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The demand for digital marketers is growing at such a rate that there are more jobs than people with the skills to fill them. This is making way for a new kind of entrepreneur, the freelance digital marketer. Find out to become a successful freelance digital marketer...

How Much Can a Freelance Digital Marketer Make?

how-much-can-a-freelance-digital-marketer-make

[[p]]The demand for [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/which-countries-have-the-most-demand-for-digital-marketers" target="_blank"]]digital marketers across countries[[/a]] is growing at such a rate that there are more jobs than people with the skills to fill them. This is making way for a new kind of entrepreneur, the freelance digital marketer.[[/p]]

[[p]]Many possibilities are emerging in this field for those willing to dive in feet first. It&#39;s a fast-paced career in a constantly changing environment giving advantage to those able to keep up, especially with the widespread adoption of [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/ai-in-digital-marketing-the-ultimate-guide" target="_blank"]]artificial intelligence (AI)&nbsp;in digital marketing[[/a]]&nbsp;to become more productive and efficient.&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]As it becomes more difficult for companies to hire in-house [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/7-essential-skills-every-digital-marketer-should-know" target="_blank"]]marketers with the right set of skills[[/a]], and the demand for digital marketing services continues to rise &mdash; companies are being forced to outsource. So if you can position yourself as an expert in even one area, that can be all you need to begin a rewarding freelance career.[[/p]]

[[p]]So how do you [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/how-to-become-a-freelance-digital-marketer" target="_blank"]]become a freelance digital marketer[[/a]]? Read on to find out what a digital marketer does, key skills required to be in-demand and an idea of salary expectations.[[/p]]

[[p]]The role of a freelance digital marketer is to use a variety of digital channels to promote, engage and convert. To do this they need a range of skills and have to be agile to adjust to the needs of a clinet. A key objective is to use digital to communicate with prospects and existing customers.[[/p]]

[[p]]That&#39;s why the need for freelancers in companies is growing. According to [[a href="https://www.upwork.com/research/in-demand-skills-2025" target="_blank"]]Upwork research[[/a]], nearly 50% of full-time workers rely on freelancers for key skills like web design, generative AI, and product management. While CEOs are following suit, with 48% planning to boost freelance hiring to leverage&nbsp;agile talent to close skill gaps and stay competitive.[[/p]]

[[p]]Keep in mind that as a freelancer you need to offer value to a business as opposed to working in-house. This may require a shift in mindset. Ultimately you need to be more client-focused. Not what can you do, but how can you help?[[/p]]

[[p]]So, [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/what-does-a-digital-marketer-do" target="_blank"]]what does a digital marketer do[[/a]]? There are many daily tasks involved which include:[[/p]]

[[ul]]
	[[li]]Social media marketing[[/li]]
	[[li]]Email marketing[[/li]]
	[[li]][[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/how-do-seo-and-sem-work-together-in-2018" target="_blank"]]SEO and&nbsp;SEM[[/a]][[/li]]
	[[li]]AI and automation[[/li]]
	[[li]]Content marketing[[/li]]
	[[li]]Data analysis[[/li]]
	[[li]]Paid search or [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/what-is-ppc-marketing" target="_blank"]]PPC marketing[[/a]][[/li]]
	[[li]]Brand marketing[[/li]]
[[/ul]]

[[p]]The great thing about a job as a freelance digital marketer is that no two days are the same. You can be analyzing data to drive better ad performance one day and the next day review your [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/resources/toolkits/content-calendar-template" target="_blank"]]content calendar[[/a]] and management systems.[[/p]]

[[p]]As companies are forced to outsource due to limited supply, this provides a unique opportunity for freelancers to either concentrate on being an all-around digital marketer or specialist. Let&rsquo;s delve into the different specialisms you can branch into and the skills required for each.&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]][[strong]]Tip: [[/strong]]Check out the [[a href="https://my.digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/8-digital-skills-that-will-increase-your-salary" target="_blank"]]&#39;8 Digital Skills that Will Increase Your Salary&#39;[[/a]]&nbsp;blog for some extra insights.&nbsp;&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]There are many specialisms in digital marketing, that&rsquo;s what makes it such an exciting and interesting career. The key for you as a freelancer is to find out what area fits with your skills and interests to ensure you get the most out of your career.[[/p]]

