Going Independent!!!

I am entering the free world as a full-time independent designer/feelancer. I have been working a full-time job and freelancing part-time for a few steady clients the last (3) years. Now with only a couple of weeks left at my full-time I am feeling the pressure to find more work. I have experience in product design, retail design, set design, and furniture design from concept development to working drawings to production.

MY QUESTION: ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW TO FIND MORE WORK???

I do believe word-of-mouth is the best way to find jobs and I will continue networking.

Does anyone have any experience with these “freelance websites” where it is set up so you can bid on projects? Are they worth the expense?

Any good websites I should know about?

I am in between LA and San Diego.

Cheers

My website: http://www.achelladesign.com (will be updated soon)

Nothing…not even a tinkle???

Please advise…

attend conferences
attend networking events through the design associations in your city
start a blog