What are the benefits of joining a Service Design network as a freelancer or consultant?

Being in service designer for so long it can be lonely if you work in organisation where you are the first or these a few designer. This can be worse if you are a freelancer. Having a network of freelancers that come from different backgrounds can lead to collective problems solving space. To think beyond the obvious and create longterm collaborative opportunities. Learning from each can create a safe space to talk about complex challenges that are related to soft systems /skills e.g. Communicating service design to non designer or selling services design

Utilize cross-category knowledge from peers to explore uncharted areas that aren’t in books yet: - Leverage personal experience and lateral thinking. - Generate ideas for services, UX design, product management, etc. - Incorporate practical feasibility and experience-driven insights. - Experts in the field can further enrich these ideas with their specialized knowledge.

For someone new to service design, gaining a clear understanding of it, can be challenging. While there are talks and articles available, grasping the current market, the role of a service designer, and personal the next steps can be difficult without industry connections. Joining a network can significantly help with this. It immerses you in the field, provides valuable opportunities, and offers insights that are hard to obtain otherwise. Beginners can start by attending meetups, while those already working in the industry might consider joining a network more formally

I often get asked what is the best way to find new opportunities when your network. 80% of work over the last 5 years has been through repeat work or someone in my network referencing me to a service design project. It is not enough to go to service design networking events. Find a way to foster relationships that are meaningful by getting to know people in a way that creates mutual benefits. And not fall into the trap of what someone can do for me as they have a senior title. It is better first to understand how you can help someone before trying to sell service design as a freelancer. Once you have built a meaningful network. You can start sharing how you can help them as a service design.

Joining a service design network opens doors to new opportunities to expand your portfolio and income streams. Discover potential clients seeking service design solutions by showcasing your work and profile within the network. Connect with fellow freelancers and consultants who may require your expertise for their projects or refer you to their contacts. Explore job openings, grants, awards, and scholarships exclusive to network members or promoted by the network. Collaborate with other service designers on social impact initiatives, research projects, or innovation challenges that can make a difference in the world. Stay proactive in leveraging these avenues to grow professionally and make meaningful contributions to the field.

Building your reputation as a freelancer or consultant is a key advantage of joining a service design network. Showcase your skills and expertise by contributing to network publications, platforms, and events. Display your achievements and recognition through badges, certificates, or endorsements from the network. Gather testimonials, reviews, or referrals from clients or collaborators within the network. Join or establish subgroups, committees, or chapters within the network that align with your interests, specialties, or values. Active participation and contributions within the network not only enhance your visibility but also solidify your credibility as a trusted professional in the field of service design.

Expanding your network is a significant benefit of joining a service design network. Connect and interact with individuals who share similar or complementary skills, backgrounds, or objectives. Exchange contacts, potential clients, or opportunities with them. Seek mentors, coaches, or partners who can support, guide, or collaborate with you. Join or create local, regional, or global communities within the network that can provide additional support, resources, or opportunities. By fostering these connections, you not only broaden your professional circle but also enhance your potential for collaboration, growth, and success in the field of service design.

Joining a service design network offers valuable discounts and benefits that can save you both money and time. Access exclusive deals on various products and services relevant to your work, such as software, hardware, books, courses, events, or memberships. Enjoy free or discounted access to tools, platforms, or resources that can aid your projects, such as templates, frameworks, libraries, or databases. Additionally, gain priority or early access to new features, updates, or releases related to service design. These perks not only contribute to cost savings but also enhance your efficiency and productivity as a service design professional.

As someone who has been a member of the service design network since 2021 as a Service Design Master. the SDN has supported me reach a number of goals in my service design career from having access to events, local chapter events, case studies, etc. Becoming an SDN member has given me visibility within the industry, leading to potential client inquiries or collaborations. The SDN connects me with a worldwide community of service designers. This network offers a great place to find mentors, collaborate on projects, and share knowledge and experiences.

The best part about these networks is that they help you to shape and voice your thoughts. They foster collaboration and offer a way to interact with varied-minded/opinionated folks, reducing the polarity of thoughts and giving you an opportunity to look at things from a different perspective. You not only get to learn from them all, but you often get to teach them something, too. And since these networks advocate for the profession altogether, they give you a voice in shaping the future of service design.

The SDN serves as a comprehensive repository of knowledge for professionals in the field. It provides a wealth of resources, starting with the Touchpoint magazine, which offers in-depth articles and case studies on service design. The network also hosts webinars that cover a range of topics, providing insights from industry experts and thought leaders. I believe that the topics covered in Touchpoint are unique and difficult to find on the internet