As an African creative on CreateSpace, you’re part of a vibrant community of artists, writers, designers, and makers who are passionate about showcasing their talents and selling their services online. Whether you’re a graphic designer from Ghana, a photographer from Nigeria, or a writer from South Africa, CreateSpace provides a platform for you to connect with potential clients and customers from all over the world.
But with so many talented creatives vying for attention, it can be tough to stand out from the crowd and make meaningful connections. That’s where professional networking comes in – and it’s easier than you think. By building relationships with fellow creatives and potential clients, you can learn about new opportunities, get feedback on your work, and even find new collaborators and partners.
So, if you’re ready to take your networking skills to the next level and start building meaningful connections within the CreateSpace community, you’re in the right place. In this post, we’ll share some practical tips and strategies for networking professionally in CreateSpace, from optimizing your profile and portfolio to joining online groups and forums. Let’s get started!
1. Online Networking
In the same way you connect with people through social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, you can do the same on CreateSpace. But the main question is how you go about it.
The truth is, many people approach online networking with the wrong mindset. They see it as a way to make a quick sale or promote their services, rather than as a way to build genuine relationships with others. But the most successful online networkers know that it’s about providing value, not just promoting yourself.
At a recent online conference for African creatives, I met two individuals who approached networking in very different ways.
The first person, Ms. Akua, was a freelance writer from Ghana. She joined the conference’s online forum and immediately started posting about her services, asking people to hire her and promoting her website. She didn’t engage with anyone else’s posts or try to start any meaningful conversations. It was clear that she was only there to promote herself and make a quick sale.
On the other hand, Mr. Adetunji, an experienced graphic designer from Nigeria, also joined the online forum, but instead of promoting himself, he started sharing valuable tips and advice on how to sell creative services online. He engaged with other participants, answered their questions, and offered guidance and support. When a young graphic designer from Nigeria reached out to him for more specific guidance on how to upromote her design services, Mr. Adetunji was happy to help. They had a great conversation about her business goals and how he could support her.
As they chatted, Mr. Adetunji realized that the young designer was not only talented, but also passionate about using her skills to make a positive impact in her community. He was impressed by her dedication and enthusiasm, and he knew that he wanted to support her in any way that he could. So, he offered to connect her with some of his other contacts, and they ended up collaborating on a project that helped her gain more visibility and credibility as a designer.
It was clear that Mr. Adetunji’s approach to networking was much more effective than Ms. Akua’s. By providing value and supporting others, he was able to build meaningful relationships and create new opportunities for himself and others.
The moral of the story is that online networking is not just about promoting yourself or making sales – it’s about building genuine relationships with others and providing value to those in your network. By focusing on others and providing support and guidance where you can, you can build a strong online presence and attract new opportunities and collaborations. This should also be your approach on CreateSpace.
2. Profile Optimization
As you connect with others, completing your professional profile on CreateSpace is crucial to attracting potential clients and increasing collaborations. Your profile is often the first impression that people have of you and your work, so it’s essential to make it count. By showcasing your portfolio and services, and using keywords to increase visibility in search results, you can increase your chances of getting noticed.
But what does it take to create a profile that truly stands out on CreateSpace? For starters, you need to make sure you’re using relevant keywords in your header, bio, and work experiences. You can use tools like Google Trends to identify the most relevant keywords for your niche.
For example, this story illustrates the power of optimization. A freelance writer and editor, who specialized in helping African businesses and entrepreneurs tell their stories, had been online for a while, but wasn’t getting as many clients as he wanted. So, he decided to optimize his profile by using keywords like “African business writer” and “entrepreneurship editor.” He also made sure to showcase his portfolio and services clearly, and to use action words like “Accomplished” and “Developed” to describe his experiences.
The results were amazing. Within a week of optimizing his profile, he started getting inquiries from potential clients. One of those inquiries turned into a major project with a well-known African entrepreneur. It was a dream come true, and it all started with optimizing his profile.
3. Collaborative Networking
The purpose of online networking and proper profile optimization is to attract profitable collaborations, that can really help your business. By partnering with others on projects or services, you can tap into their expertise and networks, and create something truly unique and valuable.
Another benefit, is it can help you improve the flexibility of your organization, engage your employees, and even improve their health and well-being. Also, working with others can also make your meetings more productive, make your organization more attractive to top talent, and even accelerate your business momentum.
