FREE B2B NETWORKING FOR FREELANCERS AT ANY STAGE OF BUSINESS (even if you're just starting out!) • NO FEE • NO PRESSURE

You're invited to a FREE B2B Networking event after work for local freelancers, consultants, and creative professionals in the Hamilton area. Simply bring business cards, your smile and a notepad to jot down notes during the expert guest presentation that kicks off the evening. 

Be social! Spread the word about #FreelancerMeetup - bring a buddy (or three) to the event. Networking is better when there's more people to talk to.

ABOUT FREELANCER MEETUP

Freelancer Meetups are monthly events run by the Hamilton Freelancers Association. They are free, and open to all creative professionals, consultants, and entrepreneurs in the Hamilton area that are freelancing and running their own business (or looking to learn how to start!). If you’re looking to start a freelancing consulting business be sure to visit our resources page beforehand for tips on starting your own business.

We bring in some of the best and brightest to give talks on ways to help you build and grow your entrepreneurial venture, along with facilitated icebreakers and open networking.

IS #FREELANCERMEETUP RIGHT FOR ME?

We're here to help support each other, and celebrate in our successes as we grow our own businesses. Freelancer Meetup is more than just a networking event, it is a place to learn and not feel judged or afraid to ask questions. No question is considered a "stupid question" here! In fact, we welcome all questions and feedback - and find expert guests to come and do presentations on topics our members are commonly struggling with in their business.

Our group is made up of beginners and experienced freelancers alike, we act as mentors and are here to work with you to answer any questions you have about freelancing and starting your own business. There are no stupid questions here, all egos are left at the door. We only welcome people willing to learn, be open to meeting new people, and wanting to grow their business and connections with like-minded local freelancers. 

If you're interested in starting, building, or growing your own business monetizing your skills and taking on projects part-time 'on the side', or full-time as a consulting business, then #FreelancerMeetup is for you. We welcome freelancers with all types of skills and specialties, including graphic/web designers, developers, marketers, writers, videographers, photographers, PR specialists, coaches, trainers, consultants, and everyone in between. If you're taking on projects from multiple clients and building a business yourself, then we want to meet you!

WHAT TO EXPECT

At each meetup we kick things off with a 10 minute 'tips and tools' session where Chad Fullerton (or other HFA members) showcase various web-based tools and services you can use as a freelancer to help you build or grow your business such as productivity apps, email marketing services, invoicing, design, social media, and accounting tools.

Next we have a 30-minute expert guest speaker present on a topic to do with building or growing your business. We've had a variety of guests in the past including social media experts, branding experts, lawyers with legal advice, accountants, sales coaches, and team members from Freshbooks, Wave Apps, just to name a few. 10 minutes for Q&A afterwards.

After the guest speaker presentation, we do a few icebreakers to help facilitate new connections and get you meeting new people. Ask questions, get advice, and share stories and experiences. We make it as easy to meet new people as possible, in a friendly, comfortable, open environment.

If this sounds like something that interests you, please join us at our monthly events! We look forward to meeting you.

NO FEE

#FreelancerMeetup is a free networking event. There are no strings attached. No hardsells. No membership fees. We rely on our incredible venue partner The Pheasant Plucker which provides us the space at no charge (please purchase a drink or food to show your support!). Our guest speakers graciously volunteer their time to help educate our attendees, and local businesses donate door prizes. The only thing we ask from attendees is a business card or e-mail address to join our mailing list so we can keep in touch about future events, webinars, resources, and mentions/offers from our sponsors and event supporters.

NO PRESSURE

The other thing is no pressure. #FreelancerMeetup was created specifically to assist shy, introvert freelancers meet new people and grow their business. If you're not the type of person that can walk up to a stranger and introduce yourself, don't worry! We're here to help you learn how to be confident in meeting new people, and letting the world know about the skills you have. Meeting and pitching your business to new clients is the core part of building a freelancing business, and a meetup event like #FreelancerMeetup is a great opportunity to build your personal confidence and ability to 'pitch yourself'.

Attendees are never asked to stand up and address the room, present in front of everyone, or give their 'elevator pitch'. You can participate as much or as little as you want.

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MAY FREELANCER MEETUP DETAILS

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SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, May 21st at 6:00pm. 20 Augusta Street, Hamilton (The Pheasant Plucker – 2nd Floor).

PLEASE NOTE: We're trying new summer hours for this meetup. Everything will be starting half an hour earlier, doors open at 6pm, event starts at 6:30pm, networking starts at 7:20pm. Feel free to stop by after work between 5-6:30pm to enjoy a drink or dinner on the patio before the Meetup event begins

PRESENTATION FOR MAY 2015

To be announced. Join our mailing list to be notified about who our speaker will be this month!

SCHEDULE

6:00pm – Registration and mingling (feel free to get a drink from the bar downstairs and bring it up!)

6:20pm – Welcome & Announcements

6:30pm – 'Quick Tips & Tools' session - learn web-based tools and services you can use to build and grow your freelance business.

6:40pm – Business presentation from an expert guest speaker

7:10pm  – Open Q&A Session

7:20pm – Door prize draw

7:30-8:30pm – Networking session

PARKING

There is plenty of parking in the IMPARK parking lot next to the venue. Entrance to the parking lot is accessible off James Street S. as well as off Augusta Street beside The Pheasant Plucker (20 Augusta). It is $4 for the evening.