Are you a freelancer looking to attract better clients and more money?
A study reveals a strong link between a founder’s social network on LinkedIn and the financial success of their company. This means your online connections could directly boost your income and opportunities more than you think.
Social connections predict financial success
The number of followers a startup founder has on LinkedIn is strongly linked to the amount of money their company raises, according to a study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.
The findings showed that “social connectedness of founders is the best predictor of funds raised.”
The power of your online network
For a long time, experts have believed that strong social networks are important for business success. However, this study offers concrete proof, directly linking online connections to financial gains. It suggests that well-connected individuals gain access to valuable resources. These include knowledge, expertise, and market information, which can be crucial for attracting investment and business leads.
Investors also consider a founder’s network when making decisions. The study suggests venture capitalists might value founder pitches higher if they’ve heard about the founder through their networks. This emphasises the importance of building a strong and visible online presence.
What does this mean for freelancers?
While the study focused on startup founders, its implications for freelancers are significant. Your network signals credibility and influence. This can make you more attractive to potential clients, collaborators and even investors.
The research found that the predictive accuracy of founder social connectedness was 69%. This is a substantial figure, proving the importance of your online connections. Therefore, actively growing your LinkedIn network is a valuable investment of your time.
Identify information gaps:
- LinkedIn: Observe discussions in groups your target clients frequent. What questions are they asking that aren’t being fully answered?
- Social life: In conversations, listen for subtle complaints or areas of confusion related to your expertise.
Beyond the laptop
Freelancer meet-ups provide a nice break from work and a natural way to build your business network. Some can be very industry-specific and others can be very social, creative or wellbeing-focused, which allow you to try something new, make new social connections and let off some steam.
Regardless, these groups are ideal for exchanging ideas and troubleshooting common freelance challenges. Experienced freelancers often share invaluable advice, which can help your learning curve and avoid costly mistakes.
Whether it’s pricing strategies, client management, or trying out new AI, all of this collective wisdom in one place is a powerful asset. So, alongside your social media networking, schedule in at least two meet-ups each month.
Eventbrite & Meetup
Eventbrite and Meetup are websites and apps that help people discover social and freelancer-focused meet-up groups in your area and online. Here are some examples of the types of groups you might find across the US, UK, and Spain:
United States
- New York City meet-ups
- Los Angeles meet-ups
- Chicago meet-ups
United Kingdom
- London meet-ups
- Manchester meet-ups
- Edinburgh meet-ups
Spain
- Madrid meet-ups
- Barcelona meet-ups
- Valencia meet-ups
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