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Social Media Savvy For Freelancers

By Kim O’Connor

According to a 2011 report on social media issued by research company Nielsen, Americans spend almost a quarter of their Internet time visiting social networking sites and blogs.

That means potential clients are far more likely to learn about your freelance business on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn—the sites where they spend most of their time—than any other place on the Web.

In the right hands, networking sites are sophisticated marketing tools. Here’s how you can maximize your time online to boost your professional profile.


Watch the clock

Keep in mind that any social media site will require extra effort on the front end as you establish yourself, connect with others and learn the lay of the land.

Once you’re past that phase, try to keep an eye on the clock. Consider setting aside a block of your schedule each day to handle all social media so you can keep your time investment under control.

Additionally, it’s important to make sure you don’t spread yourself too thin.

The social media sites that best serve your business usually depend on your personality type, your industry and your clientele. Start by focusing your attention on one platform. For instance, a writer might dedicate most of her social media minutes to crafting substantive posts for her blog, and then use secondary platforms like Facebook and Twitter to direct traffic there.


Show off your work

Social networking sites make it easy to showcase examples of your freelance work. Every platform offers some form of user profile or biography, which is a good place to link to reposi...