Digital Marketing Tips for Freelancers to Market Themselves
Are you a freelancer, looking for opportunities to self-market you? Learn these quick tips for freelancers to market themselves.
According to data from Statista.com, 59% of the world population is active on the Internet. That's about 4.57 billion people. Since more than half of the global population uses the Internet every day, common sense dictates that building an online presence for your freelance business is highly beneficial. However, doing so requires time and patience and doesn't always come cheap. Monthly expenses can add up really fast – from creating and managing your website to social media ads and marketing automation.
You need to find a way to stand out of the crowd while at the same time maximizing your returns on investment.
The tips we are about to share here will enable you to market your freelance business like a champ. We're not promising that the process will be easy. However, these options are affordable, effective, and doable. All you need is to put in a little effort.
1. Create a website
2. Leverage social media
3. Ask for referrals
4. Gather and manage online reviews
5. Network online and in-person
6. Make use of lead magnets
Let's take a look.Create a Website
If you don't have a website, endeavor to create one. It has a lot of benefits. For instance, you get to provide blog posts that attract readers and help you gain credibility. Blog posts showcase the knowledge and expertise you have in your field. By having people come to you for information, you make use of the opportunity to advertise your products and services.
Visual content is very important so make sure that your landing page and/or blog posts include videos, images, and infographics.
Your website also provides an avenue to display testimonials from satisfied clients.
Make sure to put some effort into your About page. That is where potential clients go to know more about you. Make it personal and tell your story in a compelling manner. Display a portfolio of
your previous work and mention recognizable brands you've worked with.
Creating and managing a website isn't necessarily expensive or difficult. There are various options to suit different budgets and technical skills. Opt for a CMS (Content Management System) that works best for you. WordPress is a well-sought option. There's also Squarespace, Strikingly, Heek, Wix, among others. Leverage the Power of Social Media
Social media is a good place to start if you are not yet ready to manage a website. Have a presence in the popular platforms, including Linkedln, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Setting up a profile does not take too much time and you can easily make contact with your audience.
It is often advisable to focus on one or two platforms and manage them effectively. Ask for Referrals
Did you know? According to a study in the Harvard Business Review, when you attract a client through referrals, they are 18% more likely to stay faithful to your business and generate 16% more profit. Isn't it obvious why? People will have more confidence in your business when they learn about it from an authority or someone they trust.
Referrals are important. Early on, start asking for referrals from clients. There are various ways to achieve this. First off, you can make use LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a professional space that exposes you to a myriad of opportunities. Ask your clients if they are available on LinkedIn. Add them to your network and then send them a request using the platform's Ask for a Referral feature.
Another way to go is to motivate your clients by offering them incentives. Give them a discount when they refer someone to your business or find other ways to encourage them. Gather and Manage Online Reviews
Once you are on the online market place and have provided your service to more than a few clients, chances are that many of them will publicly express their satisfaction or displeasure. Social media platforms have brought the world closer together. You need to monitor your mentions and respond positively to online reviews.
As a freelancer, your reputation is a highly valuable asset that you cannot afford to take for granted. Whenever you spot a negative review, make sure to reach out to the person immediately and find out the reason for their dissatisfaction.
On the other hand, if you are not getting any reviews to begin with (whether positive or negative) then encourage your clients to leave a review. It takes just a few minutes to leave a friendly note like: "It's been a pleasure working with you. Would you mind sparing a moment to write me a quick review?" You can follow up after a day or two if you don't get a response.Network Online and In-Person
Networking is an effective way of marketing your freelance business, especially when you are on a budget. You must learn to treat all your interactions as a networking opportunity. You never know, you might be having a conversation with someone who will eventually become a high-paying client. Make sure to always follow up after the initial contact. This is what will make you a Digital Marketing Specialist.Make Use of Lead Magnets
A lead magnet is something of value that you offer prospects in exchange for their email address, allowing you to send them promotional content and information about your products and services. It could be anything from a training video, an eBook, a PDF guide, infographics, cheat sheets, reports, handouts, surveys, software downloads, free trials, and more. Not only do these create confidence and trust, but it also helps people to identify you as an expert in your field and subsequently employ your services. Bonus Tip: How to Monitor Employees that Work Remotely
As a freelancer, marketing yourself can be challenging. However, you can get some load off your shoulders by hiring a virtual assistant. In this case, you may need a way to manage the productivity of your employee. One way to do so is by using a time control software application. You can see how much time your remote worker spends on an assignment, and closely monitor their productivity.
Working from home can be quite challenging and it's easy to get sidetracked since there are many sources of distraction. However, while it's necessary to identify ways on to how to track remote workers at home, it is also important not to allow your employees to experience burnout. Make sure that everyone takes regular breaks so that they can put in the best effort when it's time to get busy. By keeping your virtual assistant happy, you can also ensure that they will market your business efficiently.
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