Boost Your Freelance Business with Twitter
Note: This post was first published on Feb 10, 2012.
Social media applications such as Twitter can be effectively utilized as a tool for freelancers to promote their services. In a world connected through the internet, neglecting such a simple strategy to engage with potential and existing clients is a missed opportunity. Remember that each time you post on Twitter, you are promoting to the rest of the world.
The content you share is crucial. You can update your existing clients on your latest projects and network with other freelancers. On Twitter, you can link your followers to your professional blog, where they can explore your work and potentially re-tweet it to their own network. This can bring you more business as these people recommend you to potential clients.
Here are five effective ways to use Twitter for your freelance business:
1. Connect with Relevant People
Social networking platforms like Twitter and Facebook have made it easier to exchange knowledge and insights. To leverage this, you must first connect with the right people to gain valuable information. For example, following the tweets of designers can keep you updated on their latest work, which might inspire your own designs.
There are always ways to improve your business, whether it’s the design of your work, marketing strategy, or web server capacity. Twitter is a great tool to network with others in your field. Freelancers can share tips and critique each other’s work and approaches, broadening your perspective on how things can be done.
2. Draw People to Your Blog
Twitter is an excellent platform to inform your followers about updates to your portfolio blog. Beyond notifications, your followers might tweet about your latest work, especially if it stands out, providing free publicity to a wider audience. Setting up a Twitter account specifically for your freelance business is advisable, as your followers are likely those relevant to your business. When they tweet or re-tweet your content, it reaches their followers, who are also part of your target audience.
This network effect can significantly promote your blog and your work, giving you free advertising to those who matter.
3. Find Prospective Clients
Twitter’s search function allows you to find and follow specific users. Searching for particular topics or interests can help you identify potential clients. Engage with them by replying to their tweets, and they might follow you back. This bi-directional search opens doors to more opportunities, as potential clients might discover your work and request your services.
Don’t be surprised to receive messages requesting your freelance services. Your tweets or your followers’ tweets might lead them to your blog, impressing them enough to reach out for your services.
4. Establish Your Brand
With a decent number of followers, it’s essential to update them on your latest work, keeping your business at the forefront of their minds. Focus on your specialty so your followers know what to expect. For instance, if you’re a freelance web designer specializing in creative typography, emphasize this in your tweets.
Creating an association between your business’s strengths and your brand is key. If people link your brand to its selling point (e.g., typography in web design), you’ve successfully established your brand. This good reputation can spread through the network, attracting more clients.
5. Be the Expert
To get more referrals, you need to build a name for yourself. Post insightful updates on Twitter and provide your audience with valuable information. Meaningful comments on your own and others’ work show your passion and seriousness. Sharing your thoughts is the first step to receiving valuable feedback from other freelancers.
Not everyone will be considered an expert, but those who are will have their work taken more seriously. Your followers are more likely to share the work of someone regarded as an expert, enhancing your reputation and attracting more clients.