Best Networking Strategies for Freelance Writers

In my early career, I thought networking was all about building as many connections as possible. But I quickly learned that effective networking isn't about the quantity of your connections—it's about the quality. Throughout my career, the connections that have truly made a difference weren’t the ones where I just asked for help—they were the ones where I made it easy for others to want to help me. If you want to make others genuinely want to help you, it’s crucial to move beyond simply asking for favors. Instead, focus on creating value and building relationships where both parties benefit. So, how can you do the same? Here are four tactical tips to help you network effectively: ✅ Do Your Homework Before reaching out, research the person or company you’re interested in. Understand their work, challenges, and how you can add value. For instance, instead of asking a connection for job leads, do your own research first. Identify specific roles and companies you’re targeting, and then ask if they can help with an introduction. This approach shows initiative and respect for their time. ✅ Be Specific in Your Ask Whether you’re asking for an introduction, advice, or a referral, be clear and concise about what you need. For example, instead of asking, “Do you know anyone hiring?” say, “I noticed [Company Name] is looking for a [Role]. Would you be open to introducing me to [Person]? I’m happy to send you my resume and a brief write-up you can pass along, too.” This shows that you’ve taken the initiative and makes it easier for your contact to say yes. ✅ Offer Mutual Value When requesting a meeting or advice, frame it as a two-way conversation. Instead of saying, “Can I pick your brain?” try something like, “I’d love to exchange ideas on [specific topic] and share some strategies that have worked for me.” This not only makes your request more compelling but also positions you as someone who brings value to the table. ✅ Follow Up with Gratitude After someone has helped you, don’t just say thank you and disappear. Keep them in the loop on how their help made an impact. Whether you got the job, secured the meeting, or just had a great conversation, let them know. This closes the loop and makes them more inclined to help you in the future. Your network is one of your greatest assets—nurture it well, and it will be there for you when you need it most. What’s one networking tip that’s helped you build stronger connections? *** 📧 Want more tips like these? Join Career Bites - free weekly bite-sized tips to supercharge your career in 3 minutes or less: lorraineklee.com/subscribe 📖 You can also get behind-the-scenes stories, updates, and special gifts for my upcoming book Unforgettable Presence: lorraineklee.com/book

Aimless networking won’t get you an interview: If you’re reaching out to people with: ❌ “Hey, are you hiring?” ❌ “Can you refer me for a role?” ❌ “I need a job—can we chat?” Then, you’re doing it wrong. Networking isn’t about ASKING for a job. It’s about BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS that create opportunities. Here’s how to have networking conversations that actually lead to job interviews: 1️⃣ Start with Genuine Interest and Intention of Building the Relationship After some research on the connections, reach out with curiosity, not desperation. Example: “I admire your career path in [industry]. What are some challenges you’re seeing within this space?” 2️⃣ Focus on Their Experience People enjoy sharing their journey. Ask thoughtful questions: ✔ What expertise have you developed in this role? ✔ What are the 2 biggest challenges you’re working on now? ✔ What skills have been most valuable for finding workable solutions? 3️⃣ Share Your Value—Naturally Instead of asking for a job, share what you’ve been working on (or had success in) that is relatable. Example: “I’ve been leading [specific projects] and applying my expertise in [industry]. Sometimes that experience can be a solution to X (one of the challenges they mentioned). 4️⃣ End with a Soft Ask and offer to be a resource for them. Don’t force a referral—invite guidance. Example: “Based on what I’ve shared, who else in your network would be appropriate to be introduced to?” 5️⃣ Follow Up & Stay Visible Keep the relationship alive—send a thank-you note along with a resource for them. Engage with their content, and if you met with a person they referred,  update them on your progress. The best networking is an exchange. It’s strategic and relational. Networking can be challenging if you view it one way.  Make it mutual. Let me know in the comments if you agree that both parties need to benefit from networking conversations and how you prepare to make that happen.

