Social media has several advantages for all kinds of online creators when it comes to building an audience. Freelancers are no different in this respect, and you’re able to choose from several networks to grow a presence and potentially attract clients.
Before you start using social media for your freelance business, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of each platform. You should also consider your specific field, as a freelance photographer or graphic designer will often have different needs than a writer.
In this guide, we’ll cover seven popular social media platforms for freelancers. For each of them, you’ll learn about the benefits and drawbacks.
Twitter is one of the most popular text-based social media networks, and it’s where many popular online discussions take place. The app is many people’s go-to stop for news stories, and one of the best things about it is that you can connect more closely with people that might previously have been borderline unreachable.
When using Twitter, you’ll find several kinds of communities. On top of that, several high-end professionals that might want to hire you—such as content managers—are also present on the platform. So, you may contact them directly if you’re interested in working with them.
By sharing your learning experiences as a freelancer, you may also build a community that may later buy the products and services that you create. If you want to spend less time on the app, you can alwaystry scheduling tweets on your phone.
2.LinkedIn
You canbe proactive in finding freelance jobs on LinkedIn, and it’s arguably one of the best places on the web to do so. But beyond that, many people consider the app to be where professionals meet to discuss work-related topics. As a result, LinkedIn is also a superb place tonetwork as an introvert.
On LinkedIn, you can customize your profile to show your previous experience—and it’s also a handy tool for sharing links to samples of your work. Furthermore, you have the ability to share important updates—such as articles you’ve recently published—with others.
you’re able to also upgrade to LinkedIn Premium if you want to access LinkedIn Learning’s extensive library. Subscribing will also provide access to more in-depth analytics.
3.Instagram
If you want totransition from a 9-5 into the world of freelancing, it’s worth building an online presence and client base before handing in your notice. For visual artists, Instagram might be the perfect place to do that.
Besides the standard photo sharing that Instagram was originally designed for, you can also share short-form videos in the form of Reels. These features provide the opportunity to showcase your portfolio, and you can also create educational content for others.
While Instagram is great for photographers and other visual artists, you can still use the platform as a writer. For example, you can share your latest blog posts in your Instagram Stories. On top of that, carousel posts provide the opportunity for you to share graphics and talk about your creative process.
Consider checking out thesehelpful Instagram accounts for aspiring freelancersif you need some inspiration or guidance.
Behance is a popular social media network for sharing art in particular, and you’re able to also find jobs in different creative industries on the platform. You can also show support for your favorite creators’ work, along with notifying potential clients of your availability for projects.
5.Facebook
Facebook is one of the most established social media networks, and businesses have used it for decades to provide information to their audiences. As a freelancer, you may create a business page to share your latest client projects—along with notifying others of your availability for future tasks.
Another cool thing about Facebook is that you can network with others in different groups. Within these, you may also find jobs for which you have the skills to take on. If you want morereasons to still use Facebook, we’ve got a separate guide covering the biggest benefits.
YouTube has billions of monthly users and is a great place to find resources for all kinds of skills, such as improving your video editing skills. But have you ever thought about promoting your freelance products and services on your own channel?
You can talk about pretty much anything on YouTube, such as improving your specific craft or the ins and outs of freelancing. When you reach the necessary thresholds, you can also add another income stream via AdSense money. We’ve got another guide discussing the manyways that starting a YouTube channel can help boost your freelancing career.
7.Pinterest
Pinterest is the go-to place for many users who want inspiration, and it’s a great app for sharing freelance resources. You can drive traffic to your website after creating an account, along with discovering useful tips and tricks that will help you grow your own business.
One of the manyways you can use Pinterest as a freelanceris to find clients sharing their work. The app is also ideal for messaging people directly.
Choose Your Social Media Networks Wisely as a Freelancer
Regardless of the social media networks you choose as a freelancer, you’ll need to think about the associated benefits and drawbacks. You should also consider the type of freelancing you do, as it’s sometimes better to use visual-based platforms than text-oriented ones.
When choosing social media platforms as a freelancer, it’s worth sticking with one or two at most in the beginning. That way, you’re able to put more concentrated effort into mastering these and building your online presence.
