These social media training slides were presented at a Sound Women training day in London in November 2014. The Social media training session was aimed at Freelance producers, Freelance writers, Freelance presenters and other self-employed businesswomen. #soundwomen #freelance

1. Sound Women:
Social Media for Freelancers
#swfreelancer
Gay Flashman
November 2014
www.thisisformative.com

2. Today’s session
Background to
social media
platforms
•What are the
platforms
•How do they differ
•What is relevant for
freelancers
Strategies for
social media
profile
development
•What should you be
doing & why
•How you can use
social media
Making it
happen
•Making a plan
•Managing and
structuring your
content
•Maintaining the
momentum

3. About me
BBC trained
TV News
journalist &
Executive
Managing
Editor,
Channel 4
News &
Channel 5
News
Freelance
consultant for
Govt, ABC
News, SBS
(Aus)
Founder –
Formative
social media
content
agency
(Sydney & UK)

4. Introductions

5. Our social life: Ofcom 2014
Over eight in ten (83%) of
adults now go online
using any type of device
in any location.
Nearly all 16-24s and 25-
34s are now online (98%)
There has been a nine
percentage point increase
in those aged 65+ ever
going online (42% vs. 33% in
2012)
The incidence of having only a
Facebook profile is 43% in 2013
compared to 53% in 2012. Three in
ten social networkers say they
have a Twitter profile, and one in
five say they have a YouTube
(22%) or WhatsApp profile (20%).
Over half (55%) of mobile users ever
send / receive emails on mobile,
and use their mobile to visit social
networking sites or apps.
Two-thirds (66%) of online adults
say they have a current social
networking site profile,
unchanged since 2012 (64%).
Nearly all with a current profile
(96%) have one on Facebook

6. Messaging: Your communications
Clarify and
articulate your
key skills
Be clear who
your target
audience is on
all platforms,
and with key
messages
Ensure you are
clear on your
USP – what
makes you
stand out from
others
Focus on
a core
audience
on all
channels
What do
you want
people to
FEEL, to
THINK, to
DO?

7. Deciding on your content
Build
your
personal
brand
Reinforce
your key
messages
Be a
resource,
not a sales
person
Be real &
authentic
Post
regularly
Share your
experience

8. Your strategy
YOUR CONTENT & PROFILE

9. Tip:Max out on your profile
• What’s your background?
• What’s your experience?
• Have you got examples of your work?
• Link to what you’ve done…
• Profile & promote
• Explain your experience & credentials
• Get a great photo
• Contact details???

10. What kind of content?
Be a resource
not a
salesperson
Share
interesting
articles
Share insight
and
information
Share tips and
guidance
Blog on your
area of
expertise
Reinforce your
key messages
Be clear on
who you are
targeting
Be clear on
your offer
Be subtle, mix it
up
Be real &
authentic
Use your real
life to back up
messages
Post and write
about what
you like and
enjoy
Share your
success
Post regularly
Don’t overpost
Small and
regular is fine
Posts don’t
have to be
long
Think quality
over quantity
Share your
experience
Share success
stories and
experience
Share learnings
and insight
Always
consider how
you add value
Decide on what time commitment you
can ‘afford’ | practice | commit

11. Format of posts
Images work well
and are shared
a lot; build a
portfolio if you
can
Consider
creating
graphics and
‘shareables’
using free
software
Use high quality
photos if you
have them –
iphone photos
will also work

12. Keep consistency across platforms

13. Be authentic; have a voice

14. Social Etiquette: Do’s & Don’t’s
Go for your life! Don’t even think about it
Post what you have achieved
professionally
Don’t bore people with your private
life!
Post about current and past client
success
Don’t say anything negative – keep
that for conversations with friends
Post insight and information about
your sector
Don’t spam people with sales talk
Post from events | post news Post private information about
anyone
Re-post from other sites | post links
of interesting content
Don’t pass someone else’s work off
as your own
Listen, listen, listen – before you start
posting

15. Where should I post?
FACEBOOK

16. Facebook: Make the most of the site
Banner photo –a high
impact “shop window”
that can be changed
regularly – and can
include text. Great
promotional real estate
Profile pictures:
easy to change,
good
promotional
space
Headline /strapline – introduction
to your organisation
Build your following
and grow your
engagement with
ongoing organic
content

17. Facebook: great for search
Complete your description in
full – include contact details
and outline your offer

18. Virtual Networks: Facebook Groups
Groups: a great
place to find
opportunities
Information on
events

19. Facebook: Make the most of space
Approachable
description & link
to site
BOLD sell
Content offer &
newsletter
information
Friendly
photo

20. Multiple functionality
Register for email
newsletter
Promotion of
events
Photo tab
Twitter feed tab

21. Real networking v virtual networks
Multiple networking groups – local
and business/sector focus
Develop links and networks
virtually – and consider
migrating them offline when you
can

22. Where should you post?
LINKED IN

23. Make use of your real estate
Sell yourself in
whatever way feels
comfortable
Seek publishing
rights on Linkedin
Who’s viewed your
profile?

24. Linkedin: Maximise search potential
Include key words
& phrases in your
title/profile header
Write a succinct,
illustrative summary
– more detailed
than this!
Consider your key
words and phrases
to prioritise in
search

25. Linkedin: seek endorsements
Seek endorsements
for your key skills;
prioritise the most
important; endorse
others

26. Linkedin: Making the most of it
Use each piece of
real estate on the
Linkedin profile to
‘sell’ yourself
Seek endorsements
for your key skills or
best pieces of work

27. Linkedin: Build your profile

28. Linkedin: make it work for you

29. Where should you post?
TWITTER

30. Twitter: what can it do for you?

31. Twitter: Get your message out
Use hashtags to
group content

32. Twitter: making the most of it
Make the most of
your real estate!
Post regularly
Tweet photos,
images, articles…

33. Where to post?
PINTEREST

34. Pinterest: A Visual feast!

35. Pinterest: Content ideas

36. Pinterest: what can it do for you?

37. Gay Flashman | gay@thisisformative.com
THANKS!