In yesterday’s post, I recommended several ways to use social media to market your business.

I suggested that you find groups online and participate.  Here are some more specific ways to do that (without spending a cent).

Say you’re a graphic designer and want to get more projects. You can:

Join business-related social media sites.

Offer a quick review or critique of existing graphic design. Use the forums to educate members about why design matters.  Don’t lecture on why you think Helvetica is the greatest font ever; instead focus on how better design leads to greater visibility and more sales.

Hold regular design hangouts (or webinars).

Give design and marketing tips.  Again, frame this in terms of how a high quality, optimized design leads to more money or more leads (which is what businesses generally want), rather than pure aesthetics.

Record those sessions and post them on your website (and/or youtube).

You’ll extend your reach, and drive more traffic to your website. It also gives you a backlink to your site. Post the links to the social media platforms where your clients (or potential clients) hang out.

Find blogs or youtube channels hosted by complementary businesses.

This might be women-owned forums, web design sites, or other places your target market frequents. Offer to guest post or be a guest on someone else’s show.  Use the show as an opportunity to offer a more personalized session, review, or other offer to viewers.  This might be something free, or a low-cost design audit.  This is not the time or place to pitch a big project; they don’t know you well enough yet.

Hubs and spokes

Use your own site as your “home base” and social media outlets as an outpost.  Post on your own blog (obviously), but also post in other places.  Offer a regular design “Tips Tuesday” or other regular feature.  Use this opportunity to invite your followers to join your webinars.

Have a specific work process

Spell out exactly how you work, and the steps involved, on your website and in  your social media profiles.  Make sure clients (or potential clients) know exactly who you work with, how the design process works, and understands the value of what you do.

Even if you’re not a graphic designer, you can adapt these principles to just about any freelance or small business.

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