If you are a freelancer, you can take your career to the next level by learning new skills. Doing this helps you develop in your field and stand out from the competition. Listed below are some more advantages of doing so:

1) Your success is in your hands:

As a freelancer, you will be your own mentor, boss and HR department. Your freelancer career development is in your hands and nobody else’s. Don’t rest on your laurels, keep moving forward and ensure you are not stuck in a rut.

2) Get a chance to bump up your rate:

Learning new skills and getting a certification to back that up is an excellent way to increase your rates. Search for industry certifications in your field and invest some time and money in mastering it. Doing so will help you justify a higher rate.

3) Be different from other freelancers:

Freelance work is getting more and more competitive. Just specializing in one skill may not be enough in the future. Combinations of different skills will make you much more marketable. Are you a copywriter who can design stunning graphics? Are you a programmer and can also give inputs on UX design? If not, then pick up these skills to stand out from the crowd.

4) Win more work:

If you have a varied skill set developed over a period of time, you’ll be able to win more work. Let’s say you are a copywriter who is great with Photoshop. You can apply for writing scripts for infographics and designing them as well! Once you win the trust of the client, you are sure to win more work which will keep you busy for a long time.

5) Stay up to date with industry trends:

Industry trends keep getting updated on a periodic basis. If you are a developer, then you need to stay abreast of latest versions of software. An SEO expert needs to keep an eye out for the latest tools and how using them may help his client. Either way, you should invest time in updating your skill set.

6) Impress your clients:

Employers love freelancers who make an effort to learn new skills. They respect those individuals who continually develop themselves. Show this characteristic particularly in the interview stage. Highlight what new skills you have learned as compared to what you knew a year ago. Doing this will make a positive impression on them.

7) Grow personally:

Learning new skills helps you get a sense of achievement. The entire process of learning can be rewarding in itself. You can either opt for offline or online training methods to do so. Either way, you will grow as a person and move forward in your life as well.

As a freelancer, you should devote some time to learn new skills. Doing so makes you more marketable, get more jobs and undergo personal growth all at the same time.