1. Change your mindset. Consider yourself "in business" rather than just looking for gigs or working from one job to another. When you're in business, you're never really between gigs even when you don't have work. You can be marketing, networking and improving your skills. One can set hours and take time off, but most of all one should be dedicated to building your business.
2. Plan. Think through the nature of your products or services, who your target market is, how best to reach them and what gives you a competitive advantage. Develop a business plan for your independent business.
3. Look for recurring revenue. Work hard to land some clients who can give you ongoing work even if you have to charge a bit less. Always make an strategy to earn more.
4. Specialize. I advise virtually all small businesses to focus on a specialized, or niche, market as a way to differentiate yourself, land more clients and charge higher prices.
5. List yourself on specialized freelancer sites. When you list yourself on general freelancer sites, you compete with thousands of global competitors, mostly on price.
6. Become a power user of social media. Social media can help you reach a highly targeted market.
7. Treat your enterprise as a business. Set up an accounting program and keep good records. Send out your invoices on time every month.
8. Save. One thing is for sure when you're self-employed, income can be a roller coaster — climbing high one month, only to plunge terrifyingly low the next. It's tempting to spend money when you have it, but you'll be glad if you have some money in reserve.
9. Cooperate with your competitors. Make friends with others with whom you can work on jobs that are too big for one of you alone.
10. Get a website. Whatever line of work you're in, a website makes you look more professional.
11. Create a database of clients. Consider those who hire you as "clients" instead of employers and nurture those relationships.
Thank you