Best digital skills for Romanian freelancers

As a freelancer in Romania, the chances are that you are aware of the hype concerning new technological skills. There is an increasing digitization of the globe, and this trend has provided abundant avenues for freelancers to display their skills. Be it an author, designer, developer, or social media manager, with the right digital skills, you can get better-paying projects, expand your clientele, and enjoy a more stable freelancing career.

This article will focus on the most important digital skills that Romanian freelancers should master, how these skills can help them, and specific steps to start learning or sharpen these skills. Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways

1. Digital marketing, web development, and graphic design are among the most sought-after skills that freelancers in Romania need to have.
2. Freelancers who have mastered various digital skills stand a better chance of getting clients from all over the globe and increasing their earnings.
3. Knowledge of digital tools such as SEO, social media management, and e-commerce can lead to broader employment prospects.
4. To remain competitive in the ever-changing landscape of the digital world, adopting new technologies and engaging in lifelong learning is essential.
5. In this case, you may want to become a valuable resource for clients by solving their issues through your digital skillset.

Why Romanian Freelancers Need Digital Skills

The workplace trends observed in Romania, that include the country’s relatively lower living expenses and the availability of international markets, make it a better place for freelancers. The remote work environment created a long sustaining demand for freelancers, especially after the pandemic. At the same time this growth is met with competition, from both local and foreign talent. You need to ensure you are skilled on the digital competencies clients want most.

These skill sets are not only meant to make you more competitive in the job market, but also provide optimal freedom both in the selection of projects and clients. In other words, acquiring digital skills offers immense opportunities to freelancers in Romania, which is unprecedented.

Top Digital Skills for Freelancers in Romania

Here is a summary of critical digital skills for Romanian freelancers. We recommend paying attention to the skills mentioned in this overview, as they range from marketing and design to development and data analysis, which will allow you to remain relevant in today’s competitive environment.

 Digital Marketing

Why Digital Marketing is Crucial for Freelancers

As with other countries, Romania has a significant number of freelancers. One skill that remains in high demand is digital marketing. Every other day, new businesses are emerging, and they all want to expand their operations online. It makes the need for specialists in this area very high.

Skills to focus on:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Assisting companies in increasing their positions on Google or other similar platforms.

• PPC Advertising: Managing paid ads on Google, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

• Email Marketing: Using email to market a product or service and interact with potential clients.

• Content Marketing: Developing and marketing useful content for a particular audience.

How to Get Started

If you are yet to dip your toes in marketing, consider taking free or inexpensive courses available on Google, HubSpot Academy, or Udemy. These platforms will furnish you with adequate knowledge on crucial tools and techniques of digital marketing.

 Web Development and Programming

Why Web Development is Essential

Regardless of the industry, all businesses require websites today. Having web development skills will allow you to thrive as a freelancer in Romania or anywhere else in the world.

Skills to focus on:

• HTML/CSS: These are the fundamentals of web design.

• JavaScript: A programming language which can add functionalities to sites.

• WordPress: One of the most heavily used content management systems.

• React or Angular: For advanced front-end development.

• Back-End Technologies: Learn server-side languages such as Python, Ruby, or PHP to build more sophisticated applications.

How to Get Started

Graphic Design and UX/UI Design

Why Design Skills are Important for Freelancers

Even large corporations branding relies on user experience (UX) design, as does a business at the startup phase. Mastering Graphic Design as a freelancer affords you a world of opportunities.

Skills to focus on:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Graphic designers have an endless world of options available to them through Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.

• Figma: A versatile platform used for web and phone application interface design.

• User Experience (UX) Principles: The art of making products is defining them around the user’s wants and needs.

• User Interface (UI) Design: The design of a graphic on an electronic document such that is appealing, contemporary, and easy to operate.

How to Get Started

Canva and Figma serve as design software with lower barriers of entry. Advanced and beginner alike can benefit from Skillshare and Coursera courses focused on design

Social Media Management

 

Why Social Media Management is a Growing Field

Gone are the days where social media was a place of mere entertainment. Businesses have now taken to platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn to reach their audiences, change perceptions, and foster growth. The number of active users has surged thus opening up the supply gap for adept social media managers.

For freelancers based in Romania, acquiring skills related to social media management could be highly beneficial. Most businesses, and especially small and medium-sized enterprises, are looking for someone to manage their online image, and develop engaging content. As a social media manager, you will be at the forefront of a brand’s communication approach. You will aid companies in broadening their market reach, engaging potential customers, and building a following of loyal fans.

This role is much more than just posting pictures and writing captions. Social media managers must understand trends, develop strategies to utilize, and analyze performance data to increase audience engagement. It doesn’t matter if you are working for a small local business or an international brand, social media skills such as creating and implementing strategies are very valuable.

Skills to Focus On

In order to succeed as a social media manager, there are a number of crucial skills that you need to pay attention to.

Content Creation

As a social media manager, you are likely to create various content types like posts and stories, videos, infographics, and images that capture a brand’s audience and maximize engagement. Moreover, you need to capture the audience’s attention to keep them engaged further.

