10 Ways Freelancers Can be More Inclusive

Yes, even as a self-employed entrepreneur working from home, you can't look the other way on diversity and inclusion issues. In fact, you have an excellent opportunity to be a leader here.

1. Read new books outside your comfort zone, especially if they challenge the version of history you learned in school. (Resource: podcast- Stuff You Missed in History Class)

2. Take a look at the online groups and offline groups where you network- are they diverse? Are you hearing from all kinds of voices?

3. Review your current list of favorite thought leaders that you follow on LinkedIn or through their email list- are you missing out on different perspectives because you’re learning only from people who are quite similar to you? Maybe it’s time to broaden horizons.

4. Put yourself at the forefront of conversations around inclusion and diversity. (Resource: I read Jennifer Brown’s book, Inclusion, a few months ago. She’s an excellent resource and hosts free weekly chats here https://jenniferbrownconsulting.lpages.co/community-calls/)

5. If you’re a writer or journalist, who are you quoting? Does your source network consist of the same people from similar backgrounds?

6. Is your website accessible to the visually impaired? This one often gets overlooked and I personally need to do a much better job of making sure everything I produce can be downloaded in multiple ways. (Resource: 142 tools to review your own site https://www.w3.org/WAI/ER/tools/) Likewise, if you podcast, are you sharing text versions or long show notes for the hearing impaired?

7. Look at your network of who you refer overflow work to. Is it time to expand that and look for some other people, including those who are just breaking into freelancing and might have a harder time finding clients?

8. Open a floor for your subcontractors to take a look at how you position yourself, pitch clients, or grow your own teams. Sometimes other people can be extremely helpful in spotting things you didn’t notice. Recognize that your subcontractors might not be doing well mentally right now- give them the floor to talk about it and space to do what they need to do.

9. Take a look at the cultural references you make in your marketing or your finished work- are they reflective of only one viewpoint?

10. If you’re adding pictures to your website, email list, or PowerPoint presentations, are those stock photos reflective of many different kinds of backgrounds?

I know there are likely many more. This is just a starting point. Feel free to add!