I was informed yesterday that LinkedIn was a great site for freelancers (or anyone for that matter) to get networked. So, being the ever-evolving, ever-expanding freelancer that I am, I signed up. Amazingly, in a matter of about 6 hours, I had 6 connections (1:1 not being a bad conversion if I do say so myself) and 2 recommendations.
Doing great work for people pays off in many ways. Obviously, there’s the monetary value, but really, what good is the monetary value if you only get one project? It better be a great paying project if that’s all you’re going to get. There’s always the hope that whoever you are providing the service for will like your work so much that they think of you when the next project comes around. Both of my recommendations profess that they plan to use my services on future projects. One of the two I’m already doing freelance work for that has nothing to do with the original project I did.
Another hope, and it helps with sites like LinkedIn, is that the individual will think to recommend you to others who may need same or similar services. That’s really what this whole “networking” idea is about, isn’t it?
The moral of this story is this: Do above expectations work, network (network, network), and be available for projects that you know you can do, but that will also expand your talents and mind. At least that is my own vision and personal mission statement.
