Building Community as a Freelancer

I was thrilled by the freedom and endless possibilities until I realized one crucial element was missing—community.

Freelancing can be lonely without co-workers, but I found a way to make it enjoyable.

With a bit of effort, I’ve been able to recreate a sense of belonging. Building my freelance community has been crucial to my success as a freelancer. It reminds me that I’m not alone in facing challenges like dealing with bad clients and rate questions. It also provides me with ideas and advice to improve my business, connects me with new opportunities, and helps me build personal connections with other freelancers.

Here are seven tips for networking and building a community of freelancers:

1. Put yourself out there.

People need to know who you are and what you offer. Since you’re not top of mind for anyone except yourself, you must remind people about your services as often as possible.

I came up with an idea that succinctly conveys my work, the clients I serve, my methods, and what sets me apart. I keep this idea in a note on my phone for quick reference whenever I introduce myself in a new Slack channel, re-introduce myself to my followers on social media, send cold pitches to potential clients, or answer the question, “What do you do?” at networking events.

2. Find and follow other freelancers.

Building a community involves making connections, so I began following other freelancers in my niche, which includes digital marketing and production services.

The advantage of this approach is that it helps you establish a network of potential clients who can refer work to you, especially if it’s for a service you don’t provide. As a result, whenever a client approaches me seeking a freelancer who offers a specific service, I have a comprehensive network of individuals from whom I can draw.

3. Engage on social media.

More than having a social media profile and following other freelancers, you must engage with them. Some ways include:

Participate in Twitter Chats and Spaces: Participating in Twitter Chats and Spaces can help you find more freelancers to add to your network and get advice on running your business.

Engage with other people’s content: If you want people to follow you, you must like, comment, and share their content. Leave thoughtful replies and provide value to the overall conversation.

Join groups and follow hashtags: Join freelance groups on LinkedIn and Facebook to connect with other freelancers in your niche or geographic location. Also, specific hashtags such as #FreelanceTwitter help you find other freelancers to follow and engage with.

4. Join Slack or Discord communities.

Slack and Discord have also become popular for freelancers to find communities of like-minded people to join. To find the right channels, consider where your ideal client spends time. Target different industries you want to work in (food and beverage, e-commerce, technology, etc.), types of work (content, video production, UX/UI, etc.), or your geographic region to find the right groups to join.

5. Sign up for freelance membership communities.

There are several paid membership communities for freelancers that you can sign up for. These organizations offer resources to help freelancers grow their businesses, master their craft, find opportunities, and connect with others. In addition, most have their community function, whether on Slack, Discord, or native on their website, for other freelancers to connect and mingle.

6. Take the conversation offline.

While connecting online is great, so is connecting with fellow freelancers offline. Whether it’s in-person meetup groups, networking events, coffee dates, lunch, or a Zoom call, make an effort to connect one-on-one with other freelancers. Take the initiative, DM your social media connections, and schedule a 30-minute chat. It’s a great way to put a face (or voice) to a name and can go a long way to building a stronger and more personal connection.

7. Join a co-working space.

If you yearn for more in-person interactions, consider joining a co-working space. Co-working spaces offer excellent opportunities to connect with local business owners and other professionals in your area.

You’ll have the chance to meet fellow freelancers, potential clients, and intriguing entrepreneurs. Additionally, it encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and establish a clear boundary between work and personal life.

Just because you’re a freelancer doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the joy of having work friends. With a bit of effort, you can build a vibrant community both online and offline, making your freelance journey a more fulfilling and less lonely experience.

Join us in the freelance community at Open Production Group Group! Create your portfolio today and become a part of our dynamic community.