How would you like to fire your boss? Many people have thought about leaving their current job and starting their own small freelance business.  If you work for yourself, you create your business to suit yourself.  Work when, where and how you want!  Sounds great, right? Being a freelancer has many benefits.  But like any other worthwhile endeavor, you'll need to do some research and make a plan.  Do this before you quit that steady job!   Begin your research by reading our article on Preparing To Freelance, presented below.  Also read our article on Home Offices.  Then, follow the Related Links we provide to other informative web sites where you can see what kinds of freelance work is available and what others are freelancing in.  We also link to several forums where you can discuss your plans and get your questions answered.  Also, please buy and read a few of the Books we recommend below.  Many times, it is easier to read a book or books where all the information you need is organized and in one place, rather than hunting all over the web.  Check these four books out.  We think you'll be glad that you did.  Thanks!   Related Links: According to their web site, "Guru.com is the world's largest online marketplace for freelance talent.  Through our free service, employers find top freelance and contract talent locally, nationally, or globally.  Created in August of 2000, Guru.com's web-based marketplace directly connects businesses with over 520,000 freelancers who specialize in over 160 professional categories including: website design, programming, graphic design, business consulting, and administrative support."   According to their site, "All Freelance Work is a freelance jobboard, freelance community, small business article base, & home business information zone. All Freelance Work has been around since 2000 and is the freelance home to over 130,000 freelancers. With 100s of freelance articles & 30,000 registered employers of freelancers, we have helped 1000s of small business owners find the perfect freelance job."   Wikipedia has a great introductory article about Freelancing on the Internet.  It provides an overview of how freelancing works and provides links to many freelance job web sites.  Wikipedia also has a brief article on the Freelancer occupation.   If you are a freelance writer, there are several web sites that buy articles.  We're one of them!  Read our Writer's Guidelines for more information.   Other sites that buy or broker articles from freelance writers include Constant Content and Associated Content.   There is a new company that just started, called Article Distribution Services.  According to their site, they "believe writers should be paid a decent amount for their hard work. By a decent amount I mean no less than $.10 per word on unpublished articles or other content, and no less then $.05 per word on reprints..."   A popular and helpful site is WAHM.com, the Online Magazine for Work-At-Home Moms (or anyone who works from home).  They also have an active forum (Message Boards).  Forum sites for freelance writers include Absolute Write Water Cooler and Writers Row.    Read These Books:

Six-Figure Freelancing Is it possible to give up your nine to five job and make more money as a full-time freelancer? Absolutely. Six-Figure Freelancing shows writers how to make the most of the ballooning freelance industry by adopting a business-like approach to their craft, while offering insightful, first-hand advice to help maximize time and profit. Includes worksheets and templates to assess and establish the best possible business strategy Advice on time management and repurposing material for multiple markets, as well as how to gain a competitive edge in a growing market. Successful Freelancing: The Complete Guide to Establishing and Running Any Kind of Freelance Business Freelancing is one of the fastest-growing job trends of the day, but starting up a freelance business involves more than just hanging out a shingle. In this user-friendly, up-to-the-minute guide, veteran freelancer Marian Faux explains everything you need to know. Topics include establishing a business plan; setting up an office; negotiating fees; handling contracts and agreement letters; tax, insurance, and benefits planning; expanding your business; advertising, publicity, and marketing; and measuring your success. Both new and experienced freelancers - in every field - will find the information they need in order to run a successful, profitable business. Freelancing: Using the Internet to Find a Job and Get Hired "You mean I can decide what projects I take on, make my own hours, and jump from job to job if I get bored? Where do I sign up?" The world of freelancing does offer enticing professional freedoms unlike any other work environment. Whatever your ideal freelance gig might be, this is the book to help you get it. Because the Internet is the only place that can truly encompass the breadth of freelance job opportunities out there, you need to know the best sites for finding what you want--who's hiring, how to design and post a professional-looking resume, and how to get special benefits even if you're not a full-time employee. You'll find all the information you need in this book. * An overview of how freelancing works and how to break into particular fields. * Ratings and descriptions of 30 job-related websites. * Formatting tips for posting your résumé online. * Creating a knockout online portfolio. * Personal profiles and success stories from freelancers. OneHourWiz: Internet Freelancing- The Legendary, World Famous Method to Make Extra Cash on the Internet OneHourWiz: Internet Freelancing contains the most up to date information on how to use the Internet to make a little, or a lot, of extra money on the Internet. The book covers a host of easy to implement opportunities available on the Internet including getting paid to surf the web, test new Internet products and services, freelance writing, part time consulting opportunities, affiliate programs, or simply getting paid on a monthly basis by having an extra task bar on your browser. Whether you are looking to make an extra $25 a month or an extra $2,500 a month, this book will pay for itself many times over within the first month alone.