LinkedIn has come forth as 277% more effective at generating leads than Twitter and Facebook. So if used correctly, LinkedIn can help you create a sturdy client base as a freelance make-up artist.
Stop approaching LinkedIn as a job hunt tool. Just updating your profile with the current role and responsibilities will not cut it!
In this guide, we'll arm you with the top 5 hacks that can help you build your clientele as a freelance make-up artist.
Update your company page
No need to be alarmed! Ideally, you must have a website for your offerings, blogs, make-up videos, etc. You can incorporate the same in your LinkedIn company page.
Though LinkedIn profile optimization can help you with the outlook of your page. But it is not enough. You need to create a company profile page as a way of introducing your services to professionals on LinkedIn.
Here is how you can construct your page:
- Create a profile image that is related to your services while keeping it professional. Update the default banner to replace it with one that showcases your expertise.
- Update the headline of your page. Remember it limits you to 120 characters, so conduct research for the prevalent keywords in your industry and introduce these as the headline.
- The next step is updating the industry. This can help you receive better suggestions regarding the connections and posts.
Note: Make sure the about us section is fully utilized while maintaining the readability. Describe your business and give potential clients a glance at your services.
Professional connections and engagement
If you want to foster a network of like-minded professionals and generate leads, you need to expand your connections network and engage with professionals on LinkedIn.
Here is how you can leverage this to build client relationships:
- Build a network with the people you may already know. You can achieve this by allowing LinkedIn to access your contact list on email, mobile contacts, etc.
- Target professionals that interest you. For example, if you are a make-up artist, having a network base of healthcare professionals is not ideal.
- Share content, make-up tutorials, etc. to engage with professionals. You can also share other people's content and comment on their posts. The idea is to make your profile visible to prospective clients.
Groups
Identify your focus areas, join groups, and forums to expose your profile to a wider audience. Make sure you join relevant groups to connect with individuals that interest you.
Though make sure you do not let the algorithm dictate your search. Try to look for groups that are right for your clientele.
Further, draw a list of the group members and send them a personalized connection request.
Note: Make sure you do not indulge in any promotional activities, adhere to the guidelines issued by group administrators.
Create a pitch
Create the perfect pitch and use the messaging feature to send requests to professionals. Further, make sure you do not spam with irrelevant messages, especially to your connections.
Here are a few best practices that can help you create a perfect pitch and get your message across:
- Think of this as conveying a message of your expertise to the client and make sure it does not lean away from your skills as a makeup artist. Further, proofread your message to correct any punctuation/grammatical errors.
- Use InMail to reach out to prospective clients that fall out of your network. This feature allows you to send messages to professionals you are not connected with.
Use recommendations and endorsements
A great way to showcase the legitimacy of the services you provide is third-party validation. Let's say you worked as a hair and make-up artist for a theatre group, and the director was thrilled with your work.
He will likely write you a great recommendation or even build your case via word-of-mouth marketing.
Based on the same principle, LinkedIn has features that build the case for your profile via recommendations and endorsements.
Recommendations are often statements that serve as a review for your profile. And, endorsements are for listed expertise in your profile.
Key Takeaways
To end, here are a few takeaways:
- When you create the company page, add the URL for your website.
- While engaging with professionals on LinkedIn, keep the conversational tone professional.
Do not send multiple follow-up emails. Make your pitches research and value-driven.
