7-Steps to Building Your Social Media Profile as a Freelancer

Building up a following is not easy task for a freelancer, that’s why it’s important to know what expect.

You have started a new career in freelance writing. Having overcome initial anxiety and slip-ups, you feel like you’ve found your sea legs. You’re pretty confident that you can switch gears to move to the next level. 

Now, your goal is to amp up your efforts by building a successful social media profile. You probably wonder, “How do you do that?” or “What steps do I need to take for a strong start?” No need to worry because we have it covered for you. Read our tips below to find out the 7 key steps to hit the ground running.

Step 1: Keep your focus

Resist the temptation to start using several social media platforms at a time. Pick one or two to keep your focus sharp. No need to spread yourself thin from the get-go. 

You’ll be better off by investing in those two to showcase your talents and start attracting followers. Once you start hitting your stride, there will always be room for a ramp-up. Do your best to learn all the pros and cons of each platform to develop a profile that will make you stand out.

Step 2: Create and keep your account professional

Freelancers need to look no less professional than full-time employees, successful entrepreneurs, or management consultants. The optics of your profile and online behavior matter more than you might think. 

Project the image of an accomplished professional in and through everything you do. Pay attention to your looks, photos, and writing style. Never troll and never allow yourself to be dragged into trolling. Act as a responsible digital citizen.

Step 3: Be entrepreneurial by demonstrating your skills

Don’t be shy to showcase your success, skills, and potential. As a freelancer, you are up for fierce competition, so you need to prove you can always give your clients their money’s worth.

Be smart about picking the kinds of audiences you want to attract. Stick to those whom you’ve tested for reliability and trustworthiness and quit the worthless ones. 

Step 4: Stay productive without over committing

Strike a balance between your investments and returns. You’d want to be efficient with the use of your inputs for maximum productivity. Never commit to something you are not capable of accomplishing. Know your limits while maximizing your strengths.

Step 5: Start building a following

Surely, you want to have as many followers as possible. This doesn’t mean you need to link up with whoever you cross paths with. The quality of your followership is more important than the numbers. 

Step 6: Ask for reviews and feedback

As a freelancer, you know how important reviews and feedback are. Whether it’s an essay example about life or a blog on how to manage your college studies effectively, there’s always room for improvement. Keep asking for feedback and never turn a blind eye to the feedback you get, even if it’s negative.

Step 7: Join relevant groups

Select and join relevant social media groups to exchange ideas and experiences. This is not the right place for touting your skills or making a sales pitch, but it’s an excellent way of learning from others’ experiences. These groups act like communities of practice. You might end up coworking with some of them on certain ideas or projects.

You don’t have to repeat the mistakes that someone else has already made. Your peers can tell you a lot about common pitfalls to avoid, best practices, and emerging trends. With some luck, you might also run into your potential customers. 

Final Thoughts

As you make headway with your freelance work, you will need to build a solid social media profile. It will help you engage with broader audiences to improve your learning and expand your customer base.

Remember not to rush things. Start with one or two platforms, learn how to develop and establish the image of a top-drawer professional who is also flexible and responsive. You want your followers and potential customers to know that with you, they’ll be getting reliable, trustworthy, and top-quality services.

Jessica Fender is a long-time freelance writer. She started almost a decade ago and went on to build an impressive career and a worldwide following. Jessica’s blogs are top-rated among college students and young entrepreneurs.