The Most In-Demand Freelance Gigs To Earn Extra Cash Online
Freelancing has become an increasingly popular way for people to earn extra income on the side. The rise of freelance marketplaces like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer has made it easier than ever for freelancers to connect with clients and find freelance gigs.
But with so many options, what are the most popular and in-demand freelance jobs right now? As a freelance writer and blogger myself, I decided to do some research to find out!
Here’s a look at some of the top freelancing opportunities available across the major freelance platforms and websites.
Graphic Design
Graphic design is one of the most popular online freelance jobs out there. From creating logos and branding material to social media posts and advertisement designs, graphic designers are constantly in high demand.
Nearly every business needs some kind of design work, so it’s no surprise that graphic design gigs are everywhere. On Upwork alone, over 44,000 graphic design jobs are posted each month.
The skills needed for freelance graphic design include:
- Expertise with design software like Adobe Creative Suite
- Ability to work with branding guidelines
- Strong visual style and aesthetic
- Good communication skills
Rates for freelance designers vary based on experience, but often range from $15-$50 per hour or more. Entry-level designers can earn $15-$25 per hour, while more experienced freelancers earn upwards of $50 per hour.
Web Development
Developing, coding, and designing websites and apps is another highly sought-after freelance skill. Businesses are constantly needing web development work, leading to ample opportunities for freelance web developers.
Some common web development gigs include:
- Building or updating existing websites
- Designing site layouts and interfaces
- Adding new functionality or features to websites
- Mobile app development
- Ecommerce site development
- Coding websites from scratch
- Optimizing sites for speed/SEO
To succeed as a freelance web developer, skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and various frameworks like React are essential. Most freelance web developers charge between $50-$150 per hour.
Web development is one of the highest paying freelance skills, with huge demand. On Upwork, over 3,000 web development jobs are posted every day!
SEO Services
SEO (search engine optimization) has become crucial for businesses trying to rank highly in search engines like Google. As a result, freelance SEO experts are hugely sought after.
Typical freelance SEO gigs include:
- SEO auditing and analysis
- Optimizing website copy for keywords
- Improving page speed and site architecture
- Building backlinks to improve domain authority
- Local SEO optimization
- Reputation management
- Content marketing and guest posting
SEO freelancers should understand best practices like keyword research, metadata optimization, and link building. Rates range from $50 to $150+ per hour depending on experience level.
There are over 4,000 SEO job listings on Upwork every month, highlighting the huge demand businesses have for optimizing their web presence and traffic.
Social Media Management
Nearly all brands today rely on social media for marketing, engagement, and sales. But constantly creating social media content, running ads, and analyzing performance is hugely time consuming.
That’s why outsourcing social media management to freelancers has become so popular for businesses both big and small.
Typical social media freelancing jobs include:
- Content creation – writing posts, making graphics/videos
- Community management – responding to comments, DMs
- Paid social ads – running/optimizing Facebook/Instagram ads
- Strategy – building engagement, growth strategies
- Analytics/reporting – tracking KPIs and generating reports
Rates for social media managers range from $15-$50 per hour based on experience. Entry-level freelancers charge around $15-$25, while expert social media directors can charge $50+ per hour.
Social media management gigs are plentiful, with Upwork listing over 2,000 open jobs each month.
Video Editing
Video continues to grow as an essential marketing and storytelling medium for businesses and brands. But editing high-quality video requires substantial skill and experience.
This rising demand for engaging, professional video content has led to significant opportunities for freelance video editors.
Typical freelance video editing jobs include:
- Editing corporate marketing and promotional videos
- Vlogging and “day in the life” style videos
- Social media content editing – short form video ads, Instagram Reels, etc.
- Event and conference video editing
- Long form documentary or interview editing
Freelance video editors usually charge $15-$75 per hour based on factors like turnaround time, video length, and requirements. Entry-level editors charge around $15-$25 per hour, while corporate project rates can exceed $75 per hour.
Nearly 2,000 video editing jobs are available each month on Upwork, making this a steady freelance opportunity.
Translation & Transcription
For businesses operating globally or interacting with foreign audiences, hiring freelance translators and transcribers is essential.
Typical translation and transcription gigs include:
- Document translation – technical docs, legal forms, brochures
- Website localization – translating site copy into other languages
- Audio transcription – converting speech to text
- Video translation – subtitles, on-screen text
- Interpretation – real-time translation of speech
Freelance translators and transcribers typically charge by the word, audio minute, or video minute. On average, rates range from $0.10 to $0.50 per word. Transcription usually ranges from $1.00 to $3.00 per audio minute.
With global business booming, demand for freelance translation services also continues to grow. Over 2,500 translation and transcription jobs are available every month on Upwork.
Bookkeeping
From tracking expenses to processing payments, all businesses require bookkeeping and accounting work. But hiring a full-time accountant is expensive. This makes freelance bookkeeping a cost-effective option.
Common freelance bookkeeping jobs include:
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Payroll processing
- Expense reporting
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Tax preparation
- Auditing and compliance
Bookkeepers typically charge $30-$100 per hour depending on expertise, certifications like CPAs, and complexity of work. Entry-level bookkeepers earn around $30 per hour, while certified accountants can charge over $100 per hour.
Bookkeeping and accounting freelancers should be highly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented. Experience with accounting software like QuickBooks is a major plus.
