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Networking for Freelancers: basic components
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Networking is a big part of freelancing. Without is, you risk missing work opportunities through your agencies and freelance clients you pitch. Why? You have tons of competition out there, and if you don’t have a solid networking foundation, your excellent work and successful results don’t appear on anyone’s radar when they check out your references or online presence.
Self promotion is your first step. The basics include an online professional networking tool, like LinkedIn, Naymz, Jobster, and Alumni.net (to name a few). You create an online profile with your current resume, some Q&A, recommendations if you get them, links to other online sites you participate in, etc. It can also include creating your own online networking portal, like a microsite, a full portfolio (for creative freelancers), a shared portfolio site (for freelancers who band together), etc. It also includes having a business card (print, mobile), contact info in your outgoing emails, and so on. Finally, it includes having references (paper, online, recommendations) that potential clients can review.
Connecting with potential clients is a second necessity. It’s tempting, especially if you network primarily through placement agencies, to make the initial contact and then wait for calls. Not a good strategy. With agencies, for instance, you need to form one or two direct recruiter relationships so you can call in once in awhile, notify them of new training and work experience you’ve received, and take to coffee for an occasional face-to-face howdy-do. With freelance clients, you need to go where they are, such as free and low-cost networking events with your local BizNik and Meetup entrepreneur groups. Also, find opportunities to meet and connect with potential clients as a person, not a freelancer, because no one wants to always be hit-up for leads. It’s often the folks you meet socially, informally, and on a check-in basis who provide your best leads and work opportunities.
Interacting with peers is a third important way to network. While it’s easy to think of other freelancers in your field as competition, there are often shades of expertise that each of you have that take you in different directions. As a result, you can meet and share leads, tips, resources, and networking information. For instance, creatives often network with other creatives because the pool of creative ideas, tools, and experience helps them all flourish and really doesn’t lead to greater competition. Admin freelancers specialize, so connecting with others who use different workflow tools, work in different industries, and who focus on different admin support options leads to more knowledge and opportunities for all of them.
Questions? Contact L.J. at ljbnomad@gmail.com.
