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If social networking would be of any use freelancers know it the best. In fact, this is the most populated community online that makes maximum use of social and professional networking sites. Freelancers more often depend on their social connections, online mates and business circles to grab new projects, find new jobs and thus make money.

Why it is so?

The reason is simple. People from all walks of life want to see their relationships turning into cash cows. The time, effort and patience put together to maintain a strong networking portfolio is immense, so it has to be paid off as well. No one builds a strong professional network just for fun. It is meant for a real business, real-time negotiations and serious business talks. That is why freelancers need to be active socialites.

Doing business socially is the key to success

Social networking sites are the ideal platforms for this. This is the place where business ideas are shared in volume, projects are being discussed in-depth, negotiations and deals happen like corporate and things get rolling like life never ends. Whether it is to find jobs for freelancers or to find freelancers for outsourced jobs there is no substitute for a well-maintained networking portal.

Almost every popular networking site has got millions of users across the world. Most of them have their own reasons or choice of thoughts to become a member. However, the goal is almost the same for all. Freelancers need new projects to make money and project holders need to crowdsource their job to capable workers. Both can meet over in a neutral place say, any networking portal, get to know each other’s interests and preferences and finally set the common terms. That is why most of the successful bids and project outsourcings happen through social channels only.

Here in this article, we will discuss how freelancers can make the best use of online social networking avenues. Get along with new people: There is no better place than a community-based networking site to do this. The more the number of friends, partners, followers, subscribers, and contacts you have, the better is the chance to get regular and high-value projects. It is good if you can manage a filtered list of all potential contacts and use them to build further relationships. It is beneficial in either way – quality work and good pay-out. Networking portals apply auto-suggestion tools that can help find friends, partners, and peers of similar interests.

Create a strong portfolio mentioning all your specialties: To start with any networking relationships, profile bio or introductory note is section one has to be really careful about. This shows who you are, what you do and how does it matter to others. Profile information has to be delicate, true, detailed and personalized. After all, you are the best person to trumpet your own drum. Mention your skills, educational qualifications, bragging rights, achievements and number of successfully handled projects. Visually appealing profiles that are updated and have the right people in the community win the majority of the deals.

Give every project your very best: When it is about building your own reputation and getting the strongest references for future work, you can not do away with substandard or incomplete work. Good jobs are always appreciated and carry value for long. If you have any such credentials to your record display it upfront. Take part in contests: Enter some competitions/ contests to get your work viewed by others. Freelance photographers, journalists, programmers and developers, designers often submit their work in different portals and get rewarded. Certain social media sites offer such services for free and help freelancers earn some freebies.

Ask for referrals: Almost all professional networking sites do have a referral/recommendation system that works wonders for freelancers. One can directly communicate with peers, previous clients to ask their favor and apply the same for self-promotion. Most importantly this service comes at no cost. You can also find companies for full-time or part-time jobs. A good social networking site can open multiple business avenues for a freelancer, provided he or she is active enough to work on the opportunities.