Have you ever considered freelancing? Are you looking for a way to make money from home? If so, congratulations! You have found a career that can be flexible with plenty of opportunity to grow. You will not get bored because there are always tasks to do and things to improve on. Even better, since you are working remotely you can take on as much work as you can handle. Essentially, you become your own boss and you get to set your own hours.
Now, although this may be an attractive proposition, you cannot simply apply for any remote job and expect to walk into the office every day. In order to succeed as a remote freelancer, you need to put in the legwork and develop some solid skills. In this article, we will talk about the top 10 skills that you should learn before you begin your freelance career. We will also point you in the direction of some of the best training courses available so that you can further improve your skills and stand out from the competition.
Copywriting
If you can write, then you can become a copywriter. All you need is a good grasp of grammar and the ability to string sentences together logically. Naturally, you will be required to write various pitches and ad campaigns for various businesses, brands, and organizations. However, even if you do not end up doing any copywriting for a living, it will certainly help you in your freelance writing career. You will have the opportunity to hone your copywriting skills and gain some real-world experience while also earning a little money on the side. If you are looking for a resume skill that pays well, then consider copywriting a good option. You can charge a lot for your work, so it is important to invest in good copywriting skills. Fortunately, there are plenty of training courses available to help you get started.
One of the best places to learn copywriting is via an online degree program. There are plenty of institutions that offer accredited degrees in copywriting, which you can pursue in full-time or part-time. All you need is a laptop or mobile device and you can get started studying immediately. With an accredited degree in copywriting, you will have the opportunity to network and connect with other professionals in the industry. You will also have the option of further honing your skills by joining professional organizations and participating in professional development activities. Furthermore, if you decide to go the degree route, you can expect to graduate with a good understanding of how to approach a writing project, pitch, or ad campaign. Looking for a resume skill that pays well? Consider becoming a copywriter.
Editing
Do you enjoy tweaking text edits to improve grammar and syntax? Do you feel that you can make a text more logical or easily understandable? If so, then consider becoming an editor. As the name suggests, an editor is responsible for taking raw text and turning it into a polished and ready-to-use version. This could mean taking articles and turning them into compelling text trumps, or it could be editing trade journals and scientific articles to make them more readable for laypersons. Whatever the case may be, editing is about taking a piece of writing and polishing it to a higher quality. It is not uncommon for an editor to work with writers to make sure that the written content is of a certain standard. In some cases, they may have to take a closer look at the tasks that the writer completes, such as copywriting or editing drafts, and make suggestions on how to improve the quality of the written content. Looking for a resume skill that pays well? Consider becoming an editor.
Technical Writing
If you are an early adopter of new technologies or platforms, then consider becoming a technical writer. Essentially, a technical writer is someone who is bilingual (able to communicate in both English and technical details of a product or service). They may be responsible for creating informative and understandable documentation (such as manuals, how-to guides, and help files) for a software package, a web application, or a complex piece of equipment. They may also need to translate textual content from other languages (such as French) into English for a global market. Essentially, since technology is a prevalent part of our every day lives, it is a field that can grow quickly and offer plenty of opportunity for those who are adept at it. If you want to specialize in translating textual content, then consider a career in technical writing. You can do this remotely, so you do not need to move to a city to get a job. You can get on with your life and work your own schedule, which is especially important if you are a single parent. Looking for a way to specialize and focus on a specific area of writing? Consider a career in technical writing.
Marketing Writing
If you can write, then you can become a marketing writer. Essentially, a marketing writer is someone who is familiar with and responsible for creating marketing materials (such as advertising, publicity journals, and manuals) for a business or brand. They may also be the ones who write the descriptions for products, services, or brands. Naturally, they will need to network and interact with other professionals in the field, as well as individuals responsible for purchasing the products that the business distributes. Essentially, since marketing revolves around getting the word out to the right people, you will need to learn to write for the general public rather than just for your niche within the industry. Looking for a way to specialize and focus on a specific area of writing? Consider a career in marketing writing.
Journalism
Do you have a passion for journalism? Do you enjoy investigating the streets for news stories? Are you the type of person who delivers breaking news firsthand? If so, then consider becoming a journalist. Journalism is the practice of gathering news and creating reports on current events. In today’s world, journalism often takes the form of online news reporting or blogging, but it can also take the form of print articles (i.e. newspapers). Essentially, since journalism is all about reporting news (regardless of the medium), you will need to learn to write clear and accurate news pieces. Additionally, you will need to learn to file and follow up on stories to get the most out of each news item. Looking for a way to specialize and focus on a specific area of writing? Consider a career in journalism.