The world of freelancing is taking over the modern business world. Many terms have been coined to describe this phenomenon, such as the “Gig Economy” and the “Sharing Economy”. No matter what words you use to describe it, this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Freelance jobs now account for more than a third of the U.S. job market, and this number is expected to grow to over 50% by the year 2020. The advent of the internet has made it easier than ever to make a living from home. The ability to work remotely has lead to the rise of an entire “Digital Nomad” subculture. Millennials are wandering the globe with digital portfolios, personally-attained clients, and the ability to be their own boss from anywhere. Freelance jobs are more popular than ever, and it is easy to understand why.

If you are thinking of pursuing a career in the freelance market, where do you begin? It’s a good idea to build a work portfolio, digital resume, and a high-quality personal brand. Eventually, you will want to learn how to network effectively and build a steady client base for attaining independent freelance jobs. However, like most traditional forms of business, the first step in your search for freelance jobs is market research. Regardless of your educational background or professional skillset, you must understand the law of demand in freelancing. With a saturated digital marketplace filled with talented professionals, you need every edge you can get. Understanding which freelance jobs are in demand and where potential clients need help is a brilliant first step towards a successful career online.

The business of freelance web design and website development is absolutely booming. This makes perfect sense and aligns with the rise of the freelance industry itself. As the internet provides greater access to digital client work, the need for an online presence has skyrocketed. Nearly any modern company, digital or not, needs a high-quality online storefront for acquiring new business. This places professional web design, coding, and development skills at a premium. Freelance jobs are readily available for anyone who possesses these technical and creative abilities. Specific skills that are in especially high demand are UX design, SDK knowledge, mobile site development, and a mastery of WordPress.

If you have been around the digital marketing or web design world, you may have heard the tired adage “Content is King”. This is a well-known and echoed statement for good reason. Even websites with superb design and UI need the written word to convey their message with precision, clarity, and an authentic voice. Producing fresh content on a website via articles on a blog is critical for SEO, search marketing, and driving organic traffic. If a business has a social media presence, they need content writers to publish content and engage their audience. Content is still king in the digital space, and companies need skilled writers to secure their place above the competition. Writing is thus one of the more important skills for acquiring freelance jobs in the current marketplace.

The rise of the virtual assistant is a more recent development in the freelance world, but it is a rapidly expanding one. An increase in the number and quality of digital tools to manage workflow have allowed administrative tasks to be completed remotely. Freelance jobs are now available across the globe for virtual assistants with excellent administrative skills, opening up an entire industry that should grow exponentially in the years to come.

Becoming a skilled creative or graphic designer is not easy. As such, these freelance jobs are always in massive demand throughout the digital marketplace. You must possess a keen understanding of design psychology, a thorough proficiency in electronic media, and a particular aptitude for artistic vision. However, if you possess a love for creative expression and digital design, freelance jobs will never be in short supply.

The technical side of digital marketing is an industry that has only recently developed. Digital marketers have thus been in demand since the inception of search-based paid advertising. These endeavors can reap massive rewards for businesses looking to earn leads online. Proficiency in web analytics, search engine optimization (SEO), and paid social media advertising are particularly important for the modern digital marketer.

Sales never goes out of style, and the ability to gain new business online is in demand as well. As a result, there has been a steep increase in the number of related freelance jobs in the digital age.

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