1. Home
  2. ยป
  3. Growing
  4. ยป
  5. Competitors Working Together: a Counter-Intuitive Win-Win

Competitors Working Together: a Counter-Intuitive Win-Win

Working together with competitors is a winning strategy for your business - here's why.
Freelance Business Community
| February 17, 2021
Freelance Business Community
February 17, 2021
freelance-Competitors-Working-Together

“If people knew how to collaborate well,” Morten Hansen said, “the world would simply work better.”

We all work with colleagues, partners, and assistants on a daily basis, but what if there was an untapped category of professionals whose advice and skills we may well be ignoring? What about our competitors?

It sounds counterintuitive at first. You are competing with others for the same slice of the customer pie. Each person who goes to a competitor is a customer you missed. As people prefer what is familiar, in the future they are likely to return to your competitor. Why would you help them?

Many studies have covered the process of collaboration between rivals and found that in the long run, the process benefits both parties. Even behemoths like Apple and Samsung find ways to collaborate fruitfully – Samsung produces components for Apple devices and it is estimated it makes $110 profit for every iPhone X sold. On a smaller scale, YouTube creators from the same category often make videos together to boost each other’s subscribers.

If working with your competitors is not a novel idea, can it work for freelancers? As independent professionals, we are on a never-ending learning spree. We are also looking for new avenues to promote our work and raise our visibility. When you reach out to people in direct competition to you, you are most likely to get relevant and useful benefits:

Both competitors will learn more

In your respective fields of expertise, the competitor knows more than you, and you know more than them. We’ve all had different paths into freelancing and our businesses have been through many challenges. Sharing our knowledge and offering help to others is not only a great way to build trust and gain respect but a chance for us to learn something in the process. As long as your collaboration is mutually beneficial, you are doing the right thing.

Not believing in competition

A member of our community, Sanne Van Broeck, has set up a collective with five other freelancers, at least one of which is her direct competitor, in order for them all to learn more. She doesn’t believe in competition in her field and says that we are stronger together.

Collaboration with competitors will expand your networks and your markets

Not all clients in the market will be a great fit for you, and they will respect you more if you point them to a better professional, rather than taking their money for substandard work. Even more importantly, we should all aim to innovate and learn rather than try to corner the market. There will always be a huge variety of designers, marketers, writers, and any other occupation, but there will always be clients as well. Knowing who your direct competitors are and collaborating with them will open the doors to more networking contacts and lead to more people interested in your work.

Frederik Daneels, a member of our community, found unexpected benefits when he recommended a friend for a client’s vacancy. He eventually handed over his position to his new colleague and moved to a new opportunity in the company, opening a new door in his career.

All partners reap the benefits

When people come together and offer support, everyone can improve and the quality of work in your field rises. This leads to more customers and higher rates.

For example, Freelance Business founder Elina has built a strong network around her Freelance Business Community, and she is a firm advocate of collaborating and learning from others. Even though much of the community is composed of freelancers, many of whom compete in the same field or niche, the support they share helps everyone become a better professional. Events like the recent Freelance Business for Marketing and Sales and the upcoming Freelance Business for Writers help spread knowledge and inspire the community to do more.

Skills and honesty

There will always be those who will try to get free exposure from you or steal your clients. Focus on finding honest and experienced collaborators, even if you are competing in the same field. It can be a rising tide that lifts all boats.

Category

Recent Posts

The List of Freelance Events 2024

The List of Freelance Events 2024

Freelancers may work independently, but they still want to be part of a community. Here is where freelance events come in. Both digital and live, the tradition of friendly and educational events for the freelance community has existed long before the Covid-19 pandemic...

The List and a Comparison of Freelance Communities

The List and a Comparison of Freelance Communities

Throughout history, humans have naturally gravitated towards forming groups. From the earliest civilizations to modern times, the desire to belong has been ingrained in our social fabric. Group affiliation not only ensures safety, as seen in ancient tribes providing...

How To Grow A Freelance Business: Community, Advice and Support

How To Grow A Freelance Business: Community, Advice and Support

Elina Jutelyte, Founder of Freelance Business, sat down with Travis Bennett, COO of Doerscircle to talk about the organisation's remarkable growth and to learn what attracts freelancers to Doerscircle. The growth of Doerscircle's community for freelancers highlights...

Freelance Business Community

Freelance Business Community

Our goal is to help the freelance professionals, independent specialists and self-employed to become more visible and help them develop skills to thrive in their business.

You might also like

The List and a Comparison of Freelance Communities

The List and a Comparison of Freelance Communities

The article provides a comprehensive overview of more than 30 diverse freelance communities catering to professionals worldwide. Each community is meticulously detailed, outlining its name, description, offered services, membership fees, geographical focus, and unique features. From lobbying organizations advocating for freelancer rights to educational platforms providing resources and networking opportunities, the spectrum of offerings is vast.

How To Grow A Freelance Business: Community, Advice and Support

How To Grow A Freelance Business: Community, Advice and Support

Delve into the dynamic world of Doerscircle with an in-depth exploration of its COO, Travis Bennett. Uncover the secrets behind Doerscircle’s extraordinary growth, skyrocketing to an impressive 60,000 members. Discover the common challenges compelling individuals to join this thriving community. Learn about the exclusive benefits offered by Doerscircle Premium membership. Plus, get an insider’s look at the ambitious expansion plans set to propel Doerscircle into the future. Don’t miss the chance to unravel the success story and future endeavors of this innovative platform

Unlock Your Earning Potential: A Comprehensive Guide to Freelance Fees Benchmark

Unlock Your Earning Potential: A Comprehensive Guide to Freelance Fees Benchmark

For graphic designers, artists, copywriters, and all freelancers, setting your freelance rates is a crucial aspect of your business strategy. It’s a common practice to assess your freelance market and consider benchmarking your prices against others. Many freelance business experts often emphasize the importance of aligning your rates with industry benchmarks. However, the reality is not always as straightforward as it seems. In this article, we’ll explore the complexities surrounding the elusive concept of the freelance fee benchmark and why it is not always recommended to consult with any benchmark reports out there.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This