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Step 1: Landing Business

Whether you're a carpenter, writer, graphic artist or video producer, there are traditional paths to scaring up work. You can pay for listings in local business directories and online job boards; send out pitch letters or postcards; post a video on YouTube; and, of course, network like mad. Joining affinity groups, associations or even the local chamber of commerce are good ways of expanding your contact base. As for marketing collateral, Web sites like allfreelance.com offer templates for everything from business cards to brochures. Gene Fairbrother, consultant to the National Association for the Self-Employed, advises signing any letter in blue ink so recipients know you signed it personally.