Working as an independent freelancer has many advantages. You get to be your own boss, you structure your schedule according to your needs and you have the liberty to choose projects for yourself. Still, every freelancer has at some point faced the limitations and challenges that this work model inevitably entails.

One of the main problems with working on your own is the fact that you often find yourself cut out from a network of professionals, which limits the type of projects you can get involved in.

There’s only so much you can do as one person, but if you form long-lasting connections with professionals whose work corresponds to yours, you can expand your business network and your capacity to take on more work. The trick is in cultivating these relationships.

Here are 3 steps on how to form win-win partnerships with other freelancers.