You are a freelance social media consultant. You work with clients to create and manage their social media presence. You like to keep up-to-date on best practices for posting content, engaging with your audience, and growing your following, but you also want to maintain an active and fun online presence of your own. This can be a balancing act.
For example, if you’re getting ready for a weeklong vacation in the Caribbean, should you share a picture of the beach chair you’re sitting in? Or would that be unprofessional?
The truth is there is no single right way to do things when it comes to managing accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! But there are several wrong ways there are behaviors and actions that will make you look like an amateur or even hurt your business. Whether you know it or not, when people interact with you online they make assumptions about your skill level based on how professional or polished your account appears.
This article will teach you about different aspects of managing social media accounts for others as well as yourself and how best to handle certain situations so that your clients and potential clients will perceive you as a professional freelancer who knows what they’re doing.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Maintain a professional tone and language on social media platforms. |
| 2. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages in a timely manner. |
| 3. Avoid controversial topics and be mindful of what you share on your profiles. |
| 4. Respect the privacy and confidentiality of your clients and colleagues. |
| 5. Separate your personal and professional content, or use privacy settings to control your audience. |
| 6. Handle negative feedback professionally and seek to resolve issues privately. |
| 7. Focus your social media efforts on platforms where your target audience is most active. |
| 8. Share valuable and relevant content to showcase your expertise and attract potential clients. |
| 9. Regularly monitor your social media profiles for any mentions or tags to stay engaged with your network. |
| 10. Continuously evaluate and adjust your social media strategy to align with your professional goals. |
Know What Your Audience Wants To Hear
When you’re posting about your work, remember that you want to come across as genuine. You want to be relatable and transparent. Don’t post something because you think it will gain a lot of traction or because someone else said that it was important. Post something because you recognize it as valuable and relevant to your audience.
If you spend some time thinking about who your audience is and what they like, then it should be pretty clear what’s appropriate to share. If you have any doubt, though, then err on the side of caution and just avoid anything that could offend people or put them in an awkward position regarding their own beliefs or morality (unless your followers have already shown themselves to appreciate such content).
For example, if I’m following a freelancer who’s very experienced in UX design I’d be interested in learning how they got started with UX design; what resources were helpful for them; what websites/apps they use to stay up-to-date on trends; etc., but I wouldn’t care at all if this same freelancer shared political opinions on social media unless those opinions happened to align with mine personally (in which case I’ll probably start following their personal account instead).
Building a strong social media presence is essential for freelancers. Learn everything you need to know about social media etiquette to maintain a professional image and engage effectively with your audience.
Say Thank You And Be Polite
Social media is a great way to meet people and build relationships. It is also the best way to let your work be seen by lots of people, and consequently, attract a lot of clients. Many new freelancers think that social media is just a platform where they can promote their work in exchange for money. This is not true at all.
This common misconception often leads new freelancers to show up on social media platforms demanding things from other people without any regard for the etiquette of these platforms. The problem with this approach is that you will likely get ignored or worse, blocked by more experienced and influential users who have no interest in working with you.
So what should you do? Say thank you, be polite, and treat others as you would want them to treat you. Remember that there are many other freelancers out there who are not as successful as you because they come across as arrogant and rude. Adopting a more friendly attitude will make it much easier for potential clients to warm up to you, which will lead them to hire your services over those of another freelancer who may seem less approachable than yourself.
Be A Catalyst For The Conversation
One of the things that make social media so popular is that it allows us to share our lives with others. But what you choose to discuss can often be a source of confusion: we’ve written about Twitter etiquette and Facebook griefing, but what about other types of behavior?
Think about how you use social media and what sorts of things you’re drawn to. You might be surprised at some of the things that you find interesting. For instance, have you ever noticed yourself following people who have made a certain topic their life’s work? They might be freelance writers, or they might spend all their waking hours reading news articles on their laptops but either way, they’ve found something that moves them enough to devote their free time to it.
That’s why having an open spirit is important when using any type of social media platform: instead of measuring yourself against other people in your field or industry (which can feel like comparing your life with theirs), consider sharing how much fun it is to follow this topic or read this blog post. In return, viewers will want to share their own experiences and learn more from your input.
Build Relationships More Than You Build Your Brand
The best advice I can give you on social media is to build relationships more than you build your brand. The moment you start talking about yourself and your work too much, people will begin to lose interest. Remember that most people are already doing their own self-promotion on social media so they don’t want to hear from yet another person saying how great they are what they do want to hear about is what’s going on with their friends and family, and in the world at large.
