Networking 411: How to reach out and use your network as a new freelancer

Lightpost

USA TODAY Network

Woo hoo, networking! I bet you're imagining awkward events with "Hello, my name is..." stickers and a collection of business cards you neither want nor asked for. Well, networking is crucial for freelancers. We're here to tell you exactly how to do it.

This article is part 5 (of 10) of Lightpost, a new USA TODAY Network series sourced by experts and focused on helping you achieve your goals. You can read this article as a standalone, or check out more of our career-focused checklists and keep developing your badass skills.

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✔️ Live it, breathe it, love it: Nail your elevator pitch, aka your personal brand's best friend

“An elevator pitch empowers you to have clarity around your message and the services you offer. Make sure you phrase it naturally so it doesn't come off as stilted or awkward in conversation.” - Sagan Morrow, small business coach and blogger

The people you know – and the people they know – are your best bet for landing your first gigs and building a portfolio. First you have to know exactly what you’re looking for in a freelance job. Write it down clearly in a few sentences. Then you’ll be able to effectively share it – in 30 second or less – with people in your network and beyond.

Here’s an example from one of Lightpost's experts, career coach Michelle Ward: "I'm Michelle Ward, known far and wide as The When I Grow Up Coach. I've been offering dream career guidance for creative women since 2008."

✔️ Call me, beep me, if you want to meet me... at a MeetUp

"Checkout MeetUp, it's a great way to find and attend events with like-minded people or potential target customers you can help. I landed my first three clients when I went freelance years ago, through MeetUp events. Also consider joining a co-working space; they're thriving communities of freelancers and small-business owners." - Anis Qizilbash, founder of Mindful Sales Training and author of Grow Your Sales, Do What You Love: Mindful Selling for Entrepreneurs & Freelancers

Just like you strive to connect with your online community authentically, networking in person is all around making human connection and being able to express your elevator pitch at the same time. Attending professional events and conferences are always good ways to make meaningful connections with potential clients. Websites like MeetUp, alumni organizations, digital nomad groups, and private Facebook groups are also good places to meet colleagues and potential clients. Take some time now to find at least one upcoming event you're interested in attending and add it to your calendar.

If you make a connection with someone, don't worry about your business cards -- instead ask to follow them on Twitter or Instagram and do it while you're still talking! Voila, connection!

✔️ Keep developing your online relationships

"Each person you meet is connected to a network of at least 100 people so if you develop deep, meaningful connections with five new people next month, you've tapped into a network of at least 500 people. That's why the maxim, your network determines your net worth, is so relevant. Referrals are one of the fastest ways to win new business opportunities. When people buy, they often ask their friends and community. The other day someone posted on a Freelancers group, "looking for a UX designer, anyone know one?" This was followed by a waterfall of comments with people giving recommendations of people they know." - Anis Qizilbash

The more visible you are online, the more your name is going to come up when someone asks, "know someone who ___?" Try to suggest colleagues when you can, and offer productive commentary in the online communities you're a part of. Refer to the previous checklist for a comprehensive list on social networks and other resources for freelancers. (We would scream it from the rooftops if we could: private Facebook groups are pure gold!)

✔️ Circle back for testimonials

Here are two valid takes on testimonials from our experts:

"I ask for a testimonial after finishing a project with a client. Get them while they're engaged and pleased with what happened. Conversely, I reach out to clients a few months after our initial engagement and sincerely ask about how the project is doing. If it's doing well, it's not hard to transition that into a testimonial. If it's not doing well, you get some valuable insights into next time -- and, in an effort to fix the problem, you may even have another job with this client." - Bryce Bladon, digital communications specialist and co-host of the Clients from Hell Podcast

And...

"Testimonials are too old-fashioned for the modern-day freelancer, entrepreneur or job seeker. Ask people to tell a short story about you, or to share an experience they had with you. Stories and experiences resonate significantly more than testimonials. As far as a good way to get these stories and experiences -- just ask." - Josh Hoffman, founder of Epic Freelancing

Whether you go the "tell me why I'm awesome" or "tell a story that shows why I'm awesome" route, capitalizing on your past positive work experiences is important for spreading the word that you're an effective freelancer looking for work. You can ask for endorsements on LinkedIn, or email your former colleague or client asking for a blurb to post on your personal website or Facebook page.

✔️ Maintain meaningful relationships and selectively ask for help

"Contrary to popular belief, it's not your portfolio or your CV but your willingness to help the other person have a better life. Be curious and explore what challenges they're having in their business or life, then figure out how you can help them. No one likes being pitched, but everyone wants a better life so when you focus on the latter, you build relationships." - Anis Qizilbash

When you're a freelancer building an authentic community on and offline, it may seem like the networking never stops. Well, it's all a matter of thinking. When you meet someone new in your life, by chance or otherwise, don't feel bad thinking about the evolution of your relationship in business terms. After all, they could know your next client or be a great advocate for you!

LinkedIn and Facebook are your friends when it comes to finding potential clients through networking. Before reaching out about a job, scope out whether your own friends and colleagues are connected with the person who's posted the listing. You could also be more proactive and reach out to friends of friends may be in the market for the kind of work you could do. Here’s how you can reach out to a secondary connection:

First, message your contact to see their comfort level. Ask if they are willing to make an introduction.
If they say yes, write out exactly what type of work you do and why you think they’d be a good connection. Do not make your connection have to jump to conclusions.
Send an email (or call) your connection thanking them for taking the time to connect you.
Once the secondary connection responds, contact them without continuing to CC your connection.

✔️ Put yourself out into the digital world

When you network as a new freelancer, you need a system that allows you to simultaneously stay relevant in multiple people’s lives until they are willing, able and ready to hire you. Willing means they trust you, able means they have the means, and ready means the timing is right. The most effective way to simultaneously stay relevant in multiple people’s lives is through content marketing -- a website, blog, email list and social media. - Josh Hoffman

Why not put yourself out there? Josh sums it up perfectly: there's no better way to stay relevant and top-of-mind to a potential client than to create content that they see, engage with, and are enhanced by.

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