As a freelance professional with unique skills and expertise, you can find the right freelance job from a number of sources. The optimal solution is to find jobs through referrals -- from your previous clients, another freelancer, or industry contact. If this isn't possible, spread the word through local associations or freelance networks for referrals.

The Internet is a good source for online freelance jobs. However, most of these freelance sites work in a reverse auction manner; that is, you bid on the jobs. The bad part about bidding is that it drives the prices way down, so you may not earn well, but it is one way to get started. Visit FreelanceToday to find 100's of freelance jobs in several categories posted on most popular sites.

Step-2. Place Your Freelance Bid

Before you place your freelance bid, you need to know:

What price to bid and How to write a winning proposal

As you attempt to create an attractive, profitable, and competitive bid price, there are certain specific questions that you should ask yourself. These include:

1. Have you done similar work in the past? If so, simply base your bid on the amount you've received previously.

2. What is the going rate for such a project with large firms, professional organizations, or colleagues in the same industry?

3. How long will the project take you? Use your standard hourly rate, and calculate how long it will take you to finish the project. Multiply the time by the rate to come up with a total estimated project amount.

No matter how you come up with your price, if the employer has left an estimated budget, make sure to use this as a guideline to determine your price for the project.

Step-3. Manage Your Freelance Projects

Track Time
For several reasons, it is important to use the time log accurately. First and foremost, your client might expect you to break down your hours for him so they are aware of where their money is going. Secondly, in order to increase your productivity, examining where your time is being spent is essential. After freelancing for a while you will be able to figure out how much to bid on projects easily from experience.

Open Up A Docket
A docket is a huge envelope or sleeve to keep all papers together. Nothing looks worse than going to a meeting with a client and forgetting essential paperwork. In order to escape this possibility, I suggest using a docket for each individual project.

New Customer?
If this client is working with you for the first time you should start an information sheet on him or her. You might not think that this is important, but if this client ends up being a dead beat, you will be glad to have his or her address and phone number. After you have completed this form, place it in your docket.

Schedule Stages Of A Job
Start every job with a piece of paper. List steps that need to be involved in order finish production. Otherwise, you might get stuck with having to go backwards three steps in order to go forwards again. Sometimes stages of a project will need to be reworked because you didn't take the time to write down your game plan. Try not to let this happen to you.

Contract
Protect yourself against problem clients by writing a contract.

Step-4. Provide Your Freelance Professional Service

Get complete background information
Ask the client to provide the resources and information needed that will allow you (the freelancer) to hit the ground running.

Be clear on details
What are the start and finish dates? When and how should you contact the client? At what key points the client want to be involved?

Establish interim checkpoints
This ensures the project stays on target and allows your client to monitor its progress.

Discuss schedules
Make sure the client is accessible when needed. Be timely in submitting work for approval.

Money-Matters
Keep your bid price in sight at all times.

Follow these suggestions about how to freelance well to maximize your freelance career success.