How to Help a Freelancer Friend
<p><em>This article was not made for freelancers or self-employed workers but for their entourage. You likely know people who own a business. Do you want to give them a hand but need help knowing where to start? Here are a few simple tips on how to help a freelancer friend.</em></p>
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<h3>Do not hesitate to recommend them</h3>
<p>One of the best ways to help your freelancer friend is to recommend their services to the people around you, whether they just have started their business or not. Start by learning more about what your friend does for a living. What products or services do they offer? How are they different from other freelancers in their field? Who is the target clientele? And when you see a business opportunity, remember to mention your friend. We must remember that word-of-mouth remains one of the best ways to increase the notoriety of an entrepreneur et <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/5-ways-to-find-new-contracts" target="_blank">get new contracts</a>. </p>
<p>Nothing prevents you from keeping a few of their business cards on you if an opportunity should arise.</p>
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<h3>Follow them on social media</h3>
<p>There are great chances that your freelancer friend has an online presence to promote their business. If it is the case, an easy and simple way to support them is to follow their social media pages, whether it is Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, and subscribe to their newsletter if they have one.</p>
<p>Do not hesitate to like, comment, and share their content since it can make an important difference in the visibility and notoriety of their business. Often, pressing the like button only takes a second!</p>
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<h3>Do not ask for a special price</h3>
<p>Let us know talk about a taboo subject in the freelancer world: friends who ask for a special price. Unfortunately, when someone launches a business, it is common to see people in their entourage requesting free work or a reduced price. For pity’s sake, do not do this, even if your friend just started as a freelancer or self-employed worker.</p>
<p>Pay the displayed price if you want to respect your freelancer friend, their work, and their expertise. It is a win-win: on one side, your friend will feel enhanced and happy that you trust them. On the other, you will have access to the same level of service as if you were a regular client. It is essential that we do not mix professional and personal relationships. </p>
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<h3>Offer their products or services as gifts</h3>
<p>Indeed, this suggestion may not apply to all fields of activities, but if you have the opportunity, why not offer the products or services of your freelancer friend as gifts? If you already have purchased their products or cannot use their services, it is a great way to encourage them.</p>
<p>Is your friend a massage therapist or a photographer? You can offer a gift certificate for their services. This will please both your freelancer friend and the person who receives the gift. Of course, it must remain a relevant gift according to the receiver's needs. Indeed, a dog training class with a certified trainer is not a good option if the person does not own a dog.</p>
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<h3>Be present</h3>
<p>As part of our Portrait of a Freelancer interviews on <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/" target="_blank">our blog</a>, we asked many self-employed people what they found to be the most challenging part of their job. Most answered that loneliness was one of the main negative elements. </p>
<p>It is possible that you do not know much about life as a freelancer, or you are not interested in owning your own business. There are no issues with that. However, just like anyone else, your friend can live more challenging times and feel the need to talk to someone. Offer your support and a sympathetic ear. Do not hesitate to help them find the right resources if needed. </p>
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<h3>Go out together </h3>
<p>In the same vein, why not go out with your freelancer friend from time to time? We know that a significant percentage of freelancers and self-employed people work from home. It is then possible that they do not have a lot of social interactions throughout their day.</p>
<p>Consequently, take good care of your freelancer friend by doing things with them once in a while. It can simply be to take a walk together in a nearby park, an evening at the movie theater, or lunch together at your favorite restaurant. Your friend will surely welcome it greatly. </p>
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<h3>Provide constructive comments</h3>
<p>Sometimes, a freelancer can hesitate between various options; it can be interesting to have a friend you can count on, a person who can give advice and constructive comments to help your business. Be this person!</p>
<p>It is impossible to know everything, but you can tell your impressions of a job, service, or creation. Is your freelancer friend hesitating between two ideas for their logo or needs to know what to add to their website homepage? You can give some feedback, especially if it is your field of expertise. </p>
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<p>In conclusion, there are several ways to help a freelancer friend. Be present if they need you, and do not hesitate to recommend their services to others. Why not combine the pleasant and the useful by accompanying them to a <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/networking-101" target="_blank">networking event</a>? Besides making it less intimidating for your friend, you will have the opportunity to meet other people and spend a great evening outside the office. </p>