Tips for Networking with Fellow Freelance Writers

Water cooler talk is a normal part of office culture, providing a time to gather around to chat while taking a short break from your regular responsibilities. When you have a traditional job, you usually have coworkers that you see and interact with on a daily basis. This helps pass the time at work and can even lead to friendships outside of the workplace. When you’re a freelancer, you typically only talk to your clients, so you miss out on interacting with peers. Talking to people who do what you do and understand your working life can be beneficial for your overall wellbeing and can also help you learn about new writing opportunities, so it’s important to seek out ways to interact with other freelance writers. These networking tips can help:

Join Social Media Groups

Social media can be one of your most useful tools as a freelance writer—both for interacting with clients and networking with other freelancers. Platforms like LinkedIn have groups that you can join, allowing you to digitally meet and connect with other LinkedIn users who have similar interests or goals. There are many different freelancing and contracting groups on LinkedIn, some of which are specifically for writers, while others are more general. You can ask for permission to join groups like Consultants Network, The Freelance Writers’ Connection, and LinkEds & writers, and look for other groups that interest you.

Facebook is another platform with groups that can help you connect with other freelance writers. Consider joining groups such as Living the Laptop Life: A Group For Online Service Providers + Marketers, Creative Freelancers Unite, and Freelancers’ Hub to connect with other freelancers, share tips, ask about ideas, and feel a sense of community.

Twitter doesn’t have groups like LinkedIn and Facebook, but you can create lists of people based on certain interests, so you can create a list of freelancing-focused Twitter accounts you follow. You can also subscribe to lists created by other users. This can be a great way to get more information about freelance writing and start connecting with other freelancers. Users will be notified when you follow them, add them to a list, or subscribe to their list, and this can make them more likely to follow you back.

Read and Comment on Blogs

As a freelance writer, you might be responsible for creating blog posts for clients. A lot of freelancers also maintain their own blogs where they can show off their work or simply have a place to write more for fun and less for work. You can search for these types of blogs and look for ones that you find interesting and engaging. Depending on the website where the blog is hosted, you might be able to create an account so that you can leave comments on others’ blog posts. Leaving blog comments is a great way to start a discussion with the writer and with other readers. You can start creating a connection between the writer and other readers you interact with on blogs. If you’d like, you can also start your own blog where you can publish posts. When you leave comments on other writers’ blogs, you can leave a link to your own blog—but make sure you’re also leaving an engaging or insightful comment. Leaving only your link will look like spam, which is something other freelance writers won’t appreciate.

Look for Coworking Spaces

One of the biggest perks of freelance writing is being able to work from anywhere. For many, this typically means working from home. This can definitely be a great feature of being a freelancer, but many writers also find it difficult to stay motivated when they’re always working at home. One way to avoid this feeling is to leave the house and find other spaces to work every once in a while. This can include coffee shops, libraries, and coworking spaces. Research coworking spaces in your town to see if there are any facilities where people can come in and spend a few hours working. Not only can this help you get out of the house and stay motivated, but it can also be a great way to meet other freelancers. Moreover, working at this type of space can help you learn about job opportunities, local events, and courses that can help you enhance your career. Depending on the space you find, you might have to pay each time you want to use the space, or you might be able to join and receive some sort of member discount.

Attend Courses

Writers never stop learning. There is always new information out there, and learning is a very important part of writing for yourself and for any clients. There are many different ways to pick up new skills for your freelancing career, so it’s a good idea to start looking for courses you can attend. Look for online and in-person courses designed to help you improve your writing and enhance other aspects of your freelancing abilities. In your courses, you’ll be able to meet and interact with other writers. You might even have homework and projects that provide opportunities to work with other writers, which can help you build lasting connections.

Find a Mentor

It is easy to feel like you’re all alone when you’re a freelance writer—but networking can help you feel more connected. When you reach out to other freelancers, you’ll likely meet writers who have more experience than you. Creating relationships with these writers can help you learn more about writing, freelancing, and finding success. You can use networking to find a great writing mentor who will be able to answer your questions, provide feedback, and offer insight on various aspects of freelancing.

Now that you have the tools to start networking with your fellow freelance writers, start looking for writing gigs on Writers Work. Our website is designed to help writers of all skill levels improve their writing, create strong online presences, and find writing jobs and opportunities that appeal to them.