How to Become a Freelance Business Analyst

This article will examine the path of becoming a Freelance Business Analyst. It will also explore some of the benefits and challenges of freelance work, as well as the steps necessary to be successful at freelance business analytics.

What is Business Analytics Freelancing Like?

In addition to full-time, in-house business analytics positions, freelance work is also available in this field. Freelance Business Analysts still perform many of the same tasks as full-time onsite employees but have additional flexibility as well as responsibilities. 

The following are a few of the benefits of working as a Freelance Business Analyst:

• Freelancers are self-employed, which means that they are their own boss.
• Most freelancers can decide when to complete work. This means they can work early in the morning, late at night, or around other life commitments.
• While some freelance work requires onsite meetings, observations, or interviews, the majority of freelance business analytics work can typically be completed from any location, even from home in comfortable clothes or from a local coffee shop. 
• Freelance Business Analysts can typically choose the kinds of projects they wish to work on, as well as the number of hours a week they want to work each week. They can also change this as necessary.
• Those who work as Freelance Business Analysts can choose whether to work for one organization or take on multiple clients. They also can select which clients to work for or which projects are of interest to them.

In addition to the benefits, there are additional responsibilities involved with freelance work to be aware of as well:

• Because freelancers are their own bosses, they must make sure they have sufficient employment to pay the bills. This sometimes involves continuously applying for projects or jobs, which can be time-consuming.
• Being self-employed also requires setting money aside to pay taxes and purchase health insurance. 
• Freelancers need to have a quiet, comfortable place to work. A home space with a desk, a good internet connection, and a comfortable chair are essential, as is ensuring that it provides an environment free from distractions.

Is Business Analytics Freelancing Right for Me?

Those who want to be successful Freelance Business Analysts must possess not only the skills required to perform business analytics but also those necessary to work in a freelance capacity, such as:

• Communication, both written and oral
• Problem-solving
• Data mining
• Self-management/ ability to be one’s own boss
• Technical training
• Critical thinking
• Data visualization
• Time management
• Organization 
• Attention to detail
• Patience
• Advertising on social media and other platforms
• Networking
• Drive to meet deadlines
• Ability to budget for one’s own expenses and taxes
• Perseverance in finding new projects

Steps to Become a Freelance Business Analyst

For those who are interested in becoming Freelance Business Analysts, the following steps can be used as a guide to get started in this career path:

Step #1: Study Business Analytics 

Although not all employers require Freelance Business Analysts to have a bachelor’s degree in business, nearly 75% of Business Analysts have completed undergraduate study. While some elect to study business for their bachelor’s (29%), others study computer science (10%), finance (9%), accounting (7%), or other disciplines (45%). In addition, some aspiring Freelance Business Analysts elect to pursue an MBA or master’s degree in a business-related field. Others pursue certificate studies or coursework from online providers.

Step #2: Gain Work Experience

Not all freelancers start as such; some begin with full-time, in-person employment, then make the transition after acquiring experience in the field. Work experience in business analytics can take many forms. Some pursue volunteer work or internships, whereas others apply directly for entry-level Business Analyst roles. 

Whether it’s through education or work experience, it’s essential to collect technical skills working with programs and languages such as Excel, PowerPoint, Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, Python, and SQL to perform as a successful Freelance Business Analyst. Unlike an office setting where a Business Analyst can rely on coworkers, IT staff, or those in other departments to help with software or technology-related questions, a freelancer often must find the answer themself to successfully complete projects. This is why technical training is a must to succeed in this career path.

Step #3: Start a Business

Once an aspiring Freelance Business Analyst has received educational and technical training and has sufficient work experience under their belt, they can then look into starting their own business. This process can involve creating a set of goals to use as a guide or even a business model. They will then need to apply for contract or freelance positions in order to begin to establish a client base. Networking can play a role in this search. So too, can look at job boards, join online communities, or reach out to former instructors or employers for leads. Some Freelance Business Analysts create their own websites as well to showcase their training, expertise, and skills.

Depending on where a Freelance Business Analyst lives, a license may be required to start a business. In addition, a well-organized space in which to work, consult with clients, and manage business finances is essential for succeeding in this field. Once a Freelance Business Analyst connects with their first client, they can then begin to document their work, hours, and other logistics. 

What Kind of Work Does a Freelance Business Analyst Do?

The field of business analytics is a constantly evolving, ever-changing profession in which one must always be prepared for new challenges, developments, and technology. The role of a Freelance Business Analyst will also be subject to these constant changes, perhaps even more so since it is common for a freelancer to have multiple clients with their own unique business models and needs. However, the core responsibilities of Freelance Business Analysts are similar to those who work full-time, in-house for an organization:

• Understand an organization’s structure and processes.
• Evaluate various processes across departments for efficiency, results, and revenue.
• Offer recommendations based on evaluations so that operations can be made more efficient and so technology and systems can be used to a greater benefit for the organization.
• Conduct research, interviews, and observations as the changes are implemented. This may involve adapting some processes or frameworks as necessary.
• Document the entire process from conception to completion.
• Present findings in the form of business cases or presentations to stakeholders.

Enroll in Hands-on Classes to Learn More About Business Analytics

For those interested in launching a career as a Business Analyst, various courses are currently available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students. Noble Desktop’s Business Analyst Certificate is a great learning option for any aspiring Business Analyst. Relevant tools and skills such as data analysis, Excel, Tableau, and SQL are covered in this 63-hour program. Those enrolled in this intensive course can elect to study online or in person in Manhattan. This class comes with the option of a free retake for learners who wish to revisit course material. 

In addition, a great resource for finding business analytics classes close to home is Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool. It can be used to search over 250 live online and in-person business analytics courses currently available in topics such as SQL, PowerPoint, and Excel for Business, among others.