Build an entrepreneurial network as an independent freelancer
We all know how important a good and relevant entrepreneurial network is - especially when you're an independent freelancer.
For some, networking comes very naturally, but for most, it can seem overwhelming or overwhelming.
But it doesn't have to be.
There are many benefits to building a solid entrepreneurial network. That's why we've gathered the biggest benefits of networking as a self-employed person and, of course, our top tips for getting started.
What is an entrepreneurial network?
There are specific formal networking groups you can join, such as IVN (Entrepreneurship Network).
Here you can become a member and then join a networking group where you are matched with other self-employed people in the same field.
In addition, you can quickly find different networking groups on Facebook or LinkedIn, for example.
These are usually groups for sparring and advice, where you can reach a larger group of entrepreneurs with a single posting.
In addition to these, it can often pay to network and build your own relevant network, although this may require a bit more effort in the beginning. You can read more about our tips for this later in the post.
An easier freelance life with Factofly
Be a freelancer without hassle and get paid without your own CVR number with Factofly. We help almost 3,000 others with an everyday life without administration.
Why is an entrepreneurial network important?
A good self-employed network can be used for many things and gives you as a self-employed freelancer a lot of advantages.
A good entrepreneurial network can be used for, among other things:
- Finding new customers and building collaborative relationships
- Sparring and consulting with other freelancers
- Gain a broad insight into your industry and niche
- Development and coaching
- Help for independent living
- Build a social network with like-minded people
Build new customer relationships
As an independent freelancer, in addition to administration and the actual work, you often spend a lot of time doing your own outreach to find new clients.
No customers, no money in the till! That's why a good entrepreneurial network can save you a lot of time and effort.
As you share experiences, spar and network with other self-employed people or just others in your industry, word will naturally spread.
By building good relationships with others, you can also build a natural flow of recommendations and new potential customers.
In a good network, there's always someone who knows someone looking for exactly what you do - which makes freelance life a lot easier!
Sparring and advice
As a self-employed freelancer, new and unexpected situations can always arise and there are many things to consider for yourself. What do I do with an unhappy customer? Which accounting program is best? Or how do I best organize my projects?
If you have a good and solid entrepreneurial network, you will also have others to spar with.
Maybe someone has been in the same situation, can advise you or have recommendations, and that's always a plus!
As an independent freelancer, you often don't have any colleagues to lean on, so an entrepreneurial network can be a great advantage in terms of free sparring.
Social relationships
What many people miss about being an employee is the social life at work in the form of colleagues, Christmas parties and everyday socializing.
As a self-employed person, that part is something you are responsible for creating.
Therefore, an entrepreneurial network can also help create social working relationships with people in the same industry, which inevitably improves the working environment as a freelancer.
These are just some of the many benefits of being part of a self-employed network. But how do you get started?
How to become part of an entrepreneurial network
If you're ready to join a self-employed network or want to start expanding your network yourself, there are several ways to go about it.
1. Networking groups:
Joining networking groups is probably the fastest way to gain access to a relevant network.
Here you'll meet other self-employed people, where in most networking groups you can be matched with self-employed people in the same industry.
However, there is often a small monthly fee, such as with IVN, where you can get access to a large network for DKK 179 per month.
Besides IVN, you can also find other relevant networking groups such as Startup Central. At earlystage.dk you can find a longer list of entrepreneurial networking groups.
2. Facebook or LinkedIn groups
Social media provides endless resources and the world is becoming a very small place.
By searching Facebook or LinkedIn, you can find countless groups for entrepreneurs or independent freelancers, often used for sparring, sales, advice and help. You can post a message and quickly get a response to your problem or request.
Here the advice will often be more broad and impersonal than in specific networking groups where you are matched with other relevant self-employed people.
However, by regularly participating in social media groups, you can quickly build a good and relevant network.
3. Expand your own network by 'networking'
Building your own, ever-expanding network can create great value for you and your business. So it pays to take the bull by the horns and get started yourself.
