Why community matters

In conversation with ... Matthew Knight

When you start freelancing, there is such a steep learning curve, and whilst Google is amazing at finding some of the answers, you simply can’t beat being able to talk to fellow freelancers to get their breadth of experience and insight.

Being part of freelancing communities allows you to not only tap into the collective wisdom of others who have been there, done that, made the mistakes and come out the other end alive - but also provides an opportunity to make geniuine and authentic connections with others who are working in a similar way.

Communities for me provide those lovely micro-interactions which are so important to us as humans - the “good morning” when you’re popping the kettle on, someone to cheer when you’re sharing a little win, someone to listen when you’re grumbling - but more than that, can start to form a support network of collaborators and genuine friendships.

Communities also help us overhear conversations that prompt us to think about things that we have perhaps not thought about. A chat about pensions might prompt us to think about it for ourselves. A thread about tax returns might remind us to get ours submitted. A conversation about contracts might encourage us to raise our hand and ask a question we’d forgotten to research.

Communities also can offer new business - whilst you might think that fellow freelancers are your competition, many times the reality is that fellow freelancers might become business partners. Someone who is looking for skills they don’t have could be a collaborator. Someone who is too busy might be sharing their work around. Someone who has a client who is aiming to deliver a project that you could help with.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, communities also support our mental health. Not only is it important to have people who truly understand the experience of self-employment, hearing that others are perhaps struggling too helps us recognise that we’re not doing this alone, and even more powerfully, give us an opportunity to give back and provide a shoulder for someone who needs it. Or even just the occasional reminder that its okay to switch off the laptop and go for an ice cream.

Community is the secret weapon in any freelancer’s toolkit.