As a digital collective, social media is one of our top tools to utilize, in priority after our website and newsletter. For us, social media is a means to pass around opportunities to our fellow #blkcreatives community that we are tagged to, whether it’s Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

Since we’re constantly fielding opportunities via the timeline we thought we’d share a few tips to help you get the most out of responding to creative calls on Twitter and social media.

Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.

• Your ‘about me’ statement. You always want to have a sentence or so that describes what you do and why it’s relevant to the hiring call. Your name, what you are offering, and your portfolio should all directly relate to what they are asking for. The more information you can provide up front, the less questions you may have to answer before you begin getting to the necessary details.

• Your files. Have a link to your work that backs up your about me statement. This link can be done via your website where you create a designated page with all of your info, your portfolio, or a PDF document. The point is to make sure that your work, your contact info, and your experience is shown. Save your document links AND save the PDF version, you’ll want to share links on Twitter/ LinkedIn(or point to your bio link on IG) because they’re clickable and save the PDF attachment for the follow-up email exchange.

• Your contact information. Give the person a way to contact you – leave your email address or link them to your calendar system to schedule a call.

A few more things:

• When you’re vying for new opportunities, eye 👀 emojis do not work – you have to use your words. The more info you’re able to give up front to someone who’s looking to hire you, the easier it can be for them to reach out to you. Bonus, doing this also helps other people find you.

• Copy and paste all of this into the Notes app on your phone, a Google doc, Trello board, Notion page, or wherever you keep your electronic notes so when it happens while you’re scrolling you can copy and paste. Easy!

• Don’t forget to follow up. The world is so crazy these days, everybody needs a reminder.

• Follow us on Twitter, we’re often retweeting freelance opportunities. And visit our resources board for more opportunities such as contract gigs, fellowships, grants, etc.