As job markets continue to grow and evolve, so do the opportunities for freelancing work. In fact, a recent report by the American freelancing platform Upwork found that 64 million Americans performed freelance work in the past year, accounting for 38% of the entire US workforce. This type of employment also represents a significant portion of the national labor market and economy, as freelancers are reported to have contributed around $1.27 trillion in annual earnings in 2023.

Due to the flexibility, autonomy, and earning power provided by freelancing work, many skilled individuals may be interested in breaking into or advancing in the industry in 2024. In this case, the Internet is not only helpful in searching for gainful job opportunities but also hosts a wide range of resources for improving your freelancing skills and gaining new ones.

Take Everand’s digital library, which has several resources including best-selling and top-rated ebooks on small business personal development by thought leaders like Martin Meadows to help you gain a competitive edge in the growing freelance industry. These ebooks are convenient to read even when you’re offline and on the go. With Everand’s affordable subscription rates and unlimited access to digital resources, freelancers can also learn and grow regardless of their current financial capacity. That said, here are the best ebooks to help improve your skills and advance your freelancing career.

The Freelancer’s Bible by Sara Horowitz

No matter how long you’ve been in the freelancing business, it doesn’t hurt to consult the experts regarding the fundamentals, like finding work, getting paid, and filing taxes. So, in The Freelancer's Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Have the Career of Your Dreams-On Your Terms, Sara Horowitz shares an all-encompassing guide to remaining a successful and flexible freelancer. As the founder of the National Freelancers Union, Horowitz has the authority to speak about strategies for finding clients and keeping them satisfied, negotiating rates and contracts, and achieving financial freedom.

Side Hustles for Dummies by Alan R. Simon

Meanwhile, if you’re still new to the side gig economy and wish to learn the ropes,Side Hustles for Dummies must be added to your reading list. Considering that a survey from Index by Pinger reveals that an all-time high of 67% of Americans now have a side hustle or do freelance work, you’d want to stand out from the ever-growing industry and take control of your professional life. Alan R. Simon teaches you to do just that, mainly by guiding you through building investment capital, creating a business plan for attracting clients, and incorporating your side hustle into your already busy personal life.

Time Management for Creative People by Mark McGuinness

Even when you’ve succeeded in landing clients and opportunities, the next challenge lies in managing your time to handle multiple projects and meet their deadlines at the same time. As such, Mark McGuinness provides freelance creatives with practical advice in meeting the demands of the fast-paced 21st-century workplace. As a creative coach, he shares tips on finding your own creative method, minimizing interruptions and distractions, and learning how to prioritize — and fulfill — essential projects and commitments.

Now that you have the essential resources for getting started with freelancing and staying motivated to do your work, it's time to sit down and start seeking opportunities that allow you to showcase your skills and capabilities. In this light, check out Vollna's job feed tracker, an innovative tool for monitoring job postings on Upwork based on specific keywords and ensuring you don't miss out on a potential job opportunity. On top of customizable search filters and notification settings, you can integrate this tracker with alerts on career-related platforms like Gmail and Slack for more productive job hunting. Explore Vollna's website to learn more about our offerings.