Introduction
The world of freelance work is a competitive one. If you want to make good money, you need to stand out from the crowd. While there are always new and exciting skills that will pay well, there are also some tried and true ways to boost your hourly rate by a few dollars or even tens of thousands of dollars per year. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the highest paying freelance skills that I’ve seen around freelancer marketplaces like ODesk and Upwork over the years.
Web design
Web design is a broad term that encompasses many different areas of specialization. Some freelancers may focus on designing websites while others prefer to work specifically with e-commerce platforms, digital marketing campaigns, or social media profiles. Regardless of their area of expertise, web designers are in high demand and it’s important for them to have a portfolio of their previous work so that they can show potential clients what they’re capable of. It’s also common for freelancers in this field to be expected to work on their own (and often remotely) without much supervision from an employer or manager.
Social media management
Social media management is a big business, and you don’t have to be a social media manager to know that. With so many people using social networks for their personal and professional lives, marketers, advertisers and brands are all looking for ways to reach their audiences. And that means more work for freelancers who are experienced with managing social media accounts on behalf of clients.
You can either work with companies directly as an employee or choose to freelance as an independent contractor (or start your own agency). Either way, it’s easy enough to find clients who need help managing their accounts—and they’re willing to pay quite well for those services!
Copywriting
Copywriting is the art and craft of writing content for print, web and social media. The copywriter is responsible for writing the words that appear on your website, blog and other marketing materials. Copywriters are highly specialized professionals who must be able to think strategically about their audience’s needs before crafting compelling messages that motivate people to take action.
Copywriting is not just a fundamental skill in marketing — it’s also considered one of the highest-paying freelance skills today!
Translation
Translation is a high-paying skill, with freelancers charging anywhere from $18 to $25 per hour. The demand for translation services is increasing because of globalization and the rise in the number of people who speak different languages. This can be seen by looking at some figures:
- In 2014, there were about 6 million freelance translators listed on Upwork (formerly known as Odesk)
- There are more than 300 million migrants around the world, which is a 22% increase from 1990
- There are over 7 billion people in the world
Graphic design
Graphic design is a broad term that encompasses a range of visual communication skills. Designers can create logos, brochures, posters, websites and apps. They may also do motion graphics or create other forms of media such as packaging and large-format printing.
Graphic designers are in high demand because they help clients communicate their message visually to their target audience more effectively than text-based content alone can do.
Accounting
If you love numbers and have a knack for organization, becoming an accountant is a great way to earn money from home. Accounting is a skill set that’s in constant demand across multiple industries, from business management to the medical field. Accountants are needed to keep businesses and individuals on track with their finances, so it’s no surprise that they can command high rates as independent contractors. Additionally, since accountants don’t have to physically be present at their clients’ locations, working remotely means that you can set your own hours and work from home (or anywhere else!).
Market research
In case you are wondering, market research is exactly what it sounds like. It means doing studies to find out what people want and how much they will pay for it.
For example, if a big company wants to make a new product that contains rice, but they don’t know how much people would pay for it or how many people would actually buy it if available in the market, then this company will hire experts who can do market research on their behalf. The experts will study different customers’ preferences and come up with recommendations based on the gathered information. The companies use these recommendations as guidance in their decision making process regarding whether or not it’s worth investing money into creating a new product containing rice!
Transcription services
Transcription services are a great way to make money as a freelancer. Transcriptionists need excellent listening skills and fast typing skills, which means they must be able to focus on the task at hand while also multitasking. Most transcriptionists are paid per audio minute, meaning you can make more money if you can type faster and understand more easily than other freelancers in your field.
Most people think of transcription as something done by professionals in an office environment—but that’s not always the case! Many freelancers who offer these services work from home, making it easier for them to manage their time with children or other family members/friends during business hours.
Some freelance skills pay much better than others.
- It’s a great way to earn money.
- You can choose the skills you want to learn and the clients you want to work with.
- If you have an idea for a project, it’s a good way to get started on it while making some money at the same time!
Conclusion
Based on the above, it’s safe to say that if you want to earn more as a freelancer, your best bet is to pick up skills that will allow you to charge more. Web design, social media management, and translation services are all good options for this.
