You can’t imagine how much social media helped me grow my career as a freelancer. I always found it fascinating how fast information spreads on social media. So many people are connected together through this medium, it is silly not to make the most of as many social media platforms as possible.
Right here, from the comfort of my home, I can be in contact with anyone regardless of where they are in the world. I guess that’s why there are many social media networks springing up year after year. I wonder how many new platforms would be launched or relaunched this time next year. Just look at Snapchat for example, it has been around for a while now but it looks like people just discovered how cool a platform it is, with all the sudden noise I see everywhere about it. I am on Snapchat, but I don’t use it or plan to use it. I can only cope with a few. I only just started using Pinterest, so please follow my pins, lets pin away together. Also, follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, I am active on all 3.
What’s nice is that I can keep in touch with my audience, my clients, and my friends and family, for free. Well I pay for my WiFi, but communication is a lot easier and cheaper with social media channels, than it was say 15 years ago.

Social media gives my business that needed boost and exposure. I would be lost without it.

Here are some ways freelancers can experience the power of social media –
1.    It Acts as a Platform to Showcase your Skills
When you’re into freelancing or blogging, what’s one thing you need to help your business or blog grow? Clients or readers, as the case may be. The best way to make your potential clients/readers know about you and what you do is by showing off your skills.
Millions of people log in to 1 social media channel daily. Show your unique talent by uploading your work on social media. It can be in form of a well-written article, a video, audio or even a photograph you’ve taken. Whatever form you share your work, social media enables those who view it to assess and appreciate your skills.
Once you put out your best content, it will advertise itself.
2.    It Helps your Work Gain Exposure
This goes hand-in-hand with the first tip. As more people view your work and like what they see, they will begin to share it with their friends. When more people share your work, it gains exposure. It may even go viral and you become a household name in your niche.
3.    It Gives you Opportunities to Network
I have to say that this is one of the most important sides to social media. Social media make it easy for you to get in contact with readers, clients and other freelancers in your niche. You have groups and communities on social media where you can find people in your niche or people looking for what you’ve got to offer.

Developing a good relationship with people in your industry opens new business opportunities in form of partnerships or collaborations. The best part is that you can get to learn from each other’s experiences as well.

I have met so many clients through social media, and many have become regulars. Your network is your net-worth, remember that.

4.    It Helps you Build a Reputation that can be Trusted
Social media gives your target audience access to your life and business. It helps them form a connection with you, know what you are up to and what your freelance business is about or see how you relate outside your blog. As you share value and inspire others with your work, you build confidence in the minds of your clients as someone they can trust for things relating to your industry. Pretty cool, right? This is a great way to retain your present clients and gain new ones.

Social media is very powerful! Make the most of it by being consistent and putting your best work forward every day. Live to inspire others with your kind words and motivation. Give your audience an insight to your world. Most importantly, connect with those who can make you better.

Are you active on all social media platforms? Which are your favourites and why?