I've talked with a few early-career freelancers lately...
And I couldn't emphasize enough that my network is the #1 reason I can make a comfortable living as a freelance writer.
Here are 50 ideas to create🌱maintain🌿grow🌳your network:
And I couldn't emphasize enough that my network is the #1 reason I can make a comfortable living as a freelance writer.
Here are 50 ideas to create🌱maintain🌿grow🌳your network:
1
If you went to college and your school has an alumni directory, set up your profile.
If you went to college and your school has an alumni directory, set up your profile.
2
Follow, RT, comment and/or share other people’s content on social media.
(Say nice things, of course.)
Follow, RT, comment and/or share other people’s content on social media.
(Say nice things, of course.)
3
Attend the dreaded "networking event"!
One of the few places you can guarantee that people are looking to meet other people...like YOU.
Attend the dreaded "networking event"!
One of the few places you can guarantee that people are looking to meet other people...like YOU.
4
Attend meetups related to freelancing or literally anything else.
Meeting people doesn't have to happen in a job-related context for it to grow into a job opportunity.
Attend meetups related to freelancing or literally anything else.
Meeting people doesn't have to happen in a job-related context for it to grow into a job opportunity.
5
Ask your friend for a tour of their office, especially if they work at a company that contracts freelancers.
You never know who you'll be introduced to in the hallways.
Plus you'll probably get some free coffee.
Ask your friend for a tour of their office, especially if they work at a company that contracts freelancers.
You never know who you'll be introduced to in the hallways.
Plus you'll probably get some free coffee.
6
Take a class, course or workshop.
Can be freelance related or something else.
Stay in touch with the people you meet there...including your instructor.
Take a class, course or workshop.
Can be freelance related or something else.
Stay in touch with the people you meet there...including your instructor.
7
Subscribe to newsletters.
Not only that...
If you get a particularly helpful newsletter, reply to the sender and let them know it was great.
Subscribe to newsletters.
Not only that...
If you get a particularly helpful newsletter, reply to the sender and let them know it was great.
8
Start a LinkedIn profile if you don't already have one.
Post what you're up to.
Maybe 4x a year, at least?
Talk about the work you're doing and the kind of work you want to be doing.
Start a LinkedIn profile if you don't already have one.
Post what you're up to.
Maybe 4x a year, at least?
Talk about the work you're doing and the kind of work you want to be doing.
9
If you have a FT or PT job right now, work on building connections with your colleagues and managers.
90% of my freelance gigs STILL come through people I worked with 5-10+ years ago.
If you have a FT or PT job right now, work on building connections with your colleagues and managers.
90% of my freelance gigs STILL come through people I worked with 5-10+ years ago.
10
Also: get a FT job in the industry you want to freelance in.
You'll meet tons of people, learn the industry, gain experience and confidence.
Also: get a FT job in the industry you want to freelance in.
You'll meet tons of people, learn the industry, gain experience and confidence.
11
Don't burn bridges when you leave a job.
Learn how to quit gracefully, if it's possible.
Stay in touch with your colleagues and bosses.
Don't burn bridges when you leave a job.
Learn how to quit gracefully, if it's possible.
Stay in touch with your colleagues and bosses.
12
Make sure you're easy to find online if folks come looking for you.
Do you have a website that ranks reasonably high if someone searches your name?
Do you have a social presence?
Is your email available (if possible)?
Make sure you're easy to find online if folks come looking for you.
Do you have a website that ranks reasonably high if someone searches your name?
Do you have a social presence?
Is your email available (if possible)?
13
Keep your phone number.
Weird, right?
But keep your phone number as long as you can, if you can. Same with your email address.
Make it easy for old friends to contact you.
Keep your phone number.
Weird, right?
But keep your phone number as long as you can, if you can. Same with your email address.
Make it easy for old friends to contact you.
14
Follow industry decision-makers on social media.
Creative directors
Marketing directors
Editors
Hiring managers and HR people
Engage with them and learn from them.
Follow industry decision-makers on social media.
Creative directors
Marketing directors
Editors
Hiring managers and HR people
Engage with them and learn from them.
15
Update your public profile photo at least once a year.
Make sure it looks like you.
You want people to feel like they know you.
You want people to recognize you at meetups, events, etc.
(Again - assuming it is safe for you to do so.)
Update your public profile photo at least once a year.
Make sure it looks like you.
You want people to feel like they know you.
You want people to recognize you at meetups, events, etc.
(Again - assuming it is safe for you to do so.)
16
Look at regular job listings.
See something that you, as a freelancer, could do?
Email the hiring manager and offer your services.
They won't necessarily be interested, but they might need someone like you at a later date.
Look at regular job listings.
See something that you, as a freelancer, could do?
Email the hiring manager and offer your services.
They won't necessarily be interested, but they might need someone like you at a later date.
17
Interns, make the most of your experience.
Set up informational chats with folks all around the office.
Stay in touch with your intern cohort and your supervisors after you leave, via social media and/or an occasional email.
Interns, make the most of your experience.
Set up informational chats with folks all around the office.
Stay in touch with your intern cohort and your supervisors after you leave, via social media and/or an occasional email.
