How to Find Freelance Jobs through Effective Forum Networking

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How to Find Freelance Jobs through Effective Forum Networking

Posted June 23, 2010 in How-To, Marketing

What if I told you a means that you could use to increase the number of prospects and clients that you get for your business? Would you follow my advice?

In the excitement of using social media tools, many freelancers have completely overlooked an older means of networking–forum participation. Regular participation in the right forums can provide you with job leads.

Now, I’m not against social media. Quite the opposite, in fact. I’m an active social media participant.

However, I don’t rely totally on social media for my prospects and neither should you. In this post, we’ll explain what a forum is and provide you with some tips to help you network effectively on them.

What Is a Forum?

If you’re not familiar with forums, you can take a good look at the Freelance Folder forums to get an idea of what they’re like. Basically, a forum is a series of topics (called threads) where members can discuss various topics.

Typically, you must register with a forum in order to participate. At some forums, you must also pay to be a member. But, participation in many other forums (including the Freelance Folder forum) is free.

Most forums are moderated, which simply means that there is an individual who monitors the posts on the threads to make sure that members comply with forum policies. The moderator (or moderators) can delete posts that are abusive to other members or do not otherwise meet with the forum’s standards.

Forum Tips for Freelancers

To get the most from your forum participation, it’s important to approach your forum participation thoughtfully and carefully. Here are some tips for freelancers:

Join the right forum. Most freelancers select a forum that is their peers frequent. For example, web designers join a web design forum, writers participate in a writing forum, and so on. While this can be great for mentoring purposes and can help you to learn a lot, if you hope to find jobs through a forum you should also join some forums where your prospective clients are active.
Read the forum rules. Nearly all forums post their rules and policies. While you may be tempted to skip over reading these guidelines, don’t do it. Take the time to read these sections carefully so that you understand what is permitted in the forum and what is not. Different forums have different rules, so you will have to read the policies of each forum that you join so that you can be a good forum citizen.
Use a familiar name. Your profile name on the forum should be recognizable to clients and prospective clients. You can use the same username that you use for social media, your website name, or some other name that can easily be tied back to you and to your freelancing business.
Fill out your user profile. A mistake that many forum participants make is to leave most parts of their forum user profile blank. Make sure that yours is complete. There is often a place to include a short bio, a link to your main website, your email address, and much more. Remember, you want prospective clients who meet you in the forums to have adequate information.
Your avatar. Many forums allow you to download an image that will display with your forum posts. It is a good idea to use the same image for forums that you already use on social media sites. (Sometimes if you don’t download an image the forum will automatically assign a generic image to your user profile.)
Your signature. Be sure to fill out your signature, since it will appear at the bottom of every forum post that you make. Read the forum rules to find out whether links are allowed in signatures. If links are allowed, your signature is another place where you can link back to your website. If they aren’t, try just putting a few descriptive words about what you do in your signature.
Be a lurker. Before diving into the forum full-scale, it’s good idea to lurk for a few days or even for a week. By lurk, I mean read as many posts as you can without responding to get an idea of the atmosphere of the forum. Taking the time to do this will help you to fit into the forum’s community better.
Introductory posts. Many blogs have a thread where new members introduce themselves. This is often another place where you can highlight your skills, explain what you do, and so on. As an added bonus, most new forum members will browse through these posts before adding their own contribution.
Be helpful. When you do finally post to the forum, remember to convey a professional image. Look for ways that you can help other members. One way to do this is to answer member questions. In most forums, it is not appropriate to jump in and immediately try to sell your services. (Just as you wouldn’t go up to a complete stranger and make a sales pitch to them…)
Look for a marketplace. A lot of forums have a designated area for job hunting and/or promoting your services. This area goes by different names. Sometimes it is called a “marketplace.” It may also be titled “service offers.” Or, it could simply be titled “help wanted.” Check this area of the forum regularly.
Check your messages. At most forums you will be assigned a private inbox through which other forum members can contact you. Treat this inbox just like you would an email account–check it regularly. You may find that prospective clients use it to contact you.

By following these tips you are likely to build relationships with forum members that may, over time, lead to additional clients for your freelancing business.

Do You Still Have Doubts?

Maybe you’ve just read this post, but you’re not convinced that you can find any worthwhile clients on forums. That’s certainly understandable.

Let me share my own story. Two years ago, I responded to a posting about a blogger position under a service offers thread on a private forum. The blogger position was posted by Jon Phillips, founder of Freelance Folder. I got that position two years ago and I’m still blogging for Freelance Folder today.

So, as you can see, forum networking really does work.

What Do You Think?

Do you use forums to market your freelancing business? What tips would you add? What forums would you recommend for freelancers?

Share your answers in the comments.

About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 20 years of professional business writing experience. If you liked this post, then you may also enjoy Laura’s blog about her freelance writing experiences, WritingThoughts. Laura is also on Google+.

