Networking can seem like a daunting task for freelancers—especially if you’re more introverted. However, there are few investments you can make in your professional development that will be more beneficial than networking, in person and online.
As you seek to grow your freelance business, it’s important that you prioritize building relationships—not just with potential clients, but with others in your industry and the community at large. Are you ready?
Some of the most common mistakes
Networking is an art form. Ask any productive freelancer or professional in any industry what one of their biggest keys to long-term success is and they’ll most likely talk about networking in some form or fashion.
The problem is that most people don’t learn about networking or understand what it looks like to be successful in this capacity. As a result, they end up making costly mistakes. As a budding freelancer, here are a few of the most common mistakes to avoid.
1. Being overly aggressive
There’s something to be said for seizing a networking opportunity by the horns and really making a push, but don’t be too aggressive. There’s nothing more off-putting than being pushy or demanding when you haven’t had time to build a relationship and earn the other person’s respect.
2. Failing to clean up your social media profiles
Especially when you do a lot of work online, a good portion of networking may take place on social media. This can be a good or bad thing for you: If you don’t take the time to clean up your personal social media profiles, they could become a risk.
What you do in your personal time is nobody else’s business, but it can still influence the way people view you. For example, if your profile features a lot of pictures of you drinking and partying with your friends on the weekend, it’s probably best to take them down. Or if you make a political statement with every second post, you might inadvertently ostracize a portion of your target audience. Keep these things in mind.
3. Inefficient follow-up
After you first make contact with someone—whether at the coworking space you spend time in, or an online message board—remember to follow up. Ideally, reach out to them within 24 to 48 hours so that you’re fresh in their mind. This will help cement the relationship and give you an easier intro the next time you engage the individual.
4. Poor first impressions
Even as a freelancer who primarily connects with clients virtually, there’s a time and place for face-to-face networking. When you get opportunities to literally put yourself in front of a potential client or partner, don’t squander them.
Because most freelancers are used to online networking, they might find face-to-face networking a challenge. But it doesn’t take much to make a positive first impression.
A nice outfit, firm handshake, personable introduction, and good hygiene matter most. The last one can be particularly important: 68 percent of business owners say they allow poor personal hygiene to influence their hiring decisions.
5. No give, a lot of take
Networking is all about give and take. If you ask for a lot of favors but do little to help others in turn, then you’re eventually going to lose out on these relationships. As a rule of thumb, offer something of value to a networking contact asking for something in return.
Make networking a strength
It might be uncomfortable for you right now, but networking can become one of your strengths as a freelancer. Study what others are doing and try to avoid the costly mistakes that so many inexperienced people make.
This story was submitted by Larry Alton and does not constitute the views or opinions of Upwork.
The post 5 Networking Mistakes Freelancers Commonly Make appeared first on Upwork Blog.
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