Four Networking Tips for Freelancers
When it comes to business, there is no greater ticket to your success than networking. It doesn’t matter if you are a business owner, celebrity, or just a regular guy, it is through creating and nurturing relationshipshow you can gain access to new opportunities in places you never imagined. It is how you will get your dream job, or start your own company, or take your small business to the global stage. Businesses are builton social connections, and so too is your career. When you work as a freelancer, however, networking can be difficult. Instead of networking through your co-workers, you need to do this outreach entirely manually and follow these tips:
1. Start Online and Grow Your Reputation
The best way to make it as a freelancer is to begin your reputation building before you even start your career. Start your brand online, create a website, manage an industry-relevant blog, and grow your audience. When you are finally ready, both emotionally and financially, to take your work on a freelance basis, you will not only have a reputation within your industry; you might even have one or two clients who have been long-term fans of your site.
2. Have a Referral Program in Place
Never be afraid to start with friends and family. Yes, it does seem like a bit of a cop-out, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t valid work nor does it mean that you cannot use it to help you launch your career. Now, while your friends and family might then happily refer you to their friends and friends of friends, you want this train to go further. To do this, implement a referral program. Offer a discount to your current clients and prospective clients so that there is more incentive for the people you don’t personally know to refer you to new clients.
3. Work in a Co-Working Environment
The best way to operate as a freelancer is in a co-working environment like the Eagle House, which is available on thebrew.co.uk. Not only can you benefit from the productivity boost, but you will also be in an environment with other professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Making friends with these experts will always be a huge help to your personal brand, either directly or indirectly. A freelance web designer could give you some key tips on how to improve your website. A freelance PR agent could invite you to a party with many potential clients. How these professionals can help you won’t be obvious at first, but they can be invaluable to your career.
4. Attend Events, Workshops, and Conferences in Your Industry
Finally, be active in your industry. Go to events, workshops, gatherings so that you can meet new people in your industry, get to know them, and network. The more regularly you meet these people, the friendlier you will become to one another, and the more work will come your way. It’s the best way to meet new people in your specific industry and to make the connections that will truly improve your career. You might also learn a new thing or two while you’re at it!
Networking isn’t impossible as a freelancer; itis just more hands-on. Get out there and actively network wherever you go, and you will have access to a lifetime of opportunities.
I am the owner at Tribulant Software and I have a great passion for WordPress, development, blogging and the Internet in general. Building useful plugins to improve WordPress’ functionality is my goal.
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