All you need to write is a blank page—everything else is up to your own preference. 

Some writers prefer the soothing clamor of a local cafe, while others prefer the calm silence of a home office. But one of the things that makes a freelance writing career so great is that it’s endlessly customizable. Write the hours you want and where you want to write them, with whatever specialty matches your own interests. 

But there’s one thing that is an all too common element that your freelance work might be missing: community. 

Many writers, especially freelancers, love to crow about solitude and being their own boss. But there are lots of writers with extroverted personalities. Luckily there are plenty of ways to engage with other people at work that don't require surrendering the freedom of freelancing. 

Join Local Professional Organizations

These days most people are in one or two social media groups related to their profession. But despite being commonplace, they often aren’t very useful. They’re usually huge, with too many members to build meaningful communities or to have effective moderation. They’re often riddled with spam posts and trolls. Even the occasional legitimate lead on a good client gets instant attention, so there’s almost no way to make yourself stand out. 

Instead of relying on these huge groups, look for something more local. Whether it’s a group focused on marketing or a group focused on the industry that’s your favorite writing niche, find a group for your geographic area. If you’re more rurally located, it might be a state or tri-state group; if you’re in a more populated area, you might find a group for your specific city. 

Once you’ve narrowed down your social media groups to ones with people near you, either make the commitment to show up in person to a gathering or, if there are no scheduled gatherings, talk with the group moderator(s) to see if you can spearhead the organization of one. It doesn’t have to be a party or anything taxing. A meetup at a local park, an outing to a museum, or anything else that gets people together in person will work. 

When you can put a face to a screen name, even just briefly, the next step will be easier. 

Cowork with Other Freelancers 

Coworking is one of the best ways for a freelancer to get the best of a social work culture without all the strings attached to a formal 9–5. 

Some cities have office spaces you can rent or access with a monthly membership fee. But some smaller groups of workers simply like to meet up at a local coffee shop or even a library. If you’re able to make connections with other people in your industry via a local professional group, make some posts to see if anyone else is interested in meeting up. Offer a few suggestions of places to work together. You could also just put it out there that you’ll be working at such and such location at such and such time, Monday to Friday, and anyone is welcome to join. 

If the professional groups don’t work out or no one else seems to want to cowork with you, look to your personal friends. Are any of them freelancers, even if they aren’t writers? Do they have a full-time job that allows them to work remotely? Are they full-time parents or caregivers who might love it if you took your work break to accompany them on a few errands? 

Flexible work is becoming more and more the norm. So use that flexibility to work not only when but with whom you want to work. 

Freelancers Are Part of the Company Too

Even if they aren’t formal employees, many freelancers, especially writers and editors, are long-term contractors. You might be working five hours a week editing the CEO’s newsletters; maybe you were hired to write social media copy so full-time employees can get other work done. Even if you aren’t writing steadily on a weekly basis for one company, most freelancers have some regular clients and long-standing relationships. 

You might feel as if you’re meant to hold these companies at a distance. After all, you don’t want to be their full-time employee—that’s why you’re freelancing. But just because they don’t issue you a W-2 doesn’t mean they don’t value you and your work. 

If you’re invited to the company picnic, make it a point to go. But more than that, ask around about what other social activities the office may have. Or, if you’re really lucky, the company might have enough office space for you to drop in and get the relevant work done; if not, they might still invite you to the join the company messaging app or participate in the weekly happy hour. 

Find Your People

Now that remote-friendly and freelance work is becoming more and more common, lots of people like to complain that it’s too isolating. But there’s a big difference between having the option to work alone and having no option but to work alone. 

There are lots of extroverted writers out there. And if you can’t find them in your area, there are certainly extroverted freelancers and remote full-time workers everywhere. Use the freedom and power that freelancing gives you to set up your ideal work environment. 

Chelsea Ennen is a writer living in Brooklyn with her husband and her dog. When not writing or reading, she is a fiber and textile artist who sews, knits, crochets, weaves, and spins.