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45 Comments

Jordan Walker
June 23rd, 2010 at 9:01 am

The key is finding the right forum, I guess what ever niche you are in would be a great place to start?
Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl
June 23rd, 2010 at 9:07 am

Fantastic post, Laura!

I’ll admit, I haven’t really participated in forums much. I’ve joined a few (can’t even remember which ones!) and even created my signature, etc., but I’ve never participated much. I DO believe you that the right forums are perfect places for finding leads, though.

Thanks for the advice! :-D
Nicole Foster
June 23rd, 2010 at 10:07 am

Forums are a tricky subject for me. Finding the right forum is key or you’ll run into people who won’t pay you right.

My best is advice is don’t advertise yourself on the Digital Point forums. While it’s a great resource for everything else, no one will pay you what you deserve there, so don’t bother.
Laura Spencer
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:35 am

Great comments!

Nichole–I’ve never been a member of the Digital Point forums. I’ve heard of several freelancers promoting their services there, but I’ve also heard of some freelancers who had bad experiences there. The forum I used is no longer active, so I didn’t include the link here. However, I can say this–it was a paid membership forum.
Sharon Hurley Hall
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:05 pm

I think this is a great idea and have joined a few forums, but I’ve realised that I am not good at participating in them so I don’t really get the benefits.
Julianne Britton
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:49 pm

I think this is a fantastic tip. I am just beginning my freelance career as an illustrator and I will definitely be taking your advice and joining forums. It is just finding the right type of forum now…
Matt Keegan
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:59 pm

Not only should you use your signature where allowed, but write a compelling snippet to attract people to your business. I’ve been doing just that with PRBeam.com, my press release service and got three new customers that way.
Allen
June 23rd, 2010 at 1:11 pm

Interesting article to read. It’s something I haven’t participated in any in awhile, but I’ll make sure to go over these tips when I plan to market in such forums.
Freelance FactFile
June 23rd, 2010 at 1:19 pm

I have joined a few forums over the years but, as with the other commenters, I’m not an active participant. Maybe that’s why I’ve never received any work from them….
Freelance forums
June 23rd, 2010 at 2:04 pm

I have posted in some forums and got 2 jobs in under 2 days of “promotion”. On the other hand I am a VERY active member in some of the forums I have joined. I am an admin on TheAdminZone now, a “guru” on SitePoint and had 400-600 posts in 3-4 of the biggest forums in my niche. This is how I actually grew my network for the past 8 years.

If you post 2-3 messages, it’s pretty hard to believe someone will actually notice you. Chances grow, when you are seen as a reputable member in the community. It’s the moment people notice you and consider you an authority. Not to mention that, if the forums allow links in signatures, you can have 10-20 links daily to your site, just by posting (even short) meaningful replies.

Since Frelancing blogs are only few ( I mean decently written like this one, not the spam crap some construct to become rich overnight) and the authors cannot post more than 2-3 articles/day, knowing how to do some good forum posting means you have tens of good to comment on threads that will ALL feature your link. This means traffic (if the forum is nofollow and even some good SEO work from your part, if it’s a “dofollow” one).
Sven Digital
June 23rd, 2010 at 2:10 pm

Laura, I totally agree. I have frequented one particular forum for over 4 years, and have built up a decent reputation on that time. However, it has only started paying off in the last year, with forumites contacting me for potential jobs and freelancing opportunites. It is well worth it though, and I’ve been able to build up other contacts too.
milosh
June 23rd, 2010 at 2:34 pm

networking takes time to pay off, but it pays off great. forum networking is not any different.

liking the forum’s vibe as a participant is important in getting right projects for right clients.

frequenting the forums where your clients or those you wish to collaborate are helps too, sometimes a lot more than being an active member in design-related forums.

don’t pitch there!
Laura Spencer
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:33 pm

Thanks for all the comments. Actually, I’d love to hear from anyone else who has had success networking in a forum.

Matt Keegan, I’ve heard of PRBeam, but I haven’t joined. It sounds like a great fit for your business.

Freelance forums–You sound like you’ve had exceptional success finding work through forum networking. Two days–I’m really impressed. I usually lurk for about a week on a forum before I even jump in and post. :-) Thanks for the compliment on Freelance Folder. We have a great team of writers here.

Sven Digital, I think type of networking takes time to pay off. I mean a few people (like Freelance forums) might see results in a short time, but most will only results after consistent networking over a longer period of time.

Milosh–Definitely it’s about reputation. You won’t start getting offers until people realize that you are helpful and knowledgeable. Definitely don’t lead off with a direct pitch–agreed there. That’s not networking. That’s rude!
Jae Xavier
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:17 pm

freelance jobs through a forum is good for long term marketing

however if your new to freelancing, don’t count on it for short term sales
Ashley Hill
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:30 pm

I habit several forums related to my hobbies, and while I haven’t gotten any work from there, pretty much anyone I chat with knows I’m a designer and sometimes sends me possible job openings, etc.

