How do you break into freelancing? I have a full time job that I enjoy, but am really interested in freelancing. Have created profiles on freelancing sites and bid on jobs with not much success.

Being able to show a portfolio and building up a reputation. Sadly you need to get jobs for that, even tho jobs require you to a reputation to get them in the first place.

At least that was the case for me.

Be more aggressive and you will get gigs. Find 100 companies that have crappy web sites or need an app - plenty out there - show them how you will make their like easier or better and I am confident you will get work and then referrals from the work.

Yeah, when I was first starting out I did a few things for free just to build up my portfolio and I try to be active and contribute to open source projects. Just going to keep pushing on and I know at some point the hard work will pay off.

alternative: remote jobs, traveling the world with a laptop and a decent and steady income.
http://www.remoteok.io

I've been thinking a little about this myself recently. That old Catch-22 of needing jobs to get experience but needing experience to get jobs!!

So much of my past work is either defunct, meaningless small scale or private. I guess a good personal/profile site is important, too - really showcase yourself.

Interesting to keep an eye on this thread - the remoteok is interesting - I hadn't seen it before.

Yeah I am going to check out remoteok. I've seen weworkremotely.com before.