18
Start an email newsletter to let your network know what you're up to professionally.
Bonus:
Interview other people for your newsletter. A great "excuse" to get to know someone new, and help promote them, too.
Start an email newsletter to let your network know what you're up to professionally.
Bonus:
Interview other people for your newsletter. A great "excuse" to get to know someone new, and help promote them, too.
19
Send snail-mail thank you cards. Anytime!
After an interview.
When you leave a job.
After a freelance project.
When anybody does anything nice for you.
Send snail-mail thank you cards. Anytime!
After an interview.
When you leave a job.
After a freelance project.
When anybody does anything nice for you.
20
Write recommendations for friends and colleagues on LinkedIn.
They'll probably reciprocate.
And if they don't, at least they will have positive feelings towards you.
Write recommendations for friends and colleagues on LinkedIn.
They'll probably reciprocate.
And if they don't, at least they will have positive feelings towards you.
21
Do a GREAT job.
One of the best ways to increase your network is through word of mouth.
If you do a great job, your clients/colleagues will be happy to spread the word.
You can ask for recommendations and references, too, but only if you DO A GREAT JOB.
Do a GREAT job.
One of the best ways to increase your network is through word of mouth.
If you do a great job, your clients/colleagues will be happy to spread the word.
You can ask for recommendations and references, too, but only if you DO A GREAT JOB.
22
Look for speaking engagements.
Anything from a small event at your local library to a big ol' TED talk.
Find a way to get in a room with new people and share your story, expertise, experience.
Look for speaking engagements.
Anything from a small event at your local library to a big ol' TED talk.
Find a way to get in a room with new people and share your story, expertise, experience.
23
Visualize your services.
Make a cute lil infographic or chart or whatever. Use Canva or your own awesome design skills.
Share it with folks to help them better understand what it is you do.
Maybe they'll pass it on to someone who needs you.
An example...click to expand:
Visualize your services.
Make a cute lil infographic or chart or whatever. Use Canva or your own awesome design skills.
Share it with folks to help them better understand what it is you do.
Maybe they'll pass it on to someone who needs you.
An example...click to expand:
24
Share your knowledge with folks less experienced than you.
Set aside time, if you can, for coffee chats or phone meetings.
You never know what brand-new freelancer is going to rule the world someday, and want to work with you.
Share your knowledge with folks less experienced than you.
Set aside time, if you can, for coffee chats or phone meetings.
You never know what brand-new freelancer is going to rule the world someday, and want to work with you.
25
Share opportunities.
If you spot a job listing that's perfect for your friend, tell them!
If you hear about a freelance opportunity you can't take advantage of, tell someone else!
Your generosity will come back to you.
Share opportunities.
If you spot a job listing that's perfect for your friend, tell them!
If you hear about a freelance opportunity you can't take advantage of, tell someone else!
Your generosity will come back to you.
26
Attend company open houses or events.
SO MANY great companies host free events these days, as a way to connect with potential new hires or freelancers.
Check their social or website for upcoming events, and GO!
Attend company open houses or events.
SO MANY great companies host free events these days, as a way to connect with potential new hires or freelancers.
Check their social or website for upcoming events, and GO!
27
Start an email thread or group text with 2-4 of your career minded friends.
Start an email thread or group text with 2-4 of your career minded friends.
28
Connect deeply with a few friends/colleagues who you know you can count on for reference letters, LinkedIn recommendations, career guidance and other professional needs.
Reciprocate with each other as needed.
Connect deeply with a few friends/colleagues who you know you can count on for reference letters, LinkedIn recommendations, career guidance and other professional needs.
Reciprocate with each other as needed.
29
Make a list of 10 companies you want to freelance with.
Send cold introduction emails that introduce your services and some of your recent career highlights.
Be friendly and confident.
Make a list of 10 companies you want to freelance with.
Send cold introduction emails that introduce your services and some of your recent career highlights.
Be friendly and confident.
30
Share the work you do with others.
No need to be self deprecating.
Use social or email to let people know when you've finished a big project or signed a new client.
Be excited!
Share the work you do with others.
No need to be self deprecating.
Use social or email to let people know when you've finished a big project or signed a new client.
Be excited!
31
Ask for introductions.
Specific introductions - "Hey friend, can you connect me with the marketing director at your company?"
General introductions - "Hey friend, can you think of a cool person in your network I should know?"
Ask for introductions.
Specific introductions - "Hey friend, can you connect me with the marketing director at your company?"
General introductions - "Hey friend, can you think of a cool person in your network I should know?"
32
Send congratulations.
Did your old boss switch companies? Congratulate them.
Did your freelance client get a promotion? Congratulate them.
Did your fellow freelancer land a gig? Congratulate themmmmm
Send congratulations.
Did your old boss switch companies? Congratulate them.
Did your freelance client get a promotion? Congratulate them.
Did your fellow freelancer land a gig? Congratulate themmmmm
33
Send a holiday card—or choose another time of year to send an annual card—to your network.
Send a holiday card—or choose another time of year to send an annual card—to your network.
34
Stay on brand.
Make sure the language and imagery in your social profiles and your website bio is consistent.
Don't confuse people. Make it clear what you do and how to connect with you.
