The first steps in reestablishing a freelance business?

[metadog]

Hi! I have just returned to the freelance world after being downsized. It has been years since I have been back out on the street and I find myself not sure what the first steps should be to get money coming back in the door. I incorporated myself years ago, so I have that. I also have all of the gear I would need to get the job done... just no clients. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
-M

[nyc_skater]

Remember that scene from the Blues Brothers movie when Dan Akroyd and john Belushi are driving around with the huge megaphone on top of their shitty car yelling to people to come to their concert.....well that could be you!

[budafist]

Sounds like a plan!

[strangejuice]

First step is to mess up your office, start growing funghi in an old coffee cup and start sleeping in till midday.

[Las Vegas Signs]

Things you can do:

1.) Start networking. (Your local business publication will probably have a calendar of business events.)
2.) Join your local chamber of commerce (they often host networking events)
3.) Yellow Pages
4.) Put together a good Mailer
5.) Wrap your vehicle with your information & Graphics
6.) Tell everyone!!!!
7.) There are many website out there that freelancers can go to for jobs.
(try http://www.elance.com/ to start with)
8.) Don't give up.... A successful business takes time to build. Just do the best work you can do and people will start to refer you.

[strangejuice]

Some good advice there- all except for that bit about elance.com. There aren't really any decent sites where a freelancer can find work- and I recommend strongly that you stay away from any of those spec filled outsourcing to India work for 20cents sites like elance.com .

[Las Vegas Signs]

Well thats good to know. I really wasn't sure about the site but someone told me about elance so i figured I would through it in. Thats really to bad.

Something I did years ago before I opened up my Shop, was to send letters with a few samples to ad agencys and print shops in my town. Introduce yourself and often times they will use you when they have overflow.

[strangejuice]

Yeh definately contact print shops. I contacted 200 and got one reply. But that one reply has given me work.

Also- swallow your pride, don't become an artiste.

And get used to being tough and being firm with people.