During my Welcome to CFC 2013 on the morning of Day 1, I screened a short video chat with Sara Horowitz, Executive Director and Founder of the Freelancers Union. I wanted the 600 attendees to know they weren’t alone. Research shows that 42 million people are already working project to project, gig to gig – a third of the workforce – and that is projected to grow to half the workforce by 2050 or sooner!
I asked Sara what kind of mindset is going to be necessary if the growing number of independents are to succeed. Here’s what she said:
"The person who thinks they are on their own is the first person who will be extinct. It is biodiversity. It is networks. It is interconnection. That’s how you will get your work. That’s how you will put out your SOSes. That’s how you will help your friends. That is how people in the long term will do well."
Watch/listen to the rest to find out more about these essential networks and the mindset you'll need to make the most of them. Then ask yourself: do you have a network?
Those who attended CFC this year began (or continued) developing their essential network. If you didn’t make it, don’t worry. There are lots of ways to do this. Here are just a few:
- Creative Freelancer Conference LinkedIn Group
- Join the Freelancers Union: http://www.freelancersunion.org/
- Sign up for CFC 2014 (Boston, May 12-16)! Get the lowest rate available if you register before July 25th.