Building your own network can take time, but will also provide great value.
You can start building your network in several ways, including attending networking events or engaging with relevant people on LinkedIn.
The vast majority of self-employed people or entrepreneurs are also happy to expand their network and want to be in contact with other relevant people in the industry.
4. Networking events
Besides joining a networking group, you can also start with a single event.
At a networking event, self-employed people mainly meet to network, but there will also often be some form of knowledge sharing, such as a relevant presentation or lecture.
That way, there will also be a topic to talk about, which can make it a little easier to connect with other freelancers.
You can find different networking events in your area with a simple Google search. At Djøf, for example, you'll find various free events where you can choose a topic relevant to you and meet other self-employed people and entrepreneurs.
5. Use social media to network
In addition to using Facebook and LinkedIn groups for networking, it's a good idea to make a habit of connecting with relevant people in your industry on social media.
For example, on LinkedIn or Instagram, you can actively search for keywords within your industry to add them to your network.
This can especially be a good approach if you are still struggling to 'network' in real life.
LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook?
LinkedIn in particular is a great place to build a professional network, but you should choose your platform depending on your industry.
If you're a freelance photographer, social media manager or influencer, Instagram is also a natural place to start.
In addition to adding relevant people, you can also consider sending a message that briefly describes what you do and that you would like to network with other relevant people in the same industry.
You can read our interview with Morten Lyth, who only finds his customers and builds a network by being 'social on social media'.
Get started building your freelance network
Although networking can seem daunting at first, it's all about taking the first tentative step.
Just like when you jumped into self-employment, building a network can also take courage, but creates incredible value for your business.
The vast majority of self-employed people want to build a network and will appreciate you reaching out to them to become part of theirs.
An entrepreneurial network is a win-win for everyone and creates value both ways. Start with your preferred approach and gradually build a solid network that makes self-employment a whole lot easier.
An easier freelance life with Factofly
Be a freelancer without hassle and get paid without your own CVR number with Factofly. We help almost 3,000 others with an everyday life without administration.
Build an entrepreneurial network as an independent freelancer
We all know how important a good and relevant entrepreneurial network is - especially when you're an independent freelancer.
For some, networking comes very naturally, but for most, it can seem overwhelming or overwhelming.
But it doesn't have to be.
There are many benefits to building a solid entrepreneurial network. That's why we've gathered the biggest benefits of networking as a self-employed person and, of course, our top tips for getting started.
What is an entrepreneurial network?
There are specific formal networking groups you can join, such as IVN (Entrepreneurship Network).
Here you can become a member and then join a networking group where you are matched with other self-employed people in the same field.
In addition, you can quickly find different networking groups on Facebook or LinkedIn, for example.
These are usually groups for sparring and advice, where you can reach a larger group of entrepreneurs with a single posting.
In addition to these, it can often pay to network and build your own relevant network, although this may require a bit more effort in the beginning. You can read more about our tips for this later in the post.
An easier freelance life with Factofly
Be a freelancer without hassle and get paid without your own CVR number with Factofly. We help almost 3,000 others with an everyday life without administration.
Why is an entrepreneurial network important?
A good self-employed network can be used for many things and gives you as a self-employed freelancer a lot of advantages.
A good entrepreneurial network can be used for, among other things:
- Finding new customers and building collaborative relationships
- Sparring and consulting with other freelancers
- Gain a broad insight into your industry and niche
- Development and coaching
- Help for independent living
- Build a social network with like-minded people
Build new customer relationships
As an independent freelancer, in addition to administration and the actual work, you often spend a lot of time doing your own outreach to find new clients.
No customers, no money in the till! That's why a good entrepreneurial network can save you a lot of time and effort.
As you share experiences, spar and network with other self-employed people or just others in your industry, word will naturally spread.
By building good relationships with others, you can also build a natural flow of recommendations and new potential customers.
In a good network, there's always someone who knows someone looking for exactly what you do - which makes freelance life a lot easier!
