SM for Freelancers
While some people have good luck with the Golden Four (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram…or maybe TikTok) or other popular social networking apps, these days it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. You can implement social media marketing basics, or pay someone to do the analytical stuff, but that’s just sacrificing your productivity (or rest) time. Although social management tools like Hootsuite can help with some areas and possibly save time, it can’t hurt to check out other options.
Many of the social networks listed below have less traffic but are targeted to many popular niches as well as some that are unusual. Some of these also don’t have annoying ads but like YouTube, there’s also a paid option. However, there are a couple of exceptions, let’s check them out!
Business/General
Diaspora - a slightly different beast that allows the user to create their own network (a.k.a. “pod”). Since this is a nonprofit entity, there are no ads or corporate takeovers to deal with
Blind - a place for workers to anonymously share information on various companies and industries. There’s also a job board, though it mostly has IT and engineering listings.
beBee (U.S.) - this worldwide app is ideal for freelancers and others looking for work or market their services. There’s also a feature for members who want to start their own blog, as well as a hashtag search tool and communities for others to interact and share.
MeWe - their motto is ‘No Ads. No Spyware. No BS.’ Although it sounds like a slight kick in the teeth to one network that recently underwent a name change, it may be an option worth considering if you use social networking for engagement purposes only.
Trello - this productivity app is great for teams, project management, or just organizing large projects. Integrates with Slack, Google Drive, Salesforce, and is easily customizable.
Twiddla - has some similarities to Zoom but if you like to use a whiteboard during presentations, this may be worth checking out. The Guest option is free and ideal for short meetings with just a few attendees but for $14+ a month, you can have unlimited access to a number of features.
Pinboard - a free email newsletter submission app that’s free for any school, group, or organization. However, submissions are checked by Pinboard staff before they’re approved to go out. Members can also use more than one type of newsletter as long as the group or organization is verifiable. Although it’s based out of the UK, there’s also a community where members can interact and share newsletter posts.
Video
Triller - upload and watch short videos similar to TikTok. Sign up to watch TrillerTV. Didn’t see prices or a description of features/benefits for those who sign up.
Caffeine - this is more geared towards live streaming video but also a nice place to create or join communities.
Likee - another platform similar to TikTok but with some small differences, like 4D Magic and Dynamic stickers, as well as video editing.
Social Causes/Activism
Care2 - a place to start or sign petitions for social matters. The free Activist University is a media library of tutorials and resources for the newbie activist.
Tribe - uses Google Analytics and other measurement tools for marketing purposes. You can also set up communities of 100 members or less for free. Otherwise, monthly rates start at around $49.
For Creatives
The Dots - a great place to get discovered, meet like-minded folks, or learn from their Events and Courses. You can also list events or ask questions in the community forum.
Ello - community for artists of many disciplines, from augmented reality (AR) to photography. There are also categories for Black artists and LGBTQ communities. Also, get updates on grants, work opportunities, and more!
Design Float - more of a blog than a social network but loaded with some good resources for those who work in graphic design, illustration, and user experience (UX). Also has some nice WordPress themes and other digital products.
We Heart It - very similar to Pinterest but without the ‘boards’ per se (and the organization of subjects, as some pages seem to have a lot of random images). Users can submit their images into categories or write articles but the podcast feature appears to be a sponsored link for PlayerFM or maybe this feature is accessible to those who sign up.
Link-In Bios
I learned about these last year and was pretty impressed by the flexibility. Not only can they perform analytics but some can also link to other sites, as well as display other media, like playlists and streaming videos. Many also have a shopping cart option or a feature to sell digital products. Some are compatible with PayPal, Stripe, and other payment services.
Many link-in bios are a great substitute for anyone needing a responsive web page. Some companies will even allow you to create multiple pages on a single free account. The cost is also another appealing feature although most have a free alternative, you can have an account with a customized domain for around $25/year or less. A few companies even have a one-time fee for lifetime use (which is still inexpensive, compared to startup fees most hosting companies charge) but I guess the best solution is to go with your better judgment.
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