HOW FREELANCERS CAN GET THE MOST FROM LINKEDIN

In contrast to other social media platforms, LinkedIn came into being as a place where professionals can share ideas, generate leads, and make new contacts. In other words, LinkedIn is all about business. The platform boasts of over 500 million users, with about 40% of that number estimated to be active on the platform daily. Many of the individuals on LinkedIn are there to further their careers. Therefore you will find no room for frivolities. The platform is the ideal place for African freelancers to network with potential partners and clients and obtain engagements.

Again, it must be emphasized that LinkedIn brims with quality connections/people as against the numbers of persons on other social media platforms. African freelancers can also avail themselves of a few useful features, that the platform offers.
So without further ado, here are the ways LinkedIn can complement your efforts as an African freelancer:

Keywords and your freelance profile
You should thoroughly fill out your profile and include keywords about what you do. It is essential you name your designations and core competencies as an African Freelancer. So if you are a copywriter and content creator, say so in many words. If your freelancer endeavours centre on graphic design, state it. The reason for keeping your LinkedIn profile dated is not far-fetched. Many businesses and clients that need the services of a freelance conduct searches by the use of keywords. In other words, your profile on LinkedIn has the capacity of converting potential hopefuls into standing clients.

In setting up your freelance profile, it is essential that you review your headline. Your value proposition must spell out what you do in a professional yet engaging manner. So rather than state that you are a copywriter, consider the following: “I specialize in writing print and web campaigns as well as content creation for lifestyle magazines and publications.”

The feature called ‘Who has viewed my profile?’
LinkedIn offers the average African Freelancer numerous ways to further your craft and meet potential clients. A little sidebar widget gets the job done. This widget is called ‘who has viewed my profile?’ From this LinkedIn feature, you can obtain information about people who have viewed your profile. The widget may not show much, especially if you are on a free level. At other times, you could see contact names. So if you are a freelance writer, you could hazard that the people/businesses that visited your stable may require content creators. At this time, the next logical step is establishing contact with your profile visitors. If you have particular expertise relevant to their business, it will be desirable to mention it.

The LinkedIn Posts(otherwise called LinkedIn Publishing)
LinkedIn offers another exceptional feature that proves invaluable to the African freelancer. This feature is LinkedIn posts. At its most basic, LinkedIn posts is a personal blog space that the platform gives its users. These posts are more direct and powerful than your average blog. The simple reason for this assertion is that your content gets in the view of interested people in your niche or industry.
In summary, LinkedIn posts are a place for you to generate attention. Also, they also build trust, proving that you’re connected to your freelance niche and understand the environment your potential clients face.

Stay active on the Jobs’ Tab
African freelancers can stay active and informed via the jobs tab. The jobs tab can serve two primary purposes. The first centres on finding job leads that might fit your expertise directly and applying for such. The second should help you see what companies are taking on new projects so that you can build your freelance prospects list.

Join LinkedIn Groups
Another way to shore up your chances within your freelance network is to take advantage of LinkedIn groups in your region, industry, or niche. These communities of shared interest offer opportunities for sharing ideas and getting views from people who face the same realities or who might benefit from your expertise. Endeavour to remain active in these networks by commenting on and sharing posts that you find relevant or interesting. Towing this path ensures you build goodwill with the authors. Also, the posts you have liked and shared will show up on your profile page.

Show your Expertise and Insights
As an African Freelancer, understand that LinkedIn is populated by professionals and businesses looking for ways to get value for their operations. In this regard, you should show how your knowledge solves problems and adds value. So instead of stating plainly your graphic design skills, make a post about how your design concept helped resolve the issues faced by your client. This path demonstrates the value you offer as a freelancer in a way that is more powerful than professional bragging. At the minimum, you will build credibility for your freelance endeavours and start a conversation with potential clients.

Take advantage of the InMail for prospecting
If you have begun earning substantial sums from your freelance work, you could consider trying paid-level InMail on LinkedIn. This feature on the platform enables you to target your prospective dream clients, write your pitch, and then send a message to them. LinkedIn administrators guarantee that users of the platform’s mailing service can expect response rates of 30 per cent and upwards. In the advent you do not get a response, you’d be eligible to another InMail message for free. The beauty of the whole set-up centres on the fact that your propositions get seen by the people in need of the services you offer.

Before you leave…
Make the connection with LinkedIn today
As with other social media platforms, achieving notable progress as an African Freelancer on LinkedIn, it takes time and commitment. You will have to embrace persistence and positivity. If you do keep up your scoutings on the platform, you should find LinkedIn an invaluable source of leads, engagements, and professional information. These resources will justify the time and efforts invested on the platform.