[[p]]Are you a social media butterfly with a passion for all things social? Can you post relevant, exciting and value-driven content across multiple mediums several times a day? Then there&rsquo;s a brand out there that needs you![[/p]]

[[p]][[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/how-to-effectively-manage-multiple-social-media-accounts" target="_blank"]]Managing multiple social media accounts [[/a]]requires you to be a quick thinker and creative writer. You must know different platforms so you understand what content formats and language works best on each one. For example [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/how-to-use-short-form-video-in-digital-marketing" target="_blank"]]short-form video[[/a]] content&nbsp;works well on TikTok on YouTube while images drive engagement on Pinterest and [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/a-guide-to-marketing-on-threads" target="_blank"]]Threads[[/a]].&nbsp;&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]There is no one-size-fits all when it comes to social media. Above all, you must stay connected throughout the day and respond promptly when your client&#39;s prospects or customers have something to say. It&#39;s also mportant to stay on top of social platforms (popular and [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/10-of-the-hottest-alternative-social-media-platforms" target="_blank"]]alternative ones[[/a]]) to see where you can leverage opportunities.&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]Content marketing involves writing relevant, value-driven content using keywords. As search engine optimization (SEO) becomes more important to get your content ranked and found, marketers with [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/guide-to-seo-writing" target="_blank"]]SEO writing[[/a]] experience are in high demand.[[/p]]

[[p]]Companies rely on content to boost their visibility online but also to communicate with their target customer whether that&#39;s about a product or service or the [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/how-brands-can-take-on-social-issues-on-social-media" target="_blank"]]social issues[[/a]] they support. It&#39;s important to get to know a brand so you can emulate their tone of voice and stay on message in any feeelance gig.&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]So if you have a way with words and can write knowledgeably on a range of topics, this is a lucrative career path that can earn you a great income. Several types of content can be used at different stages in the sales funnel such as blogs, ad copy, landing pages, eBooks, and whitepapers.[[/p]]

[[p]]You can set rates based on your experience and skills and either charge per word, project, or per hour (see this article from [[a href="https://www.productiveblogging.com/how-much-do-bloggers-earn/" target="_blank"]]Productive Blogging[[/a]] to see what bloggers are being paid).[[/p]]

[[p]]Working for a content mill such as [[a href="https://contently.com/" target="_blank"]]Contently[[/a]] or [[a href="https://www.clearvoice.com/" target="_blank"]]ClearVoice[[/a]], is a great way to quickly gain experience in a multitude of areas. This can give you an idea of the clients you want to offer your services to as you build your freelancing business.[[/p]]

[[p]]Check out our great [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/resources/toolkits/tools-and-tips-for-successful-blog-posts" target="_blank"]]tools and templates for writing successful blog posts[[/a]] if this is an area that rocks your boat![[/p]]

[[p]]Search engine optimization also known as [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/what-is-seo" target="_blank"]]SEO[[/a]] is not going out of style anytime soon. Organic rankings in search engines are one of the most powerful tools in the digital marketing tool belt, and mastering search engine algorithms along with knowing [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/resources/toolkits/on-site-seo-audit-handbook-and-toolkit" target="_blank"]]how to conduct an SEO audit[[/a]] will make you an asset to any business with an online presence.[[/p]]

[[p]]According to the [[a href="https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/freelancer-seo-services-global-market-report" target="_blank"]]Business Research Company[[/a]], the freelance SEO services market is expected to grow to $36.79 billion in 2029, an annual growth rate of over 16%. This growth is down to [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/prepare-for-the-future-of-voice-search" target="_blank"]]voice search optimization[[/a]], local SEO, mobile-first indexing, video and visual search optimization and AI and automation.&nbsp;&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]Check out exactly&nbsp;[[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/what-does-an-seo-manager-do" target="_blank"]]what an SEO Manager does[[/a]]&nbsp;to see if the role is a good fit for you and your experience.[[/p]]

[[p]]Understanding exactly [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/what-does-a-ppc-specialist-do" target="_blank"]]what a PPC specialist does[[/a]] can be a mystery to many! Fundamentally this role involves the strategy, design, implementation and analysis of pay-per-click&nbsp;campaigns across channels.[[/p]]

