It might be a dog eat dog world as a freelancer, but there are actually a number of reasons why you don’t need to be in competition with fellow freelancers.
You’ve been following a potential client for weeks, checking out their social media feed, returning to their web page and sending the occasional email. You’ve built up a relationship with them and are pretty sure that you’re in line for the next piece of work when, from under your nose, it’s snapped up by another freelancer.
This familiar situation could be enough to sour you against your follower freelancers.
But the reality is you can gain more by working together than against each other…
Create a network
The aim really is to create a network of freelancers you can trust. Being a freelancer can be a lonely job sometimes so having a network offers a social outlet, especially if you organise regular events. It can also provide you with vital industry information as you chat.
Also, as you’re self-employed you won’t benefit from employer training schemes. So why not get one of your fellow freelancers to offer training every month.
Cover for holidays
You can timetable as much as you like, but the inevitable will happen one day. You’ll win a contract that’s going to clash with a holiday you’ve booked, or be mid-way through a project when something comes up and you need to take time off.
If you’re a loan freelancer, then you’re stuck. But, if you know a fellow freelancer who you trust, you could use them as your holiday cover.
Create a situation whereby they cover you and you cover them. Let your client know and make sure you give your cover worker a fair cut of the payment.
Too much work to go around
Ok, so this situation probably doesn’t happen as much as you’d like but it does happen. Again, if you’re working alone and new work comes in you don’t have time for, all you can do is to turn down the work and let the client choose their owner freelancer.
But if you’ve got a group of close friends who you can trust, you could recommend them to the client.
The benefit is that, firstly, the other freelancer does the same when they’re too busy. And secondly, you keep the client happy. Hopefully, it’s win, win.
Provide unique skills
You might be a digital designer or photographer, but it doesn’t mean you’re a master of everything.
You might specialise in a certain area but not be so good at others. If this is the case, having other freelancers that know about specialist areas can help you out if it comes up in a project.
You could bring them on board to take over some of the work or just ask them to train you and keep you up to date.
Posted by The Secret Businessman