Finding freelance friends changed my life. Learning how to network in online communities helped me even more.
I’ve found people who share the rough and awesome parts of finding your way as an online entrepreneur, met people who hired me, found people who refer me, and made some amazing friends. Plus, I’ve learned a lot about the inner workings of the businesses that I want to hire me!
So, without further ado, here are my five favorite communities that have helped my career.
1. Email Marketing Membership (EMM)
What: EMM resource portal (templates & tutorials), weekly emails, Facebook support group
Cost: $9/mo
I can’t say enough amazing things about this $9 monthly membership. It’s gotten me insane results. Liz knows how to simplify email marketing, plus she gives you swipe templates for sales emails, welcome series (this ones free), and an intro course. She sends a newsletter template every week, so you never have to write your newsletter by yourself ever again.
If you’re trying to build a welcome series for a client, want the simplest version of email marketing to get into it, great examples of persuasive copywriting (the empathetic way), Liz is your gal.
2. Old Girls Club (OGC)
What: Slack group, bi-weekly email digests
Cost: $10/mo
Okay, if you get overwhelmed by active Slack groups with lots of users, this is not the membership for you. But if you want to network with amazing women (women only, sorry y’all!), then it is.
I, honestly, don’t even take advantage of this membership as much as I could… but I’ve already met over 20 amazing women who have taught me so much. I get connection requests every week on LinkedIn from the kindest OGC gals.
OGC is only $10 a month. It’s a safe place to scream about your problems, a cool place to meet awesome women who are startup founders, freelancers, entrepreneurs, corporate girlies, and more. I’ve also gone to an in-person event with them in Boston, a perfect intimate luncheon with 6 talented women in my area.
3. Pop Club
What: Slack group, FRL Resource Portal, Workshops, and more.
Cost: $33/mo
Okay, okay, you got me. I created Pop Club, and I’m shamelessly plugging it for you here 😅 Listen, when I first started, I wanted a shame-free community for freelancers and a real person to ask questions about freelancing.
I couldn’t find a group that already existed that was intimate, safe, and affordable. So, I started Pop Club. It’s only $33 a month, and it’s designed to make freelancing easy.
I simplify it into a tight roadmap, and I check in with every member twice a month. I offer live coaching calls and focused workshops every other week. Plus, we have community co-working events. It comes with my Freelance Resource Library (every workshop and template ever, plus a complete course for beginners).
4. Tech Ladies
What: Facebook Community, in-person events (West Coast)
Cost: Free
Tech ladies is a free Facebook community. It’s a great place to network, ask questions about the tech industry, and find camaraderie with other women working in tech. I’ve been working in tech almost my entire freelance career, and I’m frequently the only woman in the room. I love having other women in tech to fall back on.
5. Freelancing Females
What: Facebook community, templates, job board
Cost: Free
If you’re a woman who freelances, you probably already know this one! Freelancing Females is a Facebook group. It also has templates, a job board, and a directory of freelancers that you can join (paid). It has a podcast too!
What’s your favorite?
Do you have a favorite freelance community? Let us know!