Hey Freelance Friends!

If you’re trying to grow a business, you can’t rely on “the algorithm” and vibes.

You need people.

Not in a “let’s connect!” way. In a very real, very practical way:

Networking is how you get

And the best part?

Networking doesn’t have to be expensive.
You don’t need conferences with R3,500 tickets and a tote bag you’ll never use.

You need a plan. A repeatable one.

Networking without a goal is just socialising with extra pressure.

Pick one outcome for the next 30 days:

If you don’t know what you want, you’ll leave every event with:
a headache, a dead phone, and zero money.

This is what you say when someone asks:
“So what do you do?”

Not your job title. Not your life story.

One sentence that makes people understand what you help with:

Try this formula:

I help [type of person] get [result] without [pain].

Examples:

Your goal is simple:
Make it easy for someone to think, “I know someone who needs that.”

That’s networking.

The cheapest way to network is to stop trying to “meet everyone” and start meeting the right rooms.

Look for:

In Gauteng, this can be anything from Joburg CBD creative events to Sandton business circles to Pretoria startup meetups.

The trick is not the fanciness. It’s proximity.

If the room is full of people who can pay you, you’re in the right place.

This is what separates “I went to an event” from “I got paid.”

Before you go:

Then prepare one good question per person.

Example:
“Hey, I saw you’re working on X. What’s been the hardest part of scaling that?”

People love talking about their real problems.
That’s where your services quietly become relevant.

You don’t need confidence. You need structure.

When you meet someone, ask:

That’s it.

This keeps the conversation useful and stops it turning into weather + traffic + “yeah shame.”

If you leave with “good vibes” but no way to follow up… you basically went for the free snacks.

Before you walk away, say:

“Let me grab your number quickly, I’ll send you my details so we can stay in touch.”

Or:

“Are you on LinkedIn? Let’s connect now while we’re here.”

Do it immediately. Not later.
Later is where leads go to die.

Most people never follow up. That’s why networking works.

Here’s a follow-up message that doesn’t feel weird:

Hey [Name], great meeting you at [Event].
I enjoyed chatting about [specific thing].
If you ever need help with [what you do], I’d love to support.
Also happy to connect you with someone if you’re looking for [their goal].

Short. Human. Clear.

If you want to be more direct (and you should), add:

Are you open to a quick 15-minute call next week?

Here’s the part nobody tells you:

Networking only becomes profitable when it becomes consistent.

Try this weekly system:

Every week:

That’s 7 actions.

Do that for 8 weeks and you won’t be “looking for clients” anymore.
You’ll be managing conversations that turn into work.

Clients come and go.

Referral partners keep feeding you.

A referral partner is:

The best networking goal isn’t “meet a client.”

It’s:
meet someone who already has clients.

Then your business grows without you constantly hunting.

We’re not corporate robots here.

You don’t need to be polished.
You need to be consistent, clear, and easy to work with.

Be the person who:

That’s how you build a reputation that spreads faster than a WhatsApp voice note.

— The Profreelance Crew