Now's the time to embrace networking as a freelancer
Now's the time to embrace networking as a freelancer
(Yep, you do need to do it - no it isn't as bad as you think!)
I’ve been pondering on networking.
It can be quite a dirty word in the self-employed community. It gives lots of people the ICK.
Are you one of them?
In my former life as a journalist on national newspapers and women’s magazines I networked sooo much. I had meetings with PRs, I went to events, I joined in with most things I was invited to. It was easy because I always worked for a brand - for example, when I was at Metro newspaper.
As a solopreneur, freelancer or someone who’s self-employed, it’s harder! We have to go by ourselves without a big name to open the door for us.
Since the pandemic restrictions lifted I’ve been trying to go to more networking events to get to know business owners where I live (I moved to the Cotswolds two and a half years ago).
I am really embracing networking and learning how to be 'me' at events and the more I do it, the more naturally I find it comes to me.
It’s not all local, either! I went to Digital Women Live in March and had so many moments of clarity about the joys of networking in person. You see, I would often see networking as a sales thing, but, the more I've gone to different events, the more I've realised it's not about sales at all! It's about connection and being seen, naturally and as you.
Networking can be the word that puts you off - recently I went to a meet up which deliberately said it didn’t want to be called networking, more ‘connecting’. You might find if you try and phase out the word networking from your mind that you are able to embrace ‘getting out there’ a bit more!
One thing I’m now not on the fence about is business cards - I am a proud business card person! I love collecting them and handing them out. Being true to this I feel is part of my USP as a business person.
Another big surprise has been that I won't get on with or like everyone - and vice versa. I always want to be pally with everyone I meet but actually, it's normal not to click with every single person. However, be open to meeting new people, rather than making assumptions.
A few things for you to ponder on the theme…
1: Is social media also networking? Do you have to meet the person in real life to build a genuine connection? I have made lots of strong connections who I trust for advice who aren’t in my industry. It’s about friendships as well as business connections.
2: If you call it something else, do you feel better about networking? It might be a meet up or a co-working event… you’re still networking but not ‘deliberately’.
3: An event that’s nothing to do with networking might still be a networking opportunity. Local markets where there are other creators or small business owners, or the opening of a new coffee shop where you might bump into that other freelancer who becomes a trusted friend for life.
4: How open are you to just meeting new people, rather than ‘connecting’? Often networking is about being open to making connections, seeing those you meet as a web of people who are into the same things as you and might know people who want to work with you, too.
I’d love to know your networking thoughts, tips and experiences! Share them and tag me on LinkedIn or Instagram.
COMING UP IN APRIL
Freelancer Magazine co-working is running Tuesday, Weds and Thursday this week - come and join for a taste of a ‘not networking’ vibe! And I promise you’ll get work done, I always do!
There’s a new date for the CV workshop for writers and journalists - April 13. You work on your CV in real time and get to send me a draft for feedback, too. Tickets are £35 and there are 10 places available.
Going Viral? is a new podcast (yep, launched by yours truly!) all about the challenges of social media and being visible as a small business owner. Download the trailer and follow to make sure you get episode 1 on Friday!
And if you’re in the Cotswolds (or planning to visit!), come say hi at See you in the Cotswolds, where I am championing small businesses and helping them with visibility.
See you in May!
Jenny x