good lawyer can help you steer clear of any potential liability issues, or protect your IP from unlawful -- and profit robbing -- infringement.  As your income grows, so will your need for these professionals. Step 8: Don't get frustrated. You might be lucky enough to land a fantastic gig on your first try, but chances are you're going to have more slow periods than busy ones, especially in your early years.  Remember, freelancing is a career choice.  You can't realistically expect to start out at the executive level in an industry you've never worked in, so don't get frustrated when you're doing jobs that might not have the cachet you were dreaming of when you started your new business.  There's nothing wrong with taking the work that pays the bills.  It's what you were doing in your corporate job, and there's a chance you'll have to do some of it occasionally.  In the beginning, you might be doing more of the jobs you don't like so that you can get to the jobs you do like.  Eventually you should be able to pick and choose your dream projects, but you've got to make a name for yourself first. Step 9: Save Money. Just like any other entrepreneur, you're going to have times when you're too busy to eat, and times when you don't have a project to work on.  Plan effectively so you've got the funds to carry you through the slow times.  Choose contractors instead of employees, so