It’s vitally important that you, as the client, do your part in fostering a positive working relationship with your contractor. Embarking on a new project can be overwhelming, especially if it involves technical aspects (such as web design). That’s why you’ve hired an expert!

But in order to make your project a success, you need to develop a solid working relationship, and be aware of some basic “rules” when working with a freelancer.

Rule #1: Respect the Freelancer’s Profession

Freelancers are often mischaracterized as inexperienced, amateurs, or part-timers. These are usually far from the truth. Most of us are experienced in our industry and take our job very seriously. Our livelihood depends on it!

We take pride in the work that we deliver, and we charge a fair price for our services. Don’t expect a reputable freelancer to work on ’spec’ or provide extra consultation free of charge. You wouldn’t ask for a free meal when you go out to a restaurant, would you?

Finding success as a freelancer requires a steady stream of paying gigs. Obtaining new business through referrals is great, but referrals alone won’t keep your schedule packed with paying jobs, especially when you’re just starting out.

Online classifieds such as Craigslist and the FreelanceSwitch job board are great places to generate new business leads. In this economy, the competition for work is fierce. To stay ahead, you must combine two key elements in your approach:

• Quantity: The more jobs you respond to, the more potential leads you create.
• Quality: Present yourself well and stand out from the crowd.

Here are some tools and tips to help you land more freelance gigs:

Read the rest of this article on FreelanceSwitch.com