Instructional design is a modern subject that is expanding at a fast rate, making it a place with plenty of chances for people who have a passion for teaching, technological innovation, and creative problem solving. On the other hand, if you’re attracted by the prospect of working independently and having some flexibility in your schedule, freelancing as an instructional designer can be the path for you. But how exactly do you succeed in this ever-changing industry?
In this article, we will go over the most important skills, best practises, and vital tools that are needed to become a successful freelance instructional designer.
What is Freelance Instructional Design?
Let’s begin by defining exactly what it means to engage in freelance instructional design before we move on to the specifics. You will work independently with clients from a variety of sectors to design, develop, and execute learning experiences and educational materials, primarily for online or e-learning platforms if you choose to pursue a career as a freelance instructional designer.
Essential Skills for a Freelance Instructional Designer
In order to be successful as a freelance instructional designer, you need a variety of different skills.
- Educational Expertise: It is absolutely necessary to have a solid understanding of educational theories, learning principles, and instructional models. Having this essential background information will make it easier for you to design learning experiences that are both useful and interesting.
- Tech-Savviness: Having a solid understanding of Learning Management Systems (LMS) and being proficient in e-learning applications such as Adobe Captivate or Articulate Storyline are both essential pieces of tech knowledge.
- Visual Design: Having a good eye for aesthetics and an awareness of the fundamentals of graphic design are two skills that can considerably improve the quality of the instructional materials you create.
- Project Management: As a freelancer, you’ll juggle many projects simultaneously, making project management abilities important.
- Communication Skills: You will frequently be required to engage with clients, subject matter experts, and potentially even other freelancers, requiring great interpersonal and written communication skills on your part.
Best Practices
As a freelance instructional designer, here are several best practises that might help you stand out from the
competition:
- Stay Updated: Keep your knowledge and abilities up to date by practising every so often. Attendingconferences, signing up for online classes, or becoming a member of professional instructional design organisations are all potential ways to accomplish this goal.
- Build a Portfolio: One way to demonstrate your skills is by creating a portfolio. Before hiring you, prospective customers will want to examine examples of your previous work.
- Network: Develop your professional network by establishing relationships with other experts in your field of expertise. The ability to network effectively can open doors to career openings as well as doors to professional growth chances.
- Provide Excellent Customer Service: Providing timely communication, meeting deadlines, and producing excellent work will assist develop a great reputation, which may lead to repeat business or recommendations from satisfied customers.
Tools to Succeed
Your work as a freelance instructional designer can be made far more manageable if you make use of the appropriate tools. A few of the most helpful ones are listed below:
- Design Software: Design software such as Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, or Lectora can assist you in developing content for e-learning that is both interesting and interactive.
- Project Management Tools: Applications such as Trello and Asana can assist you in managing various tasks while maintaining your sense of organisation.
- Communication Tools: Platforms like Zoom and Slack can make it easier to communicate with teams and clients respectively.
- Portfolio Websites: If you want to promote your work and attract new customers, use platforms like Behance or LinkedIn.
Staying Organized and Motivated
One of the most difficult things for those who work for themselves is keeping themselves motivated and organised. Here are some tips:
- Set Clear Goals: Having well-defined, quantifiable goals can provide your job with both meaning and direction.
- Establish a Routine: In order to efficiently manage your time, establish a daily routine for yourself.
- Take Breaks: Don’t forget to take regular breaks to avoid burnout.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Little successes along the way should be celebrated so that you may maintain your motivation.
In conclusion, in order to be successful as a freelance instructional designer, you need a combination of applicable abilities, the ability to learn new things consistently, and the ability to effectively manage yourself. You can, however, cultivate a successful career in this ever-evolving profession by adopting the appropriate mentality and gathering the necessary resources.
When it comes to the deployment of e-learning solutions, companies such as Inelso eLearning Solutions can assist revolutionise your learning experience by integrating key advantages of e-learning into your current content.