[[p]]It&rsquo;s a specialty that requires [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/5-best-practices-for-great-b2c-landing-pages" target="_blank"]]landing page[[/a]] design know-how, keyword research experience, bid management, A/B testing, campaign optimization, and trend watching.[[/p]]

[[p]]If you have mastery of this art, you will have no trouble finding businesses in need of your services. Like SEO, anyone specializing in PPC is in high demand as it&rsquo;s a great channel to drive conversions and revenue.[[/p]]

[[p]]The benefit to PPC marketing is that since the client only pays when it works (i.e. when someone click on an ad), you will be able to show results and value quickly.[[/p]]

[[p]][[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/the-ultimate-email-marketing-guide-for-beginners" target="_blank"]]Email marketing[[/a]] may not be a new skill, but it&#39;s a desirable one. Employers looking to connect with and engage with propsects and customers in a personalized way are seeking out freelancers with email experience.&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]But it&#39;s not only about crafting the right message or content, it&#39;s also about who you target. Email marketing relies on delivering the right message to the right person at the right time. This means an email campaign needs to be segmented so you can deliver a personalized message to people based on behavior, interests, location or even location.[[/p]]

[[p]]You can also use automated or triggered email campaigns using AI to bring people through the sales funnel without feeling &#39;sold to&#39; by offering them content they will value such as blogs, ebooks or original research.[[/p]]

[[p]]Of course, there&#39;s also the bonus that you can leverage email marketing to promote products and services to a captive audience or boost click-thorugh rates by providing them with exlusive offers or members discounts.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]As a freelance marketer it&#39;s worth boosting your experience with email by [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/how-to-optimize-your-email-campaigns" target="_blank"]]optimizing campaigns[[/a]] through:[[/p]]

[[ul]]
	[[li]]Refining email structure and content (e.g&nbsp;[[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/4-tips-for-crafting-the-perfect-email-subject-line" target="_blank"]]subject lines[[/a]], word count and format)[[/li]]
	[[li]]Developing test plans&nbsp;[[/li]]
	[[li]]Optimizing for mobile[[/li]]
	[[li]]Setting email metrics and knowing industry benchmarks[[/li]]
	[[li]]Using a full-funnel email strategy[[/li]]
	[[li]]Leveraging automation and AI[[/li]]
[[/ul]]

[[p]]A great campaign can add huge value to a company whether that&#39;s through increased revenue or a boost in brand awareness. At the same time, a badly managed campaign can not only lose money but it can also cause negative PR if the mistake is big enough![[/p]]

[[p]]That&#39;s why Upwork reports that campaign management skills are in high demand. Because campaigns occur across channels - to be effective you really should be creating [[a href="https://my.digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/what-is-omnichannel-marketing" target="_blank"]]omnichannel campaigns[[/a]]. This means that when you launch a campaign, you should consider all the consumer touchpoints involved.&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]For example, do you need a custom landing page, a social media ad, a banner on the website, or a CTA on top performing blogs? Think about where your customer are and target them there.&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]There&#39;s also creative to think about. What messaging are you using? Should you [[a href="https://my.digitalmarketinginstitute.com/resources/toolkits/a-b-testing-tool" target="_blank"]]A/B test[[/a]] creative to see what performs best? Are visual and colors consistent across channels?[[/p]]

[[p]]Campaign management is a deirable skill for any freelance marketer looking to stand out from peers.&nbsp;Campaign managers on Upwork charge as much as&nbsp;$250 per hour.&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]Freelancing as a digital marketer has become a popular option as people wanted a better work/life balance in their life and the benefit of working from home. Businesses are also looking to embrace a flexible or [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/5-ways-to-be-a-successful-hybrid-worker" target="_blank"]]hybrid workforce[[/a]] and bring in professionals to support their core teams.[[/p]]

[[p]][[a href="https://www.upwork.com/research/future-workforce-index-2025" target="_blank"]]&#39;The Future of Work Index&#39;[[/a]] found that&nbsp;28% of skilled knowledge workers currently operate as freelancers or independent professionals while freelancers collectively generated $1.5 trillion in earnings in 2024.&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]This means that freelance digital marketers have a great job outlook in the next few years as companies continue to adopt new technologies like AI and have to adapt to economic and societal changes that can require outside expertise. So, now is the time is now to set yourself up as an expert in the freelance digital marketing field.[[/p]]

