5 More Ways to Improve Your Online Presence before the New Year
It’s been quite a year. And we’re almost at the end of it. While we can all see the homestretch in sight, there’s still time to check off some important items on our to-do lists.
In case making updates to your website or revisiting your online marketing strategies have been on your list this year, but you haven’t quite gotten a chance to get around to them yet, here are 5 more ways (because I shared 5 ways last year, too!—check out that post for more ideas) to improve your online presence before the new year.
When it comes to your online presence, your website is not the only way you can show up online for your clients. Yes, you know I believe your website is your most important digital asset, but your online presence encompasses much more than just your website.
These simple tasks will set you up for success to start 2021 with a better online presence than you might currently have.
So, let's dive in!
5 More Ways Translators and Interpreters Can Improve Their Online Presence before the New Year
Set aside some time to think and determine how and where you will spread the message about your expertise in 2021
Where do your clients hang out online and how are you showing up to engage with them each week?
Where do your colleagues hang out online and how can you share more about your expertise that will help them refer you to the right clients?
What social media platforms might you use to reach clients and colleagues who could refer you?
2. Set up a Google My Business account for your freelance business
Because Google owns Google Business Profiles, this content tends to rank quite high in search engine results.
Having a Google Business Profile is especially helpful for translators and interpreters whose clients tend to be concerned with finding someone in a specific location or their local area (interpreters for on-site assignments, translators for personal documents, etc.).
Because of how well Google Business Profiles rank, it’s important to make sure you keep your page updated with any changes in your business. For example, if you plan to go on vacation, you can change the hours of your business. By the same token, if you plan to work over the holidays, you can make that clear on your business page by sharing an announcement so that potential clients know they can contact you.
Setting up a Google Business Profile only takes a few minutes, and there are many items you can customize to make your business stand out. Schedule some time in the new year to ask your regular clients to leave a review of your business on your Google Business Profile so that potential customers can see testimonials from others who have already hired you and were pleased with your services.
3. Give your email signature a little refresh
Change is good now and then. I probably update my signature two or three times a year. And because I email a lot of people every day, I get more feedback on my signature after I’ve made an update. That tells me that people really do notice our email signatures, even if they are just skimming them most of the time.
Take a few minutes to freshen up your email signature and make it look more appealing. Even something small like this can improve your branding and add an extra professional touch.
Here’s how my current email signature looks:
Related: How to Maximize Your Email Signature As a Professional Translator or Interpreter, How to Maximize Your Email Signature - Updated with More Strategies, and 8 More Ways to Maximize Your Email Signature
4. Update your online directory profiles
Many clients turn to online directories hosted by associations and other organizations when they aren't sure how to find the right professional they need. That's why it's important to keep your online directory profiles up-to-date.
Review the information and add anything new related to your areas of specialization, language pairs, professional development, volunteer commitments, degrees, certifications and credentials, etc. And of course, don't forget to include a link to your website!
It's good practice to update your online directory listings anytime you update your CV. Or, if you really want to make sure you keep up with this, you could schedule a couple of reminders a year to review your CV, your online directory profiles, and your LinkedIn profile. That way, you're less likely to forget about these key areas of your online presence.
Related: How to Hone Your Online Professional Translation or Interpreting Profiles
5. Do a thorough sweep of your website and online profiles
While you're updating your online directory and LinkedIn profiles, consider making some time to do a thorough sweep of your website and profiles.
Is there any information that is outdated or no longer relevant?
Are all of the links included in your profiles and on your website still working properly?
Does the content in your profiles and on your website reflect the type of work you still want to be doing in the coming year? If you no longer want to work with a certain type of client or in a certain specialization, remove that content and update your website and online profiles to include the kind of projects and work you do want to attract in 2021!
Has any of your contact information changed? Or, if you use a contact form on your website, do a quick test to make sure everything is still working properly.
Update the copyright date on your website or schedule a date in early January to do so.
Make sure that your website allows clients to move easily (and logically) from one area of your website to another. There's nothing that will make a potential client click away faster than not being able to find what they're looking for quickly and smoothly. If you're unsure about whether your website is easily navigable, ask a couple of colleagues or friends to look over your site and give you feedback on anything they found confusing or difficult to find. Then, update accordingly!
These simple tweaks don't have to take a lot of time. In fact, there are enough weeks left in the year for you to tackle one of these five areas per week. At the very least, schedule some time to work on these items so they don't fall off your radar.
We can all use a little online presence refresh to start off the new year. What tips or ideas do you have?
