Networking For Freelancers–A Different Approach

When I was early in my freelance writing career, I totally misunderstood the notion of networking as it applied to writing. I stayed well within the confines of the writing community, trying to make connections with editors, fellow writers, photographers and other people who work directly within the world I was trying to break into.

At this point, if you aren’t asking why I say that is a mistake, you’re definitely reading the right article. It’s so easy to get tunnel vision about these things, but once you get a bit of perspective all becomes clear.

These days, I do like to hobnob with my fellow writers and editors, but I find it much more valuable to get to know doctors, small business owners, bankers and music industry professionals. In the last three years I’ve had great success in the writing game because I have a pool of resources to draw on when I need to make a pitch to a new editor.

Once I did a forty minute interview with a doctor about knee surgery alternatives for an article in a regional lifestyle magazine. I kept in touch with the doc and half a year later managed to use his advice to get the attention of an editor for a national dollar-a-word magazine. Because I kept in touch, I had no trouble getting more material from an expert in the field as the main ammunition for my pitch.

A casual query to a small quarterly music magazine turned into a running conversation which resulted in not one, but three different pieces featuring the acclaimed drummer for Cheap Trick, Bun E. Carlos. A month-long commercial writing project I did with a bank owner in Texas became a long-term relationship worth thousands of dollars in work…just because we kept in touch.

Not all of the networking I’ve done is directly related to writing jobs…I’ve met plenty of people in different fields–dentists, doctors, property managers, etc…all part of my life in one form or another. Because I interact with these people on a semi-regular basis as part of my ordinary life, I would feel very comfortable approaching them to get some quotes for a pitch I might be working on.

The people in your life can be excellent fodder for your writing work if you can find the right angle. You’ll be surprised at how many experts or experienced folk are wandering around in your everyday life. Can you find a way to include them in your work?

3 thoughts on “Networking For Freelancers–A Different Approach”

  1. Excellent points. Those writers interested in copy writing and business writing also do well by networking with business owners — these professionals are often hungry for good writing.

  2. We could not agree more! In tough times your contacts are more valuable than ever. We launched a networking site for UK freelancers based on this idea earlier this year. http://www.freelancealliance.co.uk is for media and creative freelancers, and that encompasses designers, photographers, writers, art directors, animators and all the other skills in between. In our opinion freelancers should make the most of not only connections with others having ‘natural fit’ skills like these (where a graphic designer can find a copywriter to offer a complete service to his client) but also use that philosophy above and beyond that.

    One of the rules of staying afloat in tough times is to diversify; so to hook into the knowledge of others around you and use that for the mutual benefit of both parties, which results in your work opportunities expanding into other fields, has to be a winner. Vince Golder has written an excellent book on referral marketing (http://www.freelanceuk.com/products/freelance_marketing_guide.phtml) which stresses that it is a two-way street. You’ll find people more open to helping you with their knowledge and contacts if you can offer them something first.

    Nice article!

  3. Diversification is key. I do a lot of different kinds of writing and work with people from high-powered business execs to non-profits. Think outside the box and see what you can connect with–there is a LOT out there!

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