9 Freelancers on Finding Community (and why it matters!)
Photo by Ben Duchac on Unsplash
Contributor: BFF Sophie Livingston
I often say that I have a stronger sense of community now that I’m working from home, alone, than I ever did working in teams or shared spaces.
And I owe thanks for that to Being Freelance founder Steve and others like him; the community leaders who bring freelancers together. (Thanks Steve!).
One of the lessons you learn early on as a freelancer is that you can’t do it alone. It’s all about people.
In tough times especially we see how much of a difference a strong sense of community can make.
If you’re feeling the pull to join or even create your own group of freelancers right now, take inspiration from these nine previous podcast guests, who’ve all found friends and community in their working lives.
Finding Community as a Freelancer
Illustrator Stanley Chow
Stanley Chow started out in the nineties, well before the days of social media and online communities.
“There was this network of creative people in the centre of Manchester, and we were always trying to give each other work if we could. I was designing posters and flyers for club nights and gigs, or record sleeves for bands.
“We were all misfits, basically, who weren't after proper jobs. We all had our eye on a different prize, which was make it as a musician, a DJ, a writer, an actor, or whatever, and we all hung around together and encouraged each other in those days. Whatever we were part-time doing, that wasn't what we wanted to do. We all wanted to be creative and change the world, so to speak.”
Listen to the episode to find out if any of them did: Take each day as it comes
Writer Paul Jarvis
“Freelancing wasn't really a thing back then”, writer Paul Jarvis says about his early days, around twenty years ago.
“When I told people that I work for myself, they didn't get it. People just didn't understand it. So it was actually kinda lonely.”
Nowadays, things are different.
“I've worked at fostering relationships with other people, not because I could get something out of them, but just because they're doing something interesting, I'm probably doing something interesting to them, and just kind of going from there.
And Paul’s community within his business, too.
“There's a community for all of my courses. I spend a bit of time every day in the chat and if people have questions, I want to answer them. If people have topics, I want to weigh in. If people are sharing with each other, I want to encourage them.”
Listen to the episode: Better, not bigger
Email Strategist Val Geiser
Someone who would no doubt agree with Paul’s attitude is email strategist Val Geisler.
“My e-mail list is my core community. Last week's e-mail, I got a dozen replies to. That's all from cultivating that sense of community and humanity behind what we do. I respond to the people who reply to my e-mails.”
And she has the same approach offline, too.
“I have a close-knit community here in Columbus, Ohio. I go to the studio with my friend who has a business, and we’re friends with other online business owners. We trade ideas and we regularly have our girls' nights. We try not to talk business at those things, but it does come up.”
Listen to the episode: Ridiculously useful
Graphic Designer Lina Forsgren
Lina formed a feminist communications agency and built a network of freelancers while she was studying at art school.
These days she freelances independently, though she often takes on team projects and manages others.
“I started a Facebook group for women and non-binaries within the creative field, where we're able to ask for advice and talk about our work life,” says Lina. “It wasn’t just my idea. It has an entire life of its own so I don’t do anything other than check that everyone’s behaving.”
She’s noticed the community spirit within the group when it comes to sharing bigger projects.
“I’ve personally got a few projects through the group. If members get a client and need help, they want it to be someone from the community.”
Listen to the episode: Freelance to be free
Social Media Consultant Tia Meyers
Like Lina, Tia brings other freelancers together and has found work through doing so.
“Clients find me because they see me running the Facebook group. They see my work in building this community, and social media is such a huge part of building a community around your product or business.
“It's definitely helped me get work, but in general, it helps me learn a lot around having my own personal business, finances, the laws around it. There's just so much information freelancers need to know versus being on a 9-5. You're wearing your financial hat, you're wearing your lawyer hat, you're making your own contracts. Each day I learn a lot from the women in the group.”
Listen to the episode: Building a community
Email Developer Anne Tomlin
Email developer Anne has learnt a lot from her community, too.
She was working for an agency when she was first asked to do development work for emails. Unsure, she turned to the online world and found a community full of ‘Email Geeks’.
“The community loves to help each other. It started on Twitter with the hashtag ‘#emailgeeks’ and then it went to Slack, where all of us hang out and ask questions, talk about things, that sort of stuff. Geek out about email.”
And it was from within that community that Anne got her first freelance gig. By being active, helpful and enthusiastic about her work within the community, Anne’s name got around and she was soon picking up bigger clients.
Listen to the episode: Being a geek about what you do
Marketing Strategist Nathan Allotey
For part-time freelancer Nathan Allotey, it’s all about variety.
“I'm a part of many online communities, so that connects me to different people around the world. Some communities that are paid and others that are free. I go to different co-working spaces too, and I do meet people there.”
Listen to the episode: Freelancing with a full-time job
Podcast Producer Matt Hill
Matt has a similar attitude. When Steve asked him what he’d tell his younger self about freelancing, he said this:
“Hang on in there. At the start of your career, you don’t really have any contacts. That’s the reason you’re not getting any work. The more people you meet, the more chance you have of working with them in the future. So, just keep meeting people and it will work out.”
Listen to the episode: Just keep meeting people!
Designer Ran Segall
And meeting people works for Ran Segall, too.
What really brings him work, he says, is making friends.
Listen to the episode: Daily vlogging
Come and make some freelance friends of your own in the Being Freelance community. We’d be happy to have you.