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Posts Tagged ‘Networking’
Creative Staffing + Networking = Serious Employment Opportunities
9/19/2011 2:09 PM By Vince Font
Few social marketing jobs are found through traditional channels. If you rely on scanning the classified section of the morning paper to look for work, you’re severely limiting yourself. Taking smart steps, like doing tailored online searches or connecting with a creative staffing agency to match you up with likely employers, are two great ways to extend your reach.
But when it comes to finding freelance marketing opportunities, one of the best ways to find work is through the time-tested method of networking. Who’d have thought, right? Well the fact is, a lot of people do. Many of the people that are the most successful at uncovering freelance marketing opportunities understand the value of good old-fashioned face time. So how do they do it?
• They attend seminars, industry events and job fairs where employers offering social marketing jobs congregate to shake hands and say howdy to the job-seeking masses. Putting yourself in the right places at the right time has a lot to do with opening up doors of opportunity that would otherwise remain shut.
• They’re friendly. They know how to initiate conversation with strangers, whether at a job fair or at the local shopping center, that can sometimes lead to surprising discoveries. Without chatting with the guy ahead of you in line, how else would you know he is the president of a company looking for talented social marketing experts?
• They know how to promote themselves. Modesty is a great quality, but there are ways of tooting your horn and letting people know that you’re awesome without coming off like a total braggart. Yes, this involves some practice – but it begins with finding a creative way of telling people what you do for a living. Don’t just say, “I program websites.” Say, “I work with businesses to improve their web traffic.” There’s a huge difference. And that difference could be the response that goes something like this: “Oh! I have an uncle who’s looking for someone who can do that.” Bingo.
Working with a creative staffing agency can lead to plenty of job opportunities, but in order to succeed beyond your expectations you have to be ready to take your job hunt with you 24/7. This isn’t to say that you should hit up every suit and tie at the local pub on Friday night. Just don’t close yourself off to opportunities that could be right around the corner.
San Francisco Freelancers Active in Networking
3/31/2011 8:50 AM By ArtisanSan Francisco freelancers are actively networking as web-oriented professionals take advantage of widening opportunities. Bay area freelancers have access to some mature networking groups and new meetup organizations to learn about new jobs and find other professionals like themselves.
Even when you’re busy with abundant assignments, freelance web design and development can be solitary and lonely for many professionals. Working with distant clients and employers is a marvelous advantage offered by the Web, however, feelings of isolation can grow.
To combat this, some groups of web developers and designers like MIGHTYminnow are taking the initiative to arrange networking meetings for other San Francisco freelancers. The new group is found at www.meetup.com/Bay-Area-Web-Freelancers.
A top San Francisco freelance agency like Artisan Creative can help web professionals find some of the best contract jobs available in the Bay Area. Finally, the recession recovery is heating up. New temp and contract jobs are emerging at San Francisco staffing agencies. While the increase in full-time positions remains modest, those seeking W-2 employment will also have more options.
Networking, however, remains an important tool for web developers and designers. These events help freelancers enlarge their sphere of influence, capture referrals and learn about new, potential employers. The psychological rejuvenation they often receive can be equally important to energize their efforts.
CISC Event: Social Interactives
3/11/2011 1:59 PM By Artisan
Thank you to Chicago Interactive Social Club for hosting an excellent 2011 kick-off last night at Citizen Bar! Interactive professionals in tech, agencies, design and sales made it out to mix and mingle with others in their industries, and we can safely say we met some great people.
If you missed it, make sure to check back with CISC’s website for details on their upcoming One-Year Anniversary event in April. And remember to check their job board sponsored by Artisan for the latest, most exciting work opportunities around Chicago.
Special thanks to: Andrew Landan, Citizen Bar, Pop Chips & Absolut Vodka
How Can a Contract Job Help Me Build My Network?
12/10/2010 9:00 AM By Sharon PotschEach job you do well adds few more contacts to your network. Hold on to the names of people who supervised you or worked with you on specific projects, so that you can reference them in the future. These “networks” can attest to your credibility and creativity as a freelancer. You can maximize these opportunities by meeting new people while on-site, and listening to them talk about what their jobs are like, what their frustrations are, and where they excel. Don’t subject yourself to hours of petty grievances from the designated whiner (every office has one, right?), but don’t be too picky about who gets your attention — you never know when the quiet guy in the corner cube will start his own company and need your services. In all your interactions, be positive, productive, and accommodating. Listen more than you talk, and you’ll be surprised what a good impression you make.
Mobile University
4/27/2010 4:18 PM By Sharon PotschMobile University on April 28 promises to be a spectacular day. If you’re a designer and interested in how the changing world of mobile technologies will impact you, you should check out this fantastic event. One entry fee provides you with a day-long learning of mobile technologies and design impacts plus the opportunity to network with hundreds of potential clients and mobile freelance talent. Can you afford not to go?
What Is It Like to Work with Multiple Agencies?
11/25/2009 12:05 PM By Catherine TThere may be several talent agencies in your area, and it's a good idea to make contact with all of them. Over time, you can narrow down the list to spend most of your time with one or two agencies who can consistently provide you with quality projects. If you want to take advantage of agency-paid benefits, you often must work a certain number of hours for that agency. This can be an excellent way to maintain your health insurance, but can sometimes shackle you to doing jobs that you wouldn't otherwise choose because you need to make up those hours — meanwhile turning down better opportunities from other agencies. At the same time, it is a good idea to maintain relationships with at least two agencies. One agency may be slow while another is busy so teaming up with two agencies would ensure more consistent work for a freelancer.
Winning Jobs Without an Interview
11/22/2009 10:40 AM By Catherine TYou've got a sharp suit, a fabulous business card, and a lovely gold pen — all of which are doing you no good at all when applying for freelance jobs at online job-brokering sites. These kinds of job boards require a different strategy for selling yourself.
Your key selling tool is the online profile you create at the job-brokering site. This may include a link to your website with your portfolio, but should also include well-written text emphasizing your freelance experience, software you use, any special areas of expertise, and details of the benefits you can offer a client.
If words aren't your strong point, you may want to hire or barter with a writer friend to craft this profile, employing keywords to help make you more "findable" and emphasizing your top selling points.
While the bidding nature of many freelance sites creates an impression of work going to the person who quotes the lowest rate, this may not necessarily be the case. If your profile and bid can sell the client on the value of your work, you may get the job without having to underbid anyone else.
Watch out for scam "clients," and seek out those who are willing to put all or part of the fee in escrow with the site proprietors to be sure you actually get paid. Also pay attention to whether or not other freelancers have left feedback for this client.
Finally, read up on the bidding site's fee structure before you put in a bid. Some charge per bid; others ask for a monthly fee or a percentage of your revenue.
