American actor and producer Kevin Spacey said, “Anyone with an internet connection and an idea can develop an audience.” What he said cannot be more accurate. Statistics show that as of January 2021, there were 4.66 billion active internet users worldwide. That accounts for 59.5% of the global population.
Because of the power of the internet and how it made everyone connect easily, organizations have leveraged online presence to boost their brand awareness, sales, and marketing. It is a practical yet effective strategy- traditional marketing generates 50% fewer interactions with customers than digital marketing. This is why companies allocate more budget for digital marketing.
For freelancers, a strong online presence is essential. A solid online presence can be the make-or-break deal to get clients. In the vast internet world wherein there is a lot of competition because of the booming gig economy, you have to see and stand out so that potential customers can connect to you.
What online presence means
You may think that an online presence is similar to an online existence, but it’s not. You may exist online and have different accounts or sites, but your target audience may not feel you. Having an online presence means that your business, in this case- you, has visibility, credibility, and reputation in cyberspace. You should be searchable, and potential clients should perceive you as an excellent freelancer to work with for a project.
Having a solid online presence means that you, as a freelancer, have continuously lined up projects and clients. You will not worry about where your next paycheck will be coming from because you have established yourself in the industry.
How to do this? Here are some tips.
Create your website
You need to have your own website as this is equivalent to your digital address. Your website is the first tool for people to know you and the services you offer. You can also showcase here your previous works and testimonials of your clients. Make sure that your website showcases your branding too so that you will stand out from other freelancers. Be as creative as you can.
Because websites are this powerful, you have to ensure that your site is attractive, user-friendly, and easy to navigate. It should also load fast because speed matters. The feel, colors, images, and manner of communicating should also match your branding too. It can also be advantageous if your site is compatible with any device it’s viewed on, whether through a laptop, tablet, or mobile phone.
Start writing a blog
You can also write a blog on your website and talk about topics related to your and your client’s industry, tips on freelancing, and anything that will fit your branding. What’s good about writing a blog is that you can use keywords to make your site more searchable, and you can link to other websites too. This technique will give you more traffic to your website.
Use social media
You can utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin too. Tapping social media to increase online presence is an excellent strategy since there are 4.48 social media users worldwide.
To successfully utilize social media, first, you have to choose the right social media platform. You might want to research your audience and social media preferences. Then, plan out how you will manage your social media accounts, like schedule and kind of posts and replies.
Create your webinar or podcast.
Creating good content is another way to ensure an online presence. You can share your expertise and develop a webinar or podcast, which can be posted on your website and social media accounts. Through this, your target audience can relate to you more, and they can share your content on their own social media accounts. You can quickly gain more followers and a broader network too.
Create an email list
Email marketing is another simple yet efficient way to build and boost your online presence. Create an email list by letting your website or social media page content readers sign up to receive emails. Having an email list gives you leads who are not only interested in your content but can also be potential clients.
Key Takeaway
Being a freelancer means being your own marketing manager. Promote yourself and your services by having a solid online presence. By being felt in the online world, be ready to reap many followers and future clients.
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Joy
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