These tips may not be what you'd expect .... they are meant to help you focus, get you off your butt, and encourage thinking out of the box a bit.
* First - Be clear as to who your target market is and what you do! ..... everyone and everything is not a good answer. Go for the target and accept clients from everywhere.
* Build your database in a CRM software and keep notes
* Networking must be a large part of the plan! Both online and off
- Facebook and LinkedIn is the best way to show your expertise for free.
- Learn how to use LinkedIn to make business connections in your city.
- Write articles for your local business newspaper and /or magazine.
- Speak at local groups - prove you are an expert in what you do.
- Join local business groups and visit as many as you can afford (back to networking).
* Have a clean clear website - don't get fancy - just offer the information your prospective clients need to know to hire you.
- include testimonials
- photos of you and your bio
- Use Bullets not big blocks of text
- State your prices, terms etc
- Copy should be friendly - not stiff
* Use SBI to build your website (see the banner at the top of this page). You can get a Do-It-Yourself package if you're confident in your skills .... or they'll build a custom site for you at a very reasonable price.
* Spend time and perhaps money on SEO of the website (SBI actually already helps with this by building it into your site as it's constructed)
* Blogging is great if you like to write and you are disciplined (SBI can help with this too, or just use Blogger or WordPress) - if not just post stuff on LinkedIn and Facebook - no silly pictures on Facebook and no games. If you wouldn't want you mother to read it don't put it on the Internet
* Start an e-newsletter (hence the database)
* Read trade magazines, blogs and website of your industry and others for ideas
* Answer questions on LinkedIn Answers
* Brand your business with a Logo and use that branding everywhere!
That's a good start.