5 Freelance Skills in 2025 That Can Help You Start Your Freelancing Business

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to choose a freelance skill with all the hype around tech, AI, and whatever’s trending this week. One minute it’s web3, the next it’s prompt engineering. And somehow, everyone makes it sound like you need to learn everything at once. But if you’re thinking long-term, probably to build something of your own, or even just earn on the side, it helps to focus on skills that are consistently in demand. According to Upwork’s latest report on 'The most in-demand freelance skills by category for 2025', there are a few standouts that cut across tech, creative, and marketing work. Here in this article, you will find a breakdown of some tech skills, why they’re in demand, and how they can help you get started.

1. Virtual Assistance (VA)

If you’ve ever helped someone reply to emails, cleaned up a messy folder, or scheduled a meeting, you’ve already done the kind of work virtual assistants (VAs) get paid for. Founders, coaches, and solo entrepreneurs are often too swamped to handle every little task themselves, so they hire VAs to keep things running behind the scenes. This might mean managing their inbox, booking appointments, organizing files, or handling other small-but-crucial tasks.

And the demand is only growing. According to Grand View Research, the global VA market is expected to hit $14.1 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of 24.3% every year.

For the best part, you don’t need fancy tech skills to get started. If you can communicate clearly, stay organised, and know your way around tools like Gmail, Google Docs, and Calendars, you’re already equipped. With just a phone and a laptop, you can start offering basic support services remotely. A lot of freelancers begin this way, then later branch out into areas like customer support, Shopify store management, or even executive asassistance.

2. Digital Marketing

Almost every small business is trying to stay visible online. Whether it’s posting regularly on Instagram, sending email newsletters, or running small Facebook ad campaigns, someone has to do the work, and most founders don’t have the time. That’s why digital marketers are in constant demand. In fact, the advertising and marketing field (which includes digital marketing) is projected to grow by 8% from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.

You can start with what’s closest to you, like writing captions, designing Canva posts, or helping someone set up an email list. As a beginner freelancer, you can build your first experience by managing social pages for a friend’s business, a school project, or your own hustle. From there, you grow.

3. Video Editing

Most often, you hear things like “content is king,” and that’s because content drives attention, engagement, and reach. Right now, video is the most powerful format in content creation and marketing. Whether it's creators on YouTube, influencers on Instagram, or brands trying to go viral, everyone’s producing video content, and they need editors who can turn raw footage into something clean and engaging.

The demand is only growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for video editors is strong, with a projected 3% growth from 2020 to 2030.

You don’t need a laptop to start. Apps like CapCut, VN, or InShot on your phone are more than enough to trim videos, add subtitles, sync background music, and throw in transitions. Start by editing sample clips—maybe your own vlog, a voiceover, or short reactions. Once you get the hang of it, you can reach out to small creators, podcasters, or even businesses who post regularly and need someone to take editing off their hands.

4. Data Analytics

We live in a data-dependent world, but not everyone knows how to make sense of all those numbers. That’s where data analytics comes in. From sales figures to customer behavior, companies collect data every day, and they need someone who can read the numbers and tell them what’s working and what’s not.

In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 23% growth in data analyst jobs between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than the average for most careers.

And you don’t need to be a data wizard to get started. If you’re decent with Excel or Google Sheets, that’s enough to begin. You can start by analyzing simple datasets, such as public data on elections, sports, or finance, and turning them into clean charts or short reports. As you learn more, you can move into tools like SQL or Power BI, but you don’t need them to get your first client.

5. Web Development

Think about how many times you’ve opened a website that looked outdated or just didn’t work well on your phone. The reality is, most small businesses don’t have the budget for a fancy design agency. What they really need is someone who can build a clean, simple site that loads quickly and works across devices.

That’s why web developers are still in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand in the field is expected to grow by 8% between 2023 and 2033, faster than the average for most jobs. That’s around 16,500 new openings over the decade.

And for the good part of it, you don’t have to be a coding expert to get started. Tools like WordPress, Webflow, and even Carrd let you build full websites with little to no code. Start by creating 2–3 practice sites—a personal portfolio, a basic blog, or a landing page for a product idea. That alone can be enough to land your first few clients.

Conclusion

Picking a freelance skill isn’t just about making quick cash to survive or improve your lifestyle, but more about choosing the kind of work you want to grow into. Some paths can lead to full-time businesses, while others offer the flexibility to earn while learning. Either way, the skill you start with will shape your pace, freedom, and future opportunities. So take your time, choose one that fits your strengths, and commit to it. The more you build, the clearer your direction becomes.

For a full list of Upwork's most desirable skills and job opportunities, click here.