This post is a continuation of our series on networking. If you’re familiar with Twitter, you know that it’s a micro-blogging service, which allows you to interact with other Twitter users. Today, we’ll be looking at Twitter as a networking tool for freelancers.

In an earlier post, I already discussed the basics of using Twitter for networking. This time I’d like to focus on using Twitter to find prospects and turning them into clients.

Can You Really Find Clients on Twitter?

I tweeted this question myself a number of weeks ago. A handful of freelancers replied to me saying that, yes, they have found clients on Twitter.

In fact, I myself have, too. Or rather, one client has found me on Twitter and continues to hire me on retainer basis. This client alone makes the amount of time I spend on Twitter (up to 1 hour every day) more than worthwhile.

I’ve also had inquiries about my services from people I’ve “met” on Twitter. These inquiries haven’t always resulted in freelancing jobs for me. However, it’s safe to conclude that a freelancer can find leads and clients on Twitter.

Let’s Talk Strategy

Disclosure: I don’t have a Twitter strategy. Certainly, when I joined, I only did it for fun. And the profiles of the people I follow and those who follow me, reflect this. They’re a mish-mash of work at home Moms, parents who practice attachment parenting, breastfeeding lactivists, Internet marketers, coaches, copywriters, writers, graphic designers, artists, Etsy sellers, and spambots.

So how does one go about getting clients through Twitter? Based on my observations of other freelancers on Twitter, as well as how I use it myself, I’ve come to the conclusion that you can do it either actively or passively.

Active Client Getting on Twitter

• Promote your services. I see VAs, writers and other service providers doing this. Several times a day, they’ll tweet something promotional about their services. For example, “A VA can respond to routine emails from your customers. [link]” Or something like “Get a free website installation! Offer good until February 28 only [link]
• Respond to tweets looking for specific services. This is like responding to job board ads. You can open a Tweetdeck column for all tweets that mention, for example, “graphic designer,” and if anybody says they’re looking for one, you respond saying, “I’m a graphic designer and I think I can help you. [link].” Twitter is awesome this way because you can literally send a message to anybody, whether or not they’re following you, with an @ message.

The downside is that these tweets usually get plenty of responses, so you’ll have to differentiate yourself from the competition and pitch your services. Well, as I said, it’s just like bidding on assignments on job boards.

Passive Client Attracting on Twitter

• Tweet about your work tangentially, in a way that subtly puts you in a good light. For example, “My client says the sales page I wrote made her cry.” (Ok, maybe that wasn’t so subtle.)
• Tweet about a blog post about your work, such as: “How I tripled my client’s traffic in 30 days [link]“
• Befriend Twitter users who fit the profile of your Ideal Client. This is way passive and your new Twitter friend may never turn into a client. Nevertheless, I believe strongly in the power of investing in relationships. You never know when that person will become a client, or refer prospects to you, or become a joint venture partner. I see only good things coming out of authentic friendships.

Personally, I prefer the passive client attracting strategies. I don’t like thinking of people, Twitterer or not, as dollar signs. I’d much rather look at Twitter as a forum where I can find people to support and likewise find support myself.

Your Turn

Have you ever found clients through Twitter? Which strategies do you use, active or passive? And please share samples of your client getting/attracting tweets too.

Thank you!

photo credit: respres

Welcome back! If you liked this post, sign up below to get new ones in your email: