Most freelancers are aware of the many wonderful opportunities that can come from marketing themselves online. Not only can freelancers keep in touch with their clients in more convenient ways, but freelancers can also develop professional reputations that will extend far beyond the realm of the Internet. By using free social media resources such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, freelancers can better market their services online and develop long-lasting and multi-faceted relationships with their clients. However, there are some tricks for using social media effectively—and smartly—so as to avoid turning a client off or discouraging a client from using your services. Here are 4 things to keep in mind when it comes to your online reputation.

Remember the first rule of the Internet: It’s permanent

The first rule of the Internet: what goes online stays online. There are multiple Internet archives that maintain records of every Web site and Web site derivative that has been available since the launch of the World Wide Web. Also many offline agencies are keeping records of online activity as well. In fact, the National Archives keeps a record of every Twitter tweet in order to develop snapshots of the nation’s online consciousness. Therefore, in order to maintain your online reputation for years to come, remember that whatever you publish online, including status updates, are part of the Web’s permanent record.

Consider it front page

When it comes to your behavior and your reputation, it’s sometimes helpful to think about your interactions as if they were going to be published on the front page of the local paper. This is especially true for business owners, as they may not be able to expect the same privacy as non-business owners.

Here’s how to communicate smartly with the knowledge that your communications matter: with every status update, photograph you publish, tweet, email, and other online interaction, keep in mind how that communication would impact your reputation if it were to be published on the front page of the newspaper with your name next to it. Don’t communicate anything that would embarrass you or your loved ones.

You are guilty by association

Have you ever known someone your other friends did not approve of? Did this relationship cause your other friends to think less of you for it? While this may seem very unfair and judgmental, it is a fact of life. Not only can we experience this in real life, but also on the internet. And if you are a freelancer, it could hurt your business. Even though objectionable or offensive material may not have been posted by you, if it is associated with you it could hurt your reputation.

Take Facebook for example. Anyone who is your friend there can see your profile and what you post. So you make sure you keep things you post clean and objection free. But what if one of your friends starts posting things on your wall that are inappropriate? Even though people know you did not post them, they can still see them when they go to your profile. If you are using Facebook as a means to advertise your freelance services, the last thing you want is for prospective customers to be offended by what is associated with your profile regardless of who published it. You may need to delete the content, ask your friend to stop posting it, or even unfired them if you want to continue to use that medium to advertise your business.

Let your personality shine

Especially as a freelancer, your clients turn to you not only because of the service you provide, but also because you provide that service in a different way than other freelancers. Therefore, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. If you’re interested in travel, it’s okay to gear your messages towards travel. If you’ve got a cheesy sense of humor, it’s okay to show it off. Remember to stay mindful of your audience, though; in a professional setting, a cheesy sense of humor can be a nice attribute, but it may also turn clients off if the setting is one of a serious nature.

As always, spread your enthusiasm for your work and for your clients’ projects. Stay upbeat, optimistic, and energetic so that your clients can be assured that they have hired a freelancer who’s happy and dedicated to his or her profession. Now get online and start communicating through your favorite social networks!

photo credit: Samuel M. Livingston