Doesn’t hurt that some of them on the forum are friends in real life.
Behzad
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:03 pm

Thank you for a well written article. Being assigned the task of forum administrator here at Freelance Folder has been an easy and pleasurable task. Our current members are great contributors and each new member has valuable input and a new perspective to offer. I hope to see more of you readers here signing up.
Maximilian Bartel
June 24th, 2010 at 7:06 am

Great article, Laura!

I used to contribute to various forums a couple of years ago and received plenty of new clients from there. After a while it just became a bit too time consuming especially when social media came up.

Nevertheless, I think I’ll try to get into this again now!
Sherry
June 24th, 2010 at 1:23 pm

Good tips. I’ve had trouble with forum overload in the past. I’ve joined too many and can’t keep up with them and then get worn out from trying. I think finding the right few forums to be active in is the key. Thanks!
LloydBurrell
June 25th, 2010 at 4:50 am

Forums are generally topic-based. This is why if one decides to find freelance jobs through forums he or she should look into their specific niche of expertise. Yet, forums aren’t as secure as freelancing sites and the provider comes to spend a lot of time to earn trust.

Lloyd Burrell
Publisher
http://www.officedeskreviews.com
ashish
June 30th, 2010 at 1:42 am

Hi,
Good topic for new freelancer,
Computer consultant
August 6th, 2010 at 8:49 am

Participating regularly in forum discussions helps you to find freelancing jobs and some referring websites.
WriterBay
August 9th, 2010 at 10:35 am

I have started new service for freelance writers – http://www.writerbay.com/.
Feel free to register and get $50 bonus on your account. The interface is very simple and easy. Pricing should be really nice to you:)
I will be happy to co-operate with new writers!
Kayla
August 25th, 2010 at 3:16 pm

I seem to have the same problem as everyone else..I understand that forums can be so beneficial to finding clients and networking, but after I join them I’m never motivated enough to keep participating. I may be active for a few days, but then go off and do something else eventually.
Anthony
August 26th, 2010 at 1:50 pm

Hi Laura, thanks for a useful and interesting post!

Does anyone have any tips for finding good forums beyond spending a few weeks on google and trawling through the hundreds of results?

Thanks again : )
Viki
September 22nd, 2010 at 3:10 am

Yeah Laura, right said. In fact I was also initially very Skeptical about this “forum” thing. But one samll incident changed my perception about forums forever.

Recently my pen drive stopped working, it won’t format actually to be precise. After googling on the net for around a month, I found no way to fix my pd.

Later I found that a lot of google pages popped up tech & pc forums where other members shared their grievances/doubts/queries and in return would get answers/remedies/suggestion from other members & users of the forums.

I decided to give a try and registered at one forum called pcworld.com/forums on 21.09 where I posted my query about the pen drive.I posted my thread just casually as I wasn’t very optiimistic about a positive response or remedy.

But i was surprised to find that within a day a user of the forum replied to my query. I was amazed as I didn’t expected such a quick reply.

Nevertheless I am now convinced that “Forums do work” and it’s a nice method of getting connected to the world and get some good free advice too.

Happy Forumming.

Pls send me some comments on this Laura.
goluhaque
September 29th, 2010 at 9:24 am

OK, I am a person who is looking for some space/forum to post my job advetisement, basically for writes, could you provide me with a list of some forums that do allow such posting?
gullsinn
November 18th, 2010 at 3:13 am

i found a good platform for freelancers to join and work/earn ll love to share with fellow freelancers just join desklancer.com and start earning
Rich Collins
December 16th, 2010 at 7:18 pm

Hi Laura,

I just created a website called LucieBot to help people find customers on forums. It’s not ready for sale yet, but I am looking for experts in forum hunting to give me some feedback. Would love to get your advice!
Carolyn2010
December 30th, 2010 at 1:57 am

Freelancing is a great way to get started working from home. You easily take on few small projects while keeping your day job. You can start gaining experience, add to your résumé and build client base. This will make transition to working from home yourlance exclusively much smoother. It is great way to test water and see if you would like to work on projects from home in the long run.
Freelance Kaleem
January 22nd, 2011 at 10:49 am

Very Good tips, I am freelance web designer & Seo professional. While searching for freelancing work i came across your blog which is full of good guidelines to find our work over forums.
Jeffrey Hernais
November 8th, 2011 at 8:12 am

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fisarmonica
January 25th, 2012 at 7:19 am

Fantastic blog! Great!

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Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 19 years of professional business writing experience. Together with FreelanceFolder, she wrote the guide on How To Start a Freelance Writing Business.

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