Note from Jennifer: When I talked to Deborah Blumberg last week at the ASJA Conference in Texas, I knew I wanted her to tell her story on my blog. Deborah is an accomplished writer (and co-chair of the Texas ASJA) but she has been a full-time freelancer for just a year. Despite that, she’s already figured out that networking and marketing herself to local contacts is a key to her success. I invited her to share about how she convinces herself to leave the house and attend in-person networking events, which is something I still struggle with. Visit her website and follow her on Twitter, too. 

By Deborah Blumberg

Since I started freelancing full-time a year ago, I’ve used plenty of online techniques to grow my business. I targeted potential clients on LinkedIn and sent out LOIs, I set up portfolios with major content agencies, and I followed up on leads from Facebook.

But I’ve also committed to in-person networking, even on those days when I just don’t feel like swapping out my yoga pants for fancy clothes. And it’s paid off. My advice to fellow freelancers? Don’t underestimate the power of meeting potential clients face-to-face. Make the time to find a group or groups of people that inspire you, and you’ll see results. Here’s how I did it.

Mingling with local leaders
After years in journalism, and then working in marketing and communications on Wall Street in New York, my family and I moved to my hometown of Houston, Texas last year. I was nervous about leaving behind my Manhattan writing connections, and I wanted to build a writing community in Houston. So before we left New York, I reached out to high school friends in Houston and asked them to connect me with anyone they knew in the Houston writing world.

One friend put me in touch with a former neighbor who used to have her own PR firm. The neighbor, Tania, was also a member of a networking group in town for women leaders in the arts, business and science. The group included executives at some of Houston’s top institutions.

Soon after we started talking, Tania invited me as her guest to the group’s monthly luncheon, which features a talk by a local business leader. That month, it was the owner of a local solar farm. After the presentation, Tania introduced me to the speaker, who she knew from her neighborhood. I now write a blog for him, profiling local, like-minded business owners.

Sourcing stories
Tania later referred me to a photographer friend who needed a writer to redo her website copy, leaving me with two new clients. Months later, I was asked to join the women’s group, and now, I make sure to attend as many lunches as possible.

The group has also prompted great story ideas. While chatting over salads at one lunch, I learned about a fellow member who has MS, which inspired her to open a vintage furniture store and help create healing spaces for others. She was perfect for an online magazine I write for that profiles people living mindfully with a chronic disease. I pitched her story to my editor, and he immediately assigned me a Q&A.

Another member owns a translation company, and I recently had coffee with her to talk about helping with her blog. Now that I’m a member of the women’s group, I pay yearly dues, but the cost of membership has paid for itself with just one blog post.

On the board
Another local group I’ve joined, WIVLA, or Women in the Visual and Literary Arts, also meets monthly and is a huge source of inspiration. Meetings include presentations by local artists and writers, and activities such as the Circle of Five, where five members come together to share a piece of their art.

I’m also working on a novel, and I met the women who would soon become my writing group at my first WIVLA meeting. Soon, I’ll be profiling a fellow WIVLA member in a regular column I write for a Texas magazine. I’ve pitched another group member’s story to my solar farm client. And, I recently joined the group’s board as literary co-chair. I’m excited to see what connections and future work the opportunity will bring.

You better shop around
Finding the right groups did take a bit of trial and error. When I first arrived in town, I joined a large women’s networking group, and I felt lost in the shuffle. Members didn’t regularly attend events, and most events weren’t interesting or applicable to me.

It took a while, but I learned I enjoyed smaller groups, where you see the same faces at regularly scheduled events. It wasn’t my intention to join women-only groups, though maybe I was drawn to them like I was drawn to the women’s college I attended. I also didn’t seek out groups where I was among the youngest members. But I’ve learned a great deal from the women’s years of experience and benefited from their connections.

Sometimes, I’ll have a day where I’ve added a lunch or nighttime meeting to my calendar, but I just don’t feel like leaving the house. I want to write and stay in my yoga clothes all day, maybe walk the dog. I do not feel like putting on makeup or jewelry though and chit chatting with anyone other than my cat.

But, I make myself do it. I know that I’ll get something out of it, whether it’s actual work, inspiration, or nurturing friendships with amazing women who might ultimately help me grow my business.

What do you do to make local connections and network in your own community? Has it helped you find new clients and increase your income? Share your experience in the comments.

Also, don’t forget to head over to the 3rd Annual Winter Marketing Challenge post and leave a comment with your marketing accomplishments and points earned! You only have until Friday, February 9!