Growing your professional network can be a positive step for your career. It’s a great way to meet other people within your industry, get some new clients and generally help you stay connected. When you work for a company, network opportunities come your way often, but when you’re a freelance – everything falls on you.

Some of the best ways of networking are simple and affordable, and could help drive your career further. Take a look at some of the ways you can network as a freelancer below.

Search for Local Networking Events

Networking events can be easy to come by in your city. A quick search on Eventbrite or Facebook could help you find some of the things that are going on. Look at networking events for young professionals, and even networking events specific to your industry. Take a stack of business cards with you and strike up conversations. Even if you’re not feeling fully confident, you can learn to shine at face to face networking events.

Boost Your Linkedin Profile

LinkedIn is the virtual way to network. You can easily start growing your online LinkedIn network by connecting with other users and engaging with them. Groups can be a very useful tool when it comes to LinkedIn, making it easier to connect with people with the same professional interests. Smarten up your profile and start planning posts that will help you to network with like-minded people quickly and easily.

Work out of a Coworking Space

Freelancing can be a lonely life, especially if you work day-in, day-out from your home office. Why not mix things up by working from a coworking space? Coworking spaces can be a fantastic way to meet other lone workers, as well as give you the opportunity to network. With brand-new facilities, coffee and snacks when you want, they can be a great desk space for you without committing to a full-time office. Try using a pay-as-you-go service to give it a try and change up your freelancing routine.

Attend Events Related to Your Industry

You could be pleasantly surprised at the number of industry events taking place in your city. From breakfast briefings to lectures and conferences, it’s worth checking out the types of events taking place that could interest you. These types of industry events are an excellent way to learn some new skills, as well as stay up to date on the latest in your industry. Creative fields, in particular, like design and marketing-based roles can really benefit from the opportunity to meet with others in this kind of setting. Sign up to alerts and join local Facebook groups to keep your finger on the pulse.

Being able to network is important as a freelancer. Working alone means you miss out on common interactions you’d get with colleagues, and can leave you feeling pretty lonely. By getting out there to network, you can help yourself to stay motivated as a solopreneur. Make networking a part of your forward plan and watch your business grow.