How to Get Freelance Work w/ Online and Offline Networking

[An actionable thread w/ personal experiences]

Today, you'll learn:
- The power of relationships
- How to network strategically
- How to build connections without being fake

#30DaysofThreads (8/30)

The most popular and highly-paid freelancers aren't online celebrities.

They're little-known people who are well connected in their industry or niche.

They network with a portion of their target market who constantly refer them work.

They're very strategic about who they're connecting with, how they're giving away value, and making an ask for more work.

First, I'll teach you how to do this online. Then using examples from friends on how to do it offline.

1) Online Networking Achieves Results

If you're an introvert like me, online networking is a great option.

The internet and social media allow you to build relationships with almost anybody around the world.

For example, this is actually my 2nd Twitter account.

I deleted my first due to personal reasons.

But on my last account, I had some tech, blogging, and startup influencers follow me.

When I had a specific problem, I DM'd them and they helped me out. They would never have done this if we didn't have some kind of relationship.

I also got two gigs from Twitter.

One of them was after engaging with a tweet and another was after replying to someone else.

I estimate that these gigs were at a total: $7,150

This is how much money getting clients via Twitter made me from 2018 - mid-2019.

2) Identify the Small and Big Influencers in Your Niche

This strategy works for Twitter, IG, LinkedIn, and blogs.

Find out who are the most ENGAGED influencers in your niche.

I say engaged because there are many people with a big following but low engagement.

These people usually don't respond to their followers or share their content.

(And I suspect someone actually bought their followers.)

You want to build connections with those who share relevant stuff that people actually like.

Before you try to build relationships with major influencers, try to engage with micro-influencers.

These are people with 10,000 followers and below.

Use hashtags, Twitter & Google search to find who are the popular people talking about your industry.

3) Constantly Engage with Their Stuff

Please understand this: NOBODY GIVES A FUCK ABOUT WHAT YOU DO

At least not yet.

Influencers hate it when you ask them to do things without building rapport.

Thank about it, would you do a big favor for someone you haven't met before? NO!

To build relationships with influencers or potential clients in your niche, give value:

- Comment on their tweets, pictures, & blog
- Buy & promote their products
- Send encouraging emails & DM's
- RT, like, & share their content
- Create blog posts dedicated just to them

This is how I got Silicon Valley's Ben Horowitz to share my article.

You want to constantly provide value so they'll notice of you.

When you build enough rapport, you can finally as if they know someone who needs your service.

Or if you could work with them in some way.

The more you build relationships with these people, the more like-minded people you'll attract.

Remember networking is relationship building.

Great books on the subject:

https://www.amazon.com/Reach-Out-Strategy-Increase-Influence/dp/1259860914/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=reach+out&qid=1574535702&sr=8-2

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073XBVXTY/?coliid=I35YWYRKD2ICND&colid=2OEYR6VQOSPMO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E4WAG6C/?coliid=I21BIHN2XN6097&colid=2OEYR6VQOSPMO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

4) How to Network Offline

My friend/client built a 7-figure agency with offline networking.

Her ideal client was small to mid-size businesses. So, she decided to go where they were at.

She attended meetups, conferences, and events dedicated to these businesses.

She would even visit small and woman business centers. Like her local business of commerce.

She talked with the attendees to learn more about their business and marketing problems.

She would offer them solutions. Next, she asked if they could stay in touch.

She asked for their email and phone number to build a CRM system to stay in touch.

She also gave away her business cards. Every few weeks, someone would reach out to her for client work.

Or, she'll text or email someone from her list and ask about their marketing struggles.

She also built partnerships with people who already worked with these businesses.

For example, if someone provided design services to startups, she would give them enough value that he or she would start referring her to their clients or network.

I know another girl who befriended people at Meetups.

Those people are helping her build a portfolio and break into the UX industry.

Networking works people! But do it the nice and helpful way.

ALWAYS GIVE VALUE.

YOUR TURN: How will you start networking?

If you need help, reply or DM me.