Reasoning and quick-thinking go hand-in-hand. Not only for communicating with clients, but also for maintaining a productive workflow. The faster you can think and connect the dots, the less time it takes to do research and get a task done. ...

Your job as a freelancer is to understand, clarify, and solve your clients' problems. And this would have been an easier task if clients knew what exact problem they were trying to solve. But that's rarely the case. Most times, you will have to diagnose the issue and figure out what needs to be solved. These complex problem-solving skills are what separate you from others and help you carry yourself as an expert rather than a replaceable service provider. ...

The point here is to understand where the money is in the economy right now and steer your business in that direction. It might be more profitable and perhaps even necessary for your freelance business to switch from the industry you currently serve to the one that's currently booming. ...