Want to land freelance writing clients in DMs on LinkedIn? Be more intentional. I'm not sure about you, but I'm inundated with a hodgepodge of DMs weekly (sometimes daily). They're cold, impersonal, and mostly irrelevant. And annoying! Admittedly, I avoid direct messages when seeking new clients unless I'm dealing with a potential client or brand I'm unreasonably excited about, and I know I can craft a highly personalized message that doesn't feel salesy or aggressive. Here's a simple step-by-step guide to help you work with that client or brand you can't stop thinking about: Step 1: Be thoughtful and intentional about how you might fit into their business. What makes you a deep special? What do you offer that someone else can't? A service? Specialized knowledge? Experience using their software or brand? Step 2: Review their website (and/or their product). Go through their blog posts. Download their guides. Read through customer testimonials. Learn and absorb. Step 3: Draft your message so that it feels personal, as if it were a letter between old friends. This is where having a deep familiarity with the software, brand, and/or content is helpful. Step 4: Pitch yourself, but don't overdo it. Focus on cultivating a connection first, and give the relationship time to grow. Here's an example from my book of business last year: I wanted to write for an internal communications email platform. Step 1: What set me apart: I previously worked in internal communications and change management. I understand the challenges of their target audience (internal communicators) and how to communicate effectively with them, having been one myself. Step 2: I hadn't used the product, but I was familiar with their blog content and resources. I scoured their website and browsed through every piece of information available. Step 3: In my previous role, I used many of the company's blog posts and free downloadable resources, so I specifically highlighted how I used their resources to achieve success. I also noted that I was passionate about helping others, just like my past self (a busy internal communications professional). Step 4: I concluded my DM with a light pitch and gratitude: "If [Company] is ever looking for a freelance writer to help with SEO content or generate templates and resources to share, I'd love to help! (Or even supporting [Company Newsletter]). Please extend my thanks to the rest of the team. I'm excited to see what you all do next."

Half of my freelance writing clients are new to me each year. Here's how I usually get them.👇 1. I reach out first. I email past clients, editors, and freelance friends to let them know when I have availability. Waiting for work to fall into my lap has never been my jam. 2. I market myself like it's a job. Over 100 emails and LinkedIn intros between January and March one year resulted in $10,000 in new freelance work by the end of Q1. Consistency (and a thick skin) made all the difference. 3. I follow up. There is money in the follow-up. One client I kept in touch with since November hired me for $3,000 worth of work by spring. Another recent client got back to me since the fall with writing opportunities. It's all about timing. 4. I nurture relationships without asking for anything. A quick "hi" or a check-in email can keep you top of mind. Not every message has to be a pitch. Feel free to simply reach out and mention an article you liked that went live on their site or appeared in a new issue. 5. I show up consistently. I post on LinkedIn 3-5x a week because that's where my potential clients hang out. Even if editors don't comment, like, or vote in my polls, several tell me that they enjoy reading my posts when they've later reached out with assignments. (I'm also slowly building on Inst @dianakellyleveyfreelance if you want to say hi there.) 6. I send pitches. And I track them. If an editor adds me to a writer pool on Contently, Skyword, or a similar platform, I send ideas their way when they have pitch calls. Persistence matters. I find that even if my pitches aren't 100% landing, editors appreciate the effort and reward me with an assignment eventually. 7. I turn in great work for the clients I already have. Turning in strong, clean, engaging work helps me stay on their radar and often leads to more assignments (or referrals). What are your favorite ways to find new freelance clients? #freelancewriting #b2bwriter #b2c #contentmarketing

I asked 50 people who landed jobs in this brutal market how they did it. The results shocked me. Only 17% got their position through online applications. The rest? Personal connections. But here's the twist: 73% of those connections were made WITHIN 6 MONTHS of their job search. Translation: They weren't relying on old contacts. They were actively building new relationships. Here's exactly how they did it: 1. They abandoned generic "coffee chat" requests Instead: "I noticed you worked on [specific project]. I'm working on something similar and would love your perspective on [specific challenge]." 2. They stopped asking for jobs Instead: They asked for advice, insights, and introductions to others in the field. 3. They researched BEFORE reaching out Instead of basic LinkedIn stalking, they read the person's content, referenced their work, and came prepared with thoughtful questions. 4. They followed up with VALUE After the conversation, they sent articles, ideas, or introductions that helped the other person (not just a "thank you"). 5. They maintained genuine connections Regular check-ins with updates and no immediate "ask" built relationships that eventually led to referrals. This isn't just "networking" – it's relationship building. And it's the difference between sending 200 applications into the void or having someone personally hand your resume to the hiring manager. What's your most successful networking technique? Share below! #JobSearchStrategy #NetworkingTips #CareerAdvice #JobHunting #HiringSecrets #ResumeWriting → Struggling with what to say when reaching out to industry professionals? DM me "TEMPLATES" for my free guide with 10 proven outreach messages that get responses (worth $140). No strings attached.