A guide to joining our freelance community and making the most of your experience with Croftella.
What you need to know before attending your first meetup
Most of our regular café meetups are free to attend. We simply ask that you purchase a drink or food item from the hosting café as a courtesy. Some specialized workshops may have a small fee to cover materials or expert speakers.
Many of our members are exploring freelancing while still employed elsewhere or are in the early stages of transition. Our community welcomes those who are curious about independent work and need guidance.
Not at all. While regular attendance helps build stronger connections, we understand the flexible nature of freelance work. Attend when you can, and you'll still be welcomed warmly.
Most members bring a laptop or notebook, business cards if you have them, and an open mind. For co-working sessions, bring whatever you need for a productive work session.
We have a simple registration process through our website to join our community platform, but there's no formal application or approval process. We're open to all freelancers and remote workers in the Edinburgh area.
We design our events to be comfortable for all personality types. Some sessions are more structured with facilitated interactions, while others allow for quiet co-working with minimal social pressure. Let our hosts know your preferences, and we'll help you find your comfort zone.
Format: Quiet, focused work sessions in café environments with good wifi and ample table space. Members work independently but take short breaks to connect.
Ideal for: Getting work done while combating isolation, meeting deadlines with accountability, light networking during breaks.
Typical Duration: 3-4 hours, drop-in style
Format: Structured networking events with facilitated introductions, table rotations, and discussion prompts to help members connect meaningfully.
Ideal for: Expanding your professional network, finding potential collaborators, practicing your elevator pitch.
Typical Duration: 2 hours, scheduled start and end
Format: Member-led or guest expert workshops on specific skills relevant to freelancers, from technical abilities to business development.
Ideal for: Learning new skills, deepening expertise, sharing your knowledge with peers.
Typical Duration: 1.5-2 hours, structured session
Format: Small group discussions focused on challenges, solutions, and mutual support. Often organized by industry or experience level.
Ideal for: Problem-solving specific freelance challenges, mentorship opportunities, building deeper community connections.
Typical Duration: 2 hours, structured discussion
While every session has its unique character, here's what you might experience at a typical Croftella gathering:
Hosts greet newcomers and regulars, facilitating introductions and helping everyone get settled with coffee and find a seat.
Brief introductions from everyone, sharing their name, profession, and often a specific goal for the session or a current challenge.
Depending on the format: focused work time, structured networking, workshop content, or facilitated discussion on the day's topic.
Time for members to share opportunities, ask for specific help, or announce their own events and services to the group.
The structured portion concludes, allowing for natural conversations and connections to develop over lunch or additional coffee.
"As someone with social anxiety, I was terrified of attending my first meetup. The hosts were incredibly welcoming, and the structured format made it easier to connect without feeling overwhelmed. There was no pressure to network aggressively—just genuine conversations with like-minded professionals who understand the unique challenges of freelance work."
"I initially came just for the co-working aspect—to get out of my house and be around other humans. I didn't expect to form such meaningful professional relationships. The skill-sharing workshops have transformed my business approach, and I've gained three regular clients through connections made at the meetups. The return on investment for simply buying a coffee twice a week has been remarkable."