Networking – Freelance Writing Guide
In my last post in the series Freelance Writing Guide For New Freelancers I talked about the marketing and branding aspect of your business. Today’s topic is networking. Networking in the sense of connecting with others within the industry and also potential new clients.
Networking can also incorporate social networking, as those platforms can be a great tool in the overall scheme of networking.
So what is networking for freelancers?
Wikipedia refers to networking as an interconnected group or system which in the case of social networking is totally accurate. There are many different networks within a human frame, such as:
- An entrepreneurial network
- An economic network
- An old boy network
- A sexual network
- A value network
- Social networks
- Love networks
- Scale free networks
- And knowledge networks
While some aspects of these human networks fall into what we are trying to achieve as a freelance writer, I’d like to talk more about networking in the sense of branding yourself and making new friends and connections online and offline.
To me, the strongest aspect of this is to use social networks, telephone, skype, email, forums and blogs to fulfill that need to connect with others. When I say “others” I mean other freelance writers, publishers, webmasters, friends and like minded people. By connecting with others consistently, we extend our reach into the world. Every new person who knows you, trusts and respects you has the potential to spread the word about your business.
Imagine the possibilities!
Despite this, a network shouldn’t just be seen as a means to get more work, acquire new business partners, spread the word about you or connect with the top dogs in your industry.
A network or networking is also a very important social aspect of our lives. We do it all the time, unconsciously, without realizing since childhood.
Networking helps us to belong.
When we connect with like mined people, be it in sports, religion, spirituality or by sharing a common interest, we rise to become our very best.
Belonging awakens our potential, our awareness.
I’m sure you can identify with this yourself as most people belong to a group or network of some kind. Humans are pack animals and don’t thrive too well by being lonely (unless you are a Buddhist monk).
Therefore we all need interaction with others to keep us stimulated, inspired, entertained and loved. Networking fulfills this need for us.
Networking isn’t just a social aspect of my business, it goes much further. I strive on interacting with other like minded people and form new, lasting friendships in the process. Networking has been a blessing for both my life and my business.
What has it done for you?
About the Author: I'm a passionate freelance writer and problogger. To further build my business I'm also in the process of building my own niche empire which pays me residual income.
Daniel Smith | May 27, 2008 | Reply
Monika, I’m not sure if you are following the comment thread over on my blog, so I am cross-posting this here.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’ve read a few posts here and found them very helpful. Subscribed!
I’m you and glad you and others are finding my post (on aggregating all the Copyblogger TwitLit entries in one place) helpful – I mostly did it out of a combination of personal frustration at not being able to read them easily and an obscene perfectionist streak, lol.
By the way, if you want to link to the post from your big, powerful blog, I hereby give you my permission, hah
Tell you what, you can even use the term TwitLit royalty-free!*
Brian has his work cut out indeed, can’t wait to see who wins tomorrow.
Cheers,
Daniel
*30 Day Free Trial: After trial expiry, your credit card will be charged unless you advise us of your intent to discontinue your use of the license.
James Chartrand - Men with Pens | May 28, 2008 | Reply
I am not going to say anything interesting.
But I am going to say that the picture you selected has beautiful, beautiful colors. They’re so rich and vivid.
I’m going to print it out simply to be able to look at the rainbow.
Monika | May 28, 2008 | Reply
@ Daniel: LOL, I love your sense of humor.
Looks like we are made from the same wood. I’m glad you created your TwitLit (note to copyright owner, this message will self destruct in 30 days).
It would have been a lot of work, amazing really how you out it all together. The slide show is just so beautiful to look at and yes, I’m happy to include you in my next pub crawl. So watch this space.
Monika | May 28, 2008 | Reply
@ James: whaaaaat! Nothing interesting from you? Can’t be. I tell you what though, your comment made me smile nonetheless since the mention of the image makes me smile.
Rainbow is the perfect term for this and I will probably follow suit and print it out too, once I can get my darn printer back to life again.
By the way, you know you are always welcome, even if you haven’t got anything interesting to say.
Daniel Smith | May 28, 2008 | Reply
Well, it had better self-destruct, because don’t think for a second that I don’t have a C&D notice ready. I so do.
I look very forward to the pub crawl! Ok, so I don’t actually know what that is in blog-speak, but it sounds interesting and seems to involve a link to my blog, so I am game.
Daniel
Barbara Swafford | May 28, 2008 | Reply
Monika,
I like this statement of yours “Belonging awakens our potential, our awareness.” So few words but they speak volumes.
