Should You Find a Freelance Mentor?
Working as a freelancer has undeniable benefits, such as freedom, flexibility, and the potential for personal and professional growth. But being self-employed also has its share of responsibilities and pressure, which can be isolating.
A mentor can help you navigate the freelance world, especially when you’re just starting out. Keep reading to learn:
- How a freelance mentor can help you in your career
- How to connect with a freelance mentor
What Is a Freelance Mentor?
A freelance mentor understands what makes a freelancer successful and can offer you tailored advice based on their experience in the industry. If you’re a new freelancer, a mentor can help you with aspects of freelancing that you may be struggling with, such as managing your finances or finding new clients.
Although people often use mentoring and coaching interchangeably, the words don’t mean the same thing. Mentors and coaches can provide you with the benefits of their wisdom. However, a mentor is more likely to have experience working in your specific field, and relationships with mentors are often informal (unpaid).
Coaches, meanwhile, offer more general guidance on how to succeed as a freelancer and grow your business. They’re more likely to receive compensation for their time and may use professional assessments to pinpoint how best to help you.
Why Should Freelancers Have a Mentor?
For several reasons, finding a freelance mentor can be beneficial to your career. For example, a mentor can:
- Provide advice
- Offer encouragement
- Keep you motivated
- Help you build connections
1. Provide Advice
A freelance mentor has been in your shoes and can give you valuable advice on common freelancing problems or pitfalls. They may have experienced similar issues in their career, so you can learn from their mistakes or what worked for them.
2. Offer Encouragement
Like any industry, freelancing has ups and downs. Your mentor is there for you through it all – so they can boost your confidence when you’re feeling discouraged and help you celebrate your successes.
3. Keep You Motivated
As a freelancer, staying motivated can be hard. A mentor can help you be more productive by holding you accountable for the goals you set for yourself. For example, if you talk to them about promoting yourself as a freelancer, you’re more likely to follow through with your plans if you know your mentor will follow up with you on your progress.
4. Help You Build Connections
When you’re just beginning your freelance career, networking and finding a community can be difficult. Since your mentor has been in the freelance business for some time, they likely have a network of professional contacts they can connect you with.
How to Find a Freelance Mentor
If you’re interested in connecting with a mentor, where should you start? You can find freelance mentors through the internet (e.g., by searching LinkedIn or joining an online community). You can also find mentors in person by attending professional development workshops or conferences in your area.
In addition, try asking other freelancers in your industry whether they know anyone willing to talk to you about your goals for your business.
Also, remember that you can have more than one mentor. Maybe you can find one who’s great at networking and finding clients and another who has a first-rate website. It’s a good idea to learn from everyone you meet and seek out a variety of mentors possessing different skill sets.
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