For a good while now, I’ve been joining in with the weekly Twitter chat #FreelanceChat, which takes place on Thursdays at 5-6pm BST and is run by US-based PR professional Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs).
Most weeks, 5-6 questions are pitched, which freelancers can jump in on and answer. Once a month though, it’s a free-for-all open mic chat – where anyone can ask a question.
Last week, I decided to get in on the fun, asking fellow freelancers if and how they network differently during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic days…
I’ve got one, for an article I’m thinking of writing…
What networking techniques have worked well for you this past year (since the pandemic started)? Bonus points if a) they’re not something you did pre-pandemic, & b) they’re a bit different to the norm. #FreelanceChat
— Steve Morgan (@steviephil) April 8, 2021
Here are five responses I got back that I thought were pretty interesting…
1. ‘Checking-in’ calls
Don’t know how breakthrough this is, but I just keep a simple spreadsheet. I try to reach out to 3 people/wk for a Hello call (not a sales call).
I did this pre-pandemic, but the discipline really helped in the past year, both psychologically and financially.#FreelanceChat
— WinningSolo (@WinningSolo) April 8, 2021
@WinningSolo (run by @Matthew_Fenton) said that he likes to call a few people a week – just a ‘hello’ call, to just check in on them.
Given the year we’ve had this past year, I think this is a fantastic idea. Everyone’s struggling at the mo, so having someone you know just calling you up for a ‘hey how are you?’-style chat sounds like a wonderful way to reach out to people at the mo. I know that Ed Goodman (@edagoodman) – of Freelance Heroes fame – has been doing this as well, and it’s always been welcomed by the people he’s called.
WinningSolo/Matthew stresses that it’s not a sales call though. In a follow-up tweet, he explained that “prospects or referrals are outside of this,” while it “includes past clients, people [he] just [vibes] with, people with complementary skill sets & fellow independents.” Nice! I agree with this approach – it’d be weird if you approached a randomer (which would essentially turn it into a cold call), but it makes a lot of sense with people you already know but haven’t spoken to in a while.
I guess my only thought with this would be that not everyone likes phonecalls – especially out-of-the-blue ones. If I were doing this, I’d probably gauge interest in a preliminary email or DM, just in case the person is busy, or a phoneaphobe (like me!), or perhaps they’d just be happy with a bit of back-and-forth via email… Heck, just sending someone an email/message/text/DM checking in on them is a really nice gesture on its own.
2. Invite people along to virtual events
Well, it’s not like we can go to non-virtual events at the mo, can we? 😅
I’ve invited people to virtual events I’m going to be a part of! Especially if I know it would interest them, it shows I’m paying attention. Then I add, “And we can talk after if you want!” Most said yes and I’ve even gotten a client out of it. #FreelanceChat
— Rachel Wendte (@rkwendte) April 8, 2021
Rachel’s (@rkwendte‘s) approach of inviting people along to virtual events that she’ll be a part of sounds like a good one – and it’s resulted in a client win for her.
When she says events she’s “going to be a part of,” I’m assuming this means where she’s the event’s guest/speaker – but I can’t see why you couldn’t invite people along to a virtual event that you’re just going to (as an attendee). It still shows that you’re paying attention and that you’re looking to help them out – plus it should result as an opportunity to network with them before/during/after the event.
3. Doing podcast interviews (as the interviewer)
Doing interview podcasts. It’s nice to connect with people with an intro that you love their stuff and an invite to a podcast interview. Great way to network and build new relationships as well as reputation. #freelancechat
— Ayo Abbas (@AyoAbbas) April 8, 2021
Being a guest on a podcast is a great way to get yourself out there… but running you own podcast – and inviting people on as guests – is also another great way to network. This is the suggestion that Ayo (@AyoAbbas) tweeted, and I genuinely think it’s an underrated one.
I think it’s easy to just think of podcast guesting (or being the host of a podcast) as a marketing exercise – but whether you’re the interviewer or the interviewee, everyone you speak to will inevitably become a networking contact from there on out.
Ayo takes this further by approaching people who she’s already a fan of, which is an awesome way to go about it.
4. Be more personal(!)
It’s very easy to just be all ‘business-business-business’ when talking to clients and other contacts (here’s where I should probably insert a GIF of Sam the Eagle saying “BUSINESS” in The Muppet Christmas Carol – sadly this was all I could find…), but the reply I got from Angela (@AngelaTague) was a nice reminder that it’s nice to also talk about… well… personal stuff and life in general:
At the end of phone interviews for articles, just talking about personal stuff and life. Pets. Projects. Etc. You never know who knows who and who will become a reader, client or mega-retweeter for you! #FreelanceChat
— Angela Tague (WebWritingAdvice.com) (@AngelaTague) April 8, 2021
I’m not the biggest fan of people who only ever talk about business and nothing else – in my view it lacks personality. Talk about the movies, TV shows, music, food and other stuff you like! I’m notorious for this on my Twitter – I’m getting to the point where I talk more about D&D than anything else combined…! 😂
You may find out that you and the other person have something you both love in common – and as far as I can see, that’s only likely to strengthen your relationship with them even more.
5. Being more active on Twitter and LinkedIn
A fair few people mentioned this one!
Twitter is the main change I made. Participating in chats, asking questions and answering others has helped me land work, grow my social, and learn how to be a better freelancer. #FreelanceChat
— Kaitlyn Arford — Freelance Writer (@kaitarford) April 8, 2021
For me it’s definitely Twitter. Honestly, I have to admit that I didn’t use it for networking before the pandemic. In the first lockdown here, for example, I became aware of this great chat. #FreelanceChat
— Der Alex (@deralexPR) April 8, 2021
Generally just chatting with people on Twitter and LinkedIn! I’ve made some good friends through just talking and it’s been really nice. #FreelanceChat
— Paige🌺 – Freelance Writer (@tanosski) April 8, 2021
I engaged more on Twitter and LinkedIn – just sending folks questions, compliments, and such based on their content.
It’s been super fruitful, and I’ve been able to have great conversations with some experts – and has resulted in a few new clients. #FreelanceChat
— Tom Basgil 🚀✨ (@TomBasgil) April 8, 2021
To be clear: for the most part, this isn’t folks saying that they’re trying Twitter and LinkedIn for the first time… These folks had already been using these platforms, but have dedicated more time to them since the pandemic first started – and especially for networking.
It makes sense! We can’t network with people in-person at the moment, and it’s hard to network with other people during virtual events (depending on the format), so making more of an effort to keep in touch with people on Twitter and LinkedIn is the next best thing.
And that’s it!
What’s worked for you though? Feel free to drop a comment below or tweet me.
Not a fan of sales or networking? Then my book might be able to help you. Anti-Sell is the multi-award-winning book with tips and advice for people who aren’t fans of the hard-sell approach… Find out more about it and pick up a copy today! 📗
Want to learn more about networking in a pandemic? Check out this post: Anti-Selling vs COVID: Networking During a Pandemic
