wsj: with the increase of victims of the economic collapse, freelancing and consulting has taken on an entrepreneurial air. nearly 25 percent of US workers are either part time or full time freelancers, consultants, free agents or contractors.

to be successful in this self starting and competitive career there are rules that help create a successful freelancing occupation:

• freelancers can no longer think short term. to be prosperous, they have to be aggressive about staying up to date in their field.

• joining networks can also be an advantage in acquiring referrals and creating more opportunities.

• an air of professionalism is required to be accomplished in the freelancing world. one way of doing this is by having a private space (home office).

• freelancing can no longer be seen as a job but as a business. the mind-set of an entrepreneur is neccessary.

anybody can become a consultant or freelancer. but not everybody does it well. here’s what you need to know to thrive:

read full post on wsj: How to Succeed in the Age of Going Solo