Virtual networking has become one of the most relevant online trends over the last few years. Not only do social media sites provide a great way to connect with friends and families, sharing funny cat videos and your latest lunch conquest, but they can also offer amazing opportunities for professional online networking.

There's nothing more frustrating than finding out you've missed a great opportunity because the message has gone to your SPAM account. To make sure you're not missing Freelancer Club job alerts, message alerts and notifications, here's how to clean up your inbox in seconds.

During the first Freelancer Club Director's meeting we made a list. The top 10 things freelancers need the most. We vowed to continually strive for new ways to help our members develop their career and we're not one to rest on our laurels. A freelancer's business is constantly adapting, pivoting and adjusting to make it work which means we must do the same to not just keep up but to lead the way. Our latest developments to the member's experience focus around community, networking and engagement as well as a few surprises. 

An outrageous, original and immersive take on the common networking event. Expect weird and wonderful concepts throughout the night while talented freelancers connect with industry brands, agencies and employers. 

Join our #NOFREEWORK campaign by signing our petition telling us why you're against unpaid work in our industry. Spread the word in style by downloading one of our free to use #NOFREEWORK Twitter headers and adding to your account. They are sized and formatted to fit perfectly as your Twitter Header.

Freelancers have been the backbone of the economy for many years and for good reason. Hiring freelancers represents the most cost effective way to get projects done for a fraction of the cost. The freelance boom is allowing companies to thrive, innovate and develop without the risk of hiring full time staff. However, there are pitfalls to avoid when hiring a freelancer and here are a few to consider.

Networking events are one of the easiest ways to make new contacts and fill your phone with potential collaborators or clients but what happens next? We've always felt that meeting in person is a stronger connection than via Twitter, for example, so the foundations should be in place for an approach but how do you make the most out of your networking night? To help expedite the process we've compiled a few tips on developing your contacts whether you're looking to collaborate with other freelancers or hoping to land the job.