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Business 58 February | 2022 they're silly or redundant. A new employee asking questions is a sign that he or she wants to do a good job in your environment, not a sign of incompetence. Nurture them, and take the time to answer them; you will be glad you did. e Match Game Finding the right fit is a two-person dance. ere are times when you, as an employer, simply need a set of hands to crank out work or, conversely, when you, as a freelancer, simply need some income and take a job that will pay the bills for a while. Working with someone who isn't a great match generally has an expiration date stamped on it from the first day. ere will never be a perfect employee or a perfect employer ; we are all human, after all. However, you do want to work with quality people with whom you can get along, who can work well in a team setting and whom you can trust to accomplish a well-done job. "When I'm scouting a new company to freelance with, I want to make sure it creates the caliber of work that I want to be a part of," Weisser explains. As a freelancer, when you're having discussions with companies for work, be sure that you're in alignment with what they do. If you love working on huge weddings and events but you're looking into freelancing for a local shop for Valentine's Day, realize that those are two very different types of production work. Neither is good nor bad. You just need to be sure that you are pursuing the right type of work that aligns with your personal career goals and skills. Social Media and Portfolio Before you panic, you do not need to have 100,000 followers or be an influencer to be successful whether you're hiring or looking for new work. It is, however, important to use your social media platforms as your living portfolio. is goes for everyone in the floral design world. When you, as an employer, post your designs and behind-the-scenes shenanigans, you're giving a peak into your world and what it's like to work with you. When you're a freelancer or just starting out in the industry, you need to post things that you enjoy making. Sometimes what you create day to day doesn't show your full range of potential. Whenever you have a leftover bucket of flowers, create some designs that showcase your skills. If you don't share what you're truly capable of with the world, no one will ever know how brightly you can shine. "When you're freelancing full time, your work can start to become more utilitarian because you're executing someone else's vision," Weisser notes. "It's super- important to show that you have your own creative voice [with your portfolio] so everyone can see the full extent of your talent." Networking Networking is the biggest factor in finding great employees and lining up freelancing jobs. "Employers are loyal to the people they can count on," Weisser shares. You have often heard "It's not what you know ; it's who you know." Why is that? Networking boils down to a way to assess risk. A referral from someone you already trust holds much more weight than taking someone's word for it—someone whom who may not even know well. When you look at networking as an extended network of referrals and friendships instead of a means of gatekeeping, it will dramatically change your experience of making and keeping connections. Another important aspect of networking is to be genuine, kind and realistic. Divas rarely get asked to dance twice. When you're a contracted employee, you are a guest in another person's business—not a guest star. Respect and befriend the full-time employees, and remember that you are a part of their team. When you integrate well with an existing team, you become a dream to have as a freelancer. You are far more likely to be asked to freelance again by a company if the staff likes to work with you. Networking includes everyone you work with—not just the boss. So be kind and respectful always. You are always one moment of genuine kindness away from your next referral. To summarize, everything boils down to crystal clear communication between employer and employee. ere is no such thing as asking too many questions when interviewing each other to see if you will be a great fit for collaboration. Be kind, be mutually respectful, showcase your best work and be authentic—and don't forget to enjoy the design process.

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