Freelancing has been on the rise for some time, but it really took a star turn in 2020. During the peak of COVID-19, remote work became the norm for many. And as those who suffered pandemic-related layoffs sought work, the flexibility of freelance jobs proved attractive, growing the space considerably. The freelance job market increased by more than 25% from April to June of last year, and it continues to expand.
While many industries cater to freelance work, there are some that truly stand out. Businesses seeking top-notch services from contract workers will find them in these eight sectors:
1. Software Development
Business is turning more digital every day. There are several types of software businesses can use to boost their online presence, most notably websites and mobile apps. The computing gurus who produce them yield high salaries in a competitive industry, and many have found steady incomes and job satisfaction through freelancing.
Web development remains the service that’s most in demand. Without a website, it’s next to impossible to gain consumers’ attention and funnel them toward sales. Development of mobile-friendly sites and apps allows even small businesses to reach a far wider range of customers than was possible before. If these are capabilities you need, there’s likely a freelance developer out there who can supply them.
2. Content Creation
Creative minds of the world rejoiced as freelancing took off and allowed them to turn their passions into sustainable employment. There are all kinds of positions that freelancers can fill throughout the content creation process. Each role holds value for organizations of different shapes, sizes, and industries. Some common examples of creative freelancers include the following:
- Graphic designers. These visual whizzes create logos, pamphlets, displays, and more for companies to use in their branding and marketing efforts.
- Photographers. Every image comes from somewhere, and freelance photographers provide a lot of the content you see on the internet.
- Video editors. Video is booming, but not every business is equipped to produce their own content. In come the freelancers.
- Content writing. Blog posts don’t write themselves, so a lot of companies turn to freelance writers to fill those pages.
- Copywriting. Short, eye-catching taglines are a different kind of writing that sometimes requires a completely different sort of writer.
This is perhaps the largest space freelancers currently occupy. With so many services to choose from, you’re likely to find a freelancer to meet your every need.
3. Finance
Finance work is challenging, but it doesn’t necessarily require someone to be crunching the numbers daily. Instead, businesses can contract with a financial professional when they need one the most. Most commonly, CPAs are enlisted to help with the ever-demanding tax season.
A financial contractor can come in to assist with bookkeeping or to develop a budget for an upcoming project or pitch. Businesses that haven’t engaged a freelance financial professional in the past should consider doing so. A thorough audit can uncover needless costs and potential risks that could harm your business. Addressing them will help ensure your company’s longevity.
4. Marketing
In today’s world, it’s hard to gain traction without a good marketing plan. But keeping up with marketing trends is hard and time-consuming work. For small businesses, especially, hiring a freelance marketer makes developing effective marketing campaigns a breeze.
Marketing encompasses a lot of different mediums. Social media platforms are free to use and can reach a lot of people in a short time frame. Local options to consider include radio spots, billboards, sponsorships, and mail campaigns. An experienced marketer can weigh all the options and use their expertise to focus your marketing efforts where they’ll be most effective.
5. Search Engine Optimization
For a layperson, one of the hardest industries to understand is search engine optimization, or SEO for short. SEO involves tailoring a website’s structure and content to appeal to certain search engine criteria in order to boost page rankings. The higher you rank, the more likely an internet browser is to find your website — and a customer your business.
SEO requirements are constantly changing. Companies that want to get a leg up on their competition will be well served by an SEO expert who can get them noticed. Freelancers will be able to audit your site, analyze current content, and make needed recommendations to improve performance.
6. Project Management
Even some of the best project managers float from job to job. Companies undertaking a significant project will bring in outside PM experts to keep track of tasks and timelines and make suggestions based on their past experience.
Say you own a company that’s about to undergo a merger. This is a massive initiative that will require data migration, personnel changes, and team reorganization. Hiring an external project manager eliminates bias in this process and will enable the united organization to move forward on a firmer footing.
7. Research and Analysis
Keeping up with research needs is difficult for frontline employees with numerous other responsibilities. That’s why more companies are turning to the gig economy to get the researchers they need. Freelance researchers can do the surveys, dig up the case studies, and find the statistics relevant to the projects at hand. Plus, they can be employed just when they’re needed.
Research makes a fine segue into data analysis, a crucial capability for any 21st-century business. Freelancers can also help with this assignment, as well as taking care of tasks such as data entry and compiling quarterly reports. They’ll make your life so much easier, and the data at your disposal will provide increased direction and control over your business.
8. Training and Instruction
As an employer, part of your mission should be to help your employees improve. You give back to them by enabling them to acquire new skills, and those skills boost their work performance and elevate your company.
When specialized instruction is needed, contract with a trainer. Professional trainers know just what programs to use, texts to assign, and activities to engage in to give employees the best learning experience. This work is ideal for freelancers, as few companies require a trainer full time. Many instructors have even modified their training plans for virtual audiences amidst COVID-19 and the growing use of remote teams.
These are only a few of the industries where freelancers have staked their claim. So many more are on the rise. Consider all the freelance talent options to make the best decisions for your business.