Entrepreneur network: Why and how?

What is an entrepreneurial network?

There are specific formal network groups you can become a member of, such as IVN (Entrepreneur network).

Here you can become a member and then join a network group, where you are matched with other self-employed people in the same field.

In addition, you quickly find different network groups on e.g. Facebook or LinkedIn.

These are usually groups for the purpose of sparring and advice, where you can reach a larger group of entrepreneurs with a single posting.

In addition to these, it often pays to 'network' yourself and to build your own relevant network, although this may require a bit more at the start. You can read more about our tips for this later in the post.

Why is an entrepreneurial network important?

A good network for the self-employed can be used for many things, and gives you as an independent freelancer a lot of advantages.

A good entrepreneurial network can, among other things, used for:

• To find new customers and build working relationships
• Sparring and consulting with other freelancers
• To 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 real work, you often spend a lot of time doing research yourself to find new customers.

No customers, no money in the coffers! Therefore, a good entrepreneurial network can help save you a lot of time and trouble.

When you exchange experiences, spar and network with other self-employed people or simply others within your industry, the word will naturally spread.

By building good relationships with others, you can simultaneously build a natural flow of recommendations and new, potential customers.

In a good network, there is always someone who knows someone who is looking for exactly what you do - something that makes freelance life a lot easier!

Sparring and advice

As an independent freelancer, new and unexpected situations can always arise, and there are many things to decide on 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 has recommendations, and that is always a plus!

As an independent freelancer, you often have no colleagues to lean on, and an entrepreneurial network can therefore be a great advantage in the form of free sparring.

Social relations

Something many miss about life as an employee is the social aspect at work in the form of colleagues, Christmas lunches and the social aspect of everyday life.

As self-employed, that part is something you yourself are responsible for creating.

Therefore, an entrepreneurial network can also help to create social working relationships with people within the same industry, which inevitably improves the working environment as an independent freelancer.

These are just some of the many advantages of being part of a network for the self-employed. But how do you get started?

This is how you become part of an entrepreneurial network

If you are ready to become part of a network for the self-employed or would like to start expanding your network yourself, there are several ways to approach it.

1. Network groups:

Joining networking groups is probably the fastest way to gain access to a relevant network.

Here you meet other self-employed people, where in most network groups you can be matched with self-employed people within the same industry.

However, it usually costs a small monthly fee, such as with IVN, where you can access a large network for DKK 179 per month.

In addition to IVN, you can also find other relevant network groups such as Startup Central. At earlystage.dk you can find a longer list of entrepreneurial network groups.

2. Facebook or LinkedIn groups

Social media provides endless resources, and the world is becoming very small.

By a search on Facebook or LinkedIn you can find countless groups for entrepreneurs or independent freelancers, which are most often used for sparring, sales, advice and help. You can post a notice and quickly get a response to your problem or inquiry.

Here, the advice will usually be more broad and impersonal than in specific network groups, where you will be matched with other relevant self-employed people.

However, by regularly being active in groups on social media, you can quickly build a good and relevant network.

3. Expand your own network by 'networking'

Building your own network, which can be constantly expanded, can create great value for you and your company. It therefore 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 by participating in 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 would like to be in contact with other relevant people within the industry.

4. Network events

In addition to joining a network group, you can also start with a single event.

At a networking event, self-employed people meet mainly to network, but there will also usually be some form of knowledge sharing, e.g. 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 various networking events in your area with a simple Google search. At Djøf you will find e.g. various free events, where you can choose a relevant topic for you, and at the same time meet other self-employed people and entrepreneurs.

5. Use social media to network

In addition to using Facebook and LinkedIn groups to network, it can be a good idea to make it a habit to connect with relevant people within your industry on social media.

It can, for example, be on LinkedIn or Instagram, where you can actively search for keywords within your industry to add them to your network.

This can be a particularly good approach if you still find it difficult to 'network' in real life.

LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook?
LinkedIn in particular is a good and obvious place to build a professional network, but you should choose the platform according to your industry.

Are you e.g. 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 within the same industry.

You can e.g. read our interview with Morten Lyth, which exclusively finds its customers and builds a network by being 'social on social media'.

Get started on building your freelance network

Although 'networking' may seem borderline-crossing at first, it is simply about taking the first baby step.

As when you started out as a freelancer, 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 a part of theirs.

An entrepreneurial network is a win-win for everyone and creates value both ways. Start out with your preferred method so that little by little you can build up a solid network that makes life as a freelancer a lot easier.