Whether you are new to working as a freelance designer or have experience in the field, social media is an excellent tool to reach a wider audience and benefit your career. An estimated 57 million Americans work as freelancers, highlighting the importance of creative designers standing out from the crowd.
Using social media to build your clientele and following can be time-consuming and challenging if you are new to social media marketing. There are tools available that can help to make mastering social media easier for freelance designers and help with tasks like automating posts, checking analytics, and increasing networking opportunities. You can read below to learn more about the top 10 social media tools for freelance designers or check out some articles on social media marketing.
Adobe Spark
Adobe Spark (once called Adobe Slate) is a group of applications used to create graphics and designs for mobile and web use. Often referred to as a “one-stop-shop” for creating visual content, the program has templates for social media posts, web stories, and animated videos. Some of the latest features added to Adobe Spark include the ability to share branding content and templates with additional people.
Canva
Canva is another popular option for freelance designers looking for a simple, easy-to-use platform. There are both free and paid versions of Canva available, with many of the features being comparable to those found in Photoshop. This web-based application has an extensive library of stock images and has customizable templates for those looking to create something in a short amount of time. It integrates with nearly every social media platform and allows designers to schedule their posts in advance. This allows you to spend more time on important areas and less on tedious tasks.
Buffer
Buffer is another great tool for freelance designers looking to automate their social media posts. In addition to helping with posts, using Buffer allows designers to track analytics on their posts and network with other professionals in the field. There is a paid plan available for Buffer users that offers services for up to eight profiles and a tool for managing hashtags.
Pablo by Buffer
Pablo is an image creation tool created by Buffer that allows users to create micro-content and social media images quickly. This tool has a large library of stock images and a simple approach to editing text. While Pablo by Buffer will not eliminate the need for more advanced tools like Photoshop or Illustrator, it is helpful for designers that want to create social media content in a short amount of time.
BuzzSumo
One of the more unique tools freelance designers can use to enhance their social media presence is BuzzSumo. Instead of automating social media posts, this tool is used for analytics and tracking overall success on each platform. It can help designers to learn what type of content they should post on their channels and provide ample networking opportunities. One major benefit of BuzzSumo is the ability to download reports to reference while offline.
Behance
Behance is a social media platform owned by Adobe that allows designers to post their work and network with other creative professionals. One of the main benefits of using Behance is that it can function as a virtual portfolio and social media platform at once. It is an excellent way for designers to give an inside look into their creative process and overall style, which is a great way to stand out from the crowd.
While many freelance designers think LinkedIn is only for those seeking traditional employment, the platform is excellent for marketing and securing new clients. There are many benefits to using LinkedIn as a freelancer but one main advantage is that it functions as a professional networking platform. Since users on the platform are using it solely for networking and business functions, some designers have more success building clientele on LinkedIn than with options like Instagram or Facebook.
Hellowoofy
Hellowoofy is a tool for freelance designers looking to automate social media posts and simplify the process of creating captions and hashtags on different platforms. The tool is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that can suggest content for your social media accounts crafted specifically to match the content your audience engages with. Instead of trying to come up with catchy taglines or hashtags to grow your following, save time and let Hellowoofy write it for you.
Triberr
Another unique tool for designers looking to build their social media presence is Triberr. This social media marketing platform provides tools for posting and promoting content but also provides users with a “tribe” of like-minded users. While the platform is popular among bloggers, it is also a great opportunity for graphic designers to share any content that may not fit in their portfolio but they still want to share. This can be anything from a behind-the-scenes look at creating content to an informative blog post in your specialized field.
Graphic designers should strive to master social media to showcase client work and help with networking, reaching a wider audience, and promoting services. Essentially, graphic design and social media overlap in many ways, as both are vital parts of a brand’s identity. It’s crucial that freelance designers stay relevant with both their chosen social media platforms and trends in the design industry. One of the best ways to ensure your skill set is relevant is to take graphic design classes once or twice per year. Noble Desktop also offers more focused areas of study for graphic designers like the Photoshop in a Day class.
There are live online graphic design classes for those who prefer to learn virtually, though these options still provide immersive training in the field. If you are ready to start a graphic design career, try searching for graphic design bootcamps in your area to learn what options are available. Bootcamp courses are a great option for those who are making a career switch to graphic design or want an in-depth curriculum covering skills in the field.