Social Networking Sites LinkedIn - If you’re not already LinkedIn, you should be. Then invite other business contacts relevant to your freelance category. In my LinkedIn profile, I’m connected with other freelance designers, art directors, agencies, web dev shops and corporate clients. What’s great about LinkedIn is it’s not only a great place to build your network, but it’s also allows people you’ve worked with to “review” you and the work you’ve done with others. It’s also nice to get a “warm introduction” through a tool like this when you’re looking to build your client base.

Check out Guy Kawasaki’s top 10 ways to use LinkedIn.

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Networking with your existing client base and industry peers is huge if you want to build a great reputation as a successful, reliable freelance creative. Here are a few ideas on how to connect offline:

Business Networking Groups Research business networking groups in your geographic area. These groups are designed specifically for business networking. Each group has its specific rules, but most operate under the idea of each group member looking out for leads for other group members. It’s a good route to a warm introduction. Here is one group I’ve had a good experience with locally (do your own reserach to see how successful these groups are in your area):

BNI

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There are several reasons why companies like to use freelancers.

• They are usually more flexible over hours etc. than permanent staff;
• They are easier to hire and fire - and are not a long term commitment;
• They provide skills the in-house team may not have;
• They complete one off or small, regular tasks that do not require a full time employee.
• They do not require extra overhead such as benefits, sick & holiday pay, hardware/software & office space.

So what does this mean for you? Easy - market yourself to the needs of your client! They may be one or many of the items listed above, but all will work to your advantage when cultivating new client relationships or negotiating with your existing client list.

Tags: negotation, career, freelance

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