Technological developments such as remote work platforms, AI, and the Internet of Things may have revolutionized work for freelancers and small agencies, but studies show that meeting in person is vital for those wishing to stand out from the competition. One study found, for instance, that traditional, face-to-face networking is around 46% effective at finding new employment, compared to 25% for job boards. Reports also estimate that 70% or more of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections rather than cold applications. That means that while working from your home office all day may be convenient, if you are ready to take your freelance business or small agency to the next level, it’s time to consider showing up in person.
Cold Proposals and Low Win Rates
If you’ve tried landing a client or freelance gig on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or even Indeed, you may have felt frustrated by how often your application gets passed over—even if you meet all the qualifications listed by hiring companies. With hundreds or even thousands of people applying for the same jobs, it is easy to get overlooked. Many freelancers and small agencies don’t even get to the interview stage, so they never have the chance to impress potential clients with their communication skills, experience, and creativity. Even those who join active networks on LinkedIn and niche forums may find that the ties they build are weaker and less conducive to long-term collaboration. Text-based platforms miss out on key nonverbal cues and the spontaneous moments that arise when people meet and share a little about themselves in person. Digital spaces can also be a distraction, with attention spans often split among various tasks at once.
The Advantage of In-Person Meetings
In-person meetings allow people to read each other’s body language and pick up on tone and energy. Live events also provide myriad opportunities for introductions, allowing freelancers, agencies, and clients to meet collaborators who could enhance their productivity and increase their revenue. For events such as local meetups, conferences, and exhibitions, it helps to rely on seasoned corporate event management professionals, who design elements such as attendee flow, agendas, and opportunities for interaction. All these strategies are created to ensure people don’t just meet, but connect, both during and after the event. For instance, events may use NFC-enabled name badges (with an embedded chip containing contact details or links) or event networking apps that allow attendees to exchange contact details with a tap or a scan. At some events, attendees are encouraged to meet others with similar interests via instant messaging. These technologies allow freelancers and small agencies to invest time and energy in new relationships that can have the biggest impact on their businesses.
Companies Embracing In-Person Meetups
Many small companies and organizations are investing time in effective in-person meetups. These include Pollen (which hosts dinners, workshops, and networking events for startups, founders, business leaders, and entrepreneurs), The Dots (which organizes panel discussions, networking events, and workshops for freelancers, creatives, and small business owners), and Enterprise Nation (a group that regularly hosts networking breakfasts, workshops, and business events aimed at connecting SMEs, entrepreneurs, and freelancers). Many Fortune 500 companies are also investing in face-to-face events. These include Salesforce, Microsoft, Adobe, and HubSpot. Salesforce, for instance, hosts conferences, networking lounges, community meet-ups, and in-person mentoring sessions.
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Making the Most of Networking Events
Freelancers and small business owners wishing to make the most of in-person events should start by attending those that their target market, collaborators, and referrers are likely to attend. It is vital to have a concise pitch prepared in advance, one that explains whom the freelancer or agency helps and what makes their work stand out. Building conversation skills is key; not all conversations are directly about sales. Often, they involve questions and the sharing of helpful information. Attendees can benefit from creating a contact list and following up after the event with personalized messages. It can also help to use event attendance to support their online presence through LinkedIn updates, testimonials, case studies, and portfolio additions. Websites and LinkedIn pages can also be used to share the key insights from recently attended events.
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