Networking is the most important. I built my first website for the small company I was employed. At one point a customer contacted my boss about who built the w

Networking is the most important. I built my first website for the small company I was employed. At one point a customer contacted my boss about who built the website, and he referred to me. (Which I'm still grateful for!). The next client: also within my network. Once you've done a few gigs, people will find you for work if you're good at it. Which brings me to the next point: Underpromise and overdeliver. Always. Just doing a good job isn't enough for people to reference for you. You have to be better than they expect. Client asks for two designs to choose from within two weeks? You give him three designs in one week, and tell them which one you like the best and why. That kind of stuff. Once you've secured the project, be communicative about progress and (especially) delays. This all may sound simplistic, but it would surprise you how many big shot agencies don't do these things. Odesk/Elance? It's not working for me. I'd rather make a website for free for someone I know personally, with the intent of building a network and a portfolio, than building a website for a couple of tenners for someone on the other side of the planet.