Freelancing is one of the most rapidly growing industry today. According to reports, many people in recent years are leaving hectic office routines and converting their businesses on freelance networking. From digital designing 3D modeling to Manuscript Editing Services, everything is now available on this virtual network. However, some people find it difficult in the beginning as they don’t get much clients and their bills are yet to be paid. People who choose freelancing are often considered asocial. The very nature of their work allows them to sit in isolation and work without getting interrupted or facing any other individual. For most people, this is the basic reason of choosing this industry as well. This kind of asocial individuals find it most difficult to start networking as they are not very good at mingling with people and making new contacts. Building a network is key to your success as a freelancer. Because when you are isolated, people don’t get to know you and you are not contacted by clients. Having a strong network ensures that whatever you say is reaching people and since they are from the same niche as you, it is about what they already want to hear. Your credibility is built and you make potential customers out of your audience. Strong networking is paramount in freelancing industry and it can be built by using various medium and techniques. Let us see what these mediums and techniques are.

How to build a freelancing network:

Commit yourself to the cause:
Commitment is the necessary element for any work to be done successfully. Without having a great commitment, you cannot go past beyond a limited point. But if you keep yourself committed to the cause, there is no limit to your flying ability into the realm of achievements. You can fly past the happy isles of success and reach the dream world of having your own business.

A strong commitment is essential for building a strong network in freelancing. Start off with a positive mindset. Keep reminding yourself that you have to do it. Assign a time for building up a network and follow it strictly. Any deviation from the schedule can lead to isolation which means a death to your freelancing career.

Start with your family and friends:
It is okay if you are not getting enough response from outer world in the beginning. You don’t need a big leap and get out of your comfort zone when you start to build a network. You can get assistance from your friends and family to spread the word about your freelancing work. Make sure that they know exactly what you are doing and what your niche is. This can make incredible progress in building your network and you will find that a lot of clients are reaching you because of their suggestions.

Leverage past clients to build a network:
If you have worked earlier as well and you have a few clients, it is a huge benefit for you. You can just contact them and ask them to share their recommendations to others. Nothing attracts clients more than seeing people praising you on the internet. These testimonials are worth dozens of clients.

If you have worked with them in a good environment before and they were satisfied with your deliveries, chances are that they will happily do it for you. You can even set a finder’s fee for this purpose. This is an amazing way of developing your network using your old contacts.

Use social media:
Social media marketing is already in the fashion. So why not use it for building your own network? With minimal effort, you can find many social media groups where you can share your ideas and learn from others.

For example LinkedIn is an excellent example for your personal promotion. You can publish content that lets others know about your brilliance and admirable skills. You can engage yourself in virtual conversations to learn from others. Especially, if you want to keep personal and professional life separate, LinkedIn can be a great help as your other social accounts like Facebook and instagram are used personally but this one is entirely professional.

Look for opportunities to help:
When you help others, that help comes back to you eventually. It is a great way of building a network because when you help people, they are always ready to help you in return as well.

Furthermore, your willingness to help others reflects your friendly and selfless personality. You can demonstrate your good skills and excellent abilities as well and that is going to impress people. With this effort they will respect you with a great sense of gratitude.

Visit trade shows:
When you go to trade shows instead of networking sessions, you learn a lot about what’s hot and trending in the industry. You get potential clients from these events and learn new things that can boost up both your creativity and your networking skills.

Interacting with various people and conversing with them, sharing your opinions and listening to theirs is a great way of learning new methods and developing yourself.

Become a local expert:
One of the reasons, freelancing is prospering today is its wide market and global audience. You work with people all over the world regardless of geographical boundaries. But you can make use of local audience to develop your network as well. Help others in your locality and emerge out as a noted speaker by giving people valuable advises when they need.

Helping people around you and giving your expert opinion on things they want to accomplish is going to make you a credible person. Talk to local offices, corporations and other organizations if they want you to conduct seminars and session on low cost or free of cost. Because it is likely that you will find people out of these sessions who are your potential customers in the future.

Use guest feature to invite audience:
Guest feature is another useful way that can be adopted to build a strong network. you can visit various blogging sites and publish your content to target your audience. Also, you can collaborate with business partners to promote with you on a mutual agreement where you are not in direct competition with their services or products. This mutual promotion can help you reach their audience who are interested in what you have to say as well.

Always follow up:
It’s essential to follow up on your network building efforts. There are other competitors who are waiting for a little bit of room to stand and make themselves firm. When you keep following up and reach the prospects from time to time, either it is on social media or other mediums, your customers are always stuck to you. Otherwise the network, even built after a long time effort, will collapse gradually.

Networking is the most important part of your freelancing career. If you only rely on the contacts that you already have and stop reaching other people, you will keep yourself stagnant. And progress only comes with moving forward.