Sparring and advice
As a self-employed freelancer, new and unexpected situations can always arise and there are many things to consider for yourself. What do I do with an unhappy customer? Which accounting program is best? Or how do I best organize my projects?
If you have a good and solid entrepreneurial network, you will also have others to spar with.
Maybe someone has been in the same situation, can advise you or have recommendations, and that's always a plus!
As an independent freelancer, you often don't have any colleagues to lean on, so an entrepreneurial network can be a great advantage in terms of free sparring.
Social relationships
What many people miss about being an employee is the social life at work in the form of colleagues, Christmas parties and everyday socializing.
As a self-employed person, that part is something you are responsible for creating.
Therefore, an entrepreneurial network can also help create social working relationships with people in the same industry, which inevitably improves the working environment as a freelancer.
These are just some of the many benefits of being part of a self-employed network. But how do you get started?
How to become part of an entrepreneurial network
If you're ready to join a self-employed network or want to start expanding your network yourself, there are several ways to go about it.
1. Networking groups:
Joining networking groups is probably the fastest way to gain access to a relevant network.
Here you'll meet other self-employed people, where in most networking groups you can be matched with self-employed people in the same industry.
However, there is often a small monthly fee, such as with IVN, where you can get access to a large network for DKK 179 per month.
Besides IVN, you can also find other relevant networking groups such as Startup Central. At earlystage.dk you can find a longer list of entrepreneurial networking groups.
2. Facebook or LinkedIn groups
Social media provides endless resources and the world is becoming a very small place.
By searching Facebook or LinkedIn, you can find countless groups for entrepreneurs or independent freelancers, often used for sparring, sales, advice and help. You can post a message and quickly get a response to your problem or request.
Here the advice will often be more broad and impersonal than in specific networking groups where you are matched with other relevant self-employed people.
However, by regularly participating in social media groups, you can quickly build a good and relevant network.
3. Expand your own network by 'networking'
Building your own, ever-expanding network can create great value for you and your business. So it pays to take the bull by the horns and get started yourself.
Building your own network can take time, but will also provide great value.
You can start building your network in several ways, including attending networking events or engaging with relevant people on LinkedIn.
The vast majority of self-employed people or entrepreneurs are also happy to expand their network and want to be in contact with other relevant people in the industry.
4. Networking events
Besides joining a networking group, you can also start with a single event.
At a networking event, self-employed people mainly meet to network, but there will also often be some form of knowledge sharing, such as a relevant presentation or lecture.
That way, there will also be a topic to talk about, which can make it a little easier to connect with other freelancers.
You can find different networking events in your area with a simple Google search. At Djøf, for example, you'll find various free events where you can choose a topic relevant to you and meet other self-employed people and entrepreneurs.
5. Use social media to network
In addition to using Facebook and LinkedIn groups for networking, it's a good idea to make a habit of connecting with relevant people in your industry on social media.
For example, on LinkedIn or Instagram, you can actively search for keywords within your industry to add them to your network.
This can especially be a good approach if you are still struggling to 'network' in real life.
LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook?
LinkedIn in particular is a great place to build a professional network, but you should choose your platform depending on your industry.
If you're a freelance photographer, social media manager or influencer, Instagram is also a natural place to start.
In addition to adding relevant people, you can also consider sending a message that briefly describes what you do and that you would like to network with other relevant people in the same industry.
You can read our interview with Morten Lyth, who only finds his customers and builds a network by being 'social on social media'.
Get started building your freelance network
Although networking can seem daunting at first, it's all about taking the first tentative step.
Just like when you jumped into self-employment, building a network can also take courage, but creates incredible value for your business.
The vast majority of self-employed people want to build a network and will appreciate you reaching out to them to become part of theirs.
An entrepreneurial network is a win-win for everyone and creates value both ways. Start with your preferred approach and gradually build a solid network that makes self-employment a whole lot easier.
An easier freelance life with Factofly
Be a freelancer without hassle and get paid without your own CVR number with Factofly. We help almost 3,000 others with an everyday life without administration.
