10 skills every entrepreneur needs

‘What skills do you need to work for yourself?’ 

It’s arguably one of the most-asked questions when it comes to self-employment. For anyone who wants to start a business or freelance, you’ll know that timing is important. After all, you’ve probably seen more than one example of a business that launches early only to end up eclipsed by a similar business that launches later on and seems to make the most of market readiness and great timing. That said, one of the most important things you’ll need to start a business or go freelance is a great set of skills to ensure your success. Whether you’re planning on selling your creations online or are thinking of becoming a freelance specialist, learning these practical skills can support you through every stage of your journey. Once you have them, the possibilities are truly endless. So let’s get into it. 

Soft skills

In an AI-ready world, soft skills are what will set you apart in business. Being able to communicate effectively with clients, solve customer problems and strategically approach any challenges you may face as an entrepreneur are key no matter what industry you’re working in. That’s why the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicted that soft skills like creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility will be some of the fastest-growing skills in the next five years. Here’s how these skills can work for you.  

Communication

From marketing to client management, communication is a foundational skill that every entrepreneur and freelancer should master. What we say matters and as a self-employed professional who will go on to work with clients and customers, you’ll learn that speaking in a way that your intended audience can understand, and engage with, is one of the most important skills you can have. Focusing on clarity, tone of voice, audience and the point you’re trying to get across will go a long way in supporting your communication skills. 

Problem solving

As an entrepreneur, your ability to solve problems is a central part of your business journey. Being able to think of new ways to approach issues that arise, tackle everyday challenges and meet new industry standards are all part of it means to be an entrepreneur. As the world continues to change and become digitally advanced, we’re beginning to come across problems we’ve never faced before. This is where creativity comes in. Boost yours by using creative techniques like brainstorming to explore new ideas and solutions. 

Negotiation

The first rule of negotiation? Depending on what you’ve heard, it will be some variation of ‘never accept the first offer’ or ‘the first one to offer a number loses’. However, negotiation is so much more than a win or lose situation. Ideally, every party should walk away with what they want, although that may not always be possible. What is possible though, is ensuring you have top-notch negotiation skills. Whether you’re about to start working with a new client, need to renew a contract or even just want to set your prices, you’ll need a few negotiation strategies in your toolkit so whatever situation you’re in, you have the skills to engage in a successful negotiation.

Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence can be defined as the ability to recognise and understand emotions. No matter what your business idea is or what industry you plan to work in, possessing and demonstrating characteristics such as motivation, empathy and self-awareness will be an essential part of your success as you navigate high-pressure situations, network and create new connections, respond to feedback and work with others. 

Resilience

From consumer trends to growing digital transformation, change is inevitable, especially if you’re an entrepreneur. Being able to reframe your thinking, embrace change, be resourceful and approach these changes with a resilient mindset will help you navigate any challenges you may come across while working. While a resilient attitude doesn’t develop overnight, strengthening this skill as you start out will make the world of difference. 

Technical skills

Your entrepreneur toolkit wouldn’t be complete without a set of technical skills to complement your soft skills. Let’s explore some of the skills that will help you in business. 

Digital marketing

Whether you’re looking to promote new products or put your services on the map, your business needs to be marketed. Exploring digital marketing fundamentals, learning how to create a relevant strategy and mastering marketing techniques will boost your business and bring you in front of the right audience.

Data analytics

As we become a more data-driven society and the way we use data changes to reflect that,  understanding data, at least on a fundamental level, is an essential skill more professionals will need in their arsenal. Developing your data analytics skills will allow you to pull accurate, real-time insights that can drive the decisions you make and lead to impactful and innovative results. 

Project management

Being an entrepreneur means juggling multiple responsibilities. Project management is key to driving these projects forward. Learn about project planning, strategy, scheduling and delegation so you can confidently and effectively manage your time and successfully deliver your projects. 

Sales

Just like communication and negotiation, sales skills are essential for any self-employed professional. Learning how to use sales strategies to meet customer needs, build trust and confidence and create stronger client relationships can help maximise your commercial potential for both B2B and B2C sales interactions. 

Financial literacy

While you don’t need to be a fully qualified accountant, knowing how to read financial documents and having an understanding of your budgets, income and tax is vital. Develop your financial literacy skills so you can understand your financial position as a freelancer or entrepreneur and ensure that you’re better placed to make decisions about your business. 

Discover endless possibilities with FutureLearn

If you already have the foundational knowledge and skills you need to get started but want to get more out of your business or freelance career, explore our range of online certifications and degrees. They’re designed for professionals like you who want to grow their skills and progress in their careers, in their own time.

• Leadership Resilience: How to Thrive During Turbulent Times, Nottingham Business School
• AAT Level 1 Award in Bookkeeping, e-Careers
• Fundamentals of Project Management, Nottingham Business School
• AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting, e-Careers
• Digital Marketing and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Nottingham Business School
• MSc Project Management, Brunel University of London
• Business & Marketing BSc (Hons), Falmouth University
• MSc Digital Marketing and Data Analytics, University of Roehampton
• MBA Master of Business Administration, University of Liverpool

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