24 November 2008 | Freelancing Tips, Newsletter | Jacqui

  Yeah, times are getting tough, on a global level. When the market changes, you have to respond. In an increasingly competitive environment, you have to compete harder, and better. In recent months we’ve talked about ways to improve your profile and your responses to job postings. The oConomy continues to grow, so we’re assuming someone’s getting it right. Another step toward increased competitiveness and increased success is to tie your oDesk presence more closely to your other marketing activities. We’ve come up with five ways you can lead more potential buyers to your profile:

1.   Link your MySpace/Facebook/LinkedIn profiles to your oDesk profile.  If you’re on a social networking site talking about anything more professional than your Klingon haiku project, then you should have a link to your oDesk profile. It’s a comprehensive display of your skills, your portfolio, and your oDesk test scores and feedback ratings.
2.   Link your professional website to your oDesk profile.  In addition to the advantages listed above, the more clients you drive to oDesk, the more you’ll benefit from the quick, easy and guaranteed payment system, and the better your reputation will get (remember, the best buyers hire those with the most jobs on oDesk and the best feedback).
3.   Blog where buyers blog.  Think about the blogs, forums and specialized news sites your potential buyers visit, and cruise them yourself. When you can add an intelligent comment to the discussion, don’t forget to sign with a link to your personal site or oDesk profile.
4.   Twitter. Seriously.  We’re hearing from an increasing number of professionals who say they put out calls for help, for quick answers to questions, via the short-burst messaging system. It’s becoming the next generation of professional networking. In fact, follow the oDesk Twitter page for an example of how to market yourself.
5.   Google yourself.  If you’ve got a website trumpeting your services, how is anyone going to find it. Look into Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to improve your position when people outside the oDesk marketplace go looking for your skills.
6.   Become a subject matter expert.  Go to Yahoo! Answers and LinkedIn Answers, respond to questions, get involved in conversations, and link your resplies to your oDesk profile.  In fact, use your referral link and become eligible for a referral bonus. 

These are relatively low-impact ways to keep yourself out in the marketplace, where your potential clients can find you. Now’s the time to be as visible as possible.