That should be a subtitle to networking in blogosphere.
Brett Legree | May 28, 2008 | Reply
Monika,
Like James, I love that picture.
Networking. It has done all of the same things for me as it has for you. That’s how you and I became friends. And we’ve both made many other friends this way.
Through the network, we share ideas and laughs, and we can help each other. We can set in motion future plans.
We have such powerful tools available to us via the electronic network that we did not have 10 years ago.
The possibilities are limitless!
Rebecca Leigh | May 28, 2008 | Reply
I want to second James’ appreciation of that gorgeous, vibrant photo.
On the topic of networking, and as a newbie to the business of freelance writing, I say go for it!
At first I was nervous about commenting or contacting others in the industry – everyone seemed so knowledgable so how I could I add anything of value?
But I gave it a go and guess what? Most bloggers (including the good Monika) are friendly folks.
Best of all I learnt that creating conversation, rather than being a passive information consumer, sparks new ideas and learning for everyone, new or experienced.
James Chartrand - Men with Pens | May 28, 2008 | Reply
Hot damn. Do I have good taste or what?
@ Monika – No worries about coming to visit. I’ve never been the type to hold back or be shy, hm? Seems I butt in wherever I feel like it
Monika | May 28, 2008 | Reply
@ Barbara: maybe we should set it in stone and chisel the words into it.
Dedicated to networking by Monika Mundell. LOL. That could be my epitaph one day.
Monika | May 28, 2008 | Reply
@ Brett: and isn’t it amazing? I’m consistently surprised at what we can do with the Internet. So many applications, so many people and so little time.
You are so right, our possibilities are indeed endless and I couldn’t be more excited about them.
Monika | May 28, 2008 | Reply
@ Rebecca: see, you took the bull by the horn and look what good came out of it. I agree with you though. In the time I have been online I hardly met any nasty bloggers. Not that they aren’t around but if we don’t focus on them, they stay away.
And isn’t a conversation so valuable. Like you, I learn something from everybody regardless of their experience in whatever they do.
Monika | May 28, 2008 | Reply
@ James: you’re right, you certainly do and that is what makes you so special. Special with hot taste, now that is a killer combination.
The alternative would be hot with a special taste. Muwahahahaha….
Brett Legree | May 29, 2008 | Reply
@Monika,
I’m not sure if we’re at the cutting edge, but we’re all pretty close. We can be ambassadors for this kind of thing.
At my current workplace, there is a real shortage of office space. Yet so many of us just sit in our offices, writing documents and communicating via email or phone. Face to face is reserved for meetings.
Suggestions to management have been made many times (let us telecommute) – but no. Too old fashioned, are the rule-makers.
Oh well – their loss. Look at what we have out here!
-Brett
Melissa Donovan | May 29, 2008 | Reply
I actually started networking online rather by accident. Through my blog and my subscriptions to other blogs, I started to meet lots of wonderful people… freelancers, writers, designers, and a cook! Since I only know one person offline who is a fellow writer, the people I’ve met online have been an incredible inspiration.
Venkat | May 29, 2008 | Reply
I think I need to start networking…though it has always been my weak point. I am into developing niche blogs trying to be invisible to competitors. Good colorful picture from my country.
“Belonging awakens our potential, our awareness.” Very true. Thank you.
Monika | May 30, 2008 | Reply
@ Brett: too right it is their loss. I’m not sure why so many managers don’t see the bigger picture? Maybe they just are afraid of doing things the right way but like you, I’ve had my fair share of managers who had no clue about what they were doing.
Monika | May 30, 2008 | Reply
@ Melissa: A cook? Wow. I’m a chef too as you might know. Or at least I used to be in my past life.
Like you, I hardly know other writers in the offline world. Perhaps less than a handful. The support we give each other online is simply next to none.
Great to see you stopped by by the way. Funny enough I hung out at your place today and left a comment too.
Monika | May 30, 2008 | Reply
@ Venkat: yes, networking is a must if you want recognition, connections and branding. Plus you will make many great friends in the process too.
I understand what you mean about niche blogs and staying under the radar.
Brett Legree | May 30, 2008 | Reply
@Monika,
Especially as it works so well. My wife is traveling on business this week, and we’ve been letting the kids see “mom” using Skype and a web cam. I just put the cam up on a 32″ LCD TV and they love it!
I guess the mandate of managers sometimes is to follow the rules, not make the rules or innovate…