This document discusses the benefits of partnering with other freelancers and agencies. It notes that 72% of the author's work from 2010-2013 came from freelancer referrals and partnerships. While there is a risk of competing for work, this is rare. Partnering allows for complimentary skills, referrals, and growing one's network. The document provides tips for finding other freelancers through networking groups, social media, mailing lists, and coworking spaces. Real-life meetings are encouraged for building strong partnerships.

1. Why your competition is your
greatest sales tool
or
Why Freelancing Friends
are Awesome

2. What Freelancing Friends
Will Do For You
• Partnerships
• Referrerals

3. Will they really?
49%
9%
14%
28%
Partnership with
freelancers
Partnerships with
agencies
Referrals from
freelancers
Other Sources
My sources of work, Apr 2010-Sept 2013. 72% freelancer driven.

4. But will I find work this way?
Yes.
You don’t have to run your own group.
Find some you like, go there consistently.
It takes time, but it does work very well.

5. Who you are looking for
• Freelancers with complimentary skills
• Freelancers with the same skills as you

6. Objections
Q: What if we end up competing for the
same piece of work?
A: So what?
More useful A: This is really rare, for me it’s
been twice in 7-8 years

7. Objections
Q: What if I give away my ‘secret sauce’?
A: Well, don’t!
More useful A: If you can give away your
'secret sauce' in a simple conversation in
the pub, it's probably something that's
already occurred to the person you're
talking to.

8. Disadvantages of Partnerships
• Usually, if the client dumps person who
brought you in, you get dumped too
• The person who brought you in turns out
to be poor at client communication
There are notable exceptions to both
situations, but I've been through both a
few times.

9. Where to find other freelancers
• Networking - e.g. The Farm
• Social Media - LinkedIn groups, Twitter,
Freelance Advisor's G+ group
• Mailing Lists
• When Contracting - fellow contractors
• Coworking spaces
Meeting in real life is best

10. Please ask questions
(or I will feel lonely)

11. Find me…
Paul Silver
@paulsilver
www.paulsilver.co.uk
A Brighton networking group for freelancers:
www.brightonfarm.com
@brightonfarm
Meet every Weds, 8pm in the Hampton Arms