• Graphic Design: Canva or even Adobe Spark allow users to create sharable content with little design knowledge, which enables even the most novice designers to produce great content.

• Writing: Encouraging fans and followers to interact with important posts and captions cannot be stressed enough. Also, relating and addressing the audience with the correct tone brings a new level of connection with them.

• Video Creation: Having the ability to create and publish short videos for social media, such as TikTok and Instagram Stories, makes sure a user stays on trend, boosts engagement, and helps get ahead in the world of social media.

Analytics

Every social media marketer or manager has to keep track and understand the data associated with their content pillars, which is also one of the most crucial parts in social media management. Being able to evaluate various marketing metrics and fine-tune a social media marketing strategy helps social media marketers make accurate decisions.

• Platform Insights: Any given social media has its own analytics features such as Facebook’s Insights and Instagram’s Analytics that assess how well the users are interacting with it and offer details about the audience, such as location and age.

• Google Analytics: If you wish to get an advanced report regarding the analysis of social media traffic and how it is converting on your site, using Google Analytics is a necessity.

• A/B Testing: Comparing results from separate audience groups is necessary, and doing A/B tests on various types of posts such as images versus videos or various captions would optimize content for compelling user-initiated actions.

Community Management

Brand loyalty contributes highly to the social media brand community, and as a social media manager, you are required to interact with followers and respond to comments, customer issues, and relationship building.

• Engagement: Like and comment on followers’ posts, ask them questions that enable them to respond and engage with you.

• Customer Service: Respond professionally and promptly to any customer concern, whether it is a question, feedback, or a complaint.

• Building Relationships: Incorporate followers into the brand and motivate them to participate in campaigns or contests as part of acknowledging them.

How to Get Started

Getting started in social media management requires a mix of creativity and strategic thinking. Here are some steps to help you break into this field:

1. Choose Your Platform

Different forms of social media have various audiences, and they cater to different business types. So start off with what you are already comfortable with. Here are some options:

• Instagram: The ideal one for visually appealing brands such as fashion and lifestyle and food.

• LinkedIn: Mostly for b2b marketing and professional networking.

• Twitter: Customer updates and interaction in real time is best done here.

• Facebook: Great platform for a wide array of content from images, post links, to videos.

By honing in on one platform first, you’ll gain the competence and confidence to expand to others.

2. Take Online Courses

There are so many of them that can assist you in becoming a social media manager, both free and cheap.

• Hootsuite Academy:  Provides a lot of certifications essential to the industry.

• LinkedIn Learning: Offers numerous courses tailored to social media management for various platforms and businesses.

• HubSpot Academy: They offer all-encompassing courses on inbound marketing and social media strategies.

These social media management courses cover everything you need to know, from content production to analyzing the results.

3. Start Practicing

The most effective way to learn social media management is through hands-on practice. Here’s what you can do:

• Create Your Own Social Media Pages: Taking a personal blog or niche account can help you learn how to engage and interact with followers.

• Volunteer: Assist a friend’s business or a local non-profit with social media management for free. This work experience will be helpful for your portfolio.

• Build a Portfolio: With time, you can document your work and showcase them online through portfolios or highlight your results through case studies.

4. Stay Updated

We live in a world where social media features, algorithms, and trends are constantly changing, so it is important to stay up to date. You can do this by reading blogs, participating in forums, or subscribing to newsletters. A few resources to check out include:

• Social Media Examiner: Provides tips and reports on the latest news in the industry

• Buffer Blog: Offers tips that can easily be implemented by social media managers

• Sprout Social Blog: Discusses social media strategies, publishes case studies, and shares platform updates

E-Commerce and Dropshipping

Why E-Commerce is a Hot Skill for Freelancers

The e-commerce industry is on an unprecedented rise, with businesses all over the world looking to freelancers to help them manage and scale their online stores. If you are someone who wants to start an online store, manage product listings, or run advertising campaigns, freelancing in e-commerce is for you.

Romanian freelancers have a unique advantage because platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy have a strong global presence. Freelancers are increasingly being hired by brands to help them create and optimize their online stores. This makes it one of the most sought after skills in the digital space.

Skills to Focus On

Shopify

One of the leading e-commerce platform used by sellers are Shopify. They are quite popular due to their flexiblity and user friendliness. As a freelance e-commerce, it is essential for you to learn the following:

• Store setup and customization.
• Payment gateway integration.
• SEO product page optimization.
• Enhanced storefront designs to increase customer conversion rates.

Product Photography & Videography

When it comes to selling online, visuals are of utmost importance. If people are unable to touch or try on an item before buying it, pictures and videos become essential to accurately assess the level of quality offered. If you are good at photography or video editing, capturing professional product images and videos proficiently can help boost sales for your clients.

• Photography Tips: Invest in professional lighting, and learn about flat lays or lifestyle shots to capture products effectively.

• Video Creation: Creating product videos can help give clients a closer look at what they are purchasing for social media platforms such as Instagram or YouTube.

My Opinion| Mastering Digital Skills as a Freelancer in Romania