AD – This is a sponsored blog post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As a freelancer, it can be hard to stay connected – especially if you complete a lot of your work alone.
When I experienced burn-out last Summer, I realised I needed to improve my connections with other people in the industry – including bloggers and freelance writers.
Over the past 6 months or so, I’ve put a few key things in place to make sure I stay connected. This has helped me network and find new work – and it’s also improved my feelings of isolation. It’s also helped me learn more about freelance life, including how to deal with frustrating client issues, how to avoid burn-out and how I measure my success as a freelancer.
Just because you work alone, it doesn’t mean you can’t find great people to connect with online and in-person!
In this blog post, I’ve put together 5 top tips to stay connected as a freelancer or remote worker
1. Try out co-working
For me, co-working is a great way to stay connected as a freelancer.
It allows me to speak with other freelancers and learn about my industry. It’s helped me realise everyone deals with issues such as freelancer self-doubt, and it also gives a bit of structure to my week.
Even though you’re still technically completing your work alone, co-working can help you feel like you have colleagues – and it gives you the chance to get your work done in a supportive and fun environment.
Whether you join an online co-working group or you want to meet up with freelancers in person, there are lots of options to stay connected.
2. Get out of the house
I like to break up my day by getting out of the house as much as possible. Doing something a bit different like working from a café mixes up my routine and keeps me on track.
I get a lot more done when I don’t feel chained to my desk all day, every day – and this is something I definitely learned in my first year of freelancing. If you’re a remote worker, try working out of the house to improve your productivity.
If you provide online translation services, you could try conducting your work from a quiet co-working space, or if you’re a writer, you could set up in a café for the afternoon.
Working out of the house can also help you stay connected as a freelancer. It can encourage you to socialise with other people or just give you a change of scenery.
3. Start networking
Networking is a great place to start if you want to stay connected as a freelancer. Although it’s great to chat with other freelancers on a social level, networking and making connections can also help you feel less isolated.
Set up calls with other freelancers, network with potential clients online and join groups that help freelancers connect with each other.
You could even attend a few in-person or online networking events. This is a great opportunity to feel more connected to the people working in your industry.
4. Social media is your friend
Although I like to take regular social media breaks – and I’ve definitely reduced my usage over the past couple of months – social media is a great place to stay connected as a freelancer.
I recommend trying out just one or two platforms. For example, I use LinkedIn and Twitter to make connections with other freelancers and bloggers. This lets me speak to others in my industry and stay on top of new jobs – but I don’t get too bogged down in social media when I should be writing!
If you want to network with other freelancers and potential clients, LinkedIn is also a great place to start. It’s free, easy to use – and there are lots of supportive people on there.
5. Collaborate
If you want to stay connected as a freelancer, try collaborating on a project with other freelancers in your industry.
You could choose jobs that include working with other professionals, such as agency work. For example, I used to write for a small marketing firm – and this meant I worked with other team members to create content.
You could even write a collaborative post on your blog with other writers or just bounce ideas with other freelancers.
If you’re an experienced freelancer, you could offer services that work directly with other people – such as coaching for newbies. This can help you stay connected while working on an exciting new project.
Do you have any tips to stay connected as a freelancer? How do you avoid isolation as a freelancer? What is your top tip for freelancers?
Let me know in the comments 🙂
Happy reading x
Not-So-Modern Girl 
Some fab tips. It’s definitely too easy to get stuck in your little working from home cocoon sometimes and before you know it, it’s been days and you’ve barely spoke to anyone haha. I always try and get out for a walk every day, I sometimes work from coffee shops too.
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Yes you need to get out whenever you can. I think that sounds great Jenny! Thank you for sharing your experiences.
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Some great suggestions here. I like to work in cafes too its definitely good to have a change of environment. Unfortunately in my small town there’s no co-working space…gap in the market maybe! Thanks for the post
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I’ve not managed to find a local one in my area either, but I really enjoy going to one on Zoom 🙂 thank you for sharing your experiences x
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What helps me the most to stay connected is to make time and go out with my close friends, take long walks in nature, and breathe fresh air. When things get too harsh and I feel exhausted, what helps is a trip abroad or even nationally, to change the environment. Thanks for sharing these great tips! It’s essential to be aware of methods to cope with isolation.
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I think those all sound like fantastic ways to break up your day as a freelancer 🙂 changing your environment is so important. Thank you x
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Social media is a great thing to use to stay connected. These are great suggestion to use as a freelancer!
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Thank you 🙂
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I know networking is meant to be important, but it’s probably one of the things I hate most in life. I’ve never been good at small talk, nor do I like bothering people. As such, I suck at networking and i don’t see that ever changing. Great tips though
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Thank you 🙂 yes I think it can be a struggle – for me, I need to feel connected to others in my industry, but it’s not for everyone x
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Great tips. I am a slow learner. I still need to find my place in the blogging world and start networking more.
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Thank you!
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I’m SO curious about these co-working sessions. I’ve heard a lot about them but I don’t quite understand it. Worth looking into for sure!
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The one I go to just involves everyone working at the same time over Zoom 🙂 I hope you find one that you like x
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Such important reminders here; I can see how freelancing can have its issues bit there are plenty of things (as you’ve shared here) that can alleviate them and help keep you connected to what’s going on/with other people!
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Yes definitely! I’ve enjoyed my job so much more since I’ve made connections with others. It’s nice to feel like I have “colleagues” in a way x
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I’d love to try blogging out in a cafe somewhere, new surroundings might boost my creativity a little more! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
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Yes I really recommend it! 🙂
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Wonderful tips!! I love taking my laptop to a local coffee shop near me to work 🙂
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I think it can help so much 🙂
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Thank you Elise! Yes I think working in coffee shops can help you feel connected and help you stay productive x
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I admire you for becoming a freelancer. I totally get that it may be lonely sometimes but your suggestions are helpful.
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Thank you so much Jamie 🙂 yes I think there are a few ways to look after yourself and be social!
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Great tips! I think networking with others is so important so you have people to chat to and vent to who understand!
Corinne x
https://skinnedcartree.com
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Yes that’s so true!
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Thanks for sharing these great tips!
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These are such great tips to stay connected! Thank you so much for sharing!
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Thank you 🙂
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I’m still not comfortable with social media, co-working, or going out often. As a freelancer, I’m happy working alone or with my best friend, who is also a freelancer. I also use LinkedIn to network with freelancers 🙂
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That sounds great! Yes I like the fact that I can do co working in my own home 🙂 LinkedIn is a great place to meet people x
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Some great tips and I love the idea of co-working! Blogging/freelance life can sometimes be quite lonely, so it’s nice to have a buzz around you. Although I do have my accountability buddy who keeps me on the straight and narrow and is always there to chat with and bounce ideas off! Sim x
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Yes I agree! Just working alongside other people – in person or online – can help you feel less alone 🙂 that’s a great idea!
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I find leaving the house really helps me. Even just getting out to go see my co-workers down at the shop. Other wise I’m sat isolated and feeling discouraged behind a computer screen.
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Yes I think it’s so important to feel connected to the wider world sometimes! I like just being around people 🙂
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As a work at home mom I can definitely attest to the getting out of the house point. It is so very important for our mental and emotional well being. Thank you for sharing!
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Yes you really need to be around other people on a daily basis 🙂 thank you for sharing Kristen x
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Great tips. Networking and collaborating are two things that really work for me.
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Thank you Zac, I really enjoy those things too 🙂
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