[icey]

If I were in your position, I would start by building a portfolio that you can share. Either some throwaway app that people can download if you're trying to do client-server work, or a simple webapp you can show people.

After that, I'd start checking Craigslist for people looking for small jobs that they need to get done. If you're in an area that has enough work, I think there's an advantage to being local (until you've built up a body of work that stands on its own).

I hope that helps!