What Is the Freelancer Market Like in Learning and Development?
I get asked this question a lot: “What is the freelancer market like right now? Are there gigs out there?”
It’s a fair question, and honestly, it’s a loaded one. The answer is: it depends.
First, Let’s Define the Market
The learning and development (L&D) industry is wide and varied. It is not just instructional design or training delivery. It spans across:
- Instructional design and course development
- eLearning design and development (Articulate Storyline, Rise, Camtasia, Vyond, and more)
- Facilitation, both in person and virtual (ILT and vILT)
- Needs analysis and performance consulting
- Leadership and soft skills training delivery
- Virtual producing for live sessions
- Learning strategy and evaluation
When people ask if there are “gigs out there,” the real question is: in which of these spaces are you looking?
What Are Your Strengths?
Thriving as a freelancer is not just about being good at “the work.” It is about clarity—knowing where your skills shine and what differentiates you in a crowded market.
- Are you the person companies call when they need a slick, interactive course built fast?
- Do you bring expertise in facilitating high-stakes leadership training?
- Are you great at conducting needs analysis and helping organizations connect business goals to training outcomes?
The clearer you are about your strengths, the easier it is to find projects that fit.
Freelancing is More Than the Work
Here is the part that often gets overlooked: freelancing is not only about the skills you bring to the table. It is also about your ability to run a business. That means:
- Writing solid proposals and scoping projects effectively
- Setting clear boundaries and managing client expectations
- Marketing your services and networking
- Managing your own finances, contracts, and sometimes subcontractors
- Building and maintaining strong client relationships
In other words, freelancing is consulting. If you only want to “do the work,” freelancing might not be the right fit. But if you are ready to step into the role of trusted advisor and business owner, opportunities can open wide.
So, Are There Gigs Out There?
Yes, there are. Organizations are investing in L&D, especially in digital transformation, leadership development, and upskilling initiatives. But the demand is not uniform. It shifts depending on industry, budgets, and timing. Some months you may see more requests for eLearning development. Other times it is training delivery or virtual producing.
The bottom line: the freelancer market in L&D is alive and well. Your success depends on your ability to:
- Know your strengths.
- Position yourself as more than just “a pair of hands.”
- Treat freelancing as running a business, not just doing work.
If you can do that, not only are there gigs out there, you will find yourself with repeat clients and referrals that keep the pipeline flowing.