LinkedIn usage and engagement are heating up, and for good reason. It can be a goldmine for finding new freelance clients, building your personal brand, and growing your business. In fact, 44% of marketers say LinkedIn is the most important social media platform for B2B (business-to-business) marketing.
Attracting leads and growing our pipeline is important to growing a sustainable and future-proof business. Here are five reasons why a LinkedIn profile is a freelancer’s best way to do this.
1. LinkedIn Is A Powerful Marketing Tool
LinkedIn may have started as a networking platform and an “online CV”, but it has well and truly evolved since then. It’s now a comprehensive marketing tool that freelancers can use to build their brand and source new clients. LinkedIn offers many different options for posting content, such as articles, carousels, videos, and even newsletters. You can use their newsletter function to build a loyal subscriber base and nurture leads, rather than using an entirely separate email platform.
2. LinkedIn Is Where The Decision-Makers Hang Out
Business owners, CEOs, executives, and founders (or anyone who decides to hire you as a freelancer) are all active on LinkedIn. It offers the opportunity to build your personal brand right in front of them by strategically posting consistent and value-first content.
Unlike Facebook, where users usually only add people they know personally, it’s a regular part of LinkedIn culture to connect with people you do not know. You can send invitations to connect with your ideal clients, send a personalized InMail, and implement a value-first strategy to start conversations with them. Hot tip: 86% of people are more likely to read your InMail if you view their LinkedIn profile first.
3. Proudly Display Your Social Proof on LinkedIn
Thanks to a few special features, LinkedIn can be used as a highly curated and personalized resume with undeniable social proof. These features can help you stand out to ideal clients and build trust when they view your LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn allows colleagues and clients to leave a recommendation on your profile, which is a powerful testimonial to potential clients. If you add skills (make sure they’re relevant to your freelance services) to your profile, anyone on LinkedIn can endorse you for these skills. Again, ask your colleagues and clients (past or present) to do so, as these skill endorsements are powerful social proof.
4. Organic Reach Still Exists On LinkedIn
Despite the ever-present argument that organic reach is dying on social media, LinkedIn has stood the test of time. Freelancers have an exciting opportunity to utilize their personal profiles to get visible and earn reach they may not be able to on other social media platforms.
The best news is you don’t need a large following to earn significant reach on LinkedIn. If you post high-quality, value-first content, share your expertise, and participate in meaningful conversations, you can create large waves of influence in your industry, regardless of your follower count.
5. The LinkedIn Mindset Is Different
People who use LinkedIn are professionals looking to collaborate, network, learn, and invest in themselves. This platform isn’t where you unsupportive aunties or friends with no ambitions hang out!
Your regular users of LinkedIn know that it’s a hub for B2B marketing and business transactions, so their mindset is more primed and open to seeing businesses promoting themselves. This mindset makes it much easier for freelancers to sell their services. As long as you’re also offering value to others and engaging in meaningful ways, you’ll never be out of place.
Every freelancer should add LinkedIn to their marketing strategy. Consistent and strategic use of LinkedIn could be the secret weapon that helps grow your personal brand and client base to new heights.
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