who knows the ins and outs of freelancing can help with finding a path to career success.
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