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What does a freelance marketer do?

A freelance marketer handles specific duties around marketing strategy, promotion, advertising, customer acquisition, digital marketing, social media marketing, developing marketing programs, and communications for clients.

Freelance marketing specialists may work independently as a single resource or as part of a team for one or more clients.

Many organizations either don’t have the marketing expertise in-house or require additional marketing resources to compliment their existing staff. They tend to need help on projects with things like PPC advertising, content management, social media management, and more. As such, freelance marketers are usually in high demand, able to command higher fees the more experience and knowledge they have.

In addition to developing and implementing marketing plans, freelance marketers may also gather data and analyze the results.

What skills do I need to become a freelance marketer?

The exact role of a freelance marketing specialist varies depending on the contract. You may be expected to engage in one or more marketing activities including things like: email marketing, copywriting, PPC marketing, content management, social media marketing, affiliate marketing programs, and much more.

The skillset a freelance marketing candidate should possess includes the following:

• The ability to strategize. Many organizations require expertise in developing and implementing digital marketing strategies. Digital marketing freelancers with college-level education and several years of experience should be able to develop a marketing roadmap designed to reach a client’s customer acquisition goals.
• Project management skills. Developing a digital marketing strategy is one thing. Implementing and managing the campaigns associated with that strategy is another. Capable freelance marketers must possess project management skills, enabling them to properly coordinate several initiatives simultaneously in order to reach predefined marketing goals.
• Communication skills. Freelance marketers must communicate effectively. This includes written and verbal communication between the freelancer and internal clients, stakeholders, external resources, and team members. This also factors into the messaging you’ll be crafting for your client’s marketing materials.
• Excellent writing skills. Many marketers are capable of developing content, whether it be for sales collateral, public relations, blog development, or social media. Even if the marketer cannot write due to time constraints, being able to edit others’ writing is an important skill freelance marketers should have.
• Excellent problem-solving skills. When developing and implementing marketing strategies, there are many challenges that arise. Whether issues arise related to budget, campaign themes, data collection, or external resource management, freelance marketers should be adept at overcoming these challenges to ensure plans remain on track.
• Data analysis capability. Retrieving and analyzing data is an important necessity when implementing marketing campaigns. Campaign data will inform the freelancer and the client regarding campaign success and whether anything needs to be refined.
• Familiarity with marketing and design software. Computer systems allow marketers to leverage marketing and design software to streamline everything from campaign development, implementation, and data analysis to content creation and distribution.
• The ability to work well within a team. As mentioned earlier, a freelance marketer may work independently or within a team. When working within a team it’s important to clearly define your marketing role with your marketing director and clearly communicate agreed-upon metrics for success. By doing this, freelance marketing specialists can help ensure initiatives are implemented successfully and client goals and objectives are realized.

What are the core freelance marketer job responsibilities?

Depending on organizational objectives and the specific goals associated with each marketing initiative, different clients may require different capabilities from freelance marketing professionals.

A list of the core skills freelance marketer job descriptions will usually include the following:

• Create and manage the overall marketing strategy, including planning, marketing research of the target audiences, and implementation and analysis
• Oversee and manage the day-to-day marketing budget. This is especially important for a marketing manager.
• Direct team members regarding their specific areas of expertise in content development, photography, graphic design, social media, and data analysis
• Provide weekly and monthly reporting on marketing initiatives, including lead generation, website traffic, customer acquisition, and marketing budget.

Should I get a freelance marketer degree or certification?

In addition to developing your skills and gaining work experience through full-time positions with employers or tackling freelance marketing projects for clients, it is helpful to obtain a degree and/or professional certification to help your Upwork profile stand out.

While some marketers provide marketing expertise for potential clients without a college degree, the vast majority have secured a formal education.

Popular degrees or certifications helpful for becoming a freelance marketer include:

• An associate, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree in marketing, business administration, digital marketing, graphic design, communications, journalism, or an equivalent in a related field of study from an accredited college or university
• Marketing certifications in digital marketing, marketing management, or content marketing from the American Marketing Association