On CreateSpace collaborative networking is very much possible and we encourage it. For instance, if a freelance writer on our platform is working on a project with a client who needs some photography services to showcase their new product line, and they want high-quality images that would make their products stand out on social media and their website.
We expect the freelance writer to refer their client to a talented photographer on CreateSpace. Most likely someone with a keen eye for detail and a passion for capturing the beauty of African culture and innovation. Such a person would likely deliver stunning photos that could exceed the client’s expectations, and the project would definitely meet the client’s needs.
So, the benefits of collaboration and networking are clear – by working together and supporting one another, we can achieve far more than we could on our own. So, don’t be afraid to reach out to other creatives and see how you can work together to achieve your goals.
4. Referral Networking
If you engage in collaborative networking, and you’re good at what you do, it’s natural that you’ll have referrals. But what’s even more powerful is when you consciously encourage clients to refer you to their networks; it’s a testament to the quality of your work and the value you bring to your clients. But how can you encourage more referrals and build a network of professionals who can refer clients to you on CreateSpace?
One way to do this is by offering incentives for successful referrals. This could be something as simple as a discount on your services or a free consultation. By showing your appreciation for referrals, you can encourage more people to spread the word about your business.
For instance, here’s the story of story of someone whose business benefitted from referral networking:
BEFORE YOUR FIRST CLIENT
“I still remember the day I received an email from a satisfied client, Nneoma, a talented textile artist from Nigeria. She had hired me, a freelance graphic designer, to create a branding package for her business. I had worked tirelessly to deliver a design that exceeded her expectations, and she was thrilled with the result.
A few weeks later, Nneoma sent me an email introducing me to her friend, Uche, who owned a boutique hotel in Lagos. Uche was looking for a graphic designer to create a new website and marketing materials for his hotel. Nneoma had recommended me for the job, and Uche was interested in discussing the project further.
I met with Uche and we discussed his vision for the hotel’s branding. I was excited about the opportunity to work with him and created a custom proposal outlining my design approach and services. A few days later, Uche contacted me to let me know that he was impressed with my proposal and would like to move forward with the project.
To show my appreciation for Nneoma’s referral, I offered her a complimentary design consultation for her next project. She was grateful for the offer and we’ve continued to collaborate on various projects ever since.“
The benefits of referral networking are clear – by encouraging happy clients to refer you to their networks, you can build a steady stream of new business and grow your reputation as a trusted and reliable creative professional. So, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals and show your appreciation to those who refer clients to you.
5. Event Based Networking
As an African creative on CreateSpace, attending online events, webinars, and conferences related to your industry can be a great way to meet other creatives and potential clients in person. These events provide a unique opportunity to learn from industry experts, showcase your work, and build relationships with people who share your interests. By participating in workshops, masterclasses, or other training events, you can also improve your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in your field.
But why is event-based networking so important? For starters, it allows you to connect with people who share your interests and passions. When you meet someone in person, you can build a more personal connection with them, which can lead to new opportunities and collaborations. Additionally, event-based networking can help you build your professional network, which is essential for finding new clients, getting feedback on your work, and staying motivated and inspired.
CONFERENCE AND INDUSTRY EVENTS
For example, Aminat was a freelance software developer, specializing in helping African startups and entrepreneurs build innovative tech solutions. She attended a webinar on blockchain technology for African businesses, where she met a lot of interesting people who shared her passions. One of the speakers, a successful fintech entrepreneur from South Africa, impressed her with his insights on how to leverage blockchain for secure and transparent transactions.
After the webinar, she reached out to him via email and introduced herself. Eventually, they started chatting about their shared interests in blockchain and fintech, and he began referring her to his clients who needed custom blockchain solutions; as a result, her clientele increased rapidly.
The benefits of event-based networking are simple – by attending online events, webinars, and conferences, you can meet new people, build your professional network, and find new opportunities and collaborations. So, don’t be afraid to attend events and start conversations with people who share your interests. You never know where it might lead!
Conclusion
As an African creative on CreateSpace, building a strong professional network is key to growing your business and achieving your goals. By leveraging online events, webinars, and conferences, you can connect with other creatives and potential clients, build relationships, and find new opportunities and collaborations.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, networking is an essential part of your journey – so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, attend events, and start conversations with people who share your passions.
What contacts have you made through networking this year?
