Effective marketing is key for limited company contractors. No matter how skilled you are, you will struggle to secure contracts if you are unable to promote yourself effectively. Here are some pointers on how you can market your limited company:
1. Branding
Branding is not just for big businesses. If you are to convince clients to utilise your skills and services, a strong brand is vital. This is about more than having an attractive logo and website, although that definitely helps. Your brand is essentially an amalgamation of all of your marketing and communications, both online and offline. From the way you dress to your email signatures, it all affects the way clients perceive you and your reception in a particular industry.
Think carefully about how you want to be perceived by clients and ensure all of your marketing and communications activity is tailored accordingly. For instance, if you see professionalism as your key trait, make sure this is apparent in everything from your social media profiles to email address. If you want clients to be impressed by your creativity, ensure this is reflected in your website and logo. Consider everything you do as an extension of your personal brand and you'll stand a much better chance of consistently delivering the right message to both existing and potential clients.
2. Social media
Social media has a key role to play in promoting your personal brand. The obvious place to start is LinkedIn. According to digital marketing company Regalix, the platform is currently used by 91 per cent of business-to-business marketers, making it the go-to network for building professional connections.
How can you make the most of LinkedIn? Firstly, you must ensure your profile is consistent with your brand image and contains all of the key information potential clients will want to know about you. Your profile should be just like your CV, with all of the essential details easily identifiable from just a skim read. Put a particular emphasis on the results you have achieved and encourage clients to endorse your skills and give you recommendations.
The real key to LinkedIn success is networking. Make connections in your industry by joining relevant groups and discussions and showcasing your knowledge and expertise. Also utilise mutual connections to gain introductions to potential new clients.
LinkedIn shouldn't be your sole social media focus, as Facebook, Twitter and even Instagram and Snapchat can all be used to promote your limited company effectively. The latter two can be particularly important if you work in a creative industry and want to demonstrate your skills visually. You have never had more means of promoting yourself at your fingertips, so take advantage of as many as possible.
3. Show off your skills
The UK's skills shortage is showing no signs of abating, with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation warning that the country's upcoming exit from the EU could exacerbate the problem. If you have the kind of skills businesses are looking for, shout about them, and ensure this forms a key element of your brand image. Make sure your website is search engine optimised, with a particular focus on any niche skills you possess.
4. Remember the basics
Much of modern marketing now revolves around the online arena, but it's important not to forget some of the more traditional approaches. Ultimately, people will always buy from people, and getting out there and networking face to face, is often still the most effective way of promoting your skillset.
However you choose to market yourself, remember that everything you do has an impact on your personal brand and the way in which potential clients perceive you. Deliver a consistent message that articulates your key skills and strengths and you'll go a long way to securing the kind of contracts needed to make your limited company a success.