Fair point. I do not think I properly explained myself though.
Yes, there is freelance networks and freelance job boards where you can advertise your services. Unfortunately freelance isnt as widely accepted in South Africa. The majority of businesses out there isnt even aware that freelance consultants is an option, and the ones that knows about it, does not consider it viable for their situation. They either employ someone on a full time basis, or go to large consulting firms. I was a freelance marketing consultant, and my work tripled the moment I set it up as a business instead of running it as freelance.
The point of the business network is:
1. Referrals. I have a client list with a few hundred businesses. Of those a large number either still makes use of my services, and others just phones every now and then with a quick question or an update on their business. Now consider for a second I am part of a network, and that I send out an email from me introducing another freelance professional. Immediately you gain credibility purely because I am the one that recommended you.
2. Combined advertising. Proper advertising is expensive, and most freelance consultants do not bother with it. I know this because a number of my clients is freelance consultants that approach me to help them with their marketing. However if there was 20-30 interested parties an impressive advertising campaign could be run. Something that immediately gives you an advantage of other consultants and the majority of consulting agencies as well.
It was merely a suggestion that we pool our resources. As I said in my other post I am already busy setting a network up and it would have been simple to include people from this forum. I already have freelance consultants that will be part of the network as well.
Yes, there is freelance networks and freelance job boards where you can advertise your services. Unfortunately freelance isnt as widely accepted in South Africa. The majority of businesses out there isnt even aware that freelance consultants is an option, and the ones that knows about it, does not consider it viable for their situation. They either employ someone on a full time basis, or go to large consulting firms. I was a freelance marketing consultant, and my work tripled the moment I set it up as a business instead of running it as freelance.
The point of the business network is:
1. Referrals. I have a client list with a few hundred businesses. Of those a large number either still makes use of my services, and others just phones every now and then with a quick question or an update on their business. Now consider for a second I am part of a network, and that I send out an email from me introducing another freelance professional. Immediately you gain credibility purely because I am the one that recommended you.
2. Combined advertising. Proper advertising is expensive, and most freelance consultants do not bother with it. I know this because a number of my clients is freelance consultants that approach me to help them with their marketing. However if there was 20-30 interested parties an impressive advertising campaign could be run. Something that immediately gives you an advantage of other consultants and the majority of consulting agencies as well.
It was merely a suggestion that we pool our resources. As I said in my other post I am already busy setting a network up and it would have been simple to include people from this forum. I already have freelance consultants that will be part of the network as well.
