Meet Up and Get Out
Author of this post: Katherine Feo | About Blog Authors »
Lots of you, like me, freelance. Being a freelancer comes with all sorts of special perks, like working in your pajamas (don’t do this), having the freedom to pick up your dry cleaning during the work day (don’t do this either), and not paying taxes (if I have to say it, you don’t deserve the warning). Another totally not awesome thing about freelancing is the endless time logged alone at your desk without the daily motivating support of others in your field (unless you’ve done a very smart thing and invested in a shared office space, in which case you don’t need my tips about wearing pajamas).
Luckily, the Freelancer’s Union—responsible for other near Herculean feats, such as health care provision—has come up with a brilliant solution to the lonely freelancer’s dilemma. By teaming up with web partner Meetup.com, they’ve made it possible to meet locally with other freelancers in similar fields and discuss the exigencies of working without tether. The Freelancer’s Union covers the fee ($12-$19/month, depending on the length of contract), and other necessary resources for ‘official’ meetups—’unofficial’ meetups seem suspicious, is it just me?—and you reap the benefits. Network, find a shared space, meet new friends, brainstorm ways to not wear pajamas. The possibilities are endless.
Visit the Meetup.com site here to join or start a group in your area under the Freelancer’s Union domain. While you’re there, check out the ‘Newest Groups’ of freelancers meeting up, most of which formed within 4 days (or minutes, let’s be honest) of the Freelancer’s Union online newsletter introducing the topic. The rapidity of these formations suggests gaping need that borders on giddy desperation.
For more information on the Freelancer’s Union, check out the Notes featured Industry Interview of founder Sara Horowitz here. Happy meeting!
