11 Soft Skills Every Freelancer Needs

As a freelancer, you’re your own boss.

You don’t have to work with anyone else’s agenda but your own.

However, this also means that you are in charge of managing all aspects of the business end of things, from marketing and sales to accounting and invoicing.

Sometimes it can be difficult for freelancers to juggle so many different tasks at once because they may not have skillsets in every area required for their small business. If you find yourself struggling with certain areas or need some advice on what soft skills will help take your freelance business to the next level, read on!

The soft skills a successful freelancer needs.

Soft skills are important for freelancers to have because they may not be able to work with other people. soft skills can help them manage things on their own too.

Portfolio Management.

For every professional, keeping track of time is a must, but freelancers have the additional difficulty of managing a portfolio of clients and tasks. As a freelancer, knowing how to optimize your return on time and expertise and attracting the right set of clients is key. A strategic S.W.O.T (assessing your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is essential which necessitates the selection of work and clients to attract.

The required soft skills

1) Time management.

Knowing how to effectively manage your time as a freelancer is a key to success. If you become a master of time management, your productivity will increase exponentially.

Being able to manage your time while still being productive is a key soft skill every freelancer needs.

2) Strategic thinking and planning.

The ability to think strategically allows for visualization and proofing that helps with decision-making soft skills. Having enough foresight makes work easier by allowing freelancers the opportunity to predict what might happen in their business before it does.

Relationship management.

When it comes to freelancing, collaboration is an integral part of your business. No man is an island, remember. Being able to work with your clients, partners and other stakeholders softens the blow of being the head honcho. It also helps you keep a pulse on what’s going on in your business which is great for growth opportunities.

Required soft skills.

3) Teamwork.

Freelancing can be a lonely business, but the ability to work as part of a team helps with accountability and support. It also allows you to bounce ideas off one another which is great for brainstorming opportunities.

Being able to communicate clearly and effectively is an important soft skill that will help your clients understand what you’re doing.

4) Attention to detail.

As a freelancer, you need to pay attention to the little things because they can make or break your business. It also helps with proofing and editing work-related documents which is a critical part of any project soft skill. Being able to recognize errors soft skills helps you fix problems before they become bigger issues soft skills.

5) Leadership skills.

Freelancers are leaders in their own right and this requires them to be able to manage themselves as well as other people. It’s important for freelancers not only to know how to lead and motivate others but also to understand soft skills that motivate themselves.

6) Getting things done.

As a freelancer, you don’t have anyone around to depend on for help. Being able to get the job done yourself is going to save time and money. This goes without saying but it’s an important soft skill!

7) Flexibility.

Being flexible is an important soft skill for freelancers because it allows them to adapt to changes in their business. Being flexible also helps with time management and goal setting.

8) Discipline.

Being able to prioritize is another crucial soft skill that will help you get through your workday more efficiently, especially if you’re working on multiple projects at once as many freelancers do.

9) Clear communication

Communication soft skills are important as a freelancer because you’ll be communicating with people from all walks of life, each requiring different soft skills tailored to their needs. It helps if you can master soft skills that will help them feel comfortable and confident about the work they’re receiving from you so they keep coming back for more

Coaching/teaching soft skills are important because they’re helpful when working out problems or issues with someone else.

10) Client relations.

An integral soft skill to have as a freelancer is the ability to work with clients and gain their trust for you to complete projects successfully. Being able to keep up client relationships requires soft skills that allow them to get on the same page, which leads to solid communication soft skills.

Self-motivation and time management soft skills are important because they allow freelancers to get things done.

11) Creative

Creativity soft skills are important because they allow you to think outside the box and come up with unique ideas.

The ability to work under pressure soft skills is key when there’s a deadline looming or an urgent project that needs to be completed. Being able to push yourself hard enough without going over your limit will help you get results fast.

Importance of soft skills.

Freelancing can be a challenge, but soft skills will help you stay afloat. While soft skills may not seem as important or tangible when it comes to freelancing, they’re just as vital for success.

Attracting the right clients who value your skillset and expertise is important for any freelancer’s business. As a result, soft skills like good communication with clients are also needed to attract the perfect set of work opportunities that you’re looking for.

Which soft skill has been most helpful for your business? Let us know in the comments below!