Alright.
So you’re all ready and excited to find great freelance partners who want to pass work on to you and help your business grow…but where do you start?
You remember that story I started this series off with about the guy coming to me?
He was the last one.
Since then, not one person has cold contacted me directly, specifically about a partnership, but that’s ok. I’ve found a few other (and less passive ways) to get some great people on my freelance team.
Where to Find Partners
I know your marketing to-do list is already packed, so I don’t want to tell you to add this on, but if you ever need a break from writing cold contacts to companies, this is a great way to mix things up.
Cold Contacting
Sometimes it’s easiest to do like the guy I mentioned, look somebody up on Google or LinkedIn and shoot them a message introducing yourself. A quick introduction and a note that you’ll be keeping them mind if you have extra work could be all it takes. (Vet people a little though…you don’t want to pass unsuspecting clients on to someone you know absolutely nothing about.)
Freelance Communities
This has been a great one for me. I’ve been a member of a few (Copyblogger, Make a Living Writing, and BlackFreelance of course), and people still think of me to pass on recommendations.
If you aren’t active here, the best way to stay top of mind with people (me included) is to swing by the Skype group occasionally and chat about what’s going on with you. (Everybody’s great btw.)
Existing Projects
If you’re working with a company that’s pretty sophisticated in the way they use freelancers, you’ll probably get a chance to work with other designers, writers, developers, voiceover artists, marketers and tons of other skillsets.
When I do, I immediately add them on LinkedIn and (especially if we work well together and) start a conversation that doesn’t involve our mutual client.
Networking
…and then there’s good old-fashioned networking. This hasn’t been a big one for me, but if you’re out there in these networking streets, you might be able to turn something into a partnership.
The hardest part about finding partnerships (besides making sure you’re working with reliable people) is talking about yourself with confidence. Practice telling people what you do as if it’s a career you treat seriously. That way when it’s time, you’ll have a better chance of sticking in their heads when extra work does pop up.
Megan