What
Start having conversations with prospective customers and clients, collaborators and your existing network right now.
Let them know you’re about to be available to work together.
Why
The vast majority of freelancers will agree that a large proportion of their work comes via their network, i.e. previous clients, colleagues, collaborators, communities, friends of friends - and one of the top I wish I’d known” is the importance of the professional network.
A network can take some time to grow, so it’s something you should aim to work on long-before you take the leap into freelancing, but even if you haven’t yet, it’s never too late to start.
Additionally, not all of your customers will be ready to buy from you right now, so letting them know you’re going to be available to work together, helps them know you’ll be around, when the opportunity arises.
How
1/ Create a list of your existing professional network, so you’ve got a starting point to start contacting people. It can be useful to keep this digitally, so you can track who you’ve spoken to.
2/ Think about your offering - what is it that you want to let your network know that you’ll be providing. It can help to have a short story about the type of work you’ll be doing. This might help focus the list of people you want to connect with too.
3/ Consider what how you’ll engage your network, and what story you’ll be sharing - is it a hard sell, an invitation for coffee to catch-up, a simple note to let them know you’re freelancing now, or something different? Aim to be clear on what you’re asking for.
4/ Commit some regular time to start contacting and following up with your network, so it becomes a habit.
5/ Remember that not everyone is going to respond, nor will everyone be interested or able to buy from you when you connect - it’s not a rejection of you or your work, but just a misalignment of their needs and your offering right now.
