However, be prepared for that rejection and handle it with grace and then move on to the next person. It is not easy but you will get over it soon enough. During your follow up, be prepared. You will be asked some hard questions. If you are asked who your other clients are, you can answer truthfully in general terms or simply say you regard that as confidential.
Most employers respect confidentiality and privacy.
You may be asked to come in and bring your portfolio of work you have done in the past. If you do not have any samples, prepare some sample and put together in a nice folder of if you can afford, purchase a nice portfolio. The Yellow pages or Internet directories are good places to list your services. Online Bulletin Boards and business cards are sophisticated but clever ways to get noticed. You will be able to experiment with these for free.