[[p]]Let&rsquo;s take a look at how much Digital Marketing Managers make across the world, because as a freelance digital marketer&mdash;you can work in [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/what-are-the-best-cities-for-digital-nomads" target="_blank"]]any city as a digital nomad[[/a]]![[/p]]

[[p]]The salary band for a freelance digital marketer in the USA can be from $80,000 to $104,000 a year according to our [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/resources/ebooks/salary-guides-for-digital-marketers" target="_blank"]]U.S specific salary guide.[[/a]][[/p]]

[[p]]A freelance digital marketing manager with 4 to 6 years of experience working in the UK can expect to earn between &pound;350&nbsp;to &pound;450&nbsp;per day according to [[a href="https://www.btbpeople.co.uk/blog/typical-freelance-rates" target="_blank"]]Beyond the Book[[/a]].&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]According to Glassdoor,[[strong]] [[/strong]]digital marketing managers in Australia can bring in from AU$110,000 to $130,000 a year. An experienced freelancer can expect to do the same if they land the right clients and put in the work.[[/p]]

[[p]]The average salary for a digital marketing in Canada is&nbsp;$57,778 per year according to Indeed, while the Government of Canada estimates that a digital marketing specialist usually earns between $20.00 per hour to $53.30 per hour.[[/p]]

[[p]]Whether you&rsquo;re thinking about it or want to dive right in, a globally recognized digital marketing qualification will help you to stand out from the crowd as a freelancer. A [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/students/courses/professional-diploma-in-digital-marketing" target="_blank"]]Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing[[/a]] will ensure you understand the fundamentals from social media to PPC, content marketing, SEO, display and video advertising. You&rsquo;ll also gain in-depth knowledge of digital strategy, analytics and website optimization to carve out a successful and profitable freelance career.&nbsp;&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]Artificial intelligence&nbsp;helps marketers automate activities and campaigns at scale. This enables marketing teams to be more productive and efficient with not only their time, but also their resources.&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]By automating tasks, companies can help reduce costs, increase efficiency and deliver an enhanced&nbsp;[[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/what-is-customer-experience-cx" target="_blank"]]customer experience[[/a]].&nbsp;The boom in generative AI modeling and data annotation is creating a high demand for specialized skills that are indispensable to the&nbsp;lifecycle of AI solutions.[[/p]]

[[p]]Data extraction, foundational and upstream to ML and AI modeling&nbsp;is highly ranked by Upwork&#39;s research in terms of growth and volume. While skills like [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/how-to-use-data-analytics-to-drive-better-business-insights" target="_blank"]]data analytics[[/a]] and [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/resources/presentations/presentation-data-visualization-the-marketing-superpower" target="_blank"]]data visualization[[/a]] that help evaluate&nbsp;and apply&nbsp;such models&nbsp;are also highly sought after.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]When using [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-marketing-automation" target="_blank"]]marketing automation[[/a]], the main goals for marketers is to optimize their overall strategy, improve data quality and identify ideal customers and/or prospects. AI-driven automation using tools like Marketo or HubSpot can help improve cross-collaboration, allocate budget and monitor and target audiences.[[/p]]

[[p]]And the need for AI-skilled staff is only going to grow as the technology advances and more tools and platforms come on stream.[[/p]]

[[p]]To stand out as a freelancer it&#39;s worth investing some time and energy into getting to grips with AI so you can add value. Consider taking a course such as our [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/students/short-courses/advanced-ai-in-digital-marketing" target="_blank"]]&#39;Advanced AI for Digital Marketing&#39;[[/a]] or [[a href="https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/students/short-courses/ai-in-digital-marketing" target="_blank"]]&#39;AI for Business and Marketing&#39;[[/a]].&nbsp;[[/p]]

[[p]]When you work as a freelancer, you may have to adjust your mindset from expecting an annual salary to a contract, project, or hourly rate.[[/p]]

[[p]]This could mean that you feel like you&rsquo;re not getting paid properly for your time if you use an hourly wage calculation which can be disheartening.[[/p]]

[[p]]Instead, consider how much you need to earn to live by analyzing your current expenses. If you network and prove the value of your work, it won&rsquo;t take long until you reach your goals.[[/p]]

How Much Can a Freelance Digital Marketer Make?

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