There are over 1,500 bookkeeping job postings every month on Upwork, highlighting steady demand.
Programming & Coding
From mobile apps to software platforms, businesses rely on programmers and coders to develop, improve, and maintain their technical products and services.
Typical freelance programmer jobs include:
- Mobile app development – iOS, Android
- Front-end web development – JavaScript, React
- Back-end/full stack development – Node.js, Python
- Game development – Unity, C++
- Automation scripts – Python, Selenium
- Data analysis – Python, R
- ERP/CRM customization – SAP, Salesforce
Hourly rates for programmers range from around $30 for entry-level contractors to $150+ for highly specialized senior coders. Specific skills and experience determine rates.
Programming freelancers should have hands on expertise in languages like JavaScript, Python, and frameworks like React Native for mobile. Strong debugging and analytical abilities are also key.
Over 9,000 open programming jobs are listed on Upwork each month, presenting huge freelance potential.
Data Entry
While not the most glamorous work, data entry is a freelance opportunity with steady demand. It involves filling out forms, PDFs, surveys, databases and more with information.
Freelance data entry is commonly needed for:
- eCommerce product listings
- Business database updates
- Processing and entering paper/PDF forms
- Survey results
- Bookkeeping data like invoices and expenses
- Any other data that needs organizing or digitizing
Since data entry relies more on diligence than specialized skills, rates are quite affordable. Freelancers typically charge $10-$25 per hour depending on speed and accuracy. Faster workers can complete more data entry tasks per hour and earn towards the higher end of that range.
Over 500 data entry jobs are posted every month on Upwork. While competitive, it remains a freelance niche worth considering for beginners.
Writing
From blogs to product descriptions, businesses constantly need quality written content. Hiring freelance writers provides affordable, scalable copywriting compared to in-house staff.
Typical freelance writing gigs include:
- Blog, newsletter, and article writing
- Social media posts and captions
- Product descriptions and website copy
- Press releases, case studies, whitepapers
- Video scripts, ad copy, sales letters
Rates for freelance writers vary substantially based on skill and experience, ranging from $0.05 per word for entry-level writers to $1 per word for expert freelancers. Blogging and social media writing tends to be entry-level around $0.05-$0.10 per word. More advanced copywriting and content ranges from $0.10-$0.50 per word.
Over 5,000 open writing jobs are available every month through Upwork, covering diverse client needs.
Virtual Assistance
If you’re great at organization and administrative tasks, becoming a virtual assistant can be a rewarding freelance role. Virtual assistants provide all-around remote admin support to clients.
Common virtual assistance tasks include:
- Email management
- Calendar scheduling
- Travel arrangements
- Meeting coordination
- Appointment setting
- Data organization/entry
- Customer service follow-ups
Most virtual assistants charge an hourly rate ranging from $25-$50 depending on expertise. More specialized VAs with higher level social media, bookkeeping, or technical skills can charge up to $75 per hour.
Thousands of virtual assistant opportunities are posted across freelance platforms each month. It’s an excellent entry point into professional freelancing.
Resume Writing
Helping others optimize and improve their resumes to land jobs is a niche but lucrative freelance opportunity. This is especially popular on Fiverr, where hundreds of freelance resume writers serve clients.
Key freelance resume writing activities include:
- Interviewing clients about skills, experience, career goals
- Crafting or optimizing resume layout/formatting
- Tailoring resume content to specific jobs
- Incorporating optimized keywords
- Checking for errors or inconsistencies
- Advising on areas for improvement
Given the expertise required, resume writers command healthy rates between $100-$500 per resume depending on turnaround time and specific services like cover letter writing.
With the competitive job market, demand for professional resume writing assistance keeps growing.
Voice Over Work
Leveraging your vocal talents as a freelance voice actor or voice over artist can be extremely lucrative. Voice over work is needed by brands, production companies, animators, ad agencies and more.
Common voice over jobs include:
- Audiobook narration
- Radio and TV advertisements
- Cartoon/animation voice acting
- Corporate explainer videos
- Telephone waiting messages
- Documentaries
- GPS navigation voiceovers
The average pay rate for freelance voice over work is $100 per finished hour. However, more advanced voice actors can earn $200-$500 per hour based on experience and vocal skills.
Voice over freelancing requires industry-standard recording equipment and some level of training. But for those with broadcasting chops, it’s a way to earn substantial income from home.
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Key Takeaways
- Graphic design, web development, and SEO services top the list of most popular freelance jobs. They provide high income potential.
- Social media management, video editing, and translation services also see steady demand as essential business services.
- Bookkeeping and programming allow qualified freelancers to tap into specialized high income niches.
- Entry level opportunities like data entry and virtual assistance are widely available for beginners.
- Copywriting and resume writing enable skilled writers to offer their expertise to clients as a service.
- Voiceover work allows vocal talents to earn a substantial side income from home.
The range of in-demand freelance jobs provides income potential for experts and beginners alike. Whether you’re highly skilled at web design or simply organized and personable, freelancing allows you to profit from your talents.
As the freelance revolution continues, now is the time to get started! Identify your expertise and passion, set up a profile on sites like Fiverr, and start applying for gigs to earn income outside your regular job.
With some effort and perseverance, freelancing can become a lucrative way to pursue the work you love and achieve financial goals and freedom.
