How can a freelancer use social media to find clients?

More than five million companies advertise their products and services on Facebook. Several other millions have business pages on the major social networks. Organizations use social media to engage their audience, hire talent, and raise brand awareness.

As a freelancer, you can leverage these trends to find and secure work.

Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social networks give you access to potential clients in every niche you could think of. The key is to reach out to the right people at the right time.

So, how can a freelancer use social media to find clients? From cold pitching to joining Facebook groups, there are several things you can do to promote your services.

Use these tips as a starting point!

How can a freelancer use social media to secure work?

First things first, focus on building a strong online presence. Decide which social platforms you want to use and then set up compelling business pages to describe your services.

LinkedIn, for example, can serve as a virtual resume.

Craft an engaging job title and About section, list your services, and describe your professional experience. Include a link to your website or online portfolio to showcase your work.

Keep your job title simple and relevant. While it's important to be creative, make sure that your potential clients can understand what you have to offer.

Terms like "brand evangelist" or "social media ninja" are meaningless and confusing. The same goes for job titles like "brand warrior," "chief thought provoker," or "digital overlord."

These terms create confusion and make it difficult for prospective clients to find your business online.

Creative agencies, for instance, will search for specific terms — such as "digital advertising specialist" — on Facebook or LinkedIn. A job title like "advertising ninja" won't show up in search results.

With these things in mind, set up your social media pages and then optimize them for the search engines. Be clear about who you are, what you do, and what gives you a competitive advantage.

Next, take these steps to find new clients on social platforms.

1. Showcase your creative side on Instagram

Instagram is all about visual content. This makes it ideal for photographers, graphic designers, and other creative professionals. As a freelancer, you can use this platform to showcase your creativity.

Share your best work and engage in conversations with your followers.

If, say, you're a web designer, you can post website screenshots and screen recordings. The whole point is to show potential clients what to expect.

Ideally, set up an Instagram business profile. This way, you'll not only look professional but also have access to advanced analytics. Write a compelling bio and include a link to your website or LinkedIn page.

Use the comments section to describe your workflow when posting new content.

For example, you could mention a recent trend that inspired your work. Use relevant hashtags to make it easier for prospective clients to find your content on Instagram.

2. Leverage LinkedIn outreach

More than 98% of Fortune 500 companies use LinkedIn. If you're wondering how to find clients through social media, look no further.

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal. Premium users can send InMail messages to companies from around the world, including those that they're not connected to.

If you have a basic account, you can either upgrade to a paid plan or sign up for a 30-day free trial (if it's available to you).

Look for potential clients and scan through their profiles to find some common ground.

Freelance health writers, for example, may reach out to private clinics, physicians, and other medical professionals. Another option is to get in touch with digital agencies and PR firms.

Keep your message short and concise. Think of LinkedIn InMail as a messaging app, not an email service. Introduce yourself, mention your services, and end your message with a question to keep the conversation going.

Let your potential clients know that you're familiar with their products or services.

Express your enthusiasm toward what they have to offer. At the same time, try to show your value and how you could contribute to the company.

3. Join Facebook groups

Facebook groups can be an excellent resource for finding work. You just need to know what to look for. Join Facebook groups related to your industry or niche.

For example, if you're a freelance writer, you could join Binders Full of Writing Jobs or Calls for Submissions. The Freelance Content Marketing Writer is a good choice, too.

Introduce yourself to the community and engage in conversations. Don't just list your services or throw a link to your website. What matters most is to build genuine connections.

Add shortcuts to your favorite groups so you can access them more easily and stay up-to-date with the latest posts. Leave comments, share useful tips, and exchange ideas with other members.

These small things can help you stand out from the crowd and raise interest in your business.

Use a similar approach to market yourself and find new clients on Twitter. Get involved in Twitter chats and share meaningful content that sparks conversations.

Likewise, you may join LinkedIn groups to connect with potential clients.

These online communities aren't just about learning from others. They can also make it easier to grow your professional network and make your voice heard.

Fine-tune your social media strategy

Finding new clients on social media takes time. It also requires a well-thought-out strategy that aligns with your goals.

Think about where you are right now, what you want to achieve, and what your ideal customer looks like.

Plan your next steps too. Join Moxie to manage your projects, keep track of your payments, and build proposals for new clients — all from one centralized location.

‍