Ask HN: How to get started in consulting?

[dminor]

So I'd like to do some freelance programming work in my spare time, and maybe full time at some point in the future. How does one get their feet wet? Where can freelancers find opportunities when they are just starting out?

[dave_sullivan]

You might check out elance, odesk, etc. There are lots of new postings every day and many of them can turn out to be well paid, assuming you do a little selling and set yourself apart.

Lack of experience won't come up as long as you know what you're talking about.

[dminor → dave_sullivan]

Thanks for the tip! I've signed up to both.

[ChuckMcM]

Well the best way is through a network of people you know, but when you are just starting out you don't have such a network of course.

Craigs List gets a number of postings for freelance work. You want to do programming or web site work. They are different.