Networking - by definition - is creating new links between resources and entities and (in a business sense) this link will form a mutually beneficial relationship. A long-term freelancer in any industry will be well versed in the necessities of creating these relationships and it’s only when you throw yourself in do you begin to understand their value.

Many creative types shy away from networking; we leave that to the salespeople who have a tendency to be more extrovert but there is no reason why a good designer, confident in their abilities, cannot play the role of a salesperson when needed...

Networking Tips for the Designer

Dress appropriately

You are a creative designer so it’s cool to turn up to a networking event in jeans and a t-shirt, right? Wrong. If you do this, not only will you stand out like a sore thumb but people will find it hard to take you seriously. It’s okay to dress how you please in employment, but as a freelancer you are a business person, not just a designer, and your clothing should reflect this.

In networking, projecting a professional image is paramount, so be sure to dig out that suit!

Take more than enough business cards with you

For each and every person you speak to at a business event, you need to be supplying them with a card which contains your contact details and speaks about your business to some degree. Turning up to a networking event without any business cards renders the whole exercise pointless.

Give everybody you meet one of your business cards!

Overcome your fears and talk to people

People are generally friendly and will often approach you first. Take every opportunity to make eye contact with the people around you and don’t just hang around the coffee table staring at the wall. A lack of alertness can make even the most willing of individuals reluctant to introduce themselves to you.

Be open to meeting people – you actually have nothing to lose!

Never do the hard-sell

There is nothing worse than a networker-come-salesperson that only talks, never listens and pushes their service or product relentlessly. That is not the purpose of business networking. After the introductions it’s a good idea to ask questions and listen before you speak about yourself.

Listen first, then ask questions, but be sure to talk about your business too!

Ask the right questions

Ask questions relative to both your businesses – for example; if you are a web designer ask them about their web presence; what experiences they’ve had, how their site is performing etc. This will show them that you are attuned to their needs as a result of the knowledge you have of your own industry, and will, in turn, increase their confidence in you and the likelihood of contacting you in the future.

"So, do you live around here?" is probably not the best line of questioning...

Planting seeds

The point of networking is to chat and exchange business details so that they can be kept and used in the future or passed onto a friend (this is called a referral). With everybody you meet and every card you hand out, you are increasing your chances of potential clients contacting you in the future.

Every brief encounter is a tiny seed from which a mighty oak tree could grow!

Follow up every encounter

For each business card you obtain, be sure to follow it up with a courtesy email (not a telephone call – nobody likes that). This essentially keeps you on the person’s radar and hopefully, they will come back to you in the future or refer your details to a friend.

Email each and every contact out of courtesy!

Practice makes perfect

To become an expert at networking and to truly reap the benefits, you will need to do it intensely. This means travelling to different areas of the country and reaching out to a wide and varied range of businesses. This can be costly on both time and money, but if you master the art of networking there are no limits as to what you can achieve.