Importance of networking as a self-employed person?

More and more people are choosing to stop earning a living as employees. They prefer to go self-employed. After all, working as a self-employed person has its advantages. You are in charge of your own time and tasks. Having full control over this brings many people extra pleasure in their work. You can opt for variety or very static work. You make your own arrangements with your clients about working hours and the location where you do the work. This allows you to optimally combine your work with other aspects of your life, such as a family or regular travel in your spare time.

Getting assignments, how does this work?

A zpp'er needs assignments from clients to provide for his or her salary. It is interesting to visualize how you can best bring in assignments within your work area. In general, your own network is a good way to find clients. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. In addition, social media has become an important medium for many freelancers to get new orders. The traditional networking drinks and service clubs also still have a relevant place in this enumeration. Through these avenues, networks of zepers are built and maintained. Finally, there are also various agencies, which play an intermediary role between client and independent contractor. Some zepers even obtain their orders only through such agencies and are willing to remit a fixed percentage of their income for this intermediary role. The majority of the self-employed maintain a broad network themselves. They know and experience that this investment of time translates into nice new assignments. A good network is essential for bringing in self-employed assignments.

The importance of a network as a self-employed person?

Your network as the most important source of new orders. So a good network is essential for winning a self-employment assignment. The best advertising is generally a good personal experience. Absolutely no other form of marketing can compete with this. So positive stories from former clients and other personal contacts are worth their weight in gold. Regularly visiting former clients for coffee often leads to new business in the future. This can be with the same client or with a close acquaintance where they have spoken highly of you.

Maintain your network in busy times

Many freelancers are very busy at times. Maintaining your network can sometimes fall by the wayside. Network get-togethers and other social occasions to catch up with people in your network simply do not fit into your schedule. Fortunately, nowadays there are several digital ways to support you in maintaining your network. Often this takes considerably less time! For example, you can use various digital platforms for freelancers. On these platforms information is exchanged, but there is often also the opportunity to exchange experiences with other self-employed people. This digital way can also be a very effective way to support your network, although in the end, of course, nothing beats personal contact.

Your network is not only important for winning new assignments

By now it is clear that a good network is really essential for a self-employed person. In the first place to bring in new clients now and in the future. On the other hand, it is also a way to get experiences from other zpp'ers. This can be very instructive, inspiring and enjoyable. As a self-employed person, you are largely on your own, even in difficult situations. So exchanging experiences can really be very stimulating!

How can I develop further as a self-employed person?

Some self-employed people, based on their personality and previous work experiences, have enough baggage to market themselves well. Following trainings and courses aimed at self-employed people can be a good support. Also, these are again opportunities to further grow your network. Before choosing a suitable training or course, it is important to have a clear picture of what you would like to learn or develop. This information gives you direction in the jungle of available training for self-employed people. What is currently important for your position as a self-employed person? How can you strengthen yourself? And what is needed for this? That is what good professional development is all about, also for you as a self-employed person. This can only have a positive effect on the number of new self-employed assignments in the coming period. Worth a try, right?