For those in full time employment who are considering changing to freelance or contract work, or for those people who have just begun their new career in the freelancing sector, it is important to remember that a large part of freelancing involves networking and putting yourself out there. An important part of this is joining a number of associations, clubs, societies and business initiatives that give you the chance to interact not only with members of your own profession, but also with prospective clients from other professions.
Most prospective freelancers see all the advantages of freelancing, from the dream of being your own boss to choosing your own clients, to flexible work periods and holidays and of course the improved financial prospects. But in return they often ignore the negative changes that are also possible, from the possibility of periods without any work to the lack of security. This is why it is much more important for freelancers to be proactive than those in full time fixed employment. Not only do freelancers need to be good at networking and going out and sniffing out new clients and new jobs, but they also need to be constantly building new relationships and making sure of their place in the community of their peers.
Networking is a must for any freelancer. It has the massive advantage over other forms of marketing and advertising that it is free or nearly free to do. Yet it is a vital tool for any freelancer. And one of the best ways to network is to join the numerous societies, institutes and associations formed specifically to help contractors, freelancers and small businesses. There are useful sites on the internet, from Linkedin and other social networking tools through to hundreds of forums dedicated to your particular field of Employment. More important however are the associations and organizations both nationwide and locally, which have been set up to allow people to meet with both their peers and potential clients. From the Institute of Directors to the PCG nationally, as well as at a local level the hundreds, if not thousands of local regional groups organized by both the FSB (The Federation of Small Businesses) and by local councils. These are the perfect place to get together and both network, sell yourself and your business, as well as learn about new initiatives, tax and legal issues and planning issues in your area.
Another area to consider is the individual governing bodies for your particular trade. As a writer and journalist, for example it is well worth joining the National Union of Journalism, both for its assistance in legal and tax matters, it's links to other journalists and the recognition of your status that membership confers.�
Finally, one other organization that is particularly worth joining for those people working freelance is the PCG�(the Professional Contractors Group). This is an organization specifically set up to both support freelancers and contractors on tax and legal issues and also to promote the advantages of freelancers to potential employers and to advertise the important place that freelancing holds in the UK economy. It now has well over 20,000 members and has even organized its own national day, Tuesday 23rd November, now known as 'National Freelancer Day.'
In terms of networking and growing your business, joining associations, both local and national, is a crucial part of building your brand and getting yourself out there.
The Bedouin Group offers [
http://www.bedouingroup.com]Freelancers Umbrella Company alternatives to increase their take home pay.
Article Source: [
http://EzineArticles.com/?Important-Memberships-for-Freelance-Workers&id=4861797] Important Memberships for Freelance Workers
