I found it interesting that he barely touched what I feel is the most important part of freelancing: marketing. Yes, right now you can name your price if you are a good developer, but how do you show that, and how do you evaluate projects? (I know he touched on what kind of clients to keep.)
When I freelanced, I evaluated clients on three criteria:
* had I worked with them in the past?
* did I know anyone who had worked with them in the past?
* everyone else
If I trusted them or people who had worked with them, it made the engagement easier all around (though you still need a contract!).
As far as finding new clients, I relied on word of mouth, which probably didn't lead to as many opportunities as would have occurred if I was more active in various communities, but I was ok with that at the time.
The only marketing I did is word of mouth: friends & family, those are usually the good paymaster due to our "relationship". Yup, returning customers are the best.
I didn't try any elance stuff, because I felt it's a race to the bottom price with programmers from India.
When I freelanced, I evaluated clients on three criteria:
* had I worked with them in the past?
* did I know anyone who had worked with them in the past?
* everyone else
If I trusted them or people who had worked with them, it made the engagement easier all around (though you still need a contract!).
As far as finding new clients, I relied on word of mouth, which probably didn't lead to as many opportunities as would have occurred if I was more active in various communities, but I was ok with that at the time.
Also, I wonder what the author moved on to?