Online Identity Relationship Building

Online identities are important to individuals in all different professions.  They are important to individuals who are freelance writers, because have an extra responsibility to reach out to the public and attract individuals and companies that are in need of their services.   It also allows freelance writers to continually update their followers with the latest news.  This is very important, because competition in this field is great.  Some news channels dedicate all or their efforts to keeping the public up to date with the latest news 24/7.  Yet online identities are also important to business professionals who are often paid on commissions or with bonus incentives, and as a result are always trying to increase their customer base. 

 In many cases the networks that these individuals use are different, because they are reaching out to a different target audience.  Business professionals, financial advisors for example, are more likely trying to attract older clients who are a year or two years away from retirement.  They will likely have better success connecting with this type of client on networks that have been around longer.  While a freelance writer is expected to be more experienced with new technology, and someone searching for their services might be more likely to use a newer network in order to find a freelance writer who has demonstrated that they are on top of new technology.  Freelance writers are also likely to favor media sites that have a mobile application, because they are becoming increasing popular with the public.  

In today’s fast past society the consumer wants what they want when they want it.  They do not like waiting for information, and in many cases if they are likely to select a provider from the top ten of the search result simply based on convenience.  This is one big reason that individuals dip into more than one network.  Having your online identity reinforced in different networks increases the chance that the provider’s name will appear in one of these searches. 

Facebook is a great network for providing contact information.  Twitter is a great tool for providing the consumer with information.  By providing a link to the consumer the provider is asking the consumer to become engaged.  In many cases the more engaged the consumer is the more successful the business relationship will be. 

Individuals in today’s society are changing the way in which they prefer to communicate.  While the older generations are still likely to pick up a phone; younger generations are choosing to communicate through online media sites such as facebook, twitter.  It important to know what your customer’s preferred method of communication is, because using that form of communication will increase the frequency of your communication and also their level of satisfaction with your communication. 

 A freelance writer’s relationship with their followers can also be strengthened through the use of online identities.  The reader can develop a deeper connection with the writer if they fill out an online profile.  They might find that they share an interest or admire a specific accomplishment.  This helps develop a sense of trust between the reader and the writer.  This is very important; because a reader will not waste their time reading something that they do not believe comes from a trustworthy source.  Another way that this relationship can be strengthened is by allowing the reader to comment on the writer’s work.  Reader’s want to feel that their opinion is valued and the freelancer can assure this be taking a moment to respond to the reader or also be addressing all readers as a group every so often.