Should I collaborate with others, and how do I find the right people?
Collaboration can be a powerful tool on your freelancing and passive income journey. It can open doors to creative synergy and expand your reach and capabilities. I think about collaboration as a way to fill the gaps—whether that’s a skill you lack, a new perspective you need, or access to a different network.
To find the right people, start by understanding your own needs and gaps. Ask yourself what you're looking to achieve with this collaboration and what skills or resources you need to reach that goal. Once you have clarity, here are some steps to guide you:
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Network with Intent: Engage with communities, both online and offline, where your potential collaborators hang out. Whether it's on LinkedIn, niche forums, or local meetups, show up and participate genuinely.
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Be Open and Honest: When I made my own pivot from engineering, being open about my intentions and aspirations helped me attract like-minded individuals who were on similar paths. Share your values and vision openly to attract people who resonate with your mission.
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Assess Compatibility: Beyond skills, look at work ethic, communication style, and shared values. The best collaborations often come from mutual respect and understanding, not just complementary skills.
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Start Small: Test the waters with a small project or gig before diving into major commitments. This will give you a feel for how you work together without risking too much upfront.
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Reflect on Failures and Successes: Every collaboration is a learning experience. Reflect on each one to understand what worked, what didn’t, and why.
In my Capture, Develop, Expose framework, collaboration often falls into two phases: Capture and Develop. Initially, you capture ideas and align your mutual goals. During development, you build something together that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Ultimately, define what success looks like for your collaboration. Is it about learning, creating, reaching new audiences, or something else? Keep these outcomes in mind as you move forward. Remember, it’s okay if not every collaboration is a perfect fit. Each one adds to your journey in unexpected ways.