Being socially engaging is key for freelancers. In order to grow your business, meet new clients and generally keep up what is happening in your industry, you need to be socially-savvy. There are a few things that will help you to reach out and knowing how to do this, is important.
Marketing yourself is essential in keeping your business going. If you are not engaged in social activities online, it is long overdue to begin and here are a few tips that can help you to get started:
1. Build a Good Profile – Your profile on social sites is going to help clients to better know and understand you and your business. When creating your online profile it is important that you are completely truthful. Using cute pictures of puppies or kittens is fine if you are just reaching out to family but when it comes to interacting with business associates and clients, using a real picture is a much better way to go.
Include information that is relevant and be completely respectful when building your profile pages.
2. Talk It Up – Creating conversations is a great way to draw attention to yourself but you have to ensure that those conversations are interesting, relevant and meaningful. Before you begin speaking, make sure that you know what you are speaking about.
Interacting with others online is what social networking is all about but you certainly do not want to simply babble on without anything constructive to say. You do not have to respond to every comment on your blog and you certainly do not have to re-tweet every compliment that you receive. Use good judgement when conversing.
3. Ask Permission – If you are looking to improve your email receipt rates, ask permission before sending. If you want readers to subscribe to your pages then simply ask them through your blog, tweets or other pages.
Never send out emails to anyone who does not request them. Spamming potential clients is the fastest way in the world to shut down your freelancing business.
4. Never Over Promote – Promoting yourself and your services is fine but try not to overdo it. People do not want every single post from you to be about advertising. You should take the time to be helpful to others.
Post comments on a few relevant blogs. Commenting on other blogs does not mean offering your services. Post relevant comments and be part of the conversation. You will come off as much more professional which can go much further than overly promoting your services.
Summary
Whatever platforms you are using to reach out to people, make sure that you are using them properly. In order to build a successful freelancing business you have to be respectful and professional. Anything less is likely to see you in the unemployment lines before too long.
This article was written by Nixon Williams, the UKs leading freelancing accountants serving freelance contractors, interim managers and consultants. Visit them at www.nixonwilliams.com/ITcontractors for more information.
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