Face-to-face networking is one of the most important communication tools that we have in the modern world. The fact that digital communication is taking over all the aspects of human life does not imply that offline communication has completely lost its place in the modern world. As a freelancer, you can develop a brand and find new clients with the help of networking. The best way to do this is going into the offline world of live meetings with people. This article puts forward the importance of face-to-face networking for freelancers.
Intro for a self-presentation :
You have a limited amount of time to provide the right impression on people. You will show your confidence, mood, and expertise through face-to-face communication. What you need is a confident handshake, a smile, and an eye contact. It’s good to prepare a presentation that will last from 15 to 30 seconds. Your goal is to attract the listener’s attention to your personality and your project. The most important thing is to make sure that the presentation is precise.
Active listening :
It’s absolutely ok if you have some selfish expectations for networking. However, you should realize that you should give people something valuable if you want to get something from them. One of such things is active listening. You will demonstrate that you really care about what someone else is saying to you. Active listening comprises your facial expression, your body position and asking questions. You need to make good use of active listening if you want to take face-to-face networking for freelancers to the next level.
A good portfolio :
Just take it with you to give to other people. If you design site, just print the best variants. If you ask people to go to a website where they can see your portfolio, they will probably forget about you the next day. It’s easy to do and you will have a much greater effect than just giving your business cards to everyone. Make sure you make a rich portfolio that will showcase your abilities. The portfolio is important because it communicates your capabilities to your target audience.
A good follow-up :
One single meeting won’t give you the result that you aim at. You cannot build a long-lasting relationship at once. One of the easiest ways to keep in touch is sending an email within 24 to 26 hours after the meeting. You can write what you liked and write something that relates to the words you have heard from this very person. Follow-up plays a critical role when it comes to networking for freelancers. It’s the only way to make sure that efforts bear the right fruits.
Get the most from networking :
If you see that there’s a chance to attract a new client or an important person for you, don’t lose it. You cannot predict the result of a new connection, so do your best to get the most from each. You can get exhausted from so many new connections, but we think that it’s worth trying. So, organize a meeting, do the follow-up and keep in touch to reach the goals that you have.
In summary, face to face networking is highly significant for freelancers. The most important thing is to put in the right strategies that will bear the expected results.
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