Social media marketing is an ever-growing, ever-evolving sector.
Luckily, there are a number of proven content optimization strategies that can help your freelance business thrive on social media regardless of the latest algorithms.
[M]ore than half of the world’s population now uses some form of social media.
Over the last decade, social media marketing has boomed, and rightly so.
It’s a powerful tool to build new connections, engage with customers and increase your freelance income.
According to a 2021 global snapshot report more than half of the world’s population now uses some form of social media.
But let’s face it!
Social media users are bombarded with information and content more than ever before and this trend only seems to be increasing.
So how do you stand out and grab people’s already short attention span?
Whether you’re an established freelancer or a newbie, the following content optimization strategies can help you to create more engagement and grow your social media following.
1. Engage by Asking Questions and Initiate Discussions
Get to know your audience by posing questions.
This will not only help you to increase engagement, boost the social media algorithm but it will also provide valuable insights into the minds of your targeted audience.
Asking simple yes or no questions that require little effort to reply are amongst the most effective engagement strategies.
You can also engage with your audience by asking about their opinion or preferences.
Even just adding a question to a post such as “Do you agree?” or “What do you think?” is enough to encourage people to share their input.
Another effective engagement strategy is using ‘fill in the blank’ posts.
Similar to the yes or no engagement question, this strategy is successful because it requires only short and quick answers.
F.e.: “If you could learn any skill, it would be _______?” If you could go anywhere in the world, it would be _______?”
Over at Grammarly ‘s Twitter profile, they spark engagement by asking how people use Grammarly as a way to better understand their target market.
2. Inspire by Telling Your Personal Stories
If you want to make your brand memorable, wrap it up in a story.
We’re hard-wired to respond to compelling stories.
It’s because storytelling unites people and creates stronger and deeper connections.
Put yourself out there and show your personality and raw human side.
The more authentic your posts are, the more likely your audience will resonate with your message.
Engaging with your social media followers on a personal and emotional level often naturally leads to more loyalty and sales.
You can create a more personal connection by giving your audience a ‘sneak peak’ into your life including behind the scene of your freelance business.
3. Dig Into Problems you Solve and Share Your Expertise
When you understand your target audience and relate to their problems, concerns and dreams, you can create customized content that speaks directly to their minds and hearts.
Helping your customers to overcome their challenges and achieve their goals gradually builds trust.
When you do that, you become more than just another freelance expert.
You become an authority in your field.
4. Generate Buzz by Hosting Contests or Challenges
Another content optimization strategy you can use is to ask people to like, follow or share your post in order to increase their chances of winning your giveaway.
This can help to grow your following on social media and increase engagement.
When people like, comment or share your content, it boosts social media algorithms and more people are likely to see your post and discover your business.
Create giveaways that are relevant and tailored to your customer’s needs. Your giveaways could include products, coupons, special offers or discount codes.
5. Make Effective Use of Visual Images
The images that perform well on social media platforms are eye catching, inspiring or entertaining.
Canva is an online platform where you can design customized visual images for your social media.
Most of the functionality is available for free but if you want to access some of the more advanced features, you can subscribe for Canva Pro.
You can make use of inspirational or motivational quotes. Target quotes that relate to the mindset of your customers.
Funny memes are also a great way to create engagement.
Everybody can use some more humor in their lives. Besides that, this will also help to position your brand as positive and lighthearted.
Although memes and quotes are easy to create and get a lot of engagement, it’s better to combine multiple social media content strategies.
6. Share Succes Stories of Your Customers
Showing other customers who are enjoying your products or services is a wonderful form of social proof.
Even better, if your products or services helped your customers to achieve some of their goals or overcome their challenges.
Having their successes featured on your social media will likely make them feel special and keen to show their moment in the spotlight to their friends.
Actively encourage your customers to tag or mention your profile when they’re posting their positive experiences with your products and services or their success stories.
7. Add Relevant Hashtags #
Hashtags are on of the best content optimization strategies freelancers can use. If you are unfamiliar, hashtags are a way of grouping similar types of content together to highlight your message.
There are various ways how you can use hashtags to your benefit on social media.
You can create a hashtag that is specific to your brand or that targets a specific theme.
For example, you could create a theme around #Throwback when you share nostalgic images about your business or personal journey.
Let’s say that you’re a freelance graphic designer.
You could leverage the hashtag #WithCanvaYouCan which is currently trending on Pinterest and Tik Tok.
By using trending hashtags, you could reach new followers and draw more attention to your profile.
When it comes to hashtags, don’t go overboard if you don’t want to look too spammy.
8. Use Attention-Grabbing Words
Beginning your caption with catchy phrases can increase your chances to get your post noticed.
Here are some examples of attention grabbing words that you can implement in your posts:
“Want to hear a secret?
“I have a question for you… “
“Imagine this…”
Conclusion
The ultimate social media content optimization strategy is building strong and long-lasting relationships with customers together with sharing valuable content.
The type of content that your followers will appreciate and want to share onwards to their friends, family, and colleagues.
People use social media mostly to connect with other people rather than shop, so it pays off to be genuine, transparent, and authentic.
When it comes to promoting your products or services via social media, it’s recommended to apply 80/20 rule. In other words, only 20% of your content should be promotional and 80% should focus on engagement and providing value to your target audience.
As a freelancer, you can leverage social media to find new leads, to connect and cooperate with other experts in your niche or to promote your products and services.
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