How Becoming a Freelancer – Part 4

The topic to be discussed in this article from our series How Becoming a Freelancer is How to Build a Professional Networking.

Do you know what Networking is and why it is so important?

WHAT IS NETWORKING?

Networking is a network of contacts where people with common interests share services and information.

WHY NETWORKING IS SO IMPORTANT?

Through your network of contacts you can do your personal marketing and meet people who will bring you benefits, as well as knowing who you are and what you do! Here are the advantages:

Prospects

This is the best benefit a freelancer can get in a network of contacts! Your future clients need to know you and your services. Without them it is impossible to keep up the freelance career.

Business Partners

You will need freelancers to work on a particular part of the project, or when you are busy you can refer someone you trust.

Expand your Knowledge
By relating to people from other areas you will be learning about various topics and also passing on your knowledge.

Be Indicated

If you have done a well-done job for that job, the client can tell you to other future clients. Or even your business partner will point you to another Job.

HOW TO BUILD A PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING

I’m going to list some of the tools that can help you build a professional networking:

Linkedin

Linkedin is a social network of business relationships, its main objective is to interconnect groups of professionals who have the same interests. Briefly, it is an online resume.

That is why you must create a Linkedin profile, you will connect with professionals from all over the world, conduct your personal marketing and facilitate the search for companies.

https://www.linkedin.com/

Facebook Groups

Join facebook groups, there are several groups from all possible areas. Not only that but post information that can help the group and respond to the needs of the group.

You may encounter someone who has difficulty solving a problem where you have the ability to help them.

Coworking

Coworking is a shared office where professional freelancers and start-ups meet daily to work. They have a whole structure to attend to the autonomous public, telephone, meeting room, computer and most importantly, coffee can not miss.

At Coworking you can do your Networking with people from different areas and carry out your work without distractions or procrastination.

Watch the following video and learn more about coworking:

BeerOrCoffee

BeerOrCoffee is an application available for both android and iOS, with it you can invite other connected freelancers with the skills or knowledge of interest to have a coffee or beer and discuss about a project. Who made the invitation pays the first drink.

The application has more than one hundred establishments registered in the country like breweries, coffee shops, hotels and coworkings.

https://beerorcoffee.com/coworking

Events, Fairs and Classroom style courses

Participating in events and fairs for those who are shy is a bit difficult, but I give you some advice:

just focus on your goals

that the rest is happening naturally, when you least expect it, already made several contacts.

Friends, family and colleagues

Do your friends and colleagues know what you do? These would be the first groups that could tell you.

Keep in touch with your friends, invite them for a lunch, they can be your future clients or partners.

E-mail signature

With a beautiful and objective email signature, the people you communicate with by email know what you do.

It’s a great way to leave your contacts like facebook, linkedin, portfolio, so people can see your work and your mobile number (WhatsApp) for more direct contact.

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Conclusion

Try not to settle for working only at home, the relationship with people is very important. You have several ways to communicate with them and increase your Networking! just have will power and go to fight.

By following these tips, you will always have work.