Everything is a rat race in this highly competitive world (both physical and digital). Clients come and go; you have to manage this fact of life. How do you, as a freelancer, stand out in this noisy internet world? You must have a solid online presence to present yourself in a good light in front of the correct people with quality offerings. 

Having an online presence means being available and accessible online. You may exist online, but your online presence is another matter - there are deeper layers beneath that depict the standing and strength of your business 

What does it mean to build an online presence?

Building an online presence is like building a brand for yourself online. It is like having an online shop where you showcase your services and also samples of your services so that prospective customers can find you.

Not sure where to start with building your online presence as a freelancer? Not even sure why you need to? Well the First thing you need to know is that your Digital Presence is ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL ASSETS FOR FREELANCERS and Your success as a freelancer typically depends on how strong your online presence is on the internet. It boils down to your visibility and credibility in the digital space. So, how do you build your online presence as a freelancer? Here’s how:

Tip #1 - Carve out Your Niche

Before you jump on the freelancing bandwagon, you first need to know your specialized area. Your goal is to tie yourself with a specific branch in an industry so that you become the go-to person whenever anyone needs something done in your area. So, identify your niche to help focus on boosting your standing in that said market.  

Tip #2 - Have a Website

Having a website as a freelancer is important.

While freelancers don't need to have websites, one cannot deny that having a website does a freelancer better than not. Whenever a user researches online and wants to know more about you, the first place that is most visited is your website. Hence, if you are serious about being a successful freelancer, you should have a website. Your website should encompass a description of who you are, what you do, and why you should be hired.

 It doesn’t have to be a complicated design or template. In the first page site visitors see when they visit your website, you should be able to convince them to work with you or to get to know more about you just by seeing your first page.

Tip #3 - Increase your social media interactions

Social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn can be a great place to find clients and other freelancers who can refer you to prospective clients when they see that you are good at what you do. 

Q - But how will they know?

A - They will know through your profile and posts.

Aside from your website, buyers will search for you on social media. They want to know what you are actively doing and what people think of you. Hence, social media is an effective amplification tool to help build your brand reputation, and credibility.

Tip #4 - Be Active and Responsive 

Showing up online is one thing but being active is another. You have to let people know that you are ‘alive,’ so please consistently post on blogs or start your blog on your website. Be active in relevant forums and social media accounts. That said, posting is a one-way street. Your being active has to be two ways. Hence, engage in conversations with your followers and customers. Show that you care and are updated with the latest market trends. You will be 'seen' as knowledgeable; this increases your authority level

 Note: Do not get carried away with the latest trends that you are unable to spot potential employers o your services 

 Start and nurture relationships with other freelancers too. You’d be surprised at how many freelancers landed jobs based on referrals from other fellow freelancers.

Tip #5 - Create High-Quality Relevant Content

The right keyword research tool can help you build more effective content.

Having a website isn’t nearly enough to build your online presence. You need to create compelling content that showcases your expertise to build leads. That means content that is comprehensive and relevant to your target audience. One of the most common mistakes made when blogging is that they create blogs unrelated to their niche or field.

Tip #6 - Build Your Brand

A freelancer's brand can be their most potent tool. Your brand is what makes people think of you when they see your logo or hear your company name. It's how customers know they can trust you with their business. Every freelancer needs to build their brand because it gives them credibility and authority in their field of expertise. A strong brand helps you stand out from other freelancers and gives clients confidence in your skill set and experience level.

Conclusion

Building an online presence has so many advantages but you must be ready to keep putting yourself out there even when you don’t have a lot of engagements and traffic. In the digital world, things can get complicated as you can be everywhere at once to cater to multiple leads and clients at one go. As a freelancer, your online presence is your currency to earning great success. You must nurture and grow your online presence from the get-go. 

Although there are many other great tips out there for you to learn, we've specifically highlighted these 6 as proper utilization of them is sure to bring you gradual and steady results and people will start noticing you and your brand will grow. So till next time, see you in the next issue …….

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