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Freelancing can be a lonely business. Working alone at home all day, only interacting with clients via email, it can feel like being stuck on a remote island.
The idea that other freelancers are the competition is, simply, bullshit. My freelance friends and work wives always been my lifeline, celebrating my highs and commiserating my lows.
These last few months, however, have shown me just how vital it is to be part of a community when you work alone. I’ve been leaning heavily on my own community, both here in the newsletter and also in the many other groups I’m in.
I wanted to share some of the best freelancing communities on the internet. In these digital spaces, you can find support, community and connection.
Leapers
The Leapers Slack group is open to anyone who works for themselves. Run by Matthew Knight, the community is focused on supporting the mental health of independent workers and freelancers
Bureau Local
The Bureau Local is a collaborative, investigative journalism network in the UK. Its Slack group is open to freelance journalists, where they hold regular digital events and story clinics.
Freelance Heroes
One of the largest freelancing communities on Facebook is Freelance Heros. The group is open to all freelancers and is all about empathy and support where members can ask for help and offer it to others.
Doing It For The Kids
Frankie Tortora’s DIFTK Facebook group is dedicated to helping self-employed parents connect with each other.
London Writers’ Salon
The London Writers’ Salon hosts the writers' hour, a virtual writing sprint held each weekday morning (London and NYC times).
Society of Freelance Journalists
Set up in response to coronavirus, SFJ is a Slack-based support group for freelance journalists.
The Freelance Lifestylers
The Freelance Lifestylers is a Facebook group for freelancers and freelancers-to-be who want to chat with other self-employed types
No 1 Freelance Media Women
Formerly the 'No.1 Freelance Ladies Buddy Agency', the rebranded Facebook group welcomes female freelancers across the media from designers and photographers to copywriters and PRs. They have weekly pitching and PR hours, and regularly celebrate their members’ wins
The Freelance Lifestylers
The Freelance Lifestylers is a Facebook group for freelancers and freelancers-to-be who want to chat with other self-employed types
r/freelance
Reddit’s freelancing subreddit is a huge repository of interesting articles for freelancers. It’s also a great place for venting or asking questions you might otherwise be too shy to ask.
What’s your favourite freelancing community? Comment below with a link!
The List
My podcast is back on Monday! Is This Working is a show about the messy parts of work and season four starts on July 6
Do you want to launch a podcast that actually makes money? My podcast co-host Tiffany Philippou and I have put together a three-part online masterclass all about podcasting. Tickets are selling fast, so grab one now
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There is no one-size-fits-all language for talking about race
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A brilliant, in-depth piece by Hannah Ewens on transphobia in the mainstream media and how it divided British feminism
