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With all of the recent layoffs, more and more people are turning to freelancing as a way to survive. Many freelancers can go days, weeks and yes, even months between new assignments. But, this does not have to be the case if you understand all of the money-making options that are available to you, and how to make the most of them.

1. The very first thing you must do is make an honest assessment of your skills. Once you have accomplished this, you may identify skills that you were not even aware were marketable. A comprehensive list of your skills will help you decide which freelance market is best for you. Whether your skills are in writing, creating websites or graphics work - be honest about what skills you have and what level they are.

2. Marketing yourself is the next way to begin your journey to being a successful freelancer. There are a number of ways you can do this, one of the more effective being the use of LinkedIn. LinkedIn allows you to invite previous co-workers, fellow members of your volunteer groups, former classmates, etc. to leave a reference for you. This can be very helpful for those just starting out.

3. Create a blog about yourself. Post regularly, even if you use it as a diary to update what you are doing to market yourself as a brand new freelancer. Make sure that your posts include positive messages reflecting your own personality. Do not forget to use your "skill" as a keyword in each post. While you are thinking about a blog, if you can afford private hosting, consider setting up your blog so you can make some extra money from Google AdSense!

4. If you are a writer, the recommendation that is top of the list is Helium! Set up a strong profile, contribute regularly and watch your pennies begin to accumulate! Do not forget to hook your About Me page to your blog for additional exposure. Not only is Helium a fun way to make a few extra dollars, but with the added bonus of Marketplace and stock content you will soon be able to launch your freelance writing career using your extensive portfolio!

5. Begin investigating freelance sites. Ask around and find out from fellow freelancers how they got started and what sites they use. oDesk is a site that offers free registration, free profiles, hundreds of skills tests and thousands of jobs. Their fees are reasonable, 10% is added on to your base rate. oDesk like all freelance sites is a competitive, open market. Do not get discouraged.

6. Once you have established yourself try to convert your clients to long term relationships. Not only will this save you hundreds of hours a year looking for work, but often these clients will refer other clients. Since maintaining a steady flow of work is your biggest enemy as a freelancer, long term relationships are critical to your long term success.

Summary

Every freelancer has challenges. These tips can help you overcome major obstacles in launching a successful freelancing career.

Learn more about this author, Doreen Martel.
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