Freelancers generally head straight for social media in an effort to generate sales, promote their work and make contacts. It's free and you've been using it for years - easy! Or is it? Digital marketing is not something that comes naturally nor is it something that you 'just know' as you're an avid social media user in your personal life. Understand the system however and social media can be a major sales funnel for your freelance business.
I AM SO GREAT
Placing yourself as the start of the show can work for certain brands. Models, for instance, often put themselves at the centre of their posts to great effect. However, more traditional service providers such as photographers or graphic designers foe example would be well advised to mix it up. Fill your Twitter feed with posts purely about you and you'll soon lose your audience.
FOLLOW THE RIGHT CROWD
The number of followers doesn't necessarily result in sale but it does mean your Tweets are getting to more people (with the right engagement). Follow accounts that are related to your service as well as potential clients. Retweet the posts of others and comment on posts that resonate with you. Twitter is one big conversation so make sure you're contributing.
Twitter is a two-way platform, you need to interact. Engage in conversations.
TO TWEET OR NOT TO TWEET
How often should you Tweet? How long is a piece of string. Should you find that your Tweets are receiving high engagement levels every time then keep Tweeting. Also consider what you're Tweeting. A general rule of thumb for a freelancer is 80% editorial content and 20% promotional.