*Collaborative post.

New year, new projects! 

Even though 2020 has been a tough year for all of us, a lot of self-employed professionals have been able to rise above the challenges and grow their business presence. Perhaps, this has to do with the self-employed/freelancing mindset. When you embark on a career path where you are on your own, you can afford to miss opportunities. Therefore, a lot of self-made solo entrepreneurs have seized the challenges of a post-pandemic world and make them work for their businesses. 

So at the beginning of a new year, it’s worth considering how to leverage the lessons of the pandemic and boost your presence further. Here are 10 ideas to bring your business profile to the top! 

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#1. Expand your business network

We live in a digital economy. People work remotely. They also shop remotely. So why shouldn’t you embrace the remote landscape and leverage it for your business? In a remote environment, you can build partnerships with international suppliers and business partners that will benefit from clients. If you are a tech freelancer, for example, you could send money to China to a local tech partner who can report on the latest gadgets. Are you a fashion and beauty business? Why not build bonds with South Korean to find out more about the 10 steps Korean beauty routine? Growing your business network allows you to diversify your offer. 

#2. Build an international presence

English is a proxy language. But that doesn’t mean that all your customers are fluent in English. Why not spend some time digging through your web analytics? You could find out where international visitors come from. It can be a good idea to create an international presence with Google translate plug-ins. You can even buy a new domain or subdomain to match your overseas target. 

#3. Let others do the menial tasks

We get it; you got there by yourself. But that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from outsourcing and contracting some tasks. Ultimately, delegation can help free up time for more important and pressing matters. Picking the right person for the job isn’t always easy. Take your time to find someone you can trust. There are plenty of freelancers around, so it’s worth checking their qualifications before you make a decision.

#4. Launch your next corporate product/service

Bringing your independent business to the next level needs money. A lot of freelancers begin with small and cost-effective services until they are ready to release an offer that can compete with big players. As a beauty and fashion blogger, for instance, you may want to create your range of products. It’s a brilliant way of reaching out to a new market. But you need investors to make it happen. When the bank isn’t an option, crowdfunding platforms can be a game-changer!

#5. Influence, and influence some more

Why be one of the many small fish when you can become a big fish in the digital pond? Becoming a social media influencer can catapult your business presence from unknown to the top of the list! Social media influencers play a huge role in business marketing strategies as you could build a source of income through your online presence. Growing your online influence can help getting noticed by big brands.

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#6. Diversify your offer

If you’ve had to adapt your business services to the pandemic situation, you are probably aware that people’s needs have changed. Why not run market research to gain a better understanding of your post-pandemic audience. What do people in 2021 expect from the market and how can you make it happen? 

#7. Update your brand image

As they say, new year, new you. If you’ve been working with the same brand image for a long time, you could consider some minor tweaks and improvements to update it. A brand image update is not a rebranding project. Your brand remains recognisable to your customers. But it feels fresher and more dynamic. Brand update ideas include a professionally-taken profile photo, minor changes to the logo and brand guidelines, or even a new web design. 

#8. Start a podcast

We’ve all got a story to tell. Blogging is an effective tool to publish your words. However, the pandemic has created a sense of digital data overload. There’s too much everywhere all the time. People’s attention span has suffered dramatically. So, your heartfelt blog article could get unnoticed because it’s too long. But podcasts, on the other hand, give your words a new voice. And they’re super accessible, so it’s easy for your audience to relax and listen. Podcasts also serve a marketing purpose for small businesses, as they can be cost-effective to produce and release while promoting your expertise to a broad audience. What’s not to like? 

#9. Make a video

No, we don’t mean a filmed selfie that you upload on Instagram. We mean a professional video that shares your story and your business goals. There are plenty of professional video companies that can help you create a short introduction film that packs a lot of engaging content in a short time. Becoming a full-time video blogger – vlogger for short – is time-demanding and requires additional equipment. However, you can refresh your online presence with a short video that engages with web visitors. 

If you’ve got an extra marketing budget, you can also publish your video on advertising platforms, such as distributing it on the Google Display Network and Youtube. It can be helpful to define your target audience beforehand so that you’re only showing the video to the relevant target. 

#10. Get that LinkedIn Premium membership

LinkedIn offers two premium membership packages, for individuals and businesses. With a premium account, your business can expand its network by reaching out to more potential partners and peers. InMail messages are a smart and useful tool to boost your business awareness and find new opportunities. Not sure if that’s the right thing for you? You can try for free for a month. 

What’s your business strategy for 2021? Are you going to grow your social influence, expand your network, or deliver additional services to your customers? Whatever your goals, it’s time to seize the opportunities and make the most of the post-pandemic business environment. Small businesses and freelancers have been quicker to adjust than big brands. Make sure to maximise your chances while you can!