Instead of focusing your posts on promoting yourself, focus them on trying to help other people or engage with them in some way. This could be taking the time to answer a question someone has, sharing an article about something cool you learned today, or just commenting on something funny that someone else posted. Whatever it is, it needs to be focused on building relationships with your followers as opposed to just selling them stuff all the time.
The more you talk about other things outside of work (or even better yet things related but not directly connected), the more likely it is that people will see your posts as interesting rather than obnoxious self-promotion efforts which will inevitably lead them away from wanting anything else from you ever again in life!
Effective communication is key for freelancers. Check out our article on 10 communication etiquette tips to enhance your client interactions and build strong relationships in the freelance industry.
Be Reliable And Consistent
Reliability and consistency are among the most important things to provide your social media audience.
Consistency means posting regularly, as well as posting content with a similar tone and message. If you’re all over the place and have an erratic posting schedule, nobody will know what to expect from you. Being consistently yourself is imperative for building a loyal audience that loves you for who you are.
This includes responding quickly to comments or questions on your social media pages to create trust with those who follow you. By establishing yourself as reliable and consistent, your current followers will help spread the word about how great you are by sharing your posts on their own pages!
Respond To People Who Speak To You Through Social Media Channels
If you’re using social media in your work, it’s crucial that you respond to people who speak to you through these channels. This can include responding to comments on your posts, answering questions from followers, and replying on social networks like LinkedIn when someone reaches out.
It’s important that you take the time to respond to people who approach you online. You want them to feel like they are interacting with a human being not just a faceless brand or company. If someone is willing to reach out and engage with you online, talk back! Responding makes you appear more accessible which may lead others to interact with you as well.
Similarly, if someone has commented on one of your posts or asked a question about something that relates directly to your business, make sure that they receive an answer within 24 hours at most.
Beyond simply responding in a timely manner, it’s also important that your responses are appropriate and polite. Even if someone is rude or challenging in their initial comment or question, remain professional in what you say back. This will likely be viewed by others who follow the thread so it’s important not only for its own sake but also for how it will reflect upon your brand as a whole going forward.
Have A Plan In Terms Of Posting Frequency, Type Of Content, And Platform Usage
Your social media presence should be mapped out in advance. Know what you want to accomplish and who you’re targeting. Your posts should speak to your audience’s interests, needs, and preferences. The amount of content you’ll post depends on the platform(s) you choose, as well as the size of your target audience.
For example, if your goal is to increase traffic back to your website, posting two times a week on Instagram will likely not be enough (especially given the fact that only 1% of followers actually see posts).
If it turns out that most of your customers follow you on LinkedIn, then LinkedIn is where they want to hear from you and since more than 40% of professionals use LinkedIn daily, this might be a good place for frequent updates.
If you’re unsure how often to post or what content should be posted where consider checking out other small businesses like yours and seeing how they interact with their customers online. For example:
- Do they reply directly when someone comments?
- How often do they promote their own products?
- Do they post mostly humorous content or business-focused articles?
Don’t Be Afraid Of Offending Someone When You’re Posting Your Honest Opinion Or Idea
There’s nothing wrong with sharing your opinions and ideas. In fact, the right post can get people talking and help them engage with your brand. However, remember to consider the social norms of your target audience when sharing hot topics on social media and use common sense. There are some topics that are best left alone completely, such as politics and religion.
Respect others’ views by being open-minded when you’re posting (and if anyone leaves a comment expressing a different viewpoint than yours). Always be respectful at all times, even if someone is rude to you particularly because they might not realize they’re being offensive.
Some cultures are very sensitive about certain issues, so it’s important to know what to avoid posting in order to keep good relations with your clients or customers from those countries. For example, disrespecting the monarchy in Thailand is forbidden by law!
Online etiquette plays a vital role in shaping your freelance career. Avoid these 13 online etiquette mistakes to maintain professionalism, credibility, and success in the digital realm.
Get Others Involved By Soliciting Ideas And Guest Posting
Ask others to help you out by contributing a guest post about a topic related to your niche. Guest posts are a great way to diversify your content and show off the expertise of other people in your industry. Plus, getting someone else’s content that can be shared with your audience is a great way to save time during busy periods.
After publishing the guest post, ask them to share it on their social profiles for added exposure. If they have an email list, you could also ask them to send an email out sharing the post with their subscribers.
Gain insights into the perspective of chat support agents and improve your client interactions. Discover the 12 best things chat support agents wish they could tell clients to enhance communication and achieve better outcomes.