Stay on brand.
Make sure the language and imagery in your social profiles and your website bio is consistent.
Don't confuse people. Make it clear what you do and how to connect with you.
35
Apply for things.
Awards. Grants. Residencies. Conferences.
If you win, you'll get your name out there.
And you'll probably meet a bunch of other people, too.
You'll at least get your name in front of the judges' panel!
Apply for things.
Awards. Grants. Residencies. Conferences.
If you win, you'll get your name out there.
And you'll probably meet a bunch of other people, too.
You'll at least get your name in front of the judges' panel!
36
Use LinkedIn to see where people you know from school-work-internships are working now.
Reach out and ask for a quick chat to find out more about their company.
Use LinkedIn to see where people you know from school-work-internships are working now.
Reach out and ask for a quick chat to find out more about their company.
37
Follow recruiters and hiring agencies on LinkedIn and engage when they post freelance opportunities.
You can often score a referral bonus if you point them toward other freelancers, too.
Follow recruiters and hiring agencies on LinkedIn and engage when they post freelance opportunities.
You can often score a referral bonus if you point them toward other freelancers, too.
38
Follow your dream companies on FB and Twitter.
See who in your network also follows them.
Reach out - do they have a connection with the company? Any inside info?
Follow your dream companies on FB and Twitter.
See who in your network also follows them.
Reach out - do they have a connection with the company? Any inside info?
39
Google your dream company name + "freelance."
See if you can hunt down other freelancers who have gigged there.
Reach out to them and see if they'll have a chat.
Google your dream company name + "freelance."
See if you can hunt down other freelancers who have gigged there.
Reach out to them and see if they'll have a chat.
40
Google your dream company + "your college" or "your previous employer."
See if you went to school or worked with anyone who works there now.
Use your connection as a conversation starter.
Google your dream company + "your college" or "your previous employer."
See if you went to school or worked with anyone who works there now.
Use your connection as a conversation starter.
41
Read bylines!
Loved an article you read?
See who wrote it. Follow them. Email them.
Send your congratulations and thanks—and DON'T ask for anything else in return.
Just start a connection.
Read bylines!
Loved an article you read?
See who wrote it. Follow them. Email them.
Send your congratulations and thanks—and DON'T ask for anything else in return.
Just start a connection.
42
Read your dream company's blog or website content.
Find an article that speaks to you, and email the author to thank them.
If they respond, see if they'll answer a few questions.
(But don't demand their time.)
Read your dream company's blog or website content.
Find an article that speaks to you, and email the author to thank them.
If they respond, see if they'll answer a few questions.
(But don't demand their time.)
43
Keep a list or spreadsheet of people you know.
List where they work, what they do, contact info, the last time you chatted, etc.
Keep a list or spreadsheet of people you know.
List where they work, what they do, contact info, the last time you chatted, etc.
44
Make friends with HR people.
HR at the company where you work, HR from jobs where you used to work, friends who work in HR.
Make friends with HR people.
HR at the company where you work, HR from jobs where you used to work, friends who work in HR.
45
Tell EVERYONE when you go freelance.
Send an email to everyone you know.
Explain your services, the kinds of clients you hope to work with, etc.
Ask them to get in touch for a chat.
Tell EVERYONE when you go freelance.
Send an email to everyone you know.
Explain your services, the kinds of clients you hope to work with, etc.
Ask them to get in touch for a chat.
46
Interview folks on your podcast, or be a guest on other people's podcasts.
Talking! It's the best form of networking!
Interview folks on your podcast, or be a guest on other people's podcasts.
Talking! It's the best form of networking!
47
Try to find a personal connection before you approach any client.
Who do you know who can connect you, recommend you, increase your chances of standing out from the crowd?
Try to find a personal connection before you approach any client.
Who do you know who can connect you, recommend you, increase your chances of standing out from the crowd?
48
Be a decent person.
50% of every freelance job is being great to work with, answering emails on time, being polite and friendly, making the client feel like they are in good hands.
And the more decent you are, the more people will want to work with you and/or help you.
Be a decent person.
50% of every freelance job is being great to work with, answering emails on time, being polite and friendly, making the client feel like they are in good hands.
And the more decent you are, the more people will want to work with you and/or help you.
49
You can't demand connections.
Cold calls, cold emails, cold DMs can put off people IMMEDIATELY if you come across as entitled.
People don't owe you anything.
Do your best to ask nicely and never be rude if you don't get what you want. Move on.
You can't demand connections.
Cold calls, cold emails, cold DMs can put off people IMMEDIATELY if you come across as entitled.
People don't owe you anything.
Do your best to ask nicely and never be rude if you don't get what you want. Move on.
50
Lol. I didn't even have 50 ideas in mind when I started this thread.
Backed myself into a corner!
But I'm curious to hear YOUR freelance networking ideas...
How do you start/maintain/grow connections with people?
Tell me your secrets!! Comment!
Lol. I didn't even have 50 ideas in mind when I started this thread.
Backed myself into a corner!
But I'm curious to hear YOUR freelance networking ideas...
How do you start/maintain/grow connections with people?
Tell me your secrets!! Comment!
