Build Your Audience as a Creative Freelancer
Creatives from all corners of the globe are moving away from the traditional freelancing marketplaces such as Upwork or Fiverr. Mainly because of the high platform fees, the fierce competition and the lack of ways to stand out. However, those freelancers are using more creative ways to connect with clients.
Twitter has emerged as an indispensable tool for designers to showcase their work, connect with peers, and attract clients. In the vast digital landscape, a strong presence on Twitter can propel your career forward.
Many of the creatives we are talking to are telling us that Twitter is the best lead generation tool, if you are able to grow your presence the right way! Here are some strategies to help designers harness the platform's power.
Engage with Your 'Why'
Share the Story Behind Your Designs: Audiences on Twitter are drawn to authenticity and storytelling. When you post your work, share the inspiration and process behind it. This approach allows followers to form a deeper connection with your creations and understand the person behind the art.
Embrace Quantity and Reposting
Post Regularly and Repurpose Content: A vibrant Twitter feed is a sign of an active and engaged designer. Don't hesitate to post often and repurpose existing content. Showcasing different aspects of the same design can provide fresh perspectives and keep your audience interested. Reposting the work from other creatives is also a good way to build community while being active and sharing useful content. Take a look at Lamar’s Twitter Feed, we had the pleasure to chat with him early this month and we love his approach!
Analyze and Adapt
Leverage Analytics for Insight: Twitter’s analytics tools are invaluable for understanding what resonates with your audience. Tailor your content strategy based on engagement metrics, and adjust your posting schedule to ensure maximum visibility for your designs.
Although Twitter offers an Analytics tool as shown below, there are also a lot of alternatives online such as:
Sprout Social: Comprehensive social media management with analytics; pricing available after a 30-day free trial.
SocialPilot: Social media scheduling and analytics tool; starts at $25.50/month, billed annually.
Tweepsmap: Twitter analytics and engagement tool; free plan available, paid plans from $7/month, billed annually.
Followerwonk: Twitter-focused analytics for account analysis and growth tracking; free and paid plans starting at $23/month, billed annually.
Twitonomy: Twitter analytics for tweets, engagements, and followers; free limited plan, paid features from $19/month.
Personalize Your Interaction
Engage Personally and Give Back: Go beyond the basics and interact with your followers on a personal level. Share knowledge, provide feedback, and offer value through tutorials or resources. This generosity can establish you as a thought leader and build a loyal following.
Show Yourself
Be Visible and Connect: Personal branding is key. Introduce your followers to the person behind the designs. By sharing personal moments or insights, you invite your audience to connect with you on a human level. We love Laurentiu’s approach, he is consistent and does not only post about design! This helps the audience connect on a deeper level with him. At the end of the day, you want to work with people you connect with!
Foster Engagement After Posting
Actively Connect with Your Audience: After sharing your work, don't just move on—engage. Reply to comments, visit your followers' profiles, and start conversations. This active engagement shows that you value your community, encouraging stronger connections and potential collaborations.
Freelancer Spotlight: Vasile's Journey
In our Freelancer Spotlight, we're highlighting Vasile L., a senior product designer whose strategic use of Twitter has significantly boosted his freelance career. His journey is one many freelancers might find familiar: starting as a hobby, growing through platforms like Dribble, and eventually gaining enough traction to take on the freelance world full-time via Twitter. After securing his first client, he focused on growing his audience on Twitter, where he now boasts a diverse client base, mostly from the U.S. and Europe.
His successful lead generation from Twitter is a blend of consistent content posting, engaging storytelling, and genuine interaction with his audience. Despite facing challenges in growing his Twitter following, Vasile has managed to create a space where quality designs are appreciated, and new clients continuously reach out to him. His story demonstrates the power of a well-crafted social media presence in the life of a creative freelancer.
But it hasn't been all smooth sailing. Vasile, like countless freelancers working with international clients, has grappled with the slow and often frustrating process of receiving payments across borders. His clients in the U.S. would send wire transfers, but let's just say the wait was less than ideal—imagine up to two weeks before seeing a dime. It's a common thread in the freelancer narrative: the work is done, the client is happy, but the payment is still somewhere in the ether of international banking systems.
That's the gap Sorbet aims to fill. Picture this: a web3 workflow tool that cuts through the red tape of cross-border payments, all while waving goodbye to transaction fees for freelancers. Sorbet's escrow system aligns with the milestones freelancers and their clients care about, ensuring that getting paid is as seamless as sharing a tweet. For someone like Vasile, this means the days of payment limbo are behind him, and he can channel his energy into his passion—bringing designs to life.
Conclusion
The journey of freelancers like Lamar, Laurentiu or Vasile shines a light on the potential of Twitter as a platform for professional growth. It also highlights the necessity for tools like Sorbet that understand and address the unique challenges faced by freelancers in the digital age. By integrating these strategies and leveraging platforms that offer practical solutions, freelancers can not only grow their following but also streamline their business operations for greater success.
To connect with all the creatives in this article:
Lamar - UI/UX Designer ➡️ https://twitter.com/Oseelamar1
Laurentiu - Digital Product Designer ➡️ https://twitter.com/laurentiu_ol
Vasile - Senior Product Designer ➡️ https://twitter.com/justvasi
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