Social media is an amazing (free) tool for getting your name out there. It’s especially helpful if you are a work-from-homer, freelancer, independent sales rep, or if you own your own business. However, just like with any other form of marketing, social media comes with its own set of faux pas. In fact, on Facebook or Twitter, blunders can be especially bad- since they are sent everywhere and read instantly. For what to stop doing on social media, read this post by Melissa at Blog Clarity:

-Auto-posting from Facebook to Twitter- disconnect, and give each platform its own link to your content.

-Overusing hashtags- don’t use more than one or two on Twitter/Facebook, no more than five on Instagram, and don’t use ANY on Pinterest.

-Posting too much content at once- stay relevant, but don’t be annoying.

Pinterest is a great tool for professionals to promote themselves, get their name out, and connect with potential clients. I follow Realtors, bloggers, crafters, cooks, makeup artists, interior designers, writers, and photographers and see their work (and their names) every day. If you are a freelance worker, you can grow your business significantly by using Pinterest the right way. Check out these tips by Gina Horkey at Horkey Handbook:

-Set up a Pinterest business account (separate from personal accounts)

-Follow as many like-minded individuals as you can- reach out to others in the same line of work as you, your Pinterest network will be a hub of important information

-Create boards and join collaborative ones

-Pin, pin, pin

-Cold pitch to others- email other pinners/businesses (bloggers) an example of your work, and ask if you can do some freelance work for them. The worst they can say is no.

Photo Credit: Bernard Goldbach