Are you a freelancer looking to attract better clients and more money?

A study reveals a link between a founder’s social network on LinkedIn and the financial success of their company. This means your online connections could directly boost your income and opportunities more than you think. Read on to discover how to leverage your LinkedIn profile to your advantage and how scheduling in freelancer meet-ups could boost your social life, wellbeing and business leads.

Social connections predict financial success

The number of followers a startup founder has on LinkedIn is strongly linked to the amount of money their company raises, according to a study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.

The study, conducted by researchers at Purdue University, combined data from LinkedIn and Crunchbase.com. This allowed them to analyse the relationship between social networks and financial outcomes.

The findings showed that “social connectedness of founders is the best predictor of funds raised.”

The power of your online network

For a long time, experts have believed that strong social networks are important for business success. However, this study offers concrete proof, directly linking online connections to financial gains. It suggests that well-connected individuals gain access to valuable resources. These include knowledge, expertise, and market information, which can be crucial for attracting investment and business leads.

Investors also consider a founder’s network when making decisions. The study suggests venture capitalists might value founder pitches higher if they’ve heard about the founder through their networks. This emphasises the importance of building a strong and visible online presence.

Recent LinkedIn chatter revealed that VCs that met up in New York this week discussed how they use AI to scan social networks to grade founders based on the number of social network followers they have and posiitve news coverage.

Soon hiring companies and propsective clients willl be doing the same and using AI for scoping out freelancers and fixed term contractors based on their networks and likability.

What does this mean for freelancers?

While the study focused on startup founders, its implications for freelancers are significant. Your network signals credibility and influence. This can make you more attractive to potential clients, collaborators and even investors.

The research found that the predictive accuracy of founder social connectedness was 69%. This is a substantial figure, proving the importance of your online connections. Therefore, actively growing your LinkedIn network is a valuable investment of your time. This can be done organically by posting insightful and useful comments on other people’s posts given most people will have some form of industry connection alreaady to the person who made the post.

Many of you may already know this, yet, do not reliably schedule in time ieach week to build those connections beyond the “follow” or “connect” buttons.

Instead of directly asking for business or even referrals, which can feel transactional, focus on becoming a hub for valuable, niche information that your ideal clients genuinely need.

Identify information gaps:

• LinkedIn: Observe discussions in groups your target clients frequent. What questions are they asking that aren’t being fully answered? What emerging trends are they struggling to understand? What specific pain points are consistently mentioned without clear solutions?
• Social life: In conversations, listen for subtle complaints or areas of confusion related to your expertise. For example, if you’re a marketing consultant, you might hear a small business owner lamenting how difficult it is to keep up with SEO changes. If you’re a financial advisor, someone might express frustration with understanding new tax laws.

Beyond the laptop

Freelancer meet-ups provide a nice break from work and a natural way to build your business network. Some can be very industry-specific and others can be very social, creative or wellbeing-focused, which allow you to try something new, make new social connections and let off some steam.

Regardless, these groups are ideal for exchanging ideas and troubleshooting common freelance challenges. Experienced freelancers often share invaluable advice, which can help your learning curve and avoid costly mistakes.

Whether it’s pricing strategies, client management, or trying out new AI, all of this collective wisdom in one place is a powerful asset. So, alongside your social media networking, schedule in at least two meet-ups each month.

While you’re enjoying the social elements of meet-ups, which take place across the globe, most people naturally will be looking for warm referrals and collaborations. This organic type of networking can lead to collaborations on larger projects, opening doors to work you might not have secured alone.

Meet-up organisers often prepare discussions on emerging trends, new technologies, and shifts in market demand. For those of you considering becoming a digital nomad in a new country, these meet-ups can help you meet new people and form new freelancer connections.

Eventbrite & Meetup

Eventbrite and Meetup are websites and apps that help people discover social and freelancer-focused meet-up groups in your area and online. Here are some examples of the types of groups you might find across the US, UK, and Spain:

United States

New York City meet-ups

Sarankco Creative Studio ~Freelancer Meet Up: Often a hub for creative freelancers to connect. You can search for their upcoming events here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sarankco-creative-studio-freelancer-meet-up-tickets-1246352506899

Whether it’s an outing with the kids or a night out with other fathers, City Dads Group chapters offer events where you’ll find the fun, friendship and support every father needs. This meet-up is working ou of 40+ major metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada. 

Or look for groups more specific groups like “Creative Women Coworking & Coffee w/ Conscious Creatives (NYC)” or “Salsa Rhythms: Dance Your Stress Away for Freelancers” by searching “freelance” or “creative” on Eventbrite for New York.

Los Angeles meet-ups

LA Creatives Meetup: Often hosts networking events. Search for events in Los Angeles by filtering for “freelance” or “meetup”: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ca–los-angeles/meetup/

Keep an eye out for “Coffee & Coworking Meetup” events that offer a casual way to connect and work alongside others.

Chicago meet-ups

Search for “Freelance events in Chicago, IL” to find gatherings focused on various freelance niches, such as “Creative Freelancer Social” or general networking. Example search: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/il–chicago/freelance/

United Kingdom

London meet-ups

Freelance Connect, for example, regularly hosts networking events for freelancers. Check for upcoming dates: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/freelance-meetup-tickets-1279883719659

Many co-working spaces and business networks also host specific “freelancer” or “solo business owner” events. Search “freelance London” on Eventbrite for a wider range. There are so many groups you will be spoiled for choice.

Manchester meet-ups

Creative Freelancer Social – Manchester, for example, provides an opportunity for creative professionals to mingle. Search for similar events: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom–manchester/networking/

Look for “Freelancers & Friends Breakfast” or “Freelancer Meet-Up and Coworking Day” in your search.

Edinburgh meet-ups

While specific “freelancer” branded groups might vary, search for “networking events Edinburgh” on Eventbrite. You’ll often find events like “A Night Out with Entrepreneurs” or “Coffee Connections” that attract freelancers and solo professionals: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/united-kingdom–edinburgh/networking/

Spain

Madrid meet-ups

Madrid Creatives Dinner Weekly: A popular ongoing event for creative professionals, often including freelancers. Search for these and other networking events in Madrid: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/spain–madrid/networking/

Also check Meetup.com for “Digital Nomads and Freelancers in Madrid” groups, like those hosted by The Shed Coworking: https://www.meetup.com/madrid-urban-nomads-meetup-group/

Barcelona meet-ups

Barcelona Entrepreneurs • Friday Meetup: While broader, these groups often attract many freelancers looking to connect, discuss ideas, and collaborate: https://www.eventbrite.es/e/barcelona-entrepreneurs-friday-meetup-tickets-522216211747

Search for “freelance Barcelona” or “business networking Barcelona” to find events such as “Female Founders Breakfast” or “Growth Marketing in an AI World” that are highly relevant.

Valencia meet-ups

Valencia has become an expat and digital nomad hotspot in recent years. There are many meet-ups in the city centre, in the Turia Park and even on the beach. Valencia Freelancers & Founders | Meetup is a great place to start. Many Meetup events in Valencia are catered to people looking to meet others to improve hier Spanish in a social setting. Focus & Cowork at Palma Coliving Valencia often host events for remote workers and freelancers. Check Eventbrite for similar “coworking” or “networking Valencia” events: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/spain–valencia/networking/

Look for Networking Valencia Connecting People, which sometimes offers online and in-person sessions.