3 Reasons to Join an Online Freelance Community

Have you ever considered joining an online freelance community? While there are many benefits to freelancing, it can be a lonely occupation. Freelancers often work remotely, meaning there are far fewer opportunities to connect with other people.

This is where online freelance communities come in! Whatever industry you’re in, there is likely to be a freelance community you can join. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the many benefits of joining a freelance community and share some examples of groups for freelancers in general, writers, proofreaders, and editors.

What is a Freelance Community?

A freelance community is a group, either in person or online, that comes together to discuss the highs and lows of freelancing, share knowledge, and support each other in their freelance careers.

Freelance communities can take many forms, including online forums, social media groups, and dedicated websites or platforms.

Some communities welcome freelancers from all industries, while others specialize in a particular field. For example, a freelance community may focus on writing or editing and welcome members who freelance in those areas.

What are the Benefits of Joining a Freelance Community?

Joining a freelance community has many benefits (too many to list here!), but below are a few of the most important benefits. 

1. Support and Mentorship

They say that a smart person learns from their mistakes, but a wise person learns from the mistakes of others! Mentors are an invaluable part of life in general, but they are especially useful when you are starting something new.

Freelancing has many benefits, but it also has its challenges. Finding new clients, managing your finances, marketing your business—it can be daunting, especially when you’re just starting out. When you join an online freelance community, you essentially have access to the experience of however many people are in that group. They can share their experiences, offer advice, and provide valuable emotional support. Just talking to someone who has been in the position you are in can be hugely reassuring!

2. A Sense of Belonging

Freelancing can be lonely. Typically, freelancers work from home, which can be isolating in itself. But it also goes beyond this. People who have never freelanced often struggle to understand the challenges freelancers face – but the people who join online freelance communities know exactly what you are going through. Having a sense of belonging can help you feel more confident about the path you’re pursuing and give you that extra push to reach your goals.

3. Potential New Opportunities

These communities can be a great place to seek new work opportunities. Some communities will have job boards or listings, and members will post about opportunities. For example, a freelancer may need to outsource part of a project or even turn down work (and therefore be able to pass the opportunity on to someone else). Or they may spot another job that isn’t right for them but that may interest someone in the community. Whatever the case may be, these groups may help you gain clients.

Examples of Freelance Communities

Now that you know how useful joining a freelance community can be, below are some examples of freelance communities you can join.

General Freelance Communities

Some of the best general freelance communities are:

• Women Writers, Editors, Agents, and Proofreaders (Facebook)
  This is a Facebook group just for women in the industry. Here, you can post snippets of your work for feedback, ask craft-related questions, or find an editor or proofreader if you need it.
• Freelancers Union
  Freelancers Union provides education, advocacy, and resources for freelancers across the United States. It also arranges events and meetups for freelancers to network and support each other.
• Freelancer Talk
  Freelancer Talk is an online community for freelancers and provides blogs, courses, and mentors. It also has communities for different industries and a discussion board to ask specific questions.

Freelance Communities for Proofreaders and Editors

Some of the best communities for freelance proofreaders and editors are:

• Editpreneurs (Facebook)
  Editpreneurs is a Facebook group that supports freelance editors and proofreaders, with a focus on building a successful business.
• Louise Harnby – Training for Editors and Proofreaders (Facebook)
  This Facebook group provides a space for editors and proofreaders to discuss marketing, professional development, and training. 
• Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading
  The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading is a non-profit body that promotes excellence in English language editing and proofreading. It offers training, membership accreditation, and a forum where proofreaders and editors can ask questions and provide or receive support.

Freelance Communities for Writers

Some of the best communities for freelance writers are:

• The Write Life Community
  The Write Life Community has both a website and a Facebook group. The Facebook group allows writers to network and ask questions about any stage of the writing or publishing process.
• Writers Helping Writers
  Like The Write Life Community, Writers Helping Writers has both a website and a Facebook group. The website provides lots of information about writing craft, and the Facebook group provides writer-to-writer support.
• Ask a Book Editor (Facebook)
  Ask a Book Editor is a space for writers to ask editors and proofreaders questions about writing. No promotion is allowed in this group, so writers can ask questions without being bombarded by pitches.

Becoming a Freelancer

Freelancing is one of the most flexible and rewarding careers. If you would like to learn more about how to take advantage of the freedom freelancing gives you, check out one of our courses: Becoming a Proofreader, Becoming an Editor, and Becoming a Freelance Writer. You can try them all for free, and see what appeals to you the most!