Social media is no longer exclusively used for “being social”. In fact, thousands of small business owners are building their business on the strong, sturdy backs of optimized social media profiles, engaging group boards, and professional business platforms – all through the power of social media.
Finding clients is no exception to this rule. Many virtual assistants and freelance creatives find clients exclusively through social media using the methods and strategies described above.
Below are specific steps you can take on Facebook and LinkedIn that will keep your schedule busy and your waitlist full.
Facebook groups. Join Facebook groups that are filled with your ideal clients as well as your competitors. If you are a virtual assistant who specifically supports food bloggers, then you will want to search for groups for “Food Bloggers” and also groups for “Virtual Assistants”.
Engage. Engage in these groups on a daily basis or at least 3 – 5 times a week. Answering questions, posting comments, and sharing insights will help you become recognizable within the group.
Free Value. Share your knowledge and skills freely. Offering this type of value lets others know you truly want to be helpful. It’s a great way to connect with others.
Optimize Profile. Update your profile. Include keywords that specifically describe your business, skills, and expertise. Include keywords like “virtual assistant”, “social media manager”, “technical virtual assistant”, depending on your area of expertise.
Resume and Portfolio. Upload your resume and your portfolio. Often potential clients like to take a look at past work experience before they reach out to you. Add links to your website or other projects you are currently working on.
Connect. Seek out and connect with businesses or companies you would like to work for in the future. Be sure to send a personal note, letting them know you respect their business and would like to connect professionally.
Free Value. Again share your expertise, whether it’s through a blog post you’ve written, a free lead magnet you’ve created, or simply by responding to someone’s comment or question.
Have you been successful in finding clients through these two platforms? What other questions do you have regarding finding clients on Facebook and LinkedIn?