Freelancing advice

where to start

[Maxformed]

Things being slow at primary job, I'm considering some freelancing. Through a job web site, found a link for sologig - you can search it.

I know what I am capable of, and prefer to work off-site. Do you think sites like this really help?

I'm also setting up a side biz hoping to target small, local businesses like carpet cleaners, plumbers, etc. who just need some web presence and print collateral.

As far as the freelancing - I'd bascially be a contracted employee of whichever company would desire my services. But for the side biz, how far do I need to go for business/tax licensing during the initial phase.

All advice appreciated.
Max

[Storyteller]

I've been able to get some business from here and other sites of similar venue. But overall this isn't a great source of clients and never meant to be one.

I think you're much better off using conventional channels, like job boards and mailing lists. Whether it's an offsite work or not doesn't make a lot of difference.

You may also want to look into sites like elance.com, but if you're US-based, you may have a hard time fighting price wars with lots of third-world workers (me included :)

[Maxformed]

I think I may have been a little unclear. I didn't mean use this site for business contacts - I meant sites like sologig.

Again, all advice appreciated.

Max

[woodman]

Do you think sites like this really work?

Yeah they do - but they can take some effort and a few attempts to win a contract. Monitor the job posts for a couple of weeks to see how much activity appears to go on there. In the UK I've used noagenciesplease.com - although consider how easy it is to post a vacancy/job. Also, once the work has been posted on the site, a lot of replies come in.

In the UK the official line is make any money on the side and you should let the tax man know - there is no initial start up phase.

[Maxformed]

Thanks, woodman. I'm sure it will be slow going at first, but I just want to make sure I do it right and avoid undue scrutiny.

Max