Today, I’m sharing 5 data analytics services that you can offer to start your freelancing journey.
These are all services I’ve personally offered over the years. So I know they work. Business leaders pay thousands of dollars to data experts every day to solve real-world business problems. And you can be that expert.
Stepping into the freelancing world can be scary. But here’s the good news: You’re not alone. This guide will light your path, helping you to avoid beginner mistakes along the way.
Ready to Earn? Discover 5 Data Analytics Services You Can Start Offering Now
Unfortunately, most let fear prevent them from taking the first step.
Fear of the unknown leads to:
- Data skill limitations
- Missed opportunities
- Delayed career growth
- Stagnant earning potential
Fortunately, you can crush “impostor syndrome” and get earning today by picking one of these services and taking action.
Let’s dive in:
Service 1: Find Your Niche in Data Cleaning
In a world drowning in data, clean data stands tall. It’s the building block of every insight.
Reminder: Not all data-cleaning tasks are made equal.
For instance, a client provides you with a messy spreadsheet full of customer data. You meticulously go through it, handling missing values, correcting inconsistencies, and removing duplicates. The cleaned data is now ready for further analysis, providing clear and reliable insights for your client.
Here are the step-by-step instructions:
- Load the data into a database (I recommend PostgreSQL)
- Fix data problems you find using SQL tools like COALESCE() and CASE statements
- Remove duplicates using commands like DISTINCT and GROUP BY
- Export the data to a new, cleaned-up spreadsheet
- Send it back to the client and get paid!
Master this skill, and you’ll always be in demand.
Your clients will love you (and pay you!) for your results.
Service 2: Become a Data Visualization Whiz
A picture is worth a million numbers. Data visuals help clients grasp the story in their data.
Poor visuals can mislead. Make sure your charts tell the truth.
Imagine you’re given a dataset showing a company’s sales over a year. You can use your wizardry in data visualization (I recommend Tableau) to create an interactive line chart that highlights seasonal trends, peak sales periods, and potential growth areas. Your client can now easily grasp the story behind the numbers.
Learn more:
- Here are 6 different ways to create bar charts in Tableau
- Data Storytelling 101 (277 people have this bookmarked)
This is your chance to bring out your inner artist and let your creativity flow!
Service 3: Unlock Insights with Ad Campaign Optimization
Businesses like spending money on ads because it’s how they generate revenue.
But they HATE wasting money on ads. And that’s where you come in.
Let’s say a client has run multiple ad campaigns but isn’t sure which performed best. You analyze past data, uncover patterns, and determine which ads drove the most conversions. Armed with this insight, your client can optimize future campaigns to maximize ROI (return on investment).
Here’s an analysis I shared with one client. You can see how I was able to share the details on the MOST IMPORTANT KPIs for the client.
This slide earned me $3,000.
Remember: You’re not just a freelancer, you’re a strategy shaper!
PS: I put together an entire case study on this service (free).
Service 4: Master the Art of Data Workflows
Getting data from point A to point B isn’t always easy. And that’s what makes it a valuable skill.
You don’t need to be a full-blown data engineer to get started. A lot can be achieved with a few scripts to move data around.
Imagine your client has data scattered across different databases. You set up a streamlined data workflow using simple scripts that automate the process of moving and transforming data from one system to another. This saves them time and avoids mistakes (both extremely valuable).
Here’s an example workflow that I’ve used for one client.
This diagram earned me $30k+ as a contractor over 3 years.
This is where data meets real life. Your advice steers a company’s future course. Exciting, right?
Service 5: Cut Through The Noise with Customer Analytics
Every business wants to know their customers better. With customer analytics, you can help them do just that.
Customer data is sensitive. Treat it with the respect it deserves.
For example, a client wants to understand why some customers are leaving their service. You analyze customer data, pinpoint common traits among churned customers, and identify potential reasons for their departure.
Based on your insights, the client can implement strategies to hang onto their customers (and you get paid).
Step-by-step instructions for this service offering:
- Understand the business
The first step is to get a solid grasp of your client’s business. What do they offer? Who are their customers? What are their business goals and challenges? This understanding will guide your analysis and help you focus on what’s important.
- Gather the data
Next, collect the customer data available. This could be from different sources like the client’s CRM system, customer surveys, website analytics, or sales records. Ensure you have all necessary permissions to access and analyze this data.
- Clean and prep the data as needed
Data is often messy. Clean it up by fixing errors, handling missing values, and standardizing formats. You might need to merge data from different sources or create new variables that could be useful for your analysis.
- Do a “first pass” analysis
Before diving into deeper analysis, take time to explore the data. Look for patterns, outliers, or interesting trends. This can give you a good sense of the data’s structure and lead you to potential areas of focus.
- Do a deeper analysis
Now, dive deep into the data. Look for patterns in customer behavior. Are there common traits among customers who have left the service? What about loyal customers? More advanced SQL skills will come in handy here.
- Develop some insights and key takeaways
Based on your analysis, conclude why customers might be leaving. Are there issues with the product? Do certain customer groups have higher churn rates? Remember, your conclusions should be data-driven, not based on guesses or assumptions.
- Share your findings
Finally, present your findings to your client. Make sure to explain your analysis clearly and focus on insights that are actionable. What can the client do based on your findings? This is where you truly add value as a data analyst. You don’t just provide data; you provide solutions.
Here’s your chance to make a real impact. By understanding customers, you’ll be helping businesses serve them better.
Well, there you have it, friend.
You’re now armed with a treasure trove of knowledge on how to kickstart your freelancing journey in data analytics.
Here’s a recap of the 5 services:
- Data Cleaning: Make data crystal clear and become the foundation of every insight.
- Data Visualization: Turn numbers into stories to make better decisions.
- Ad Campaign Optimization: Help your clients stop wasting money on ad spend.
- Data Workflows: Bridge the gap between scattered data and streamlined operations.
- Customer Analytics: Understand customers deeply and help your clients serve them better.
Remember, every great journey starts with a single step.
And you’ve already taken yours by investing time in reading this guide. You’re well on your way to becoming a stand-out freelancer in the data analytics field. Keep pushing, keep learning, and keep growing.
You have what it takes to make it big in this game.