Didn't get a pay rise this year? Well, guess what, we've only just managed to crawl out of recession so you aren't getting one this year either. Why wait to be given pay rise though? Why not just take one? That's why everyone should be freelancing. There are hundreds of opportunities waiting for you, just just have to find them.

That's the only real problem to getting started — finding the work. On the flip-side of that, there are small businesses out there that are pretty sure they want a webpage, but have no idea about how to get one!

Spread the Word

The first thing to do is to jump on FaceBook (other social networking sites are available) and let everyone know that you are looking for freelance work. If you have a portfolio, obviously link to it, if you don't, just briefly let them know the kind of stuff you do. Remember, they're probably non-geeks, so just keep it simple, stupid. Depending on how much you use the site, that's now 50–500 people that now know you're sniffing around for some work. Depending on your situation, or the type of people you know on there, you might even want to offer them some kind of finder's fee. That'll help give them all a little push — remember, recessions suck, and people always like free money.

Tell your colleagues you're looking for work (check your contract before chatting with certain people) — and not just the office people… Everybody you walk past everyday knows and sees twenty people on a regular basis. You'll be surprised at who comes back to you after a few weeks with:

Are you still looking for website work?

Call up every member of your family and let them know you're looking for website work. Your parents, uncles and aunts will all know people that run small businesses and will never have thought to suggest you. You can leave out the finders fee here — We're all family!

Recon Mission Alpha

Next time you're at work, get a pen and paper and take a stroll around the street/estate/town you work in. Make a note of all the companies that are close by, even the ones that advertise a web address. Head back to your dungeon and look them all up. You'll be surprised that some quite sizeable businesses either don't have a website, or have one that's looking a little tired and could do with an overhaul.

Once you've got a shortlist of names, either start calling them up, or go knock on the door and ask for a chat. You'll get lots of knockbacks for lots of different reasons, but it'll only be a short while before you hear:

"Ah! I've actually been looking for someone to do my website for the last few months."

The only hard part is figuring out who you actually need to speak to. You might be told that they don't need a website, and everything is fine thank you very much. Ask a couple of questions; if it's some jobs-worth supervisor, come back and speak to the Big Boss Man.

Recon Mission Beta

No matter where you live, there must be 50 business within 10 miles of your house (if there's not, you might want to consider joining civilisation). Do exactly as before — find out who they are, what they do, and what state their website is in. Get on that telephone, or get knocking on doors. Soon enough, you'll hear the magical words.

Walk the Walk

Never have freelancing far from your mind. As you wonder around your day to day business have a look at every business you stroll past. Obviously the corner shop guy might not be that keen on being online, but that lady you've been buying bacon rolls from for the last 2 years also does corporate catering… She needs a website (and possibly a little pursuading). Nail salons, restaurants, bed & breakfasts, hotels, accountants, lawyers, tradesmen… the list goes on. Keep your eyes open and look up every business online or stroll in and just ask. You don't need to arrive with your projector and a 2 hour sales pitch; you were just passing by and happened to be wonderinging…

Talk the Talk

Next time you're in the hairdresser — ask if they have a site. Getting your car fixed — drop websites into the conversation. All these small businesses will have been approached in the past about a website, but chances are it was some random phone call from an agency just fishing for work. They're a small business in a small town, so no, they don't have thousands to spend on a website. That's where you come in!

Buy a Money-Counting Machine

I would imagine you could easily find work in a month of trying. From there it all snowballs, because now you have someone that can personally recommend you. Happy hunting!