Think networking is where people go because they want to sell more stuff? You’re a little bit right, and a big bit wrong. Freelance Advisor and copywriter Leif Kendall shares his advice on why getting to know your peers will make you a better, happier freelancer.
Don’t worry about letting slip your best secrets to your most feared competitor. You will only reveal what you choose to reveal. And although you’ll probably find that, as competitors become friends, you’ll choose to reveal more and more, you’ll also be learning a great deal from your new friends.
You’ll pick up all kinds of new knowledge: better working practices, an idea of typical rates, the sense that you’re not alone and the comfort that you aren’t really making a horrible mess of it after all!
It’s incredibly easy to chat with people who know exactly what your life is like. People who know what you do all day. People who get the intricacies of your profession. People who don’t need explanations.
Your client wants more work than you can deliver. What do you do? Fudge it? Make a horrible mess of the project by over-reaching? Or do you call on the services of the peers you know, respect and trust, who then work by your side to deliver an immaculate piece of work?
Be ready to power-up, scale-up and man-up to meet your client’s ludicrous demands.
Your peers know each other. They meet, they communicate, they plot and scheme to grow, and they do it all without you. You can either join your peer group and take part in the shenanigans, or you can stay at home and cry as everyone passes you by. What’s it going to be?
Have you got a good reason for networking in your niche?
Image by Armando Maynez | cc
