Are you advertising for the direct competition? Although I find that the online community is generally more open than the conventional corporate world, there is something to be said about openly promoting the work of other freelancers and online entrepreneurs, especially if they are targeting the same market that you are.
The relationship between many freelance writers may not quite be the same as the relationship between Coke and Pepsi (depicted above), but you are still competing for clients and freelance projects. By speaking of other freelance writers in a favorable light, are you harming your freelance writing business? Or is it a positive practice for everyone involved?
The Other Side of Networking
Working from home as a freelance writer can be fairly lonely experience, because you typically work alone for most hours of the day. There are ways to overcome the lack of co-worker camaraderie, however, like attending a series of networking events in your area or simply communicating with other freelance writers through blogging and Twitter.
On the one hand, there are certainly advantages to networking with other like-minded individuals. You can exchange advice on how to run your business, how to deal with difficult clients, and where to look for work. You can also make some great friends along the way and gain referrals. On the other hand, these exchanges could be taking away from your business. In the words of Neil Patel, you could be giving other freelancers an opportunity to steal your fish. While it’s nice to teach others how to fish, you need to catch a few of your own too.
How I Advertise Other Freelancers
In general, I use two techniques for advertising the work of other freelancers. First, I occasionally link to the blogs of other freelance writers in my weekly What’s Up Wednesdays posts. I’ll highlight some of the articles that they may have written in the previous week, largely on the business of freelance writing and working from home.
Second, I may occasionally refer potential clients to other freelancers. There are a number of reasons why I would choose to do this. Perhaps I am particularly swamped at the time a potential customer approaches me, so I’ll direct them to another freelancer who I feel is well-suited for the job.
Alternatively, the incoming project may not fall within my realm of expertise or range of services, so I’ll refer the customer to someone who is more knowledgeable on the topic. This was the case a while ago when I referred a customer, who had a finance and commerce-minded project, to Chris Bibey. I’m not exactly an expert on Wall Street, so I thought Chris would be a better fit.
Self-Destructive or Mutual Benefit?
Networking and openly promoting other freelance writers is surely a double-edged sword. You can build a great sense of community and camaraderie, helping one another out with various issues and sending work back and forth. On the flip side, this practice can be terribly destructive, because you could be sending many potential clients to “the other guy” rather than working to expand your own business.
In the end, I feel that so long as the relationship is reciprocal and both parties are benefiting from the relationship, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to networking with other freelance writers. You may lose a few customers along the way, but if you are confident in your abilities, you should be able to gain a few too. Both parties can increase their knowledge, improve their respective businesses, and ultimately benefit from the mutual referrals.
What’s your take? If you run your own freelance business, do you ever refer customers to someone else? Do other freelancers ever refer business your way too?
I’m definitely one who would re-direct and advertise the work of other freelancers. I’ve often pondered about this, but I think it’s important to realize where our limits are. If something is outside the realm of my expertise, then I simply try not to take it on!
Good post, Michael!
Good post.
But, what about outsourcing versus referring? Sometimes, I may take on a project, knowing I can outsource it to a writer or designer I work with. Other times, I may refer someone directly to a writer or designer.
If something is just beyond your expertise, and being a middleman isn’t a good option, refer them directly to a particular writer or designer.
If you’re just too busy, outsource it. That way, you don’t risk losing a client, who may decide to work directly with the other supplier or think you’re just too busy for him or her.
In any event, to whomever you outsource or refer, you must be sure you trust them to get the job done or treat your client well because, in either case, it’s going to be a reflection upon you.
For me, for an existing client, I would generally outsource (unless it’s something really beyond my expertise where me being a middleman would not be conducive to getting the project done as easily).
Wow! How true. You’ve got to know what you are great at and not just good at. I find it best when I become introspective and honest with myself. Knowing what I’m good at.
For the longest time, I couldn’t really focus on what I am great at. My confidence level just wasn’t there.
I created a list of affirmations to help me. I then turned into a book with my name in it.
Take a look at and see YOUR NAME in this book for free at http://www.youramazingbook.com . It will definitely help.
If One have a good reputation to the social community.He can build a good working relationship to anybody.
I like the Coca cola and Pepsi pic you’ve used for this post. Hilarious! Going out there more and working in the clients’ premises instead of the comfort of your own home does make for a better networking tool.
I think it’s a matter of whether or not it goes both ways. If you promote (link to) the other guy on a regular basis, he should be promoting you a similar (if not equal) amount. Likewise, if you are sending work someone’s way as a matter of expertise, I would hope they would be sending work back your way. If it’s a reciprical relationship then both people benefit and they are more of a colleague than competitor. If it’s not reciprical then I would be careful how much I promoted them.