Social media platforms initially opened up around the mid-90s to connect people worldwide through the Internet. It had features for messaging and creating one’s profile. So, it was all about creation and connection initially. Soon enough, as network companies started providing nearly unlimited access to the Internet not only in urban areas but also in rural areas, everyone became familiar with these platforms and technologies. There were several platforms for people to socialize. Initially, people were connecting anonymously, and later on with technological advancement people could use their actual identity, make their profiles, connect through mutual contacts, and find people based on their location, school, and associated institutes.
Streaming platforms also started with connectivity platforms, allowing media to be streamed and downloaded. This innovation started taking over televisions, giving film industries a different market worldwide. Not to mention the variety of professions introduced in the market, with the demand for professionals who can operate all these new platforms. So, social media brought an ample amount of opportunities for students to choose creative fields and become professionals in something unconventional. The whole movement was fueled as smartphones came with affordability. Now, access to the internet and worldwide connection is not limited to people who have computers and cyber cafes. Freedom can be used for good and bad, and if used wisely it can become a very creative tool for day-to-day mundane tasks, creation, earning, pitching ideas, and ultimately Growth.
Fashion & Social Media
Social media has helped so many startups and small-scale clothing businesses to market and sell their products. It gives them visibility to the world and not just limiting it to a specific area or city. For example, there is a brand called SAADAA. They started in December 2020 from a small garage. With the help of their website, they sold more than 15000 orders by July 2021. Then onwards their business grew and they have more than 400 artisans working with them. They have 5,00,000+ women customers who trust the brand.
Doing business online is not only limited to brands. Some people do not have physical space or offices to start with. They don’t have to stop with that limitation. One can manage everything online without having a conventional office space. So many women who are good with embroidery work, stitching, and making jewelry are using online platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp to post their work and get an audience. Many established brands reach out to artisans and offer employment for them.
Education & Social Media
After COVID, a lot of media platforms have opened up as distance learning became an option. Many colleges and universities started offering online programs with degrees and certificates. Udemy is a learning platform with various courses to explore. The idea originated in one of the co-founder’s minds when he used the internet to learn and compete in mathematics. As freelancers, they developed a live virtual classroom first in the mid-2000s. In 2009, they founded Udemy which is a combination of words ‘you’ and ‘academy’. 2011 onwards, courses were available on the platform and it kept it growing. Currently, Udemy has courses for all age groups from kids to professionals.
Platforms like this have made education available for all at any time. Being a housewife, an office-goer, a freelancer, a regular student, or a businessman doesn’t stop one from learning what they want when they want and wherever they want.
Freelacing & Social Media
In today’s time, almost everyone is on social media. The most common platforms are Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and Freelancer. All these applications have specific interfaces and navigation. How one starts and which application to use for freelancing is something one wonders before starting.
Opening up Accounts and Setting Profiles
After the idea of start-up or freelancing is concrete, the first thing to do would be to create one separate email ID and if possible get a separate mobile number. Using this info, one create accounts on WhatsApp, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Instagram is the platform that helps to build an appealing catalog or portfolio of the services to be offered. It is great for marketing and creating a community of target audiences. Due to its algorithm, whoever is looking for such services will start getting suggestions for this profile.
LinkedIn is a platform that will help build networking. Connecting with similar businesses and keeping track of what is happening in the market. When a client comes, they come with a list of services they need and it may be random. It would be beneficial for them to get one person who can get everything done. So, when one has good networking, it is easier to find other freelancers who can fill in for various services. So, it will give one good recommendation since the client doesn’t have to go looking for different professionals for different services. At the same time, other professionals get to earn something because of their fellow professionals, which strengthens the professional bond.
WhatsApp is a platform to be used for smooth coordination and communication. Various conformations and updates regarding the job can be sent out through WhatsApp.
Creating Catchy Content
After setting up the profiles on different platforms, sample works have to be posted. Time has to be invested in generating good work samples and documenting them in a presentable manner. It would be advisable to imagine how the feed should look like before posting. Making a fixed format of post can be one of the ways to do it. Clear and neat content gets better attention since people do not have longer attention spans anymore. The content has to be curated as per the target audience. For example, Instagram would have a mixed audience while LinkedIn has a specific audience. Articles can be read on the website but not on Instagram. The reason is that someone opening the website has the mindset of reading longer formats but a person opening Instagram is looking for short doses of information. So, curating and posting according to the platform and the audience is very crucial.
Consistency is The Key
While social media provides ease for start-ups and freelancing compared to conventional ways, it requires constant effort. It is a fast-moving world that demands something new every day. As it gives visibility to the world, it also gains a lot of competition. One has to be creative and ready to keep engaging their audience or else it takes only one tap on ‘unfollow’ or ‘unsubscribe’. The competition is not to gain followers but to keep the business going and growing. Making contacts, being creative, and engaging in whatever one does is what social media is all about.
While it is an easy start, it is a challenge to maintain and keep going. it gives freedom from going to the office conventionally and at the same time one is always at work being on social media. It becomes very necessary to practice boundaries before entering into this world. Being a freelancer will bring an ample amount of opportunities and exposure along with the freedom of customizing your working hours. It is a boon to be in business while social media exists.
References:
Saadaa – Shop Home Furnishing and apparel (no date) सादा / SAADAA. Available at: https://saadaa.in/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlvW2BhDyARIsADnIe-I8nAvaDRfYc4XkaZ1XzrbWsmDshR9dacXK1OZVhYCswPHbM61qTJgaAmQYEALw_wcB (Accessed: 08 September 2024).
(No date) Online courses – learn anything, on your schedule | udemy. Available at: https://www.udemy.com (Accessed: 08 September 2024).
