Working for yourself opens up plenty of opportunities. As a freelancer, you can choose your own hours, set your pricing, and have more control over your workload. But with the flexibility comes the challenge of uncertainty. When work feels unstable, you might find yourself feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

So how can you make sure you have a sustainable customer or client base in times of economic uncertainty?

Read on to find out how networking can help you connect with potential customers and feel steadier in your workload.

Why finding work through networking is so important for freelancers

And while finding work digitally, through social media, web enquiries, and advertising can be very lucrative, there are a couple of barriers:

Saturated platforms: When you rely solely on finding work online, you need to stand out in a very crowded market. Cutting through the noise on social media and networking sites can feel like swimming upstream, and trying to figure out ever-changing algorithms can be tiring and time-consuming.
Risk aversion: With platforms being so saturated, customers and clients can feel lost, too. Too much choice and not enough budget means that any will look for personal recommendations to lower risk and make decisions more easily.

Building relationships as a freelancer

Networking (be it in-person or through video call) gives you the chance to make real, human connections.

You get to showcase reliability and build trust in a way that can’t always be expressed through a LinkedIn profile or Instagram bio.

Hidden opportunities

Being on a potential customer or client’s radar after a networking event also puts you in prime position to hear about job and collaboration opportunities. Many businesses will look to their own networks or trusted referral sources before opening up work to job boards or social media sites.

When they’ve already met you in person at a networking event, you’re more likely to be in their mind when they need your product or service.

Support

When you run a freelance business, support networks are vital. Being your own boss and a one-person band can feel isolating at times, especially when working remotely. So being able to meet up with other like-minded solopreneurs helps foster a sense of community. You can learn, share insights, and realise that you’re not alone!

Networking tips for freelancers

Whether you’re attending your first event as a freelancer or you’re a seasoned regular, how you approach networking can make all the difference. Here are some tips to help you move from polite small-talk to genuine connections.

1 Forget the polished pitch

The rise of AI means that seemingly perfect content is everywhere online. Your future clients and customers want genuine, human connection. Focus on having authentic conversations that address how you might be able to help fellow attendees.

2 Have a clear idea of who you want to meet

Knowing who you want to connect with (and letting attendees know) can help you make the most of your networking time. Even if your dream customers aren’t present, someone there may be able to put you in touch.

3 Offer your contact details

Whether it’s a physical business card, QR code, or your email address, make sure the people you meet at networking can easily contact you after the event. Even if they don’t get in touch right away, they may need your support in the future.

4 Follow up after the event

Likewise, aim to get in touch with the people you connect with once the event is over. By sending a quick message the following day, you can show that you value the connection and means you’re more likely to stick in their mind as a referral.

Let’s keep supporting each other

Networking has always been an important part of freelance life. But with more and more of us working remotely, and with online platforms becoming so competitive, building genuine in-person relationships is more vital than ever.

For more networking tips and freelance business support, feel free to explore the Bizzybee blog.

If you need a hand with your content or email management so you can focus your time and energy on growing your business through networking, see how a virtual assistant can help! Check out our VA services and get in touch to have a chat.

Why networking matters more than ever for freelancers right now