Don’t Expect Others To Share Your Content Or Link To You If You Don’t Do It For Them First
That doesn’t mean you can’t accept help from other freelancers when offered, but it’s a good idea to show that you’re willing to be a team player. Contributing to your community instead of just reaping the benefits doing so will make people more likely to want to help you out in the future. I’ve found that this is especially true if someone has helped me before and I’m now looking for a favor in return.
It may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s always good to remember the golden rule: treat others as you would like them to treat you. If someone comes up with something amazing and asks for your opinion or feedback, give it! Be honest and helpful; chances are they will do the same for you in return. When someone shares your content, acknowledge them by saying “thank you” on Twitter or retweeting their tweet (if appropriate).
Givers gain! Successful freelancers tend to be those who have active communities behind them that encourage them and support their work. You’re far more likely to get where you want with help from others than without.
Building relationships takes time, but being friendly and helpful is an essential way of creating long-term win-win situations for everyone involved and without fail, it will ultimately come back around to benefit you in one way or another.
Be Authentic
The following are some social media etiquette tips to help you attract and retain clients.
Be yourself. The best way to impress clients is with your honest personality; if you try to act like someone you’re not, people will notice straight away.
Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. This can also work against you! If people are aware of the fact that you’re trying to be “someone else” online, they’ll soon figure out exactly who it is and will likely stop paying attention to your brand or business altogether.
Don’t be afraid of what other people think of your posts what they think doesn’t matter as much as what they do when they click on a link. Lastly, never give up control over what your clients see by giving them too much feedback: after all, their trust in your service means everything!
Chat support is an essential skill for freelancers. Follow our comprehensive guide on online chat support to master the techniques and provide exceptional customer service to clients.
Conclusion
One of the biggest appeals of social media is that it allows you to express yourself and build relationships with other people. As a freelancer, you’re in an even better position to capitalize on these benefits.
The bottom line is that you should be authentic and regular in your interactions. Don’t be overly worried about offending someone; as long as you’re not purposefully doing so, don’t hesitate to post your honest thoughts and ideas when it’s appropriate to do so. And if you want others to share your content or link back to your site, make sure you’re sharing theirs first!
In the end, there’s no need for a specific playbook when starting out with social media marketing as a freelancer just follow our tips above, apply them consistently to what feels right for you and your audience, and keep an eye on feedback (both positive and negative), and adjust accordingly over time.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on social media etiquette for freelancers:
Freelance Professional Etiquette on Social Media: Discover the dos and don’ts of maintaining a professional presence on social media as a freelancer.
Social Media Etiquette Rules for Business: Learn essential social media etiquette guidelines for businesses to effectively engage with their audience and enhance their online reputation.
Social Media for Freelancers: Etiquette and Best Practices: Explore best practices and etiquette tips for freelancers using social media to promote their services and connect with clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s The Best Way To Get Feedback On A Social Media Post?
Asking your readers what they thought of a post is a great way to find out their opinion. You could also implement a rating system for your posts.
Should You Respond To Negative Comments?
Some experts say it’s best not to respond, but others say that if you do it politely, it can show that you’re committed and care about the user experience. There are many conflicting opinions on this topic, so it all depends on your personality and how you want to portray yourself online.
What Are Some Examples Of Good Social Media Posts?
Good examples include posts from people who are genuinely interested in helping others or providing value.
How Can You Avoid Being Too Promotional In Your Posts?
Promoting yourself should be done sparingly and only after you’ve posted other content first (you don’t want the majority of your feed to be promotional). A good rule of thumb is 80/20 – 80% non-promotional content, and 20% self-promotional content.
What are the key aspects of social media etiquette for freelancers?
Social media etiquette for freelancers includes maintaining a professional tone, engaging with followers, avoiding controversial topics, and respecting privacy and confidentiality.
How can I maintain a professional image on social media as a freelancer?
To maintain a professional image on social media, it’s important to use proper grammar and spelling, share relevant and valuable content, respond promptly to messages and comments, and present yourself in a consistent and authentic manner.
Should I mix personal and professional content on my social media profiles as a freelancer?
It’s generally recommended to separate personal and professional content on social media as a freelancer. Creating separate accounts or using privacy settings can help you maintain a professional image while still sharing personal content with a select audience.
How should I handle negative comments or feedback on social media?
When facing negative comments or feedback on social media, it’s crucial to respond calmly and professionally. Address the concerns, offer a solution if applicable, and aim to resolve the issue privately if necessary to maintain a positive online reputation.
Are there any specific social media platforms that freelancers should focus on?
The choice of social media platforms for freelancers depends on their target audience and industry. Research your target market to identify which platforms are most relevant and focus your efforts on building a strong presence there.
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!
