Marketing Yourself as a Freelancer with Social Media
Simply Hired Staff
Another day, another early morning answering emails, taking one-off phone calls and parking in your local coffee shop in order to get a few things done. If you’re one of the growing numbers professionals that are a part of the freelance movement, you know the drill, and the pain, that can come along with working for yourself. Sure, the perks of not having to answer to a corporate hierarchy are amazing. But the downsides, like having to listen to your seatmate recount via phone (much too loudly) the play by play of their blind date from the night before or having to drum up business in increasingly creative ways, can be a bit…daunting. At Simply Hired, however, par for the course has never been our cup of tea. If you’re striking out on your own there are plenty of ways to market your skills, regardless of the specialty area of expertise. Want to learn more? We spoke to Tom Dehnel, a freelance SEO consultant who’s marketed himself on social media to learn how it’s done. Read on for our expert advice on how to market yourself as a freelancer on social media.
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Facebook
The platform may have taken a few hits in recent days, but Facebook remains the venue of choice for just about anyone, and there mother and grandmother too. From selfies to shameless pet pics, Facebook is a great place to share what’s new and exciting about your personal life. If you’re the work from home type, Facebook is also an excellent platform for drumming up extra business. Facebook pages are free and knocking one out for your personal business takes no more than a few moments and the patience to get through an instructional video or two. In addition to your own space to market your activities, sharing your professional aspirations with your social circle is a great way to help spread the word. Maybe aunt Mildred’s co-worker is in need of a photographer for her daughter’s upcoming wedding. Or maybe your cousin Kim needs cupcakes whipped up special for her son’s one year birthday bonanza. Whatever the event, Facebook is a great tool for helping others discover your professional passion if simply due to the sheer numbers of people who use the service.
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YouTube
If you’re of the impression that YouTube is just the place for pirated tv shows or music videos from that band you used to follow in high school, think again. Businesses of all kinds pay big money to make professional, highly targeted YouTube videos in order to help promote your brand. If you’re a freelancer looking for business, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be doing the same. A quick video that highlights your skills, shows off a product or otherwise promotes your individual freelance skills is a great way to drum up business. Try demonstrating a few minutes of your craft or speaking to your customers about packages, promotions or your range of offerings. Videos create a personal interaction that’s hard to mimic in other formats. Use this opportunity to sell just what makes you, and your freelance skills, unique in order to increase revenue and exposure.
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Twitter
Who says you can’t make a BIG impact in a small space? Twitter is an increasingly popular venue for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Start out by following relevant movers and shakers in your field. Retweet a few of their relevant posts and try to interact to drum up a following. Once you’ve managed to attract some attention, use Twitter as a succinct way to get your message across. Followers on the platform love to hear a quick word about how you’re progressing in your studio or in your newest project. Have an online shop or sell goods that people can score deals on? Twitter is a great place to share a quick coupon code which, in turn, will get people paying more attention to your feed. Social media gets a bad wrap in the professional world, but there’s a reason that some of Wall Street’s biggest and brightest are increasingly using the platform to grow and expand. Utilized well, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media sites can help promote and grow your freelance services, helping to maintain your independent lifestyle and ability to work for yourself. Article Updated from the Original on April 13, 2018
