LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. They help 8 people get hired every minute and host a range of freelance opportunities for every person and profession.
As a writer, you can use LinkedIn to land clients and connect with new businesses. LinkedIn can be particularly lucrative if you’re a newer writer and don’t have the portfolio you need to be competitive on sites like UpWork or Fiverr.
LinkedIn is also a generally trustworthy platform. Businesses that use LinkedIn are easier to find and research, meaning you can know your new client before you sign any contracts.
But, finding work on LinkedIn can still be a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you find and land more opportunities as a freelance writer using LinkedIn.
Optimize Your Profile
LinkedIn is a great way to connect with publishing people. Almost every professional uses LinkedIn to promote their services and you can use the platform to build your network. However, an incomplete or out-of-date profile is a major red flag to clients who are looking for the very best.
Complete your profile before you start responding to posts or looking for jobs. A complete profile should include:
- A recent headshot;
- A summary of your professional interests;
- Recent client testimonials;
- Links to previous work;
- Your education and qualifications.
Clients who look over your profile should quickly ascertain that you are the “real deal” and have the skills and experience to prove it. If possible, foreground positive feedback that you’ve received from clients.
If you don’t have much experience yet, highlight the most impressive part of your profile and focus on being active. Being active on LinkedIn shows that there’s a real person behind the profile and can help expand your professional network.
Expand Your Network
LinkedIn is a great place to network remotely. As a freelance writer, you probably don’t go into an office and need to use digital spaces to make connections. Leave plenty of likes and comments on LinkedIn content, as this will show up on your profile.
LinkedIn can also help you find virtual networking events. Virtual events are usually designed to help put employers in touch with job seekers and can be a more personal way to make a digital connection.
Remember that LinkedIn isn’t like other social platforms. You can follow folks that you went to school with or have worked with without having to give them access to your personal life. You never know who needs a freelance writer, so go ahead and connect with former teachers, classmates, and coworkers.
Increase Your Skill Set
As well as being a useful social site, LinkedIn offers professional development opportunities that look great on your CV or resume. Taking advantage of these opportunities can be a great way to bolster your profile and show clients that you are actively increasing your skill set.
As a writer, pay particular attention to professional development opportunities that relate to:
- Search engine optimization;
- Grammar;
- Social content;
- Style.
LinkedIn offers a range of writing workshops like “Writing for Flair” or “Tips for Business Writing.” Taking full advantage of these opportunities will bolster your profile and help make up for lapses in qualifications or experience.
Strategize Your Posts
LinkedIn is a social media site that follows many of the same conventions as other networks like Facebook and Instagram. As a freelancer, you need to strategize your posts on LinkedIn to maximize your reach and engagement.
Start building a social presence as a writer by choosing your audience and creating content that is relevant to them. On LinkedIn, this may mean that you post relevant blog content like “5 Tips for Better Business Writing” or “What to Look for in a Copywriter.”
Make sure your post your content at the right time of day. The best time to post on LinkedIn is usually first thing in the morning or during lunch hours. Most potential clients browse LinkedIn during their breaks and downtime. So, keep track of potential clients’ time zones and aim to post regularly during the middle of the workweek.
Conclusion
LinkedIn is a great way to land clients and make professional connections. You can use LinkedIn to find more work by optimizing your profile, expanding your network, and strategizing your posts. Remember to make use of LinkedIn’s courses, too, as they can boost your resume and make your profile look that much more attractive to prospective clients.
Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area with a background in communications and a passion for telling stories. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on Twitter.
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