What are the best ways to build a network as a freelancer in partnerships?

3 Reach out with value

When you contact your prospects, you need to make a good impression and show that you are genuinely interested in building a relationship. You can do this by offering something of value, such as a compliment, a recommendation, a resource, a solution, or an introduction. You can also ask relevant and open-ended questions, share your story or experience, or invite them to join a conversation or event. The key is to be respectful, friendly, and helpful, and avoid being pushy, salesy, or spammy.

4 Follow up and stay in touch

After you make the initial contact, you need to follow up and stay in touch with your prospects to nurture the relationship. You can do this by sending a thank you note, providing feedback, sharing updates, or asking for advice. You can also use social media, email, or phone to communicate regularly and show your interest and appreciation. The goal is to build trust, rapport, and value over time, and create opportunities for collaboration or referrals.

5 Expand and diversify your network

As you build relationships with your prospects, you can also expand and diversify your network by connecting with their contacts, clients, or collaborators. You can do this by asking for introductions, referrals, or testimonials, or by joining their communities, groups, or events. You can also reach out to new prospects from different industries, niches, or backgrounds, and explore new ways to partner with them. The more diverse and expansive your network is, the more opportunities and benefits you will have.

6 Maintain and leverage your network

Finally, you need to maintain and leverage your network to achieve your goals and grow your business. You can do this by providing value, support, and recognition to your partners, and by asking for feedback, referrals, or testimonials from them. You can also showcase your work, expertise, or achievements to your network, and promote your partners' work, expertise, or achievements to your audience. The more you leverage your network, the more you will enhance your reputation and credibility, and attract more partners and clients.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?