Freelancefolder

The Freelancer’s Ultimate Introduction to Google+ Hangouts

Posted March 2, 2012 in Marketing, Social Media

Google+ provides some interesting tools for freelancers, including Google+ Brand Pages. Another aspect of Google+ that freelancers should consider is the Hangouts feature.

Google+ Hangouts is one of the most interesting social media tools currently available for freelancers (and others). It is also one of the unique Google+ features that helps to distinguish Google+ from other social media tools.

If you’re a freelancer, you should look into the various ways that Google+ Hangouts can help your freelancing business. In this post, I’ll explain why freelancers should be interested in Google+ Hangouts, describe briefly how you can get started with Google+ Hangouts, and help you find some good Hangouts for freelancers.

Why You Should Be Interested in Google+ Hangouts

Google+ Hangouts offers a great opportunity for freelancers to connect on a more personal level with individuals they would ordinarily not be able to interact with on a face-to-face basis. Google+ Hangouts are easy to use, versatile, and free of charge.
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The Top 10 Social Media Options for Freelancers & Small Business Owners

Posted February 22, 2012 in Getting Started, Social Media

If you’re just getting started on social media, you’re in luck. Today, you have more social media options than ever before.

The fact is, for most internet users, social media is the main reason they get online. Chances are that many of those same users are also your clients and potential clients. If your freelancing business is not on social media yet, you’re falling behind.

Whether you’re new to freelancing and want to set up an online social media presence ASAP, or you’re a seasoned freelancing veteran who is just now taking the social media plunge, you’re sure to find a platform that appeals to you.

In this post, I’ll provide a quick overview of each of the major social media platforms and explain why a freelancer might wish to use each.

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Can Pinterest Help Your Freelancing Business?

Posted February 3, 2012 in Social Media

If you’re active in social media, you may have recently heard of Pinterest, a new social media site that is gaining popularity. In fact, it seems like everyone is suddenly talking about Pinterest. From all the talk it’s hard to tell whether it’s a trend or a fad.

You may even wonder if there is any way that your freelancing business could possibly benefit from using Pinterest. You may be asking yourself whether you should get involved in Pinterest.

In this post, I’ll take a look at Pinterest from a freelancer’s perspective. I’ll explain what it is and also take a look at some benefits and drawbacks of the site for freelancers.

Of course, ultimately every freelancer needs to make their own decision about Pinterest.

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How to Devise the Perfect Freelancing Social Media Strategy for You

Posted December 14, 2011 in How-To, Marketing, Social Media

How can a freelancer develop an effective social media strategy with a reasonable investment of time?

As freelancers we rely on social media to interact with clients, potential clients, and other freelancers.

Social media is a great tool for freelancers (and since social media is most often free it’s very budget-friendly). But if you’re not careful, social media can also take up a lot of your valuable project time.

Of course, strategies will vary for each individual freelancer. However, over the past few years I’ve put a lot of thought into social media strategy. The tips in this post should work for most freelancers.

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Time for Freelancers to Become More Social and Play the Game

Posted November 21, 2011 in Marketing, Social Media

For freelance writers, there are a lot of avenues available to promote their work.

Social media, however, should be the first and foremost tool to spread the word about interesting articles, searching for individuals to interview, gathering new story ideas and more.

Some of the challenges that freelance writers can face with social media are which outlets to use, how often to use them, and where and when to promote them. Although social media is not rocket science, it can be challenging at times, therefore stop writers from effectively using the various tools at their disposal.

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20+ Helpful Google+ Brand Page Resources for Freelancers

Posted November 20, 2011 in Marketing, Social Media

A few weeks ago Google+ rolled out their much anticipated brand pages. These brand pages are intended for company and business use (in contrast to the original Google+ profiles, which had to be registered to an individual).

Many big brands have jumped on the bandwagon and set up their Google+ Pages. Many freelancers have also set up pages for their blogs and businesses. You may be wondering if these pages can help you build and strengthen client relationships.

If you haven’t looked closely at the Google+ Page functionality yet, you may be wondering if this feature is for you. While I can’t make up your mind for you, I can provide you with information to help you decide whether a Google+ brand page is right for your freelancing business.

In this post, I identify over 20 resources on Google’s new brand page feature. I’ve sorted this information into categories so that you can easily find the information that is most useful to you. Of course, this information is changing all the time, so feel free to add your own Google+ information resources in the comments.

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Are You Guilty of T.M.I.?

Posted November 4, 2011 in Marketing, Social Media

Freelancers go to great lengths to build strong relationships with clients, so it should come as no surprise that they are sometimes guilty of sharing too much information (T.M.I.) online.

While it’s important to be authentic and genuine online, it’s also possible to overshare. There are some things that clients, colleagues, and potential clients didn’t really need to know about you.

Yet, oversharing happens all the time. I’ve seen it on nearly all of the major networks, and I’m sure you have too. In fact, some social networks have recently encouraged oversharing by suggesting that you use their network to document nearly every aspect your life.

While oversharing might be okay if you limit your fans/friends/followers/circles to a small group of individuals who are well-known to you, it flies against good sense if you are using social media to interact with clients and prospective clients for your freelancing business.

In this post, I’ll identify some bits of personal information that are better left unshared. I’ll also invite you to discuss online reputation and social media.

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5 Elements All Effective Freelancing Social Media Profiles Must Have

Posted October 14, 2011 in Marketing, Social Media

Social media can be a great networking tool. Used properly, you can meet both prospective clients and colleagues on social media. You can also use it to communicate with family and friends.

Sadly, however, too many freelancers are not taking full advantage the social media tools that they have available to them. Yet, they wonder why they aren’t benefiting from their social media participation. You’ve probably heard their complaints:

• “Social media is a total waste of time.”
• “I’ve never gotten a client through social media.”
• “My clients don’t use social media.”

In this post, I’ll help freelancers optimize their social media participation by identifying the five elements that all freelancers should have in their social media profiles. Having an optimized profile should address many of the complaints that freelancers have about social media. I’ll also identify some characteristics of spam social media accounts so that you can see the difference.

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10 Key Points Freelancers Must Know About LinkedIn

Posted October 3, 2011 in Getting Clients, Social Media

LinkedIn is known as the most professional social networking site. After all, the top executives of Fortune 500 companies are in LinkedIn.

You don’t use it to reconnect with and keep in touch with your grandma who lives halfway around the world. Instead, you probably know it as THE place to be in if you’re either looking for a job or looking for someone to hire.

But if you’re a freelancer, don’t disregard LinkedIn as a client-getting tool. Many companies and business owners who hire freelancers are also in LinkedIn. And that’s why you want to be there too.

LinkedIn exists so you can capture your existing network–that is, people you already know from school, previous work places, etc–and grow that network through groups, referrals and introductions. You know it’s often not what you know and can do that matters, it’s whom you know! That’s why having a wide network helps if you’re looking for clients and prospects.

There are a ten key things freelancers need to know when using LinkedIn. Keep these in mind and you’ll get results faster and with less effort. In this post I’ll share